Notes on Berlin for the next time (as told by sleep-deprived travelers)

This weekend nine of my flat mates and I headed to Berlin. After a great weekend and a night in the airport we decided to take notes to remember the weekend and to reference for next time. Some are completely useless and others are pretty common sense. Either way, after only getting a couple hours of sleep on an airport floor (to save money on a hostel, obviously), this is what we came up with.

  1. Come when it’s warmer.
  2. Fly out at a normal time.
  3. Press the door open button on the train when it’s green. Chances are there’s a platform there and you’ll regret it (and get lost) if you don’t try.
  4. Get Carlsburg, they’re the same price as water there.
  5. Don’t jump on trains when you don’t know what direction they’re heading (chances are you should just avoid trains that Rob tells you to get on).
  6. Learn German! (at least some)
  7. Take free walking tours. It’s an easy way to meet other people who are traveling and probably broke.
  8. Get kabobs at ridiculous hours of the night.
  9. Don’t dive for apples while changing, the results won’t be great and the apple probably isn’t worth it.
  10. Always take extra free breakfast from the hostel (plus it’s so cold you don’t need a refrigerator).
  11. Jumping off bunk beds usually breaks things.
  12. Always bring extra Kleenex.
  13. Running with hot chocolate (and without a washing machine) is a poor decision.
  14. Nine people definitely fit in an eight-person cab.
  15. Berlin’s music taste is quality!
  16. Decide on a leader and then stick to it (this is especially important when wandering with a large group of people through a foreign city).
  17. Always conga in a biergarten (beer garden) to polka music.
  18. Watch for steps while conga-ing in the biergarten.
  19. Definitely go to a biergarten (again, beer garden) and order currywurst, beer and lots of apple desserts.
  20. Polka bands and Germans know the song Country Roads and enjoy singing it at the top of their lungs just as much as Americans.
  21. Validate your train tickets (40 euro fines if you don’t, luckily we didn’t find this out the hard way though).
  22. Wear at least 5 pair of socks at all times (if they fit in your shoes).
  23. Watch out for pigeons.
  24. Don’t go past zone C, chances are you’re in the middle of nowhere.
  25. Plan bathroom trips- they’re not free in Europe.
  26. Berlin is a city full of history, take advantage of it. It’s worth it.
Brandenburg Gate
Brandenburg Gate
Murdered Jews Memorial, in the middle of Berlin and one of my favorite things we saw)
Murdered Jews Memorial, in the middle of Berlin and one of my favorite things we saw)
Some badgers outside the Reichstag
Some badgers outside the Reichstag
Gates to Sachsenhausen, a concentration camp outside Berlin. One of the most surreal experiences I’ve ever had. I strongly suggest going if you’re ever in Berlin
Gates to Sachsenhausen, a concentration camp outside Berlin. One of the most surreal experiences I’ve ever had. I strongly suggest going if you’re ever in Berlin
The girls next to the largest intact part of the Berlin Wall. It’s covered in murals and gorgeous.
The girls next to the largest intact part of the Berlin Wall. It’s covered in murals and gorgeous.
Chocolate Hogwarts. I only geeked out a little.
Chocolate Hogwarts. I only geeked out a little.

4 thoughts on “Notes on Berlin for the next time (as told by sleep-deprived travelers)”

  1. This is amazing. I’m really pleased about how many of these revolve around food, glad you’re having so much fun!

  2. #17 proves that you’re on your way to learning the essentials of the German language – one word at a time.

    Sounds like great fun Kate!

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