Berlin, Berlin

Well, I'm in Berlin, and of course the first thing I do is run to my computer to tell everyone about it!

Well, I'm at Johanna's apartment, which is in a lovely state of livable decay, but is airy and comfortable. I've been in Berlin proper for about two hours now, having taken the overnight train from Vienna to Berlin Ostbahnhof, and then the S-bahn to Johanna's house. The U-bahn union is on strike, so there is no subway, but it's otherwise not that bad.

First Impressions:
-Berlin has more graffiti than I have ever seen in the world. Just masses and masses of huge, wall-sprawling spray-paint masterpieces. It's very lively and enjoyable, actually.
-Reminds me vaguely of London, in that there are just large amounts of people going about their business at a high speed. The Viennese saunters, the Berliner rushes.
-The overnight train was fine, actually. The people I was sharing a sleeping compartment with were chatty, which is something I've never seen on a train in Austria so far, but they were all young and it was a long trip so I can imagine that they would rather pass the time in chatting rather than stolid silence. The bed was not great, but if I'd just had a better pillow I would have been fine. As it was, not restful, but not bad, either. I'm here now.

Anyhoo, Johanna's back from her massage guy, so I'm signing off.

Knocking off the list

Have seen (generally not toured)
The Berlin Cathedral
the Reichstag
Brandenburger Tor
Kennedy Center
Huge-ass museum of something
the Memorial for the Murdered Jews of Europe (big outdoor stone blocks that, despite their wonderful maze-like qualities, are not to be used as a place to chase each other around.)
Mauer Park- Actually did a good walk around of this, including stopping by the chapel for those killed trying to get across the border into West Berlin, and going up in a tower to look out at the park.


Generally, quite a lot of wandering (from about 10.15 to 14.30, all on foot), so this Beanie is a bit tired and generally pleased.

Berlin is, in fact, cheaper than Vienna, more lively, with more to do and more places to do it. I clearly need to get myself someplace to live here- Johanna's shared two-bedroom apartment is E300 a month (not sure if that's her alone or shared with her roomie), with it's own shower (but not toilet) and kitchen. In other words, seems like it would be possible for me to live here... I need to think this over a little, but this seems like it would be a really fantastic place to live for a while.