full book: http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/off-the-beaten-strasse/17377715
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CONTENTS
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4
I
NTRODUCTION
liberalism and open-mindedness, which means that there
are very few restrictions on
how you choose to have fun.
As a city Berlin truly captures
the ideal of ‘each to his own’ –
this is a permissive society that
allows for all types of people,
no matter your choice of lifestyle. If all of this sounds right
up your straβe, then read on,
and discover all that Berlin has
to offer.
Steeped in fascinating and tumultuous history, Berlin is a vi-
brant, cosmopolitan city that offers limitless surprises for travellers who look hard enough. With everything from fancy boutiques in Prenzlauer Berg to hardcore techno clubs in Kreuzberg,
this city is surely able to accommodate your needs, whatever
they may be. Furthermore, Berlin remains an affordable destination for young backpackers on a budget, especially the East
of the city where a beer may set you back as little as 70 cents at
the local supermarket. Many of the attractions and experiences
on offer in this city can be taken in for free, or at a low cost. For
instance admiring the quirky, original artwork on display at the
East Side Gallery or taking a quiet moment to contemplate at
the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.
Berlin is a place that remains admirably conscious of its history,
with various monuments and landmarks giving tourists an insight into its turbulent past. Landmarks such as The
Brandenburg gate and Checkpoint Charlie
stand at points where the Berlin Wall
once divided this great city during
the Cold War. The bustling, cultural haven that is Potdamer
Platz is situated where there was once a desolate
no-mans land, and now
thousands flood every
day to visit the plethora of museums and
shops located there.
Furthermore, the devastation caused by
the Third Reich and the Second
World War is given appropriate attention. There are various memorials such as the Soviet War Memorial and the Homosexual Memorial
honoring those who died at the
hands of the Nazis. Destinations
such as the Topography of Terror
also delve informatively into this
dark time of the city’s history.
By Robbie Collins
As much as the illustrious history of
this city, it is the cultural and social
aspects that make it such a draw
for young travellers. Abundant
with trendy cafes and bars, indie
shops, and pulsating nightlife, there is a truly distinctive vibe to this
city that young adults are bound
to love. Berlin is notorious for its
5
6
S
URVIVAL
GUIDE
Tourist Traps
Be wary of distraction techniques. Don’t
entertain bogus charity representatives claiming to raise money for reputable causes. Thieves may often
dress like beggars and will take
any opportunity to snatch loose
belongings if you are not careful.
Essentials
Supermarkets are usually open from 10:00-20:00 Monday through Saturday. Try to get all of your groceries
early on in the week because supermarkets are closed on
Sundays.
If you are expecting to get over-the-counter medicine
in supermarkets, like you can in the UK or United States then you are going to be disappointed. Apotheke is
theequivalent to a pharmacy and if you are looking for
any medicines, you will have to speak with the pharmacist on site.
Basic service tips are often included in the menu price.
However, it is customary to pay an additional 10% tip to
your servers.
There are many Wi-Fi cafés and bars
spread throughout the city,
make sure you buy a drink or
snack so that you can ask
for the Wi-Fi password.
Have your student
card with you at all
times. Many attractions have discounted prices for
students and this
will help you save
a couple of euros.
When you take out cash, go somewhere reputable like Sparkasse or any major bank. Avoid
unreliable cash stations in order
to stay away from possible forged
currency.
Do not under any circumstances get your passport stamped at tourist
hotspots like Checkpoint Charlie. It invalidates your passports and
will set your trip back if you have to wait for a new passport to arrive.
Something that they do not tell you and it is not worth it.
Safety Precautions
Berlin is a relatively safe place, in comparison to most capital cities. Being a
cash-oriented city, it´s rare to be able to
pay by card except in the chain stores or
shopping malls. However, tourists can fall
victim to theft so it never hurts to take certain precautions.
7
8
9
Useful Phrases
Night-life Safety
Street Tips
Like any major city, you should always be careful
when wandering the streets at night. Be on your
guard and travel in groups. Although Berlin is a very
tolerant city, there are still a few rowdy folks that may
try to take advantage.
When trying to cross the
street, wait for the ample
man to turn green. Jaywalkers can be fined up
to €100.
Some clubs in Berlin have a strict door policy and
may refuse to let you enter. The dress code is usually
black and casual. Try to stay away from bright colours, unless you want to stand out.
Cycling is one of the major forms of transportation in Berlin. There are
set pathways for cyclist s
and locals often get annoyed when pedestrians
walk on these lanes.
