I spent last weekend in Berlin with Yann and Miriam. We thought of it as a fun trip since I’ve been going to Berlin at least once every year now for the past 3 years or so, and it’s Miriam’s first time going. What we didn’t realize until we got there was that it was also the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, which made it an added bonus (although when people ask me afterwards if I went for that reason, of course I nodded fervently because I’m very up to date with German news).
Going to Berlin was a bit of a nightmare because we had already bought train tickets and there just happened to be a train strike that weekend, but nonetheless, once we spent 10 hours getting to Berlin, we had a great time there.
As me and Miriam both went to art school, we spent a significant amount of time in Kreuzberg, this time exploring many hipster shops that seem to only sell things that are either: sequinned, bedazzled or come with a moustache, and hanging out at cafes that sell flat white.
Want to fit in in Kreuzberg? I’ve got you guys covered!
[ ] Owning a bike is a must. The older the better. Don’t you know that cars are bad for the environment?[ ] Alternative hairstyles are the way to go. Take your pick between dreadlocks, or hair dyed in any Kool-aid shade of your liking
[ ] You also only have two options for pants – will it be skinny or harem?
[ ] Be prepared to take up an artistic hobby (being talented in said hobby isn’t a requirement)
[ ] An ironic accessory is a must, such as an empty baby stroller or something large and furry
We did stumble across this building with its graffiti staircase, which reminds me of the good old days when Tacheles was still around.
Because Yann loves Korean food, we had lunch one day at a place called Kimchi Princess (I was sold on the name).
Their slogan is “Let them eat Kimchi,” which is how you can differentiate a hipster Korean restaurant from a regular one. That and the fact that they have a section where you can sit on pillows instead of chairs.
Their lunch menu- “Let them eat lunch” (the restaurant owner really loves his Marie Antoinette references), has a pretty good variety and the food tastes great! (although according to Yann, nothing beats the Schweinebauch at Zum Koreaner in Munich)
However, our absolute favourite place to eat was when we had brunch at a place called The California Breakfast Slam, which of course, also happens to be in Kreuzberg.
How can anyone say no to those pancakes?!?!
Aside from Kreuzberg, we did venture out to the Sony Centre where we found these plaques on the ground cleverly made by Schwarzkopf.
Of course I had to take a pic of the Matthias Schweighöfer one (move over Brad Pitt).
And here’s Karl!
Oh and speaking of the 25th fall of the Berlin Wall anniversary, they had an installation across the city where the former wall was called the LICHTGRENZE, where 8000 illuminated balloons were put up, and on Nov 9th, in the evening, they were let go one by one and floated into the sky.
Here’s a video from Youtube!
Have you guys been to Berlin? What did you guys like best about the city?