MY BERLIN - LOUIS RUTHERFORD
Berlin is a city best lived in. Its recent past may be almost unparalleled in terms of monumental socio-political importance but the intelligent and open-minded attitude held by most Berliners, and exhibited in many museums, regarding Berlin’s turbulent recent past has enabled the city to now live rooted in the present. Although skin-head neo-Nazis may still have an unfortunate place within some of Berlin’s outskirts; anti-Nazi bars, graffiti and events are prevalent in the city centre where racial, disabled and homosexual acceptance is markedly high.
Artists and musicians live to promote and exhibit their work with free flyers, magazines and guides littering counters in every bar, shop and restaurant. You’re sure to find the collection of these an addictive process with quirky sites, local listings and appealing oddities on offer everywhere you look providing a endlessly renewing jigsaw puzzle of information regarding ‘What’s On’ in the city.
Tourists just passing through are encouraged to shed their title and integrate into a community with each area featuring folk going out of their way to add a little culture and colour. Find your interest and join in as community vibes are evident in all areas bar the very centre of the city with local bars in Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg and Prenzlauerberg particularly adept at providing a consistent crop of burly locals with whom you can practice your German, just so long as you wear a smile and say ‘bitte.’ Parks, galleries and theatre or film events are also great ways of getting plugged in to whatever’s happening in your area. On top of the guide given here, check ’Zitty’ and ’Tip’ magazines for in depth listings whilst scouring flyers and posters on your wanderings. Indeed keep your eyes open in general as some of the best art is to be found suddenly as you turn a corner, with massive murals, stencils and painted blocks exhibiting political satire, kitsch emotion and self-conscious style.
As a place to live as a youngster or student, Berlin seems to provide a thrilling experience. Immaculately kept football pitches, community parks and playgrounds are dotted throughout the city’s districts. Rarely empty, these sites provide an ideal place to meet friends and stay healthy with stone table tennis tables usually found in the nooks and crannies of most green spaces. Cycling paths line the majority of the streets in the city and are filled with young people on their way to wherever. Situated half on and off the pavements, you’ll learn very quickly that these are a cyclists domain and that nothing will get in their way. Cycle schemes akin to those set up in Lyon and Paris are available across the city whilst hiring and renting is comparatively cheap and easy. Locals don’t tend to wear helmets, such is their assumed dominance over cars and pedestrians, however as a Berlin newbie, this is not advised. Instead, keep your eyes and ears open and enjoy the best way to get about the city.
For older teens and twenty something’s, the city’s night-time jewels are numerous with cheap art-galleries, museums and café’s providing equally unprecedented choice during the daytime. Chat to young Berliners and you’re sure to be struck by their confidence, friendly manner and general stylish appearance. Music venues throughout the city are generally un-commercialised with even the most popular spots, retaining an individual character. ‘O2 World’ is the only exception, an ugly eyesore needlessly plonked amid Warsahauer Strasse’s bubbling river-side. However, avoid this, and you’re sure of a fairly cheap acoustic treat - depending on the band of course. Busker’s in the city and in the subway unsure you don’t even need to fork out to enjoy some quality music. Plenty of foreigners and strangely dressed individuals play anything from funk to blues providing an endless stream of music for your travels from A to B. Indeed, freebies in general are fairly easy to come by, though strictly speaking, tips are expected for the excellent free walking tour and at the numerous free-trade restaurants situated predominately in East Berlin.
The “‘All nighter‘? more like ‘all morning’” attitude to nightlife is one of Berlin’s trademark characteristics. Your nearest city may have its rush-hour at 8-9am but here its more like 4-6am and you can be sure that that’s not people heading to work. Keep away from the overpriced tourist traps and you can be sure of a great night out alongside chirpy, buzzing folk equally at home within the wee small hours. Use this guide to visit some of the restaurants and cafes; bars and clubs and general local hangouts that make Berlin belong to its people and become a Berliner yourself for as long as you’re here. Know the locals and you’ll be introduced to underground Berlin where the exuberance of young life, so evident on every Berlin surface; breaks into outright primal ecstasy. Dance, communicate and live while in Berlin as its one of the best places in the world for it.
Berlin Top 10.
1. Liberal tolerance.
2. Night Life.
3. Community vibes.
4. Young life
5. The River-bars dotted along the Spree.
6. Watermellon Man: Vodka, Watermellon Liquer, Orange juice, fresh Watermellon and squeezed lemon juice. Refreshingly tangtastic says I.
