Berlin Brain Dump: That Weird Feeling

okay, so berlin. where do i even start? i landed here on… well, i’m not entirely sure. time gets blurry when you’re fueled by lukewarm coffee and the desperate hope of finding a decent vegan döner. i saw the date - 610612 - staring back at me from some transit schedule. it felt significant, somehow. like a secret code to unlock the city's soul.

and then there’s that number: 1398046759. i don't know what it is. maybe a phone number? a serial number for a forgotten refrigerator? a cryptic message from the universe? i’m leaning towards the universe.

The weather? it’s…a flirt. `temp:3.02, feels_like:-0.03`. seriously? who designs these temperature scales? i just checked, and it’s…there right now, hope you like that kind of thing. it's that sort of damp chill that seeps into your bones, making you crave a hot drink and a deep dive into a history book. which, let’s be real, is pretty much my default setting.


i’m staying in a neighborhood that smells perpetually of freshly baked bread and something vaguely floral. the neighbors seem…content. they mostly glance at you with a quiet sort of acceptance, like they've seen it all before. if you get bored, Potsdam is just a short train ride away. Someone told me that the best street art is hidden down the smallest alleys - you have to really look. i’m hoping to find some gems.

i spent yesterday wandering around *Mitte, trying to decipher the city’s layers. layer upon layer of history pressed against each other. you can’t walk five blocks without bumping into a monument or a relic of some long-forgotten era. it’s overwhelming, but in a good way. like being buried treasure of the intellectual kind.

i heard that the best currywurst isn’t on the tourist trail. allegedly, there’s a tiny stand near Hackesche Höfe, but it’s perpetually packed. someone warned me against ordering anything with pickled herring - apparently, it’s a local delicacy, but it’s not for the faint of heart (or stomach).


and the coffee. oh, the coffee. i’ve found a little place, tucked away on a side street, that serves a brew that could wake the dead. seriously. it’s fueled half my explorations. they roast their beans in-house, which is always a good sign. i actually found an interesting article on Perfect Daily Grind about the coffee scene in Berlin. Worth a read!

The air hums with a certain energy here. it’s not the frantic buzz of a big city, but something…deeper. like a constant conversation happening just beneath the surface. maybe it’s the ghosts of history whispering in your ear. maybe it's just the caffeine. who knows.

i'm planning on checking out some of the independent galleries in Kreuzberg* - i’ve heard some good things. and maybe trying to track down that legendary vegan döner. wish me luck. it’s a wild ride.

seriously, though, that number. 1398046759. i’m still thinking about it. maybe it’s not a refrigerator serial number after all…maybe it’s the key to unlocking…something. or maybe i'm just overtired and the damp air is messing with my head. possibly both. anyway, this city is…a lot. and i'm here for it.

check out Visit Berlin for more info. You might also find helpful reviews on Yelp Berlin - just be prepared for some strong opinions!