Berlin is like a good movie. While the end generic is being projected on the screen you want to see the film again. For me it was the third time in Berlin, though it actually was the first time I really had the opportunity to visit the city at random. The first two times I landed in Tempelhoff, travelled by night train, went to meetings, visited an east Berlin style karaoke bar, went on a march with flags and drums, did only one real party … So I got the opportunity explore the city in a different way, call it the boys will be boys trip.
Analyzing blood samples, one can learn a lot about the individual: diseases, blood type, substance usage, eating habits, age, genetic composition, … The same with large public transport systems in general and more specific subway systems. Subways are the underbelly of society, the store where the creatures meet, … Berlins U/S Bahn system has an open and semi vintage design, inhabited with alternative and peculiar people one can openly and freely consume alcohol and have a chit chat: there were several random conversations, the beating of a men by the umbrella of his girlfriend and the cherry on top was the threesome that offered vodka to be their photographer and naked dancing if I paid for a “KitKat”. Though the last offer I declined, I do not like to be manipulated in a too obvious manner. Indeed manipulation is the art of subtleness.
Being Martin Braichovic, lessons in social behavior
As Berlin calling suggests, next to architecture, art, design, … Berlin has a vivid party culture with a lot of clubs. In this part our Berlin chronicle you will find 3 tips: from how to avoid being kicked out to getting a VIP treatment. First If you look and behave like five übernormal drunk men from the countryside having a night out, … , you have a handicap. Second if you start banning and pulling the door, you won’t get in. As we had to learn the hard way in the Golden Gate Club. But if you take these two advices into account you will be fine. Being kicked out once we followed the procedure correctly: “knock knock”, “who’s there”, “Evening, can we come in”, ”thx” After which we did not leave Suicide Circus till after dawn.[i] Quick learners that we are, I tried to refine the procedure at the Tresor club. I picked the guest list line, mainly because it was shorter. When asked if I was on the list, I answered “well I should be, but I am not sure.” When asked my name I said “Martin”. They started funneling through some papers and asked, “Martin Braichovic”, on which I evidently replied “yes” , they thanked me by slapping a vip bracelet on. Such a bracelet really helps having a good night out while keeping your budget at bay: free entrance, free food, backstage access, cheap drinks, girly girls, …
Staying in Berlin
You can probably have nice expensive hotels all over Berlin. I prefer our choice of a more modest backpackers accommodation in Kreuzberg Rooms 36. This hostel with its own cozy microcosms inhabited by staff, people passing true and others who seem to live there full-time is a reflection of Berlin as I got to know it in the U and S-Bhan system.
The Berlin trilogy: two forthies
So the conclusion is that Berlin stays at the top of my European-cities-to-visit-list (together with Moscow or Saint Petersburg, Stockholm and Vienna). But next time I will do the things I wasn’t allowed to do this time: go on a shopping spree, visit the Bauhaus museum, modern museum, …Or perhaps run a marathon
