The S-Bahn at 4am

As I'm always finding impossible travel schedules - but, on the other hand, I am the only one qualified to do so around - we started our journey out of Berlin at 4am. We carefully checked the U-Bahn schedule two days before, but still we were late and jogged for five minutes for being sure that we will be on time at the airport. For a couple of hours they showed their love by silence and I understood very well that they weren't too happy with my choices. But, as I previously outlined, I am the one and only able to put  together impossible destinations with low budgets and demanding schedules. 

Because the infinite politeness of my gang, I had enough time to observe the people around. You may wonder how many people were around at 4am in a normal working day? The answer is: many of them. Tired already, taking a power nap, drinking their coffee or reading some newspapers, the Berlin's working class early in the morning is different of the people returning home at 7pm. The U-Bahn went from the West to the East (final destination: Rudow) with more and more people coming and going. For 40 minutes, I realized that despite the appearances it is a category working hard in this city - and not only spending money as eternal tourists - with 2-3 different jobs the day. In a way, I was thinking that beyond the daily chaos, it is a chance of a normal and better life for the average humans living here - not necessarily artists and creative all over the world. 

Since I'm back, the weather was so bad that I didn't dare to go too far away of my warm crib.

Flowers in Prenzlauer Berg

Early morning, a rest day - Germany's National Day - I went lost (again) in Prenzlauer Berg. As usual, my camera saved my unhappiness of being late at my meeting. Unhappy but not indifferent to the flowers embellishing the grey buildings. At the end of the shooting, everybody was extremely happy and optimistic.

Berlin, the world capital of tourism

For the next four days, Berlin will be (another) the beating heart of the world tourism, with the famous ITB opening its gates first for professionals, and after (during the w/e) for the large public. As this year my schedule for the next week is extremely complicated, I will miss this event, but I will share shortly my last year experience.

First of all, the place - the usual destination for the big fairs in Berlin - is huge...You need more than 4 hours to see 80% of everything...And to swim across people, long lines for free gadgets and various events meant to attract the attention of potential tourists - live concerts and dance performances - last year I assisted to one from Macedonia and one from Turkey. The most populated places were the exhibitions of North African and Asian countries. Most probably, given the current turmoil from the Middle East, the Asian destinations will win more clients. The public was of all ages, but the reliable clients were, obviously, couples of 50+, especially for long, exotic and also expensive trips. 

Shortly, before embarking for the ITB experience, be ready to: spend there like a working day, be fit enough for walking for hours and waiting for various gadgets - from leaflets, pens, CDs, various bags, TShorts... - and be sure you have a good budget dedicated to travels for this year, otherwise you'll resent a deep frustration to see the world opening in the front of you without being able to go out of your Berlin winter (which is better than the permanent sun in other parts of the world, sometimes). 

Happy travels!

Related articles

• BODRUM at ITB BERLIN, TOURISM EXHIBITION (bodrumnews.wordpress.com)

What tourists love?

Image via Wikipedia//Coat of Arms of Berlin

Only one answer: Berlin, according to an evaluation of the number of tourists visiting the German town between 2009 and 2010. The capital city of Germany was the destination of 8,4 Million persons in 2010, an increase comparatively with the 7,6 Million in 2009. We must mention that in 2010, Ruhr area was considered the heart of Cultural Europe.  

Related articles

• Sampling the tourist attractions of Berlin, the p - Berlin, Germany (travelpod.com)

New Year's Resolutions

I hope to write some more posts in the next two days, but for the moment I am in the perfect mood for writing some resolutions. For me, as a Foreigner in Berlin, my wish list is:
- To explore every single interesting corner and to find the hottest and extraordinary stories from Berlin
- To share them online and turn this blog into an important source of information and fun
- At the end of the next 12 months, to finish the manuscripts of two small but sexy books about Berlin, one in English and one in another language
Need to go now, Berlin is calling me!
Have a great time you all!