You cannot take photographs in nightclubs. If you
are caught, you may be kicked out of that club and
barred from returning. Moreover, they could ask you
to delete the photo on the spot or even confiscate your phone.
Plan your night in advance and make sure
to have emergency
numbers written
down.
By Reetu Inamdar
Hallo/morgen:
Hello/morning
Tschuss/chiao :
Bye
Schönes Abend/Wochenende:
Have a nice evening/weekend
Bitte:
Please/you’re welcome
Danke/vielen danke:
Thanks/thanks very much
Ja:
Yes
Nein:
No
Darf ich Fotos machen?
May I take photos?
Die Rechnung bitte.:
The bill please.
Wo ist die Toilette?
Where is the toilet?
Sprechen Sie English?
Do you speak English?
Was kostet das?
What does that cost?
Wo ist der nächste Supermarkt?
Where is the nearest supermarket?
Wo ist die nächste Spätkauf/Apotheke?
Where is the nearest late shop/Chemists?
H
ISTORY
10
Building the Wall and Tearing It Down…
While visiting Berlin you’ll be hard-pressed to find any district
or Platz without ties to a defining, historic event. From the Brandenburg Gate to Lake Wannsee to the East Side Gallery, this city
is ripe with reminders of the past and examples of its progress.
Albert the Bear founded Berlin in 1157, giving it the famous bear emblem. The city rose to fame as the capital and main military hub of the
Prussian state. Population and economy continued to grow rapidly as
the capital of a unified Germany in 1871. At the end of the First World
War, with help from the Allies, Berlin became a prosperous industrial
city. Then in 1933 Hitler came to power as Chancellor of Germany.
One month into Hitler’s rule, a curious fire started by a political
opponent at the Reichstag gave Hitler the opportunity to ignore the German constitution and claim overarching powers. From
this point on, Hitler and his party set out to persecute and ultimately sentence to death all Jewish citizens, among other ostracized minority groups. The Nazis constructed Sachsenhausen,
a massive concentration camp nearby, to expedite this decree.
Once World War II began, Berlin became a
major target for attacks. The Allied airraids and threat of an advancing Soviet army finally brought down
the city in 1945. Post-WWII, a
third of Berlin lay in ruins.
Thousands of ‘rubble women’ emerged to clear out
the debris from devastated streets and buildings
they once called home.
Due to increasing concerns that the German
capital city would fall to
a totalitarian government, during the split of East
and West Germany the Allies also took control
of half of Berlin. The Western half of the city was
divided between the UK, France, and the USA,
while the East was occupied by the Soviet Union.
This split left residents of West Berlin stranded in
Socialist East Germany, at the mercy of a Soviet
blockade in 1948. The USA and UK ‘Candy Bombers’ began delivering daily essentials by plane
until ground access was allowed again a year later.
When the Wall finally fell
in November 1989, marking the end of the Cold
War, East and West Berliners celebrated by dancing
atop the divider in front
of the Brandenburg Gate.
In the years following Reunification and the fall of
Communism in Germany,
Berlin has transformed itself into a modern and exciting metropolis. It is a city
wrought with possibility for
Europe’s young artists and
a mecca of historical landmarks destroyed and now
rebuilt to their former glory.
By Jessie DiMartino
On June 17, 1953 East Berliners rose up against
the German Democratic Republic (GDR), demanding democratic rights. Soviet tanks quashed
all hopes of reformed living standards, sending
many citizens running for the Western border.
This triggered the construction of a Wall in 1961.
Overnight, with no warning, the city was literally divided between a socialist regime
and a democratic one. In the 28 years the
Berlin Wall stood, only 5,000 people successfully escaped to the West; many others
died or were injured attempting to flee.
11
T
RANSPORTATION
12
Bus
Berlin has a large network of transport systems including buses, trams
and both over ground and underground trains. When travelling during
the day, you will rarely find yourself having to wait any longer than ten
minutes to board any of the transport systems, ensuring you can make the
most of your time spent in this dynamic city.
S-Bahn
U-Bahn
There are almost 170 stations covering 330km
of network across fifteen lines, the S-Bahn is
most useful for covering long distances over
a short space of time, particularly between the
suburbs and inner city. Stations can be easily spotted by the green and white ‘S’ symbol.
Running mostly above ground and cutting
through the centre of Berlin. At the weekend
S-Bahn trains run 24 hours with 30-minute intervals per train at night. This service however,
only runs from 04:30 - 01:30 on weekdays at
five, ten or 20-minute intervals depending on
the line and time of day.
