Home » Poland » Back home at last

At last in the train on my way to Warsaw. I have had a full day in Berlin and find myself thoroughly exhausted. I have been going round Berlin all day, doing all the touristy things but achieved what I wanted to achieve: I walked from the Alexanderplatz away from my communist past down Unter den Linden to the Branderburger Tor - what a great reconstruction - waved hello to the French and British embassies on either side (the French is of course better) and then got thrown out of the hotel Adlon, as I did not quite look suitable. I take offense that my nice Cambodian straw hat does not look suitable. I then went to shed a tear at the Soviet monument, stood in awe at the new European quarters in Berlin and then headed to the Postdammer platz, where I used to go regularily while in Berlin, as it had the only cinema showing films in their original version. It has grown at such a speed, it is now full of gadgets and the new towers are all gleaming and sparkling in their steel and glass coats. A truly architectural marvel.

Back home at last

Degrubenc
2005-12-09 14:25:42

Displayed times (last time: )

At last in the train on my way to Warsaw. I have had a full day in Berlin and find myself thoroughly exhausted. I have been going round Berlin all day, doing all the touristy things but achieved what I wanted to achieve: I walked from the Alexanderplatz away from my communist past down Unter den Linden to the Branderburger Tor - what a great reconstruction - waved hello to the French and British embassies on either side (the French is of course better) and then got thrown out of the hotel Adlon, as I did not quite look suitable. I take offense that my nice Cambodian straw hat does not look suitable. I then went to shed a tear at the Soviet monument, stood in awe at the new European quarters in Berlin and then headed to the Postdammer platz, where I used to go regularily while in Berlin, as it had the only cinema showing films in their original version. It has grown at such a speed, it is now full of gadgets and the new towers are all gleaming and sparkling in their steel and glass coats. A truly architectural marvel.

The strange thing about Berlin is that I

feel completely at home in it. When I was here a few years ago for my 3 months long german course, I did not feel the city had a particular feel to it: it was big, ugly and imposing; now, the place is full of renovated buildings, of cafes, bars, fancy restaurants, happy smiley people and colour. All of it was missing. I do not yet feel as if I have gone abroad, my trip has not yet started, I understand what people say, the way they react, dress and behave, there is as of yet no culture shock, I can't wait to get on the train to Irkoutsk. That is where the great adventure begins indeed.

I have had time for a last Schweinebraten before jumping on the train to Warsaw. I am pleasantly surprised to find two quiet vietnamese girls, one with a very special phone: it is covered in diamonds, flashing budhhas and little reflective dangling bits. When it rings, we have the whole ...