Next up after Paris was Berlin! This time, we were taking the train over so we hoping for a more comfortable journey. Naturally, since we were on a budget and time wasn’t a constraint, we were changing trains twice and placed our faith in world-renowned German efficiency to get us there. The train set off from Paris on the dot. Great stuff. We roll on along to our first stop at Karlsruhe when the train announcer mumbles that the train will be arriving 8 minutes late. No biggie as we have about half an hour to make this connection. It’s about lunchtime so we even manage to pick up some kebabs/falafel wraps (a true sign we’re in Germany!) before getting on the next train. Some food, reading, awkward napping, and origami later, the train pulls into our second stop Hannover. Again, the train guy mumbles something inaudible.
Voila! Swan!
Strike two; another late arrival!
This time, it’s tight, we have about 2 minutes to switch trains and we don’t know the platform etc! At this point, I’m actually oblivious to these facts and still feeling quite relaxed. V, always the one with the clearer head, is checking his watch and trying desperately to decipher the German on our ticket to figure out the platform we need to go to. The doors open. It’s like the amazing race (you know, one clueless map reader and one who knows what’s going on) and we’re off! A quick scan reveals the platform (with our waiting train) on the other side of the tracks, so we sprint (more like roll) down the stairs and up the next set to the platform. We jump on the first coach we see and the doors close behind us with the satisfying beep-beep-beep that train doors make. Phew! Oh, and like clockwork, the train sets off on time.
Moral of the story: DB trains depart on time but don’t arrive on time!
We have arrived!
Berlin in the summer is mainly about being outdoors. So it was outdoor markets and outdoor drinking.
Beers and pretzel at Tiergarten
Saturday market near Charlottenburg
Market near the German History Museum
Our tour guide was regaling this story during the walking tour (he was English btw, so he had that witty sarcasm we were already missing).
Guide: So many people ask me why a square in Berlin has a French name. Any guesses?
French smartass in the group: Oh, becauze it iz so pwetty, it haz to be French.
Guide (under his breath but loud enough; delightful English passive-aggressiveness): Yeah well, if you always surrender really quickly, you generally get to keep all your pretty stuff.
Badam-tiss! (obviously French smartass is super pouty after this)
So…much…graffiti.
And finally, veggie bratwursts!
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Travel facts:
Total cumulative expenses since start of trip:
GBP: 271 plus EUR: 519.50
Transport Paris-Berlin:
DBahn train (booked via www.loco2.com), Paris 11:25am arriving Berlin 8pm – 227EUR
Accomodation – Berlin, 4 nights
AirBnB – 129GBP
Seems like you're having an amazing time. I certainly am by following your adventures. Keep the posts coming and enjoy your trip.
PS: what are veggie bratwursts made of? (as if someone actually knew for sure what is inside the real ones…hahahaha)
xoxo,
Dani
Thanks Dani! Glad you're enjoying our posts! Veggie bratwursts are usually made either from tofu or seitan (which is a wheat based protein product but I'm not sure exactly how it's made). The seitan ones actually taste quite similar to the real stuff (according to V)!