A great way to recover

After popping antibiotics, I almost instantaneously felt better. The next day, our group took a tour at Treptower Park, a Soviet War Memorial located on the east side of Berlin. I immediately notice the green scenery, wheeping willows in front of strong upright pauper trees. This signified the strength and pride of the Soviet army but also not forgetting the overwhelming death count. In the middle of the park there were 5 grass areas, each with over 1000 remains buried underneath. The park had many statues and figures representing the German Nazism and Russian Communism.

After that we then took a boat tour down the Spree River. The river ran  through the financial district, industrial district, and historical district of Berlin. We saw many international embassies, old and new factories, remains of the Berlin wall, and the Chancellor's office. The boat toured around for 2 hours, from Kreuzberg to Charlottenburg. There were beautiful parks or sidewalks along the river; many of the Germans waved at the obnoxious American tour-boat as we went by. The Spree river played significant historical roles in WWII and was part of it was used as a division between the west and east. What I found most interesting: even though we were going through the heart of Berlin, downtown, industrial center...it was so clean. The factories were small and quant and seemed to be admitting no pollution whatsoever.(being an environmentalist, I tend to always notice these things) The downtown area was not covered in trash. Even the river was relatively clean, however I guess the first thing I compare the river too is Long Beach, where Doritos bags and tires swamp the water.

Remains of the wall

Modern apartments

Yes, a factory

We end the boat tour and 2 new acquaintances and I (Danielle and Daisy) have lunch at this adorable Italian Restaurant. We even spoke very good German to the waiter! :) On my way home, I see a gas station and almost shit my pants when I see the prices. After I went goo-goo, took pictures, and stuck out like a tourist, I realized that they pay gas by the liter instead of the gallon and 1.49 Euro is about $2.14. Tee hee oops! (But still, I have not seen those numbers on a gas sign in years)

Later that evening, Christine had her father and brother come to dinner. Her brother Thomas, is very quiet but this gave me a great opportunity for me to babble and practice German. He was very patient and was very surprised that I could speak so well only after 3 months of learning. Her father was very lively. Of course at the dinner table we spoke politics, Christine having to translate because they spoke little English and I spoke little German (at least we lack in politics vocabulary). They admired that I was studying Environmental Science. One thing I have noticed is the admiration I get for studying such a field. In the states, I often get the "Oh you are one of those people" stares, or "What do you plan on doing with that bachelor?" question. But never have I received that response in Germany. For the most part I am envied..

The dinner table

Ok so I was feeling better, had a great recovery day, now it was time for a great recovery night! Danielle and I decided we wanted to check out a bar. A lot of people from our program were going to clubs in Kreuzberg, but Germans are not too keen on huge American groups. (It's a huge DONT to young travelers). We decided to try a bar in Kreuzberg, but soon realized our closest public transportation would not get us directly there. Many of the U-bahns and S-bahns are under construction, so we had to try and find a round about way. We take an S-bahn that would probably be 20 minutes out of our way. We get off at a station we were supposed to transfer, but in the midst of conversation we weren't paying attention and went out into the street instead of the next station for a transfer. It looked lively, so we decided to check out the area instead of playing ring around the S bahn all night. We walk for a few minutes, then slowly start to realize there was not many females around. All the bars had hoards of males. We keep walking then see a shop that completely satisfies German stereotypes.

Leather sex store shop. Nice. We laugh and take pictures, but then we see more and more as we keep walking. When we walked by a club, we see the bouncer..leather pants, no shirt with pierced nipples and a leather vest. No females, sex shops, and biker bouncers. This was definitely the gay district of Berlin. (I later realized that we were in Schöneberg, similar to San Fransisco's Castro)  My first night out on the city and I end up in the gay district. WIN! Now, time to bounce.
We get back in the S bahn and take it closer to Kreuzberg, and get off at the closest stop, giving up on the specific bar we wanted.  This area was much more our vibe.We check out a bar, have a few drinks, and awkwardly try to figure out bar protocol.
Not sure if public transportation would last all night, we decided to head back. The night scene is lively and many drunken people on the S bahn. It was quite the entertainment. I got off at the stop before Danielle; she witnessed some guys getting pepper sprayed :!
I get home, reflect on my day, then smile. :) I am in Berlin