Berlin

06:56 Unknown 0 Comments




ACCOMMODATION
We stayed at Schlafmeile Hostel. (The location can be found here). Schlafmeile Hostel isn't the closest hostel to the centre but it is one of the friendly. It is nearby to the u-bahn and s-bahn stop, Frankfurter Allee. It is run by an extremely personable man from New Zealand.

The Schlafmeile Hostel's bar Lindsay's bar
We had an 8 bed dorm. It cost us €10.50 each per night, which is very cheap. My bunk bed had an extremely dangerous drop on one side but once I realised that I had to stay still as I slept, it was quite comfy and very clean. We had a shared bathroom but with a lot of space.

The facilities at Schlafmeile were very good. We had a shared kitchen, which meant that we could make packed lunches and save a lot of money. Even better than that, the hostel had a bar called Lindsay's. This was a brilliant place to meet new people, we made a life long friend called Mathias who was from Denmark.

I'd certainly suggest staying here!


ARTSY CULTURAL FUN
We stayed in Berlin for two nights which meant that we could do a lot more activities:

The Molecule Men
  • On our way into the city centre, we walk past a fantastic structure, The Molecule Men. This is a sculpture in the middle of the River Spree of three men in a triangle made from metal with holes in. It may sound very odd but it is an incredible piece of art.
  • We went on the free alternative tour. Our fantastic tour guide, Jason, showed us all around Berlin whilst highlighting all of the interesting street art.
  • The free alternative tour took us to RAW Tempel. This is an old train yard that after WW2 was transferred into bar and club venue. Additionally, YAAM, Young African Art Market. Both are culturally astounding, here they are:
  1. This is a WW2 bunker or concrete monolith in the RAW Tempel. Although, formerly it was used to help out in the way, with no need for it now, it has been transformed into something quite significantly different. This ex-bunker is now Berlin's tallest climbing wall. It is fascinating how the people of Berlin have worked alongside their history and created something useful and derives a new use from something that would bring back unpleasant memories.
    2. Outside Crack bar
  2. RAW Tempel is now famous for it's nightclubs and bars. After the tour and seeing all of the cool clubs in the day, we went back to Suicide Circus and Crack. It was brilliant, so so much fun. We drank cider, beer, Bloody Mary shots. All of this but inside the boundaries of a street art surrounded ex-train yard.
    3. Having a Somersby Cider at YAAM
  3. YAAM is by the side of the River Spree and is in a very central location. It is filled with enthusiastic artists who are, predominantly, young Africans. Steven and I sat by the Spree and had a drink. They have deckchairs, fake sand and reggae music. It is a relaxing haven in the busy Berlin city. 
This was my favourite piece of art on the East Side Gallery, Berlin Wall
  • We went to East Side Gallery. A lot of the wall has been taken down now. I have always wanted to see the wall after learning about it in history and German at school. It is amazing to think that two sides of a city were split up into two between a wall and that people died trying to get in between the two. The graffiti art on it is outstanding and a lot of it gives a message. The one to the left is obviously about helping the environment.
  • Another piece of street art we saw was Victor Ash's astronaut. He used a technique called 'pissing' (which is very funny) and is using a fire extinguisher to spray paint up a wall. Ash created this astronaut on a massive scale. It is in Kreuzburg, which is known at the international area of Berlin. Steven loved trying out all the different types of food here. It is fantastic to see so many different ethnicities working together to make their own community in Berlin. 



THINGS WE DID IN BERLIN, THAT EVERYONE DOES IN BERLIN
  • Of course, we went to Brandenburg Gate, the triumphal gate of Berlin. This was extremely busy as it had just been the UEFA Champions League Final 2015. It is really really tall but in the picture we look absolutely masssssive.
  • We went to the Reichstag Building. Well, we went outside. It is patrolled by a LOT of German police. It is a magnificent building. Have a look underneath, here.
  • Another way to embrace the history of Berlin is to go to Checkpoint Charlie. Unfortunately, we did not go inside, we just saw as much as we could without paying (sorry, not sorry). 
  • Definitely go to a photoautomatic machine and get a little souvenir picture to take away! I absolutely love our black and white picture. (See it at the top of the post!)
    • Steven and Reichstag
    Looking leggy
  • It is extremely upsetting to visit but, The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. It has a very grey and solum feel. It was created 60 years after the end of WW2. Although is is sad, it is definitely something you need to see when you are looking around Berlin. Steven captured the mood of the memorial in the picture below.
The Memorial of Murdered Jews of Europe




















Berlin is my favourite. It is filled with culture. It is multicultural. It is easy to navigate around. I absolutely adore it and I am going back in January! So, wait for my next Berlin blog.

Yin & Yang Top: Topshop (£12)
Mom Shorts: Topshop (£32)
Sunglasses: Topshop (£18)
Trainers: Nike (£40)
Bumbag: The Yesterday Society (£3)

Auf wiedersehen,
Becs x

0 comments:

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)