Berlin

On Saturday, bright and early (around 5:30), Yusuke, Andre, Lisa, Christopher, and I headed out to catch our train to Berlin. About 4.5 hours later…we got off the train at Zoo Station and started our short exploration of the capital. We had planned to go on a free tour of Berlin offered by NewBerlin Tours at 1:00, so we did not have much time. After exploring a local Christmas Market (one of MANY in Berlin), we grabbed a quick bite at McDonald’s, and then proceeded to join the group….but somehow we missed the tour and about 30 minutes later….miraculously met up with the group at the Brandenburg Gate. Basically at that point, Yusuke, Christopher and Lisa went to explore a museum, while Andre and I stayed with the tour. It was an amazing tour of the city, and we saw things like the Holocaust Memorial, Hitler’s Bunker, Check-point Charlie, and much much more!

Later that evening we met up with everyone at the Hostel called Pegasus. This was my first hostel experience, and it was a very nice one! We had a room for six with personal shower and toilets. Andre and I grabbed a drink at the bar before everyone arrive, and I had a white bear mixed with cranberry syrup, which is popular in Berlin….and it was delicious! For dinner, we ate at a sketchy Pizza and Pasta restaurant attached to the hostel….let’s just say I ate my lasagna with a spoon…and it was not supposed to be a soup….!

On Sunday, everyone headed out fairly early, around 9:00. At this point I explored an antique market…but made no purchases. Then, around 10:00, it was time to start making my way out to the airport to meet up with Jason! At this point I thought it would just be him with no luggage (the last e-mail I read at the hostel on free net said his luggage was lost in Montreal), but luckily his luggage was found, and he arrived, safe and sound! Unfortunately, one of his bags was a bit beat up and had lost a wheel….but us being the troopers we are continued on our way to see more of Berlin….two guys, two back packs, and two suitcases…one missing a wheel.

During our time there we saw a few popular sites like the capital building, the Brandenburg Gate, and a couple Christmas Markets. It was definitely an experience, walking around the city with a bag missing a wheel….not one I would suggest to anyone, but that is truly memorable! We boarded the 5:30 train from Alexanderplatz and started the 4.5 hour journey back to Hannover.

Berlin Pics 1: http://www.pikiwiki.com/ews/editor.jsp?2RsCw1ZTAFljqJK2DzLtbvg
Berlin Pics 2: http://www.pikiwiki.com/ews/editor.jsp?2RsCw1ZTAFlhgwvVQpFfkvw

Here is a video of an animated Christmas Village inside a Berlin mall....

On Monday we headed to my apartment to pick up some essential items (aka computer) and then went to various supermarkets to get food essentials for the next two weeks. That evening, we headed out to the Hannover Christmas Market. It was a sad day as it was the last day for the market, but we made the most of it. Later in the evening, once the market was starting to close for the last time, we noticed many trees thrown in piles (these were old trees that had been used for market décor) and decided one would make a perfect tree back at the apartment. So, then we found a tree, and proceeded to walk around the middle of Hannover AND ride the subway with a spruce…another special memory! We proceeded to ‘fix up’ the tree and decorate that evening!

Hanover Pics 1: http://www.pikiwiki.com/ews/editor.jsp?2RsCw1ZTAFljQ4QuKX1_TZg
Hanover Pics 2: http://www.pikiwiki.com/ews/editor.jsp?2RsCw1ZTAFljm-xSP66bb1w

Today, we started our day with some bargaining on antique ornaments. These were very cool as they were Russian painted ornaments. I got a tomato, lemon, carrot, grape, strawberry, and peach! Jason got some nice ‘starburst’ design ornaments….a couple more to add to the tree!
Then we traveled over to Hameln which is about 45 minutes away from Hannover. This town is known for its fairytale story about the Pied Piper who removed the rats…and then also took the children. If you haven’t heard of the story…then you should Google it asap! This was the last day for its Christmas Market as well.

Hameln Pics 1: http://www.pikiwiki.com/ews/editor.jsp?2RsCw1ZTAFlht1n2-zV5zOg
Hameln Pics 2: http://www.pikiwiki.com/ews/editor.jsp?2RsCw1ZTAFlgx7287UMZqBQ

Well, sorry for such a long post…but it has been a busy few days! I hope everyone is doing well, and getting all their last minute shopping done before Christmas!

Tschüs
Dustin (and Jason)