A Day in Berlin Under the Snow
The morning of Day 1 in Berlin began slow, with coffee, breakfast, and a writing session. We had booked a free tour of Berlin for the afternoon, but we ran late due to our sluggish start, among other reasons. The snow that had been forecasted the day before was now a reality, making it less than the ideal weather to be outside, but we decided to make the most of it.
We headed to a Vietnamese restaurant right across from our accommodation for lunch, but I had no appetite. Nevertheless, we braved the snow and took the U6 to Unter den Linden, hoping to catch the tour group in the meeting area near the Starbucks near Brandenburg Gate. However, my companion needed a bathroom break. With no apparent public toilet in sight, I asked the souvenir shop personnel nearby for help, who kindly pointed us to the nearest toilet. Apparently, this massive bookstore in Berlin, Dussmann das KulturKaufhaus, had a free and clean toilet for public use on the second floor. That was good news, but with five minutes to spare, we possibly could miss the beginning of the tour. Going back and forth, falling in line, and doing the deed might take 10-20 minutes.
To cut to the chase, we didn't make it. The ongoing protest slowed us down and blocked the roads. We were 50 meters from the meeting area, 20 minutes late, and we didn't see any signs of the tour group. We will never know if we missed them or if it was cancelled due to the massive protest.
Feeling a little disappointed, we walked aimlessly through the streets of Berlin, trying to salvage the day. We considered taking the Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus but decided to delay the decision to give it more thought. Instead, we found solace back in the enormous bookstore in Berlin, where I made both my planned purchases - a German version of the Little Prince, Der Kleine Prinz (to add to my collection), and postcards - and also two serendipitous finds: a book entitled Walking in Berlin: a flaneur in the capital written by Franz Hessel, and a coloring book.
We searched for Briefmarke (postal stamps) in the nearby Berlin Friedrichstraße station, where I pushed my limited German skills further and tried to transact my needs in German, but the kind postman spoke to me in English. We were thankful for that; foreign language in an unknown environment can be stressful.
We decided to check out Checkpoint Charlie, so we rode the U6 to Kochstr stop, which led us right to the site. Checkpoint Charlie was a famous border crossing during the Cold War and is now a popular tourist destination in Berlin due to its historical significance. Right next to it, we found Yadegar Asisi (an artist whose exhibit I had come across in Rouen back in 2015)’s temporary 360° panoramic exhibition right next to the Checkpoint. For 11 EUR each, B and I decided to relive the days of the Berlin Wall through his lens and artistic storytelling.
Approaching 5 pm, we decided to slow down and rest at a café restaurant a few meters from the exhibit, where we had some drinks and an underwhelming cheesecake. From inside, we saw the protesters pass the street as they continued with their march.
Taking the U6 back to our accommodation, we stopped by the grocery, EDEKA, to buy our meals for the next day. We had an hour before our scheduled dinner at Augustiner am Gendarmenmarkt for our take on local German food. I took this time to get started on my coloring spread. However, I soon realized I'm not a fan of the pastel pens I chose and used, but I guess I'd have to get on with it.
By 7:30 pm, we made our way to our dinner reservation. We had Schnitzel and Augustiner beer. The restaurant ambiance and the food & drink flavors took me back to my trip to Munich in the Spring of 2016. Barely finishing our food and drinks, as the servings were extremely generous, we took a walk (and a U5) to see the Brandenburg Gate at night under the snow.
With that, we capped off our night back in the apartment with a comforting infusion of peppermint tea. Although our day didn't go as planned, it was still filled with serendipitous moments and enjoyable experiences. Berlin in the snow was a magical sight to see, and we were grateful for the unexpected surprises that made the day a memorable one.
Here are five main takeaways from Day 1:
Being flexible and adaptable is key to enjoying a trip. Despite running late for a tour, encountering bad weather, and facing unexpected protests, we were able to make the most of the day by exploring the city at our own pace and finding other interesting activities to do.
Trying different (take on Asian food from a German perspective) and local cuisine is an essential part of any trip. We had lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant, tried German food for dinner, and even had some drinks and cheesecake at a café. By sampling different dishes and drinks, we were able to experience the local culture and cuisine.
Travelling can present language barriers, but it is always helpful to try to communicate in the local language. I had to ask for directions and buy post stamps in German, which may have been challenging. However, I made an effort to communicate and was even grateful when someone spoke to us in English.
Exploring new places can lead to unexpected discoveries. We stumbled upon an exhibit by an artist I had seen before and found interesting books and coloring materials at a bookstore. By being open to new experiences, we were able to discover new things we might not have otherwise found.
Taking time to relax and reflect is important during travel. We took breaks throughout the day to enjoy coffee, coloring, reading and dining. We also ended the day with a comforting cup of tea. By taking time to slow down and enjoy the moment, we were able to recharge and reflect on our experiences.