Berlin & the Bone-Chilling Wind (and a surprisingly good döner)
okay, so berlin. it’s…a lot. i landed with absolutely zero expectations, mostly because i booked this trip on a whim after a particularly brutal rehearsal schedule. drums are fun, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes you just need to disappear.
and disappear i did. straight into a wind that felt like it was actively trying to steal my soul. i just checked and it’s…basically a freezer out there right now, honestly. -6.01 celsius, feels like -13.01. not ideal for someone who packed mostly band tees and ripped jeans.
first impressions? *graffiti everywhere, which, as a touring drummer, i can appreciate. it’s a different kind of rhythm, you know? a visual beat. the street art around Kreuzberg is insane. i spent a good three hours just wandering, getting lost, and trying not to look too much like a tourist.
"Don't trust the guys selling 'Rolex' watches near Alexanderplatz. They're smoother than a freshly oiled snare drum, but it's all fake."
that’s a direct quote, by the way. overheard at a Späti (basically a late-night convenience store, and berlin runs on Spätis). the guy was serious. apparently, it’s a whole thing.
food-wise, i’ve been living on döner kebabs. seriously. i’ve had, like, five. no regrets. i heard that Mustafa's Gemüse Kebap is the best, but the line was longer than the guest list at a major festival, so i went to a smaller place near my Airbnb. it was…perfect. crispy bread, juicy meat, the right amount of sauce. 10/10 would recommend. you can find some reviews on Yelp.
my Airbnb is in Neukölln, which is…interesting. a lot of vintage shops, a lot of bars, a lot of people just existing. if you get bored, Potsdam and Dresden are just a quick train ride away. i haven’t made it there yet, but it’s on the list.
someone told me that the techno scene is legendary, but i haven’t ventured into any clubs yet. i’m still recovering from the jet lag and the aforementioned soul-stealing wind. plus, i’m pretty sure i’d get lost in a warehouse full of strobe lights and bass.
"The U-Bahn at night is…an experience. Just be aware of your surroundings."
that’s…vague, but concerning. i’ve taken the U-Bahn a few times, and it’s generally fine, but i can see how things could get weird.
*Essentials for Berlin in Winter:
A ridiculously warm *coat (seriously, don’t skimp).
A *scarf that can double as a face mask.
Waterproof *boots (the streets are often wet and slushy).
A portable *charger (you’ll be using your phone a lot for maps and photos).
A healthy dose of *patience* (lines for everything).
overall, berlin is…chaotic. beautiful. cold. delicious. i’m not sure what i expected, but it’s definitely exceeded (and confused) my expectations. i’m thinking of checking out the East Side Gallery tomorrow. you can find more info on TripAdvisor. i also stumbled upon this local forum Berlin.de which seems pretty useful. and if you're into history, Visit Berlin has a ton of information. i'll probably just wander around until i find another döner stand. that's my plan, anyway. wish me luck.