Ich liebe Berlin.
Posted by John Manzo on October 13, 2007
This is a completely amazing city.
I´m not sure how amply I can qualify this at this early point (Ive been here about 48 hours), but I´m going to tentatively name Berlin my favourite city. In the world.
Why? Let me count the ways:
-Excellent, abundant public transit.
-Beautiful architecture from the 16th century, to the ultramodern, to eve the commie blocks that are being refurbished; every block comprises a history lesson.
-Green, green, green. Green spaces abound. Parks everywhere.
-Multicultural as heck.
-Gay as all get-out.
-PLENTY of superb coffee places.
-Not smoke-free by NA standards, but damn good for Germany. Lots of smoke free spaces.
-Cheap! My outstanding dinner last night was 15€, but lunch at this salubrious fast-food place called China Box was all of 3€ and was so delicious I wanted to cry. 1€ is about C$1.37 as I type this. Even this internet cafe charges the normal rate of 1€ per hour here. In Luxembourg it was 4€ per hour.
-The food is tremendous. I´ve had some of the most superb pizza of my life already, stone baked with tomatoes and arugula. That 15€ last night was at a trendy place called Toca Rouge that does Asian fusion, and it was the most gorgeous dish (my main I mean) of five-spice beef and roasted sweet potato. It worked, it worked perfectly. I´m sure I´ll have more to say about the food but so far I am simply beside myself. It is superb.
-The weather is completely pleasant, about 14 now and brilliantly sunny. It rained yesterday but otherwise, for me, this is heaven.
-There is odious history here, too much in fact, but the fact that people here manage to be so forward looking and joyful- yes, joyful, not like the impression I had of people in Köln- is a testament to a potential in the human spirit that makes me feel great affection for our whole crazy species. I walked, WALKED, under the Brandenburger Tor yesterday and the sun was setting and poking through its arches. It was a special moment, because when I was last here (1981), it was behind Checkpoint Charlie and of course inaccessible. This was a powerful moment, powerful enough to bring tears to my eyes.
Redemption is the best part of the human story, and you see it here in spades.
October 14, 2007 at 10:29 am
hi
i agree with you, i loved berlin, this so wide city with so many parks & interesting stuff in architectural domain…bad news for you, starbucks arrived in paris!
i love their moka coffee, donuts & veggie wrappings…but i apologize to you (just kidding… 
best regards from paris
pierre
October 14, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Berlin is an amazing city full of culture, adventure and amazing architecture. Seriously do not count on enjoying the weather. I spent four years living there and came to detest the weather, except the gorgeous springs, which you will LOVE! Try the awesome Indian restaurant in Steglitz on Schlosstrasse about a block from the BMW dealer around 56 Schlobstrasse. My favorite Indian food in Berlin.
October 14, 2007 at 10:15 pm
I knew about Berlin from watching local TV a little.Now I have been in Jakarta for traveling.A lot obstacles that I had to face because of a bit information which I knew.I have to get fresh air after so long I vegetated in my home.I didn’t mean to self-isolate.I still try to self-know.Despite
I seems so easy to do but I have to believe in
the foresight before I step further
October 15, 2007 at 2:44 am
Healingthroughlove-
Thanks for your comment, but I am only here until Saturday and the weather remains perfect for me, cool and sunny. I´ve seen weather info and in general it looks very nice here, no endless wet season as in Portland or Vancouver and no intense cold or hot periods. I think I would find it very nice.