Now, Berlin was quite an experience. To start with, I wasn't in my normal place of work - I was on the Trading floor in Essen on Friday 08/08/08. I met up with Bülent who I was going with, we then went on to Bochum and stopped off in a Cafe there, before getting on the train to Berlin.
This particular train was not exactly amazing, and to make things worse there was no food on it! We were ready to pass out by the time we hit Berlin.
Now first of all, my first experience of Berlin was the train station. Now many of you must be thinking, who cares about a train Station? Well you haven't been here - this place is massive and quite unbelieveable (see the cool pics).
From the train we were picked up by one of Bülent's good friends and straight to it.
We hit some cool bars and as a pleasant suprise this is a massive mix of culture, this photo was taken in a bar that was full of arty types (some trying to hard, but most were just cool).
As well as many bars on this evening, I also got to try my first falafel (traditional German food :-)
Due to a very long day I opted for an early night (in at 2am - Bulent carried on and turned up at 7am). I got going on Saturday and left Bulent to sleep off the excess of the night before.
On my travels, I really was taken off guard by the mix of architecture in Berlin, all of which seemed to mix with no effort.
Going from the tradtional.... don't I look hansome eh? (I really did feel like a tourist!)
And, the sheer vast array of history...
To the parliment building (Complete with cake :-). This building has a clear dome (I am later told by Bülent that this is to give a symbol of transparency).
And I decided to go for the Brandenburg Gate from a slightly different angle...
Just to give a bit of a view the other sort of architecture, here is ome of the newer stuff.... Including PWC and some luxury flats (and seesaw).
Now this is a strange area, with the sony centre and a huge Cinima (that we saw Kung fu panda at on Sunday - very good film, worth a watch).
This is probably more interesting for the ladies than anyone else... but the biggest shop in Europe. I kid you not, this place is massive (had to stop myself before going into a Douglas Adams description of infinity).... but look...
... the view from the glass elevator doors at the top!
Along with all that culture, I also thought this was quite amusing. Now this picture does depict the McDonalds that we all know and loath... but I just liked that fact that it has a brothel situated directly above this (note I do not know this from personal experience)
Saturday evening drinks with Bulent and Dogu (pronounced Doe).
I must admit, I petalled after a long day and went home by 12:30 (Bülent pulled another 7am - I don't know how he does it).
The place with the red neon in the background we actually has brunch at the next day - Vegitarian and everything!
I would also like to thank Dogu for driving us about this weekend, cheers!
... and almost forgotten about, apparently there used to be this wall thing going through Berlin... you really wouldn't know now.
Also, before we left for home (after Kung fu Panda), we went to one of the coolest bars I have ever been to. It is very, very high, you would have no chance of finding it unless you knew where it was (I really did wonder where Iwas being taken). But it is cool and has views accross the whole of Berlin - amazing!
Before travelling back to Berlin we had some time to kill so after a Burger King at the train station (classy eh?) we have a wonder around. I find myself in a store selling magazines and see a Q magazine in German with Metallica on the front cover. I automatically start swearing as it's in frikin German. Until Bülent pointed out it was an English edition (cheers Bulent). Due to the slight Embarrasment I failed to realise the cost of this mag - nearly 13 euros, thats over double cover price!!
Anyway, thanks to Bülent for providing accomadation and a personal sight seeing tour, and thanks once again to Dogu for the pick ups and drop offs, as well as just being very funny!
Hay-on-wye is an amazing place, they have loads of cafes, welsh sign posts, a great shop which sells fudge and stuff. Very pretty area.
Of course I went with my favorite ladies. Abi and Christy (Christy is on the right in this picture). Note Abi is not in this picture :-)
The last day.... Mahlzeit :-)
Christiane & Wolfram
Hard at work in the office...
I thought I should mention the first English person I met in Dortmund... Mr Taylor!
So you understand, I bought a lot of chocolate this week for everyone. I walk out the office and come back a little later and in true German spirt, the messy pile of sweets that was covering the desk was turned into this...
Just incase you are wondering... this is what schnitzel looks like.
And last, but not least, this is (for want of a better word) my handler - Karl-Heinz.
