So, Saturday morning I went to the airport. I had to take a bus there because the metros weren't open yet. I took one bus to Gare de Lyon and then had to find another to Orly.
Unfortunately, there were no really descriptive signs anywhere telling me whree to go. I had to rely on instinct and other people's help to get me there. But finally, I did find it.
Thank goodness I alloted an hour to get there because that's how long it took! I kept dozing off in the bus but I was so afraid to miss the stop I never fully fell asleep. We got to the airport and I went right through security. I didn't have to stand in line and check in because I did that at home the day before. That was nice because I didn't have any bags to check. I got to my gate and then the plane came where I promptly fell asleep. When I woke up, I was in Berlin. And it was raining. And cold. Now, why did I bring my umbrella, but nothing more than a short sleeve shirt and cardigan? At least I was dry. I would much rather be dry and cold than wet and have lots of layers- they're going to get wet eventually. I was a little confused as to how to get to my hostel as the directions weren't very good. I asked the information desk and they told me to take the express train, sold me a ticket and a map, and I was on my way. I never found the express train, but I just hopped on the first one I found and made it to the center of the city safely. I was going through East Berlin and it looked like it. Some places just looked really run down or vacant. Sort of like going through bad parts of Atlanta. On the train, my friend Brendan called and asked where I was. I told him I was on my way and asked if he wanted to meet up for a drink later. He said he was waiting for me at the airport, but sure, would meet me wherever and take me out to breakfast.
No, seriously, the guy went to the airport to pick me up. And I didn't even know! How sweet is that?! I got off the S-Bahn and then walked to my hostel. It looked okay. I checked in, got a coffee, and waited for Brendan to call and say he was at my stop. Then we met up at the station and went to the KaDeVe- the largest department store in the WORLD! It had so many levels, and on the top was a food court. Not an American food court, though. A really nice one. It had all these different sections and people behind the counters asking you how you wanted something cooked or with what or whatever. Then of course salad, fruit, coffee, etc.
I had a roll, a plate of fruit (allll my favorites- even dragonfruit!) and an espresso (for 10E!!!).
Brendan had a piece of cake and custard with glazed fruit on top. And probably, I still absorbed more calories than him. Boys make me wanna puke. Anyway, we had wonderful conversation (With me talking most of the time...surprise) and caught up and it was just very nice. We looked out over the city and he told me what certain things were that we could see. Even though it was still rainy, it was clearing up. Then, because Brendan had nothing to do and my schedule was free, he took me around Berlin, showing me Museum Island, the Berlin Cathedral, the French and Berlin Churches, the Opera, Kaiser Wilhelm Church, the TV Tower, Alexanderplatz, Bebelplatz, Reichstag, the Red City Hall, Bradenburg Gate, the Victory Column, and all that stuff. He knew so much about everything because he is German and loves history. It was so awesome! I was able to ask him pretty much everything- even who was who on certain statues and he just knew! Pretty neat. The weather turned out to be beautiful by the end of the day and we stopped for coffee (his treat) to rest and we did a little catch up of where people he knew from middle/high school are. He couldn't believe how many engaged/married classmates we have. I still can't, either. It was fun, though, becaues he was testing my stalking skills on Facebook- which are up to par. I knew just about where everyone was. we went to Checkpoint Charlie afterwards where I got my passport stamped. :-) Am I a tourist, or what?! Haha. But I had to- they didn't do it at the airport. We walked around a bit more. That day was very special for many reasons: 1) It was the day before the Germany- Spain Euro 2008 game, so the Bradenburg Gate area was filled with people already celebrating.
2) It was Gay Pride Day- and there was a huge parage on the Unter den Linden! Brendan wanted to join but I didn't let him. (Kidding.) 3) It was "Carriage Day" which meant all these horses and buggies were out. Brendan swore he'd never seen a horse-and-buggy in Berlin, but I have reason to believe otherwise. They were everywhere! And they acted as if they'd been there forever. So, this was a pretty good weekend to go, I think. We grabbed a wurst- mine was bock, his was the famous currywurst (finally! he let me buy- all of 3 euro!) and sat down and talked to Liz for a little bit. Brendan's friends were going out to dinner in a bit and they invited me to go with! We got ice cream (just guess who bought....and I'm only emphasizing this because a) I don't know Brendan that well and I really was just expecting to see him for a beer *maybe* b) even when I told his friends about how sweet he was, they seemed surprised and c) some boys need to take lessons from him.) and went to the river to see this building where it's said to look like Jimmy Carter's smile. I don't know...it looked more like their second nickname to me: the pregnant oyster. The sun was setting and it was time to get to the Greek restaurant for dinner. I met a bunch of his friends (Lars-Norway, Andrej-East Europe,
Victoria- can't remember, Amy-Aussi,Warren-Aussi, Gavin-Greek, and John-American, I think) and had good conversation with most of them. Andrej (pronounced Ahn-dray) is a twin and so we basically just talked twin stuff the whole night. It was nice to have that kind of thing in common with someone because it meant there was never any awkward silence. I talked to Lars, Brendan, and Andrej most of the night. The food was great, too! I had like a chicken kabob (American kind, with the stick), and potatoes with a raspberry flavored beer that Brendan suggested (thankfully he let me pay for my meal). Their Ouzo (the Greek licorice drink) was free all night so some people got pretty polluted. I don't like licorice, so I was safe. I was exhausted at 10pm, but we didn't end up leaving until midnight. It took forever for people to decide where to go, but before we left, Brendan again offered to take me around the next day. He'd had a bit to drink so I didn't know if he was just being nice, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to just text him to see if he was up the next day to say good-bye. Anyway, Bredan went with most everyone else, but John and Andrej took me about halfway home on their way to another bar. I was kind of uncomfortable going home alone because I didn't know the city that well but I was glad to have at least some company. Andrej offered to take me the whole way back but it wasn't neccesary. Such nice boys in Berlin. Haha. I got on my transfer line with no problem- the driver saw me coming down the steps so he opened the door for me!
The wait for the next train was 25 minutes! That was totally answered prayer, because I didn't want to wait too long by myself. I got off and got to my hostel safe and fell sound asleep.
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