Last full day in Berlin
The day started off slow, with a lazy morning that allowed me to take my time and ease into the day. However, things quickly picked up as I met up with my friend C at Ryu, a Japanese restaurant we had agreed to meet at. Despite my plans to arrive on time, my mind was overloaded and distracted by messages from around the world, causing me to leave ten minutes later than planned.
Thankfully, C was understanding and forgiving, and we spent the afternoon catching up on each other's lives. We had met at university and collaborated on events in the diplomatic and international arena, but it was a privilege to connect with him on a more personal level and share different aspects of our lives with each other. C even accompanied me to my appointment with a Japanese hairdresser in the area, Iramasure, keeping me company and making the experience all the more enjoyable.
Later in the day, I met up with my hosts and friends, D and K, and we headed to the Western part of Berlin, at Berlin Zoologischer Garten. The area had a different vibe than what I was used to, and I found myself fascinated by the unique architecture and local shops. We stopped at ComeBuyTea for some milk tea before heading to Arirang, a Korean BBQ restaurant just around the corner.
Over plates piled high with bulgogi, Korean pancakes, chicken, and spicy soup, we reminisced about our most notable high school memories. The conversation was lively and filled with laughter, and it felt good to reconnect with old friends over good food.
After a satisfying meal, D booked us an Uber to take us back home. As we rode through the city - along Alexanderplatz, Tiergarten, and the Brandenburg gate, the lights and sounds of Berlin at night created a sense of calm and relaxation. It was a great way to end a day filled with unexpected moments and delightful encounters, and my six-day stay with old friends in Berlin.