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Published: August 11th 2010
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Goodbye vondelpark
On our way to Berlin we decided to walk through the park one last time The rain did not subside last night so we just had a burger in the hostel - a very nice burger indeed. When we got back to the room, 2 American gents had booked into the beds vacated by the English couple and we had a little chat while they got ready for what promised to be a fun night for them, then Nat and I settled down on my bunk to watch the A-Team (again)
We got up early for breakfast and as it was the second breakfast in the Stay OK hostel, Nat had the measure of the selection. He ignored the continental cheeses, meats and rolls and filled his plate with white bread slices and chocolate spread the proceeded to make a triple decker chocolate sandwich washed down with earl grey.
Showered, packed and ready to go, we left the backpacks at the hostel and returned the bikes (sad to see them go but slightly saddle sore!) then got the tram to Amsterdam Centraal Station. I thought that we had to have seat reservations to use our passes on international trains and that you could only get a reservation if there was more than an hour
Goodbye Bikes
The bikes, taken by Nat as I got the deposit back. to go before departure. We got to the station at 10 to make reservations for the 12.27 train only to be told that we did not need to get reservations and could get the 10.27 train - but the backpacks were still at the hostel so we could not make it. Two frustrating hours lost - bummer!
Got on the train as originally planned at 12.27. I was really panicked that we would miss it or the connecting train at Hilversum, or that the platforms would be changed at the last minute, or that there would be delays - but once I was in Germany I realised that I was judging this slick European operation by the standards of the UK network. We didn’t have reserved seats but sat happily without being moved about for six hours, from Holland to Germany, only having to show our tickets twice and never having to get our passports out.
I expected lots of interesting views on our train journey from Holland to Berlin, but I can sum it all up in three words - countryside, wind farms and graffiti (OK wind farms is two words). If you have ever taken the
Bike Park outside Amsterdam Centraal
First time I came here I was amased by this.... train from the north west to London, you will have approached via Willisden and it’s graffitti laden walls and bridges - this is what everything man made looked like in Germany. The six + hour journey did drag but we had the DS and we watched the A-Team (again)
We arrived promptly in Berlin and after the dragging around Amsterdam that I had subjected Nat to while looking for the hostel two days ago, I promised him we would get the S-Bahn to Alexanderplatz but then get a taxi instead of the bus and on foot directions given by the hostel. Only problem was that the concourse outside Alexanderplatz is pedestrianised and we decided to go to the left. We walked all the way around and saw some amazing buildings and fountains (pictures to follow when we go back tomorrow) then after at least 20 mins with very heavy backpacks we arrived at the taxi rank just a little to the right of where we started.
The hostel is even further to the East of Alexandersplatz (the hub of the former East Berlin) and we followed road upon road of high rise concrete buildings to get here. It’s
Here comes the train
Next destination please!! not a very pretty area but the hostel itself is massive with loads of facilities. We have our own room which is ace cause we don’t have to whisper or lock stuff up. The room itself reminds me of Han and Dean’s room at Clifton if anyone went there - same size and layout with a wet pod.
We had a meal locally because it was so late - pasta in a Mexican / German restaurant, then came back to watch the A-Team (again). If anyone is reading this and has some films that they can save to a USB stick then post to Han before she leaves to meat us in Naples next Friday that would be great, I can’t imagine how sick I will be of the lovely faceman after another week and a half!
So, I am writing this blog in the room, Nat is pretending to write his journal but is actually colouring in pictures. Loads of traffic noise but it is too warm to close the windows.
We are doing a walking tour of Berlin tomorrow that will include the Brandenburg Gate, Reighstad, Hitler’s Bunker, Holocaust Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie, Berlin Wall and
Tigers
Run away as quickly as you can!! Luftwafe HQ. After a couple of days being as laid back as the Dutch are and doing pretty much nothing I need some organisation.
Love to all, think I managed to name the pictures this time!!
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