sitz!

I left my hostel super early this morning (4:45 AM) to catch a plane to Berlin. Everything went rather smoothly and despite a language barrier between my taxi driver and I, made it to my hotel.  Going from hostel life to hotel life is like night and day. In the hostel I shared a joint room with like 13 other girls and it was hot and sticky and in the hotel I have AC a bed plus a couch to myself, plus they brought me candy and fruit. 

After taking a long shower and loving that there was a hair dryer to use I ventured out, got my ticket for Munich, and headed to the Tiergarten which is a huge park.  I went the wrong way when I got off the train but that ended up being alright because I found myself on the University of Berlin campus.  Just to let you know especially for any young girls planning on traveling to Berlin, the boys are very very good looking.  Anyhoo, after taking a pleasant detour I found my way back and at the entrance of the park.  

Berlin is filled with people riding their bikes and this was especially true for the park.  There were beautiful ponds with weeping willows hanging over them and huge trees, it was like being in a forest preserve but prettier. The paths were lined with benches and oil lamps and ducks and ducklings were swimming in the water.  Also I knew there was a Zoo in the park somewhere but I didn't know it would be so open.  Walking along the water I saw llamas, tons of wild birds, and goats.  Pretty random group of animals but it was pretty cool.  

Then magically I came upon a beer garden so I stopped in and got a rather large heffenwisen and a bretzel (pretzel).  The weather was perfect for my little adventure in the park being sunny but not too hot.  After the park I got off a stop early to see and walk more and came across part of the Berlin Wall, pretty weird stuff especially with all the new developments around it and then some of the leftovers from the Wall days.  But I ended my night with dinner at this really cool Italian place.  I know,  I know, you're asking why didn't I eat German food? Well every place I went by didn't speak English and I wasn't feeling too adventurous, but tomorrow I swear I am going to find sausage and sauerkraut and all that comes with it.  Its weird, 'sitz' and 'plotz' aren't getting me too far.  Thanks a lot Bradley. Just kidding! Actually I am quite proud of myself for figuring out the subway system, haven't gotten on a wrong train yet (knock on wood). Oh man, I almost forgot, when I was on the subway these guys came around to check the tickets but they weren't wearing official uniforms, instead they were wearing jeans, a jeans jacket and one of the guys was wearing a huge American flag shirt but he was clearly German. They looked nuts and it blew my mind that they had matching jeans and jean jackets as their uniform.  But anyhoo, tomorrow I leave this lovely hotel room for a hostel but I think it might be kind of nice/funny. The website looks like it should be interesting check it out. But here are some leftover London pictures and first day Berlin ones.

Loyola girls in London, Carey and Laura

Bridge to the Tate Modern and a cute older couple.

Tate Modern

Tower of London which I didn't end up going in.  It cost 15 pounds and while it does house the Royal Jewels, I opted out and spent that money on a nice dinner.

My tube stop while I was staying at the hostel in London.

Natural History Museum that was across the street from my hostel which is huge and takes up a full city block, maybe more.

My hostel.

Early morning train to Stansted. Bye London.

Hotel room #1.

View from hotel window #1: Cute.

Hotel view #2: Err, 1980?

Tiergarten.

Llamas.

Baby ducks!

Berlin is magic and doesn't abide by what we think are normal rules.  Instead it seems like no one works and they ride bikes and hang out in beer gardens drinking and eating.  If only I knew German, I might join them. Something I don't agree with though is the whole bring your dog on the subway bit.  I love dogs but really? They don't belong on the subway seat next to you especially when they're huge and mean.

Not sure exactly but around the park and the University.

Part of Berlin Wall with new area surrounding it.  This is actually a really bizarre area. There is a huge new subway stop underneath it and a theater inside and what not, a Ritz Carlton across the street and tons of tourist stuff with these broken bits of the wall in the middle and in addition a group of people on a hunger strike for some reason I think involving the war in Iraq. I don't know but I feel like Berlin is a series of situations just like this one.