Last night I went out with Kay and Jan to a cool Bar (in the North oooooh!). It has a great look with a beach and you can even get deck chairs if it takes your fancy.
A view from the beach...
This has been Kay's default postion recently... a woman is involved of course :-)
Next door to work (and therefore 5 mins from me) is a huge and amazing park. It has loads of cafes, a cabel car (Me in one on the left) and loads of other stuff.
This is the view from the top of this tower, it is pretty high and really does give you the best view of Dortmund. If you look in the picture (probably best if you enlarge to see it properly by clicking on it) you can see the RWE building (to the left of my Sun glasses). This is right by the park, also, I have drawn an orange circle around where I live!!!!
A quick post after the mamouth session from yesterday. Very important things now... I would like to draw attention to the fact that ALDI has a different logo in Germany.
They also have pizza with peaches on (It was actually very nice). Note this is at a restaurant and not Aldi!
And despite what people might think about the stereotype of German accuracy and efficency. Look at this picture 105M to the Ubahn (walk, not by car). I mean, I bet it really is 104.5.....
Now, Berlin was quite an experience. To start with, I wasn't in my normal place of work - I was on the Trading floor in Essen on Friday 08/08/08. I met up with Bülent who I was going with, we then went on to Bochum and stopped off in a Cafe there, before getting on the train to Berlin.
Now first of all, my first experience of Berlin was the train station. Now many of you must be thinking, who cares about a train Station? Well you haven't been here - this place is massive and quite unbelieveable (see the cool pics).
We hit some cool bars and as a pleasant suprise this is a massive mix of culture, this photo was taken in a bar that was full of arty types (some trying to hard, but most were just cool).
As well as many bars on this evening, I also got to try my first falafel (traditional German food :-)
Due to a very long day I opted for an early night (in at 2am - Bulent carried on and turned up at 7am). I got going on Saturday and left Bulent to sleep off the excess of the night before.
Going from the tradtional.... don't I look hansome eh? (I really did feel like a tourist!)
To the parliment building (Complete with cake :-). This building has a clear dome (I am later told by Bülent that this is to give a symbol of transparency).
And I decided to go for the Brandenburg Gate from a slightly different angle...
Just to give a bit of a view the other sort of architecture, here is ome of the newer stuff.... Including PWC and some luxury flats (and seesaw).
Now this is a strange area, with the sony centre and a huge Cinima (that we saw Kung fu panda at on Sunday - very good film, worth a watch).
This is probably more interesting for the ladies than anyone else... but the biggest shop in Europe. I kid you not, this place is massive (had to stop myself before going into a Douglas Adams description of infinity).... but look...
... the view from the glass elevator doors at the top!
Along with all that culture, I also thought this was quite amusing. Now this picture does depict the McDonalds that we all know and loath... but I just liked that fact that it has a brothel situated directly above this (note I do not know this from personal experience)
Saturday evening drinks with Bulent and Dogu (pronounced Doe).
I would also like to thank Dogu for driving us about this weekend, cheers!
... and almost forgotten about, apparently there used to be this wall thing going through Berlin... you really wouldn't know now.
Also, before we left for home (after Kung fu Panda), we went to one of the coolest bars I have ever been to. It is very, very high, you would have no chance of finding it unless you knew where it was (I really did wonder where Iwas being taken). But it is cool and has views accross the whole of Berlin - amazing!
AvcI - Ich werde nicht vergessen!
After what was quite a quick train ride (and no clue that I was going over the border from Germany to the Netherlands other than a text message telling me what the rates were via my mobile) I arrive in Amsterdam.
Gay pride aside, this weekend was great as I met up with some folks from home - introducing John and Vicky, John - been mates with since Scouts (yes I was in scouts) and Vicky is his beautiful wife that I have known since 2002 (ish - I can't quite remember). Anyway I often visit them in Mac and take advantage of their hospitality - so I thought I would do the same in Amsterdam.
On the Su
nday - John and Vicky were getting off, so I took advantage of the late check in time at the hotel and watched the cooking program on BBC2 and then about 5 episodes of 'The Hills' (Don't ask). It got to about 2:30 and I pulled myself together and went for another wonder - Hard Rock Cafe (again - I can't help it, they have guitars on the walls!), some food and a general wonder.