Famous for its yellow trains
the U-Bahn (underground)
network is 146km long
and consists of 10 lines
and 143 stations. Generally, trains come every three
to five minutes. This is one
of the quickest options for
getting around the inner
city. Running from 04:00 01:00 on weekdays and 24
hours on weekends.
MetroTram and Tram
There are 20 tram lines throughout Berlin which
offer reasonably fast transport on comfortable,
air conditioned carriages. Especially comprehensive in the Eastern areas of Berlin, such
as Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain. MetroTrams are marked with the letter ‘M’
and run 24 hours a day throughout the
week. At ten minute intervals during
the day, which means you’ll never be
waiting for too long. After 00:30 they
run at 30-minute intervals.
With an extensive number of routes, travelling by bus provides a great way to
take in some if Berlin’s most popular sites. The 100 and 200 bus lines have become well known to tourists due to their remarkable sight-seeing routes. Night
buses, marked with the letter ‘N’, travel throughout the night, providing an invaluable service to explorers of Berlin’s eccentric nightlife.
Insider Tips
Underground, bus and tram operator BVG also offers information and a journey planner on their website. Download the BVG app for maps, and a route
planner. Maps of the various networks can also be collected for free from
stations.
Even though you will often see locals drinking on public transport, it is in
fact illegal to consume alcohol or eat on public transport, so be on your best
behaviour.
Tickets
Tickets can be bought from ticket machines on trams, from bus drivers, or from multilingual ticket machines in S and U-Bahn stations. Tickets are valid for use on any of
the four public transport systems.
Single One Way Ticket - Zones AB: €2.70 / Zones ABC: €3.30 Valid for one person and a 2 hour journey across the city.
Day Ticket - Zones AB: €6.90 / Zones ABC: €7.40 - Allows
unlimited travel throughout the day. Valid from the day
of its validation until 03:00 the following day. Seven
Week Ticket - Zones AB: €29.50/ Zones ABC: €36.50 Valid for unlimited travel seven consecutive days from
the day of its validation, until the seventh day midnight.
Month Ticket - Zones AB: €79.50 / Zones ABC: €98.50 Allows unlimited travel throughout the month. Valid from
day of validation until midnight of the final day.
BVG Call Centre 03019449 for more information.
By Steph Bassey
13
14
C
URRYWURST,
BOULETTES & KEBABS
If sausages aren’t your thing, opt for another
Berlin favourite – the boulette (€1.60).
This flavourful pork patty is reminiscent of a large meatball. It can be
served up two ways: sliced into
bite sized pieces and drowned
in the same curry-ketchup used
on currywurst, or placed inside
a roll with a dash of mustard. As
with most fast food, boulettes are
best eaten with a heaped serving
of pommes coated in ketchup and
mayonnaise.
– Oh My!
Picture this: you’re wandering the streets of Berlin - perhaps
on your way home from Berghain in the wee hours of the
morning, or maybe you’ve just finished a three-hour walking
tour - and you feel that familiar sensation: hunger mixed
with the unwelcome realization that you’ve only got a few
euros left jingling in your pocket. Fear not, weary traveller,
Berlin’s fast food staples are sure to leave you (and your wallet) satisfied.
First stop, currywurst (ranging from €1.50-4). Berliners love
their wursts – curry, brat, Thüringer rot – so it should come
as no surprise that the most famous fast food in the city
is this crispy pork sausage. What distinguishes currywurst
from its bratwurst cousin is the smothering of spiced ketchup and dusting of curry powder that tops the sliced meat.
While a few Imbiss stands claim they serve the crème-dela-crème of currywursts, there really isn’t much variety in taste. From the renowned Curry 36
(Mehringdamm 36, Kreuzberg) to any
of the Currywurst Express branches
throughout the city, a currywurst
is a currywurst. So don’t bother queueing very long
anywhere, go out and try
them all.
For a meal that will satisfy every meat-lover,
go for the döner kebab. This modern take on
a Turkish specialty combines char-grilled vegetables, savoury meat, carved from a large
rotisserie (optional), and a selection of herb
and spicy sauces. Falafel and halloumi options
are available too. These heavenly pita-sandwiches vary greatly from place to place both
in meat selection and quality of ingredients
so be sure to do your research first. Mustafa’s (Mehringdam, Kreuzberg) vegetarian and
chicken kebabs (€2.80-3.50) are the most popular, and with good reason, but be warned,
the afternoon rush may leave you queueing
for an hour to get this delicious treat.
