Sitting on the plane leaving Berlin-Tegel for London Heathrow back to Toronto, I reflected on my travel observations as a tourist in Germany, and especially Berlin, this past week.
As in Paris (and NOT as in Toronto), you can pretty much get anywhere by train. (S or U-bahn). If you’re traveling as a group, consider the family day pass, travel as much as you like, for up to 5 people, including some kids.
Speaking of kids, there aren’t many. Not sure who these people think is going to pay their old age pension when they retire, but they are not replenishing the German stock, that’s for sure!
If yer lookin’ for salad, bring yer own veggies. This town, and the country that surrounds it, don’t eat no salad, unless it’s potato salad!
Beer is cheap: About 75 cents can get you a big bottle at the grocery store.
I enjoyed using my German, but many folks speak English, especially in tourist areas of the city, so don’t panic if all you know how to do in German is swear or ask for “ein Bier, bitte”!
Beware of pickpockets on the Alex and at Checkpoint Charlie – we were (aware, I mean), and it saved us having our wallets stolen more than once.
Unless you want pop-like water, ask for “Stilles Wasser”; I’d forgotten the German obsession with bubbly water… it’s nearly impossible to find normal water there, as even when asking for “stilles wasser”, one sometimes gets “Medium” instead, which means just a few bubbles instead of a whole bunch!! (The truth is that most people drink beer, anyway—see #4 above.)
Haribo gummi bears are not supposed to be rock hard (as one finds them in Toronto!!!) Pick up a fresh bag or 12 while Berlin; they (the gummies, not the bags) are soft, chewy and fruity. Yum!
Germans make well-engineered luggage: I splurged at the airport, and purchased a new suitcase and carry-on bag from the Lufthansa store; light as a feather, and corners on a dime.
As in Paris (and NOT as in Toronto), you can pretty much get anywhere by train. (S or U-bahn). If you’re traveling as a group, consider the family day pass, travel as much as you like, for up to 5 people, including some kids.
Speaking of kids, there aren’t many. Not sure who these people think is going to pay their old age pension when they retire, but they are not replenishing the German stock, that’s for sure!
If yer lookin’ for salad, bring yer own veggies. This town, and the country that surrounds it, don’t eat no salad, unless it’s potato salad!
Beer is cheap: About 75 cents can get you a big bottle at the grocery store.
I enjoyed using my German, but many folks speak English, especially in tourist areas of the city, so don’t panic if all you know how to do in German is swear or ask for “ein Bier, bitte”!
Beware of pickpockets on the Alex and at Checkpoint Charlie – we were (aware, I mean), and it saved us having our wallets stolen more than once.
Unless you want pop-like water, ask for “Stilles Wasser”; I’d forgotten the German obsession with bubbly water… it’s nearly impossible to find normal water there, as even when asking for “stilles wasser”, one sometimes gets “Medium” instead, which means just a few bubbles instead of a whole bunch!! (The truth is that most people drink beer, anyway—see #4 above.)
Haribo gummi bears are not supposed to be rock hard (as one finds them in Toronto!!!) Pick up a fresh bag or 12 while Berlin; they (the gummies, not the bags) are soft, chewy and fruity. Yum!
Germans make well-engineered luggage: I splurged at the airport, and purchased a new suitcase and carry-on bag from the Lufthansa store; light as a feather, and corners on a dime.
Speaking of dimes, be sure to carry change at all times – you’ll need it for the public washrooms. Unlike in Toronto, most places don’t have washrooms, and even if they do, one is often still expected to pay at least 50 cents!!!
Letter carriers often move the mail by bike, even when there is snow on the ground. Large baskets adorn these yellow bikes, and make carting the mail around the city more “green”. Cool!
Letter carriers often move the mail by bike, even when there is snow on the ground. Large baskets adorn these yellow bikes, and make carting the mail around the city more “green”. Cool!
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