Berlin Certainly Makes Us Younger

We got up early and once again packed up our backpacks. We had to switch hostels...again. Damn that stupid mistake. However, I think we were all a little sad to say goodbye to the Grand Hostel....for it truly was Grand. On the way out the hostel offered an all you can eat breakie buffet. And it was no cheese and bread....yogurt, pasta, eggs, fruit. The whole nine yards. Great way to start the day.

Wombats was easy to find and excatly what we had hoped for. All the Wombats are standard, which means you know you will have a great stay. We lucked out with a four person dorm, sharing with a German girl. First thing she says when she hears were from Canada " Oh no, you canadians like to party, Ya?" Either way, she loved us. Great roomie.

After settling into our room, we headed out to find the mall. Its cold in Berlin, we dont have jackets, mitts, scarfs, nothing...we just came from Spain. So of course we had perfect justification to go shopping.

We might have gone a little overboard. We were like children inside an amusement park. Look at this sweater....OMG ive always wanted this....this color would look amazing on me. This went on for about three hours. When you havent shopped in months, you realize how exhilrating it can be. We did constrain ourselves, we stood there pleading our case to each other, explaing excatly why it was impartive to our lives that we have that sweater in blue and gray. Either way, now we were set for Berlin.

On the way home, we were commenting on how nice Germans were. We are used to not getting customer service in Europe, but is it to much to ask to get a smile once in awhile? Germany is like our Canadian fix it. Still no customer service like Canada, but they always smile, say hello, pleases and thanks you...all that stuff you take for granted. Its so small, but it really come to apperciate it when you havent heard it in so long. As well, Germans are wonderful at helping you out. They give great directions, will even tell you a great place to eat or coffee shop. I love Germans.

Once we got back to the hostel, we spent quite awhile trying on our new clothes. Wow, it was a rush to look in the mirror and see a new outfit. I really was getting sick of looking at myself in the same three outfits. Then we got ready for the night, and we looked good. Amazing what a new outfit will do for a girl.

Wombats always has a bar inside the hostel, which is convient. This one however is a Skybar. you go on the Terrace and it has an incredible view of Berlin. With the TV tower in the centre. We happened to luck out, the week we were in Berlin is also the Festival of Lights. All the main buildings are colorfully lit up, its really neat. After we had enough of the cold we headed in.

As well as being convient, the bar also offers cheap beer. I think your grasping that this is my kind of place. After awhile the guys behind us invited us to join them. Six guys, French, All Doctors. Ya, right. Do these guys think were stupid? We have met enough people to know that you can be whatever you want to be. Even heard of the guys that got into a club because they claimed to be MTV producers. So forgive us if we seem skeptical.

The crazy thing is, we found out later they really are all doctors. All specilizing in different fields, almost done their schooling. So we were wrong, either way, better to be safe then sorry. These guys were all very nice, and explained profusly that they are different then Paris frenchies. They vowed to show us that the French are really great people.

They have a friend that is living in Berlin and knows the best places to go. So we got our jackets and headed out. First we got some food, thank goodness frenchies like to eat because we were straving. Know, we are still kinda at a loss since we gave up kebabs. But my heart thanks me for it. They took us to this fast food Mexican like resturant. It was cheap and good! At one point, we were all sitting at a table and I thought to myself. Im in Germany, eating Mexican food, with six French guys. How International.

Once we got to the metro stop we were looking for, we realized the Frenchies were strollers. They would slowly walk a couple of steps, then stop and turn around to talk to the person behind them, then stroll a couple of metres, then stop look at the map, then stroll and then go backwards to talk to someone in the back of the group. It was ridiculous! We would literally have to stop, give them a 10 min head start, then walk normally just to keep their speed. We were actually taking baby steps to stay in line with them.

While, strolling is fine and all.....they could not figure out how to read the map or figure out where to go. They explained the night before they spent 4 hours trying to find the one club. I can see why. I took the map and led them in the right directions. I aint spending four hours walking around. Anyways, we found the place...but at midnight...way to early to go in. So this club would have to wait.

We met up with their friend who lives in Berlin, and thankfully this woman knew where she was going. Now, Berlin is famous for their nightlife.However, if you dont have a local to go with...good luck finding the place. On the way, she pointed out a couple places that were bars and clubs. You look at a wall with graffitti all over it, that has a tiny door. Inside....thats one of the best bars in Berlin. Nothing has signs, its crazy.

We got to the street, and she leads the way through a wire fence up some concert stairs. It looks like you would being going to the metro. Then you turn the cornor and on the far right is a graffitti wall, tiny door, and a guy sitting on a stool. You would never know that this was a bar. You go in and its just one room. A bar on one end, DJ booth on the other, some sitting on the windowsill, and a toilet room. Thats it. But this place was pumping. Everyone was crowded and dancing to the Electro music with the strobe lights going.

Now, Berlin nightlife is very different. Techno and Electro is all they play. There is always lights, strobe lights, smoke, discos...the whole nine yards. And, everybody dances. Even the husky German man. Another interesting observation? You see a group of gay guys, then a straight guy getting it on with his girl beside them. There is a huge gay population here....but everyone is really accepting of it. Doesnt bother them one bit.

While there, we met a German man. He was big, really scary looking and not to approachable. We were taking tacky pictures of ourselves when he comes over.....looks down at us....then smiles and says " Would you like me to take the picture for you" He was the nicest guy in the world. Again, I love Germans. You think this guy would shank you..but really he just wants to help you out.

Sidenote: The drinking age in Berlin is 16. While we have been here us girls have been ID at every club we have been too. And they really look at it. As well, talking to people on many seperate occasions they have asked if we were 16. To the point they do not believe we are 24. As well, on four seperate occasions I have been asked if Im from Spain. Spain. Can you believe that? Its like we got to Berlin and suddenly we look completely different.

After dancing our butts off, we headed out to the main event. This club was infamous in Europe. Tresor, it in an old warehouse and it is huge! You go in and its like your walking through an underground mine. Everything is red and there is smoke everything. At first, its kinda scary but you get used to it. Then you turn the cornor and there is a dance floor with seperate longing rooms connected to it. You go up another floor and there is a quiter disco with a balcony overlooking the abanded work line of the factory. Ive never been in a place so cool.

The dance floor was pumping with Techno and strobe lights and lights. Im surprised we could hear the next morning. Everyone had glow sticks and was just dancing like theyve never danced before. Needless to say, it was an incredible night. By far an unforgetable night.