Berlin Day 1

We made it here, Berlin, a little worse for wear, but still here. I now fully remember why I prefer direct flights and dislike flying east. We took off at 5:30 pm settling in for a long flight. We were arriving in Frankfurt at 7:00 am. The flight, although long enough, wasn't as long as we needed.

Surprisingly, we were fed a very nice dinner with wine at about 7:00 and the cabin lights went out at eight, suggesting that we sleep. Gila managed a few hours, but even though I was tired, I got minimal shut-eye. At 5:30 am lights came on, we were served banana bread and coffee and prepared to land. The clock said 6:00 am. However, my body was sure it was midnight, perfect time to fall asleep. Instead, we deplaned and started tramping about looking for the location of our connecting flight. 

Frankfurt airport is huge! We walked through several shopping malls, a passport check and another security check before I needed a coffee, stat, in order to keep going. Our new gate was as far as possible from our landing gate. We decided to check with staff only to find out that we were at the wrong gate for our flight. This gate was for a 7:45 flight to Berlin. Our flight wasn't until 8:45. That gate was half way back to where we had come from! By now, the waiting time was short and in no time, we were settled into our seats for the short hop to Berlin. I shut my eyes but just as I felt myself doze off, the plane was landing again in another huge flughof. Nice touch, the carousel is right where you enter the concourse. Unfortunately, trying to find tourist information, gave us our first workout for the day. Again, clock time was reasonable, but my body was screaming that it was 3:00 in the morning. After wandering for a bit looking for an international SIM card for Gila and buying a weekly transportation pass, we were finally on our way to our apartment. Unfortunately, I was cranky, hot, tired, maybe hungry but definitely thirsty.

Gila, thank god, has the patience of Job and unlimited curiosity. While I only wanted to find the right address and collapse, she had to take and edit a gazillion photos. Without too much trouble, we found the right street, but the very beginning of it.  We were looking for # 245. After trudging with baggage less than three blocks, Gila was ready for a taxi. That was the point at which I noticed that the numbers on our side of the street were consecutive not odd or even. We were in front of # 23, but the other side of the street was # 258. In Berlin, you number in order up one side of the street. When you get to the end of the street, the numbers on the other side continue consecutively down. We were only several doors away from out apartment. 

It was 12:30 pm, local time, but all I wanted was sleep. The owner of the place, a young American Jew who came for a two month stay and is still there nine years later, was not yet done cleaning, so with directions from him, we reluctantly headed out to a local eatery. I was kind of looking forward to some traditional German food, but this lively hang out called Imbiss served an Indian food fusion. Its logo was the McDonald's m, but upside down. By now I was even too cranky to complain. Gila had naan with beet borscht seasoned with an Indian hand. I had a quesidilla made from naan, with an olive tapenade base covered with cilantro, shaved Parmesan cheese and sun dried tomatoes. Delicious. Now I was less hungry but no less tired and cranky. We shopped for some breakfast supplies at a no frills type store that had even fewer frills than the Loblaws version at home. 

We had been told to come back at three, but neither of us had any reserves left so we trudged back to the apartment and conked out while our host finished cleaning the bathroom. That was the best hour and a half nap I have ever taken. I was ready to go, but Gila needed another two hours plus of sleep and time to check all her mail before (hurray for wi-fi) heading out again. The tourist office at the train station was open until ten so we navigated our way there.

What a spectacular structure! After mistaking the information kiosk for the tourist centre, we finally found the right place and we left loaded down with brochures, timetables and a three day museum pass. Too tired to find a restaurant, we ate at the food court and started our initial timetable. Opera, ballet, classical concerts for four evenings and a list of 47 museums to cram into the three day pass. Once I had eaten I felt better and finally found some patience in time to head 'home'. By now it was after midnight, with neither of us tired. We finally called it quits at 1:30 am and set the alarm for 8:00. Not the best of days, but a lot accomplished in terms of planning. Friday we start the museum/gallery count down.

The Berlin Central Train Station.

The weather is definitely fall, rainy, grey and windy, but it is unlikely that it will hold us back.