"Ich liebe Berlin"

After a grueling 2-stop, 3-airline (UA, US and LH) trek across the pond, I make it to Berlin Friday morning. This is after coming to three travel conclusions: First -- it’s AWESOME to be traveling on a blue passport.

Second, that USAirways has the worst long-haul experience in economy (ugh, yes… I flew coach -- they wouldn’t take UA miles to upgrade even though they are in the Star Alliance). And I thought United was bad…. But nope, USAir takes the cake.

And third, FRA is hands down the worst airport for making connections. I’ve done this a few times here already, and every single time it is a major hassle. The design does not seem to have any rhyme or reason. Let’s put this passport control here, let’s put the security line here… and the lounges, let’s put them waaaay over here. Ugh.

Enough venting. Berlin. Prior to leaving, I did extensive research on getting to the city from the airport via public transport. And what do I do? Screw it, I took a cab. Haha!

Stayed at the Berlin Hilton at the very city center next to the beautiful Gendarmenmarkt. Very nice. Of course, I’m using my HHonor points for a free room. After this gorgeous hotel, it’s all downhill from here. Got upgraded to the executive lounge, which is awesome, for in addition to free drinks, there is free breakfast and cocktail food every night as well. Woot. I’m being cheap and having all my meals here. Which is fine, because according to my guidebook, Berlin is not known for being a gastronomic city anyway.

Except for the currywurst, a Berlin original, which I just had to try. And it was good!

Sightseeing: Berlin is beautiful. Of course a lot of the sights have been rebuilt and refurbished after the wars (both WWII and the cold war). But that doesn’t take anything away from the beauty of it all.

There are a LOT of memorials. To the Jews, the parliamentarians who were killed for opposing the Nazis, the homosexuals, and even cobblestones commemorating where the Wall once stood. It’s heartening to note that they do not want to forget their dark past. As a wise man once said: “He who does not remember the past is doomed to repeat it.”














Nightlife: What can I say? Its reputation as a party city is truly well deserved. Friday night I did some bar hopping. Had a great time. Details provided if requested. :-)

Saturday night: WOW! Berghain opens at midnight. I was there at 12:30 and already the line was horrendous. I wait one hour in line, without the guarantee of even getting in. They are notorious for turning away people for no apparent reason. I saw a few of them from in front of me get turned away. I’ve never waited that long in a line before. But it was totally worth it.

Once in, we partied the night away (Berliners are friendly, and shy little me made friends easily). Two huge dance floors, numerous lounges and nooks, plenty of space. The venue is an old electric power plant from the communist time of East Berlin. And they kept some of the old generators and equipment around. It had an interesting, industrial feel to it. Amazing music in both dance floors. The place was packed, with newer people continuously streaming in. I left at around 11 am (a record for even me) and the place was still packed!

The sun was blaring down on Sunday morning in Berlin as I went back to my hotel in my club outfit. Almost like the walk of shame, but not quite. I was dancing for almost 10 hours straight! Who needs a gym and a treadmill when you can get your exercise like this!? Other than a small altercation with the security staff (“this is Germany, you need to speak German“) and too many people approaching me for drugs (What do I look like? A dealer?), it was an awesome night! I was told the party went on till 11 pm Sunday night. I guess I’m too old now to party like the Berliners…I gave up too soon.

Needless to say, Sunday was a write-off. Woke up late afternoon, and my calves, thighs, and feet hurt really bad. Hmmm, wonder why? I walked around a bit like a zombie seeing other neighborhoods I hadn‘t seen yet, “dinner” at the executive lounge and then …….. wait for it…. wait for it….. Another night out!

Someone needs to learn how to pace himself.