Seven Things I Like About Berlin Germany

Berlin is an amazing city filled with history, culture and interesting, welcoming people. And, I’m sure it helps that I speak German, so my views may be slightly skewed, but I’ll try to remain objective as I write posts about it. Here is a short list of things I love about Berlin.

1. Cheap Food: I was encouraged by another hostel mate to try Döners which are an inexpensive equivalent to burgers or dogs in the states. They are a bit like a gyro but more like a schwarma with the difference being they use a thicker pita type bread which is toasted before they load it with sliced lamb, cabbage, sauces and various veggies. They cost about 2-3 euros depending on where you buy them and a normal size is difficult to finish because there is just so much food!
2. Cheap Beer: Typically beer costs the same or less than soda and the choices are many. I’m trying to drink a beer a day and try different labels each time.
3. Free Tours: I believe that every hostel offers the same three hour walking tour. A guy is sent to each hostel around 10 in the morning to fetch tourists and take them back to the main meeting place where they form groups of 35 per guide. The tour is informative and costs nothing (other than a guild trip for not “tipping” your guide at the end). Most give him a tip of 5 euros.
4. Public Transport: The transportation system is amazing. Busses or trams come past every few minutes. People bring bikes on them and I could easily see myself living here without a car!
5. Potsdomar Platz: This is basically the center of the city where a number of huge historical government building reside and several huge shopping malls are located. There is enough to do it would take you two days just to see it all.
6. Teargarten: This HUGE park is just west of the famous Brandonburg gate. Think of it as New York’s Central Park. The difference is that they allow nude sunbathing in the park.
7. Friendly People: I found smiling, friendly people everywhere. They simply love to talk to Americans and practice their English.