7. Music venues.
9. Cycling.
10. Free flyers.
Berlin is a city best lived in. Its recent past may be almost unparalleled in terms of monumental socio-political importance but the intelligent and open-minded attitude held by most Berliners, and exhibited in many museums, regarding Berlin’s turbulent recent past has enabled the city to now live rooted in the present. Although skin-head neo-Nazis may still have an unfortunate place within some of Berlin’s outskirts; anti-Nazi bars, graffiti and events are prevalent in the city centre where racial, disabled and homosexual acceptance is markedly high.
Artists and musicians live to promote and exhibit their work with free flyers, magazines and guides littering counters in every bar, shop and restaurant. You’re sure to find the collection of these an addictive process with quirky sites, local listings and appealing oddities on offer everywhere you look providing a endlessly renewing jigsaw puzzle of information regarding ‘What’s On’ in the city.
Tourists just passing through are encouraged to shed their title and integrate into a community with each area featuring folk going out of their way to add a little culture and colour. Find your interest and join in as community vibes are evident in all areas bar the very centre of the city with local bars in Friedrichshain, Kreuzberg and Prenzlauerberg particularly adept at providing a consistent crop of burly locals with whom you can practice your German, just so long as you wear a smile and say ‘bitte.’ Parks, galleries and theatre or film events are also great ways of getting plugged in to whatever’s happening in your area. On top of the guide given here, check ’Zitty’ and ’Tip’ magazines for in depth listings whilst scouring flyers and posters on your wanderings. Indeed keep your eyes open in general as some of the best art is to be found suddenly as you turn a corner, with massive murals, stencils and painted blocks exhibiting political satire, kitsch emotion and self-conscious style.
As a place to live as a youngster or student, Berlin seems to provide a thrilling experience. Immaculately kept football pitches, community parks and playgrounds are dotted throughout the city’s districts. Rarely empty, these sites provide an ideal place to meet friends and stay healthy with stone table tennis tables usually found in the nooks and crannies of most green spaces. Cycling paths line the majority of the streets in the city and are filled with young people on their way to wherever. Situated half on and off the pavements, you’ll learn very quickly that these are a cyclists domain and that nothing will get in their way. Cycle schemes akin to those set up in Lyon and Paris are available across the city whilst hiring and renting is comparatively cheap and easy. Locals don’t tend to wear helmets, such is their assumed dominance over cars and pedestrians, however as a Berlin newbie, this is not advised. Instead, keep your eyes and ears open and enjoy the best way to get about the city.
For older teens and twenty something’s, the city’s night-time jewels are numerous with cheap art-galleries, museums and café’s providing equally unprecedented choice during the daytime. Chat to young Berliners and you’re sure to be struck by their confidence, friendly manner and general stylish appearance. Music venues throughout the city are generally un-commercialised with even the most popular spots, retaining an individual character. ‘O2 World’ is the only exception, an ugly eyesore needlessly plonked amid Warsahauer Strasse’s bubbling river-side. However, avoid this, and you’re sure of a fairly cheap acoustic treat - depending on the band of course. Busker’s in the city and in the subway unsure you don’t even need to fork out to enjoy some quality music. Plenty of foreigners and strangely dressed individuals play anything from funk to blues providing an endless stream of music for your travels from A to B. Indeed, freebies in general are fairly easy to come by, though strictly speaking, tips are expected for the excellent free walking tour and at the numerous free-trade restaurants situated predominately in East Berlin.
The “‘All nighter‘? more like ‘all morning’” attitude to nightlife is one of Berlin’s trademark characteristics. Your nearest city may have its rush-hour at 8-9am but here its more like 4-6am and you can be sure that that’s not people heading to work. Keep away from the overpriced tourist traps and you can be sure of a great night out alongside chirpy, buzzing folk equally at home within the wee small hours. Use this guide to visit some of the restaurants and cafes; bars and clubs and general local hangouts that make Berlin belong to its people and become a Berliner yourself for as long as you’re here. Know the locals and you’ll be introduced to underground Berlin where the exuberance of young life, so evident on every Berlin surface; breaks into outright primal ecstasy. Dance, communicate and live while in Berlin as its one of the best places in the world for it.
Berlin Top 10.
1. Liberal tolerance.
2. Night Life.
3. Community vibes.
4. Young life
5. The River-bars dotted along the Spree.
6. Watermellon Man: Vodka, Watermellon Liquer, Orange juice, fresh Watermellon and squeezed lemon juice. Refreshingly tangtastic says I.
7. Music venues.
9. Cycling.
10. Free flyers.
No comments:
Post a Comment