[most of these entries were originally written in a journal during my actual trip]
Friday, July 20
I forgot how much fun traveling solo in Europe is! It's sort of challenging -- it is new and foreign, after all -- but still doable because English is so prominent in Western Europe. So I got myself out of the airport and to here [the Frankfurt train station], ticket in hand, pretty easily. I did circle the airport a bit trying to find an electronics store first, though. I found one, but they didn't have what I was looking for (a Nikon battery charger). I don't know what I'm going to do if I actually can't take any photos. In Germany! I'll be so devastated. I already am, just anticipating the possibiltiy.
Well, to change the subject - I'm seeing my friends soon! It's still so surreal, but we're down to mere hours here! Another crazy thing to think about... I'm back in the first world again and man, does it feel good! Everything is super clean, clear, and timely. Being in Armenia for so long has really made me appreciate little things like organization.
[somewhat later..]
That first train was so amazing! Such a smooth, fast, comfortable ride! Too bad Armavir marz is still stuck in the Soviet Era when it comes to their rail transportation.
Saturday, July 21
On the train again now. This time, to Berlin. It's another great, smooth ride of course. Unfortunately it moves too fast to get a decent picture (I think I read that it's going 188 km/hr). Well, I take that back. My camera shutter speed is fast enough to handle it... but I'm not! As soon as I see something nice and get my camera ready, the sight has passed by. Here are a couple I did manage to take:
New National Gallery: Modern art, for a sort of hefty admission fee of 10euros. Not really worth it to me. There was one special exhibit from a German artist (name I can't recall) and then a lot of Picasso, Warhol, etc.. typical of modern art museums. Also, there was a TV playing the "All You Need is Love" video on loop. Talk about a great song that gets old really fast! Whew!
Thursday, July 26
5.80euros for a damn beer! And it's not even that good. Oh well, what can you expect at an airport, really? I just got checked in for my flights back to Hayastan. It's bittersweet, after such a long time. Bitter because I loved Berlin and Germany as a whole (what I saw, at least). I'm not sure if that's just because of the stark contrast from what I've been living in, or the fact that it's the first world, or what. Sweet because I want to get back to the people in Armenia. My PC friends, mostly. I miss talking to them! I'm a little surprised at this, I guess, because I haven't known these people for very long. But some of them have become good, good friends already.
It's amazing to think that earlier today I was still lounging around Berlin...
Friday, July 20
I forgot how much fun traveling solo in Europe is! It's sort of challenging -- it is new and foreign, after all -- but still doable because English is so prominent in Western Europe. So I got myself out of the airport and to here [the Frankfurt train station], ticket in hand, pretty easily. I did circle the airport a bit trying to find an electronics store first, though. I found one, but they didn't have what I was looking for (a Nikon battery charger). I don't know what I'm going to do if I actually can't take any photos. In Germany! I'll be so devastated. I already am, just anticipating the possibiltiy.
Well, to change the subject - I'm seeing my friends soon! It's still so surreal, but we're down to mere hours here! Another crazy thing to think about... I'm back in the first world again and man, does it feel good! Everything is super clean, clear, and timely. Being in Armenia for so long has really made me appreciate little things like organization.
[somewhat later..]
That first train was so amazing! Such a smooth, fast, comfortable ride! Too bad Armavir marz is still stuck in the Soviet Era when it comes to their rail transportation.
Saturday, July 21
On the train again now. This time, to Berlin. It's another great, smooth ride of course. Unfortunately it moves too fast to get a decent picture (I think I read that it's going 188 km/hr). Well, I take that back. My camera shutter speed is fast enough to handle it... but I'm not! As soon as I see something nice and get my camera ready, the sight has passed by. Here are a couple I did manage to take:
So last night was nice, despite being extremely sleep deprived. I even started to fall asleep at the table of the beer house we went to (not because of alcohol). But earlier, before that, I successfully surprised Kelly & her sister Jen! That was really fun. I'm so glad that it all worked out, and that Chrysta/Doug didn't spill the beans beforehand! So, after they arrived in Heidelberg, we went to a goodbye dinner party for Doug's mom. We also walked around downtown Heidelberg for a bit. What a charming town! I was totally enamored with it.
