Berlin was incredible. I would have to say my favourite part was a 5 hour walking tour we took of Berlin. Our guide, Edo, had moved to Berlin originally for 2 years to study. It has been 6 years now and he has no intention of going home. He portrayed the history of Berlin, passionately telling stories of pre-20th Century, through WW2 and through the Soviet control of East Germany, and the US/France/British control of West Germany up until the fall of the wall. It is so amazing to think so much has happened in just one spot on the globe, and in such a short time.
The memorable stuff from this trip was more a matter of learning to travel with one another when positive attitudes go south due to hunger and exhaustion. JT worked until the morning we left, having had to go to Wales the day before our flight. So while amazing, things didn't go as smoothly as they have until now. I have taken it upon myself to learn the following 5 things before we travel:
5. Be realistic about your diet in opposition to your traveling partner - bring snacks for both just in case. (For me an energy bar...some kind of fruit and nut concoction, and for him....a snicker's bar as he won't eat anything disguised as healthy unless it is wrapped in chocolate.)
4. Know the following words in the language of where you are traveling to: please, thank you, may I have..., and cafe latte (the last being most important).
3. Stop and eat when hungry. Do not wait just until you "get to over there" as over there will inevitably turn out to be 3 miles from anything.
2. Be prepared to freeze your tushy off. It snowed most of our trip, which makes for beautiful pictures, but as we both originate from warm places...does not make for patience building weather.
1. Know if your hotel is where you want it to be. Just because it says it is in Berlin doesn't mean it isn't 3 trains and 1 20minute bus ride from town. (with a bus that comes only once an hour, which was oh-so-fun at night when it was freezing) We walked the 3-4 miles several times.
The memorable stuff from this trip was more a matter of learning to travel with one another when positive attitudes go south due to hunger and exhaustion. JT worked until the morning we left, having had to go to Wales the day before our flight. So while amazing, things didn't go as smoothly as they have until now. I have taken it upon myself to learn the following 5 things before we travel:
5. Be realistic about your diet in opposition to your traveling partner - bring snacks for both just in case. (For me an energy bar...some kind of fruit and nut concoction, and for him....a snicker's bar as he won't eat anything disguised as healthy unless it is wrapped in chocolate.)
4. Know the following words in the language of where you are traveling to: please, thank you, may I have..., and cafe latte (the last being most important).
3. Stop and eat when hungry. Do not wait just until you "get to over there" as over there will inevitably turn out to be 3 miles from anything.
2. Be prepared to freeze your tushy off. It snowed most of our trip, which makes for beautiful pictures, but as we both originate from warm places...does not make for patience building weather.
1. Know if your hotel is where you want it to be. Just because it says it is in Berlin doesn't mean it isn't 3 trains and 1 20minute bus ride from town. (with a bus that comes only once an hour, which was oh-so-fun at night when it was freezing) We walked the 3-4 miles several times.
