42 thoughts on 42 hours Berlin, Germany

42 hours that is all it took for me to fall in love Germany (well, Berlin because thats all we saw, but you get my point). So, what better way to express my adventures in Berlin than 42 thoughts on my 42 hours. Some points are short, some are long. Some are pros, some are cons. Some you'll read, and most you'll gloss over. But, all explain my 42 hours traversing Berlin - 1 girl and 2 guys!

1. Public Transportation day pass cost €7. Use on tram, subway, and buses. 
2. Public Transportation exact change is preferred otherwise you hold up the entire bus.
3. Reichstag Building. A perfect spot to take pictures of other people taking pictures.
4. There is always a lot of people around the Brandenburg Gate, but if you can place yourself just right you can see the Victory Column through the middle of the gate. #PicturePerfect
5. The Victory Column marked a victory of war and also suffered the effects of a different war. 
6. Climb the 294 stairs to the top of the Victory Column for €3.
7. Five main streets form rays of a sun around the roundabout surrounding the Victory column
8. I would feel safe as a single girl walking around, but this trip I was with 2 guys (my body guards as my host family labeled them). 
9. Food! Let's just say Germans have good taste! Sauerkraut, Goulash, Spätzle. 
10. Food part two: Schnitzel! A must-have if you visit Germany. 
11. Berlin Central Station is huge! Know which platform your train leaves from beforehand. 
12. Soviet Memorial, the memorial is in Russian, but there is a portion behind it that has Russian, German, and English. 
13. Street Artists: People juggle in the middle of the road on a red light! What!?
14. Street artists part two: There was a bear (well a man in a bear suit), and a man playing a music box.
15. Credit cards are accepted at most every place except small cafes and restaurants. 
16. Pedestrian buttons: Don't be fooled if the button doesn't depress because in Berlin the "buttons" are sensors.
17. Postcard stamps €0,90
18. T-Mobile Thank You for International Coverage!
19. So many cars! 
20. Be prepared to be jostled in the buses. 
21. One day it's Sunny the next it's snowing! (Reminds me of home)
22. Directions - figure out which direction you are facing and match that up with the map before you start walking. I should have learned this from NYC, yet I still start walking and then realize two blocks later I am going the wrong direction. 
23. You can't see everything. No matter how much you plan, and how much you walk, and how late you stay up. You cannot see everything. Even if you live in an area for 42 years you will never see everything. 
24. I don't look German so most people spoke English to me. 
25. Trash cans are orange. Do not mistake them for post boxes (Post boxes in the Netherlands are orange).
26. Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe features 2,711 stelae reinforcing the enormity of this horrific event in history. 
27. It's perfectly okay to play tourist for a day! Just make sure that you find at least one "off the beaten path" place on your trip. 
28. Topography of Terror Museum is Free!
29. German History Museum. Students €4 with ID. 
30. Checkpoint Charlie: 1 of 3 checkpoints along the Berlin Wall. 
31. Berlin Wall. There are pieces all over the city, with graffiti on them. Most famous spots are at Checkpoint Charlie and Topography of Terror Museum. 
32. Beer! My first dark beer since I've been abroad. A true German Beer, now that is the way to go!
33. Coffee shops. Don't worry, in Germany, coffee is not synonymous for pot. 
34. Travel buddies. They make life interesting. You learn a lot about them, especially if you share a room for two nights and spend 54 consecutive hours with them. You learn that one blow dries his hair and the other gets hangry pretty fast. 
35. Hostels are nice if you're on a budget, but if you have some wiggle room go for an apartment or an Air BnB, you won't be disappointed. 
36. When in Europe travel by train. It might take a longer time, but you get fantastic views of different cities, and of the landscape. 
37. Train travel part two: Don't worry about reservations on Bahn (German trains)
38. Walking. Most everything can be reached by walking so be prepared to walk a lot.
39. Good walking shoes. Even if you are planning on only using public transportation, the small distances you'll be walking you will most likely encounter uneven ground. (i.e. brick walk ways). Have a good pair of sturdy shoes because your feet will thank you.
40. I always pack too much!
41. Mail boxes - YELLOW! Need I say more?

Leaving Berlin Hbf

Lord, Thank you for your protection and guidance. May I follow your ways the rest of my days.

#katiespiceurope

#AdventureTime