Some photos around Heidelberg:
Some photos around Heidelberg:
Chrysta and I arrive in Berlin. We found Anne's place easily, although she's at work until later. Luckily, one of her roommates was there. So, after getting sort of settled in there, we meandered to some nearby sites, parks, etc. until Anne was off work. And to start the wonderful food journey... we had Mexican for dinner. I almost ate the guacamole with a spoon.
Sunday, July 22
Major sleep in day! We didn't leave the house until afternoon and, even then, we only went and sat around Mauer Park. Thus the beauty of spending a whole week in one place: you have the luxury of sleeping in! I really needed the extra Zzz's, and I think Chrysta appreciated them too. I had no idea I'd be so jet-lagged from just a few hours' time difference. Then again, the three busy weeks prior to this trip also probably contributed.
So once at Mauer Park, we walked through the flea market, drank beer, and people-watched. It was a super, superbly lazy day. I really enjoyed this park. It has a great atmosphere. People watching was such a joy, taking in all the fashion! I like Berliner fashion. It seems very "I don't give a damn," but there's got to be more to it than that... it's way more put together than when Americans "don't give a damn" about what they wear. I don't know if I'd be able to put together a good 'German' outfit; I feel like I'd miss some important key element.
Music! Beer! Friends! People!
Monday, July 23
Much more active day! We went to the Holocaust Memorial, East Side Gallery, TV tower, Checkpoint Charlie...
I really realized today just how interesting Berlin's history is (it's complicated, to say the least!) These sites were a lot to take in all in one day. I think I need to do some serious research to understand it all better.
Tuesday, July 24
Wannsee Lake! Well, it took us a long time to find, but the lake was lovely. A nice big beach, refreshments, the works. There were paddle boats and Laser sailboats, too, but we didn't take advantage of that. We also didn't go to the nude beach section. I was surprised at what close proximity it was to the rest of the beach; it was RIGHT THERE. The only thing separating it was a small wooden partition.
It was great to just relax in the sun, though. I haven't done that in so long! Sure, there's Lake Sevan, but that's just not the same.
Tuesday night we went out for a drink with Anne. Her roommates went out clubbing, but personally, I just wasn't up for it. This trips is costing me enough without adding overpriced drinks to the situation! Maybe I should've taken advantage of being in Berlin, one of the hardest partying cities, but c'est la vie. These days, I just really really have to be in the right mood to go out hard like that. Plus, on this vacation, I just wanted to relax!
Museum Wednesday, July 25
Today was designated for going to museums. It was sweltering hot outside, so it seemed like an appropriate plan of action.
Holocaust Memorial Museum: First of all, I can't believe I've now been to two genocide museums in as many weeks! It's kind of a downer. I do think I've lost some faith in humanity due to it! But this museum was nice... I liked one display in particular, where they mapped out the paths a few families took during the Holocaust (i.e., which family members were separated and who survived, where they went)
Thursday, July 26
5.80euros for a damn beer! And it's not even that good. Oh well, what can you expect at an airport, really? I just got checked in for my flights back to Hayastan. It's bittersweet, after such a long time. Bitter because I loved Berlin and Germany as a whole (what I saw, at least). I'm not sure if that's just because of the stark contrast from what I've been living in, or the fact that it's the first world, or what. Sweet because I want to get back to the people in Armenia. My PC friends, mostly. I miss talking to them! I'm a little surprised at this, I guess, because I haven't known these people for very long. But some of them have become good, good friends already.
It's amazing to think that earlier today I was still lounging around Berlin...
- saying by to Chrysta
- having a bakery brunch near Anne's flat
- going to Museum Island and stumbling across the provocative Larry Clark photography exhibit that Anne told us about
- meandering around Hackescher platz/market and checking out jewelry, street musicians, and funky alleyways
- sitting in park, again
- Dunkin Donuts, again
Well, that about sums up my trip to Germany.... here are a few extra photos for your viewing pleasure!
Auf wiedersehen!
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