While Berlin has a wide selection of upscale
restaurants and international eateries, for a
quick meal on-the-go these fast food options
are sure to lull any starved traveler into a satisfied food coma.
By Jessie DiMartino
15
THE ALTES MUSEUM
Stood alongside the Berliner
Dom on the bank of the River Spree, stands Karl Friedrich
Schinkel’s Neoclassical palace
of ancient Roman, Etrucsan and
Greek antiquities. The museum
opened in 1830, and is home to
the Antikensammlung, one of
the world’s greatest collections
of Greek and Roman art, coinage
and marble statues, including a
vast number of marble replicas
of the archaic works of bronze
sculptor Polykleitos of Argos.
MUSEUMS
&
GALLERIES
Berlin is home to some of the most profound and insightful museums and galleries in the world. Ranging in
exhibits from ancient Egyptian artifacts to the tragic history of persecuted Jews to the surreal paintings of Dali,
this city is a cultural hub. No matter your interests you
are sure to find an exhibition that will challenge your
opinions and expand your mind.
A treasure trove of ancient gods,
goddesses and classical mythology in marble form stand in progression as you take each step
throughout the Altes, inviting
you to ascertain a pleasure of all
things classical. The museum offers the use of a free audio guide
that is informative, engaging and
very simple to use. The content of
each room is based on a particular
17
Opening times: Tue–Sun 10:00-18:00
Thu 10:00-20:00
Admission: €10, Concessions €5
www.smb.museum
S5, S7, S75: Hackescher Markt
topic such as Everyday Life in an Ancient Metropolis and The Human Image in the Greek
Classical Period. This museum offers an illustrative insight into a fascinating period in the
history of art, and is a must-see for enthusiasts of ancient Roman and Greek culture.
By Kalisto Bancroft
ON
ALTES NATIONALGALERIE
Situated behind the Altes Museum on the River Spree this extravagant gallery exhibits a vast
array of paintings and sculptures
dating back to the reign of Friedrich Wilhelm IV, who envisaged
a “sanctuary for art and science”
from across the Berlin Palace.
Designed by Friedrich August
Stüler, the gallery was opened to
the public for the birthday of Kaiser Wilhelm I on 21 March 1876.
Tue–Sun 10:00-18:00
Thu 10:00-20:00
Admission: €10, Concessions €5
S5, S7, S75: Hackescher Markt
www.smb.museum
English) is additionally useful
in providing historical content
behind the artwork exhibited.
Stare in wonder as you pass the
rooms lined with gold, conceptually acting as a protective enclosure over the assortment of
matured artistry. The gallery introduces artists such as Adolph
Menzel, Karl Friedrich Schinkel,
Johann Karl Schultz and Moritz
von Schwind, among others. Marble statues stand throughout the
hall, grand stairways and landings
that fill the interior of the building, giving the gallery a certain
ambience of classical mythology.
The gallery’s collections are currently divided today between
the Hamburger Bahnhof - Museum für Gegenwart - Berlin, the
Neue Nationalgalerie, the Friedrichswerdersche Kirche, Museum Berggruen and the Sampling Scharf - Gerstenberg.
An audio guide (that is offered
in several languages including
18
THE KENNEDY’S
The Kennedy’s visit to Berlin in
1963 was of monumental importance in world history, and this
museum - gallery offers a fascinating account of this event. It
was on this visit that US President
John F. Kennedy gave the famous
speech in which he stated “Ich
bin ein Berliner”, a declaration of
solidarity with the people of Berlin. Featured in the museum is an
absorbing documentary playing
on a loop, which shows footage
of this historic speech and details
the contribution of then Mayor of
West Berlin, Willy Brandt. There is
also a display of objects of interest from JFK´s visit, such as notes
for the speech as well as an impressive array of well-arranged
prints of the Kennedy family, all
explained with clear information.
Auguststraβe 11-13, 10117, Mitte
Tue–Sun 11:00-19:00
www.thekennedys.de
M5: Orianenberger Straβe.
M8: Rosenthaler Platz.
ative and pleasant way to spend an
hour or two for the low price of €5.
By Robbie Collins
OFF
The interior layout is modern,
bright, clean and easy to navigate
around, with pleasant and knowledgeable staff dotted around. The
exhibition itself is not particularly
large, but manages to cover JFK’s
visit to Berlin in great detail whilst
also giving a comprehensive account of his political life. For anyone with an interest in history
and in particular for JFK fans, this
exhibition represents an inform-
ON
By Kalisto Bancroft
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