« In Hamburg, More Pics | Main | Moved in in Berlin »
August 29, 2008
In Berlin!
Today I finally reached my destination. Mostly. Almost. Just a couple blocks from it is all, really.
But yeah, I'm in Berlin. Hamburg was fine. Saw some sights, had some experiences. Due to a combo of computer problems and forgetful hotel clerks, I didn't get to meet up with my hacker friends in Hamburg, which sucked, as that was the whole reason for staying on an extra day. Oh well, it's only an hour train ride away...
And it was a very nice ride this morning. I was a little stressed about getting myself and my two huge suitcases, backpack, and laptop bag on and stowed safely, but it was no problem at all. I played Civ Revolutions on my DS (as Germany of course) and whiled away the time on the way south. Before I knew it, I was here. A quick cab ride through the sunny afternoon light of central Berlin on a late August day, and I was at my hotel. Hotel? Well, yes, I am renting an apartment, but it's not available until the beginning of September, so I've got a nice room just a couple blocks away from my true and final destination.
I checked in, dropped off, and went for a walk. On the subject of walking, what's up with my back? Here's the deal: I almost always feel it, the discomfort that sometimes becomes pain. Except for brief, weirdly unpredictable times, there's always some level of discomfort, but I found I can walk through it, and often it doesn't rise to the level of real pain. The result is, I can pretty much walk as far as I want, especially if I want enough. I walked all over downtown Hamburg the last two days, and all over my new neighborhood of Prenzlauer Berg today.
I really like the neighborhood. Lots going on, but kinda quiet streets too. Lots of families with little kids. Lots of affordable, foreign restaurants - I spied a couple noodle places that look promising and just had a great 3 euro pizza next door. There are three book shops within a few block, one with English-language used books out front. I love that the word for bookstore is Bucher. With an umlaut over the u. I always say butcher in me mind. There's a nice looking butcher too, but that's called something else, I don't remember what.
So I'm pleased to be here. I just need to slow down and realize I've got plenty of time for everything. Even so, I'm planning my next move, and the one after that. Tomorrow night is a special event called the Long Night of Museums, where all the big museums stay open until 2 am. It only happens twice a year, so I'm definitely going to go check that out for sure. Tonight though I'm just relaxing and doing laundry. And plotting and planning of course. Always plotting, always planning...
Posted by rdakan at August 29, 2008 12:43 PM