trying to catch up
so, we finally got to berlin about 8:30pm, and we muddled our way to our hostel. we lay around for roughly half a second, and then went out to a nifty beergarden for dinner and drinks.
which meant pasta and absinth, apparently.
ahhh, traditional german foods.
anyway, we were all pretty tired by 1 or 2am, so we went back to the hostel and promptly passed out.
the next morning we were up by 9am (we've been doing that a lot, which might explain why we're asleep by 1am) to go see the things we'd come to see. unfortunately we hadn't really planned, so we just kind of walked around aimlessly, searching for nifty sights and food. we found a pretty cheap restaurant when hunger won out, and it turned out to be right next to the communication museum. we wanted to see the museum (touting the exhibit "the robots are coming!") but we knew first we had to see the berlin wall. the guide book we had said only one part of the wall remained, and it was at something called east side gallery. unfortunately it didn't give any information after that, and the east side gallery wasn't on the map. thinking it couldn't be that far (because berlin had been suprisingly walkable) we hoofed it to the east side.
an hour later we weren't there yet.
so, it took a while to find it, and much stopping to ask people, but we saw some cool buildings and a nice river and some really awesome graffitti being made. the wall itself was interesting. they hired artists to paint it in the 90's, and the paintings have since worn off. so some of the artists have come back to repaint, but half of it is just a normal crumbling wall. then we metro'd back, only to find out that there is ANOTHER section right there in the middle of everything that the book never mentioned, and that one came with lots of info in english and a touching display.
whatever.
the communication museum is awesome. if you go to berlin, go to the communication museum (but only if you really enjoy museums that are like grown up sci-tech centers). it traces communications and robotics through history, with a special focus on mail, phones and omputers. it has one of the first postcards and stamps on display. i don't even speak german and i thought it was great. also, the staff is suuuuuuuuuuper friendly. i've never met a happier or more informed or playful museum staff.
and, there are robots. one chases a ball and makes giggling noises. the other moves around the room and tells you information about whatever it is you're looking at. another greats you in all sorts of languages. they all look like giant toasters, or vaccuums from the 1950's. they're great. i want to take the ball chasing one home and keep it forever.
anyway, afterwards we wanted to see the former aviation building, but tom cruise is making some movie and blockd off half the tourist sights. stupid tom cruise.
so instead we went over towards potsdamer platz and lay in the sun. then we went home to gussie up and head to the sony center for dinner. expensive, but DELICIOUS. well worth it. plus, we drank a third a bottle of stoli, so it was ok.
unf, we were full and kind of drunk and pretty tired so we still went to bed by 2am. we be lame.
the next day we had to be out by 11, so most of the morning was spent getting out. then trying to find the next hostel. then me getting really insulted and angry about navigation, and not talking to anyone for an hour (even after we found the hostel and walked around that nice residential area and had ice cream). finally we got all the drama out and started enjoying the afternoon again. we saw the holocaust memorial, which was much more than i thought it would be. and once you're done remembering and mourning, you can play an awesome game of marco-polo (you critique now, but wait till you're wandering through those aisles and see if you don't do the same)
we had to head back to the hostel after that so we could get to the plane because it looked really far out (turned out not so much).
we didn't die on the flight to oslo, and inga was there waiting for us!!!! YAY INGA!!!! i looves her soooooooooo much.
speaking of loving inga, i'm gonna go do that. will catch up more later.
which meant pasta and absinth, apparently.
ahhh, traditional german foods.
anyway, we were all pretty tired by 1 or 2am, so we went back to the hostel and promptly passed out.
the next morning we were up by 9am (we've been doing that a lot, which might explain why we're asleep by 1am) to go see the things we'd come to see. unfortunately we hadn't really planned, so we just kind of walked around aimlessly, searching for nifty sights and food. we found a pretty cheap restaurant when hunger won out, and it turned out to be right next to the communication museum. we wanted to see the museum (touting the exhibit "the robots are coming!") but we knew first we had to see the berlin wall. the guide book we had said only one part of the wall remained, and it was at something called east side gallery. unfortunately it didn't give any information after that, and the east side gallery wasn't on the map. thinking it couldn't be that far (because berlin had been suprisingly walkable) we hoofed it to the east side.
an hour later we weren't there yet.
so, it took a while to find it, and much stopping to ask people, but we saw some cool buildings and a nice river and some really awesome graffitti being made. the wall itself was interesting. they hired artists to paint it in the 90's, and the paintings have since worn off. so some of the artists have come back to repaint, but half of it is just a normal crumbling wall. then we metro'd back, only to find out that there is ANOTHER section right there in the middle of everything that the book never mentioned, and that one came with lots of info in english and a touching display.
whatever.
the communication museum is awesome. if you go to berlin, go to the communication museum (but only if you really enjoy museums that are like grown up sci-tech centers). it traces communications and robotics through history, with a special focus on mail, phones and omputers. it has one of the first postcards and stamps on display. i don't even speak german and i thought it was great. also, the staff is suuuuuuuuuuper friendly. i've never met a happier or more informed or playful museum staff.
and, there are robots. one chases a ball and makes giggling noises. the other moves around the room and tells you information about whatever it is you're looking at. another greats you in all sorts of languages. they all look like giant toasters, or vaccuums from the 1950's. they're great. i want to take the ball chasing one home and keep it forever.
anyway, afterwards we wanted to see the former aviation building, but tom cruise is making some movie and blockd off half the tourist sights. stupid tom cruise.
so instead we went over towards potsdamer platz and lay in the sun. then we went home to gussie up and head to the sony center for dinner. expensive, but DELICIOUS. well worth it. plus, we drank a third a bottle of stoli, so it was ok.
unf, we were full and kind of drunk and pretty tired so we still went to bed by 2am. we be lame.
the next day we had to be out by 11, so most of the morning was spent getting out. then trying to find the next hostel. then me getting really insulted and angry about navigation, and not talking to anyone for an hour (even after we found the hostel and walked around that nice residential area and had ice cream). finally we got all the drama out and started enjoying the afternoon again. we saw the holocaust memorial, which was much more than i thought it would be. and once you're done remembering and mourning, you can play an awesome game of marco-polo (you critique now, but wait till you're wandering through those aisles and see if you don't do the same)
we had to head back to the hostel after that so we could get to the plane because it looked really far out (turned out not so much).
we didn't die on the flight to oslo, and inga was there waiting for us!!!! YAY INGA!!!! i looves her soooooooooo much.
speaking of loving inga, i'm gonna go do that. will catch up more later.