Club Goya. No entry fee for the first 99 guest, free entry shots and donuts!! With that incentive, who couldn't resist? While waiting at the S bahn for 2 other friends, a Hungarian guy comes up to me. He slurs something in German, I told him I didn't understand. Then he asked if I did coke in English. My friends show up at that moment, perfect timing.
We make it into the club and immediately hit the dance floor. Now for some background info, I have only been to clubs in the Inland Empire (San Bernadino and Victorville, represent). I have been to a few in San Fransisco for sorority invites, and I guess every frat party can be considered club-esc. But regardless, what I have observed is that people in clubs are on the hunt for a hook-up buddy. I know my girls can relate: you just be dancing or ordering a drink when all of a sudden there is guy trying to hump your leg. However the clubs in Germany (and all of Europe as Germans have told me) are an opportunity for people to actually dance and socialize. People of all ages go, and unlike America it's not weird or creepy to see older people on the dance floor.
On a side note, the guys in Germany can wear white pants and style their hair without being labeled as "gay". The men are actually very fashionable and it is ok to have a more "feminine" style.
The club is playing techno, but good stuff that you don't get sick of. I hadn't been able to get my groove on for some time, so I was digging it. A cute German guy comes up to me and asks my name. After he noticed I could not speak German well, he switched to English. Firstly, I was surprised he even said anything before he tried to dance with me. We eloped in delightful introductory conversation and he even socialized with my 2 friends. We make our way to the dance floor, the bar, and outside for fresh air, the whole time he was completely respectable. When my friends and I decide to leave, he responds with a simple, "Alright, let me get your number? Then we can hang out another time. And have a safe trip home." {and yes we did exchange numbers ;) }
On the way home, I ran into another friend from the program. We were on the same S bahn and we decide to check out a bridge and small lake that is close to my flat. After all it was only 3. Germans never get back before 6 am when going out. While chillin at this bridge, a car similar to a "Polizei" car rolls up next to us. We see normal looking younger guys in it, and the driver steps out and ask for our ID's. At night, many of the cops are undercover. Not knowing protocol and being a little nervous, we hand him our California ID's and he goes back to the car. Then the whole car bursts into laughter and they yell, "You guys are Californians? You WOULD be out in the residential area at 4 am like a bunch of hobos!". Relieved that they were not actually police, we laugh along. Friendly German bunch if I don't say so myself. Finally walking in my room at 5am, I crash.
The next night, Paz, another friend from the program, and myself check out a bar called "Kater Holzig."
Check it out
Paz's host brother is a bartender there and got us on the guest list (which is good, they had a very strict dress code and were very exclusive with who they let in the club). But once we were inside, it was amazing! The building is really old and there is graffiti everywhere, but since the whole building is open, there are many bars and several dance floors. The club is located right next to the Spree River, so people can sit next to the river. They even had a bomb fire going. It was not your typical club, but more or a "hipster" social gathering. Nonetheless it was a great experience. I also took some groovy pictures.
On Sunday, I go with a few peers on an "Independent Walking Tour". They are in an architecture class and they had to walk around the city center and observe the buildings. I tagged along and enjoyed the history lesson. This was on 9/11, which even Germany celebrates. In the city center they had a day of remembrance with guest speakers and a moment of silence. It touched my heart that Germany recognized this day. I almost felt guilty for not being in my home country to remember the tragic day that happened 10 years ago. But at the same time, seeing another country take part in the anniversary was beautiful.
We head to Mauer Park, which is known for their huge flea markets. We meet up with Paz's Germans friends that she actually met in Berkeley. We chill for a bit, but then decide to do some real dirndl shopping. After all Oktoberfest is only 2 weeks away! We went to Tiergarten and were actually able to find some (everyone looked at us like we were crazy when we told them we were looking for dirndls in Berlin). But we were successful and are ready to really experience Southern Germany!
On our way home, we get to the S bahn station and notice an usual amount of Police. We head towards the escalators and see that it is actually blocked off by police. I hear a lady next to me speaking English, so I ask what is going on. She explained that the Neo-Nazi party had actually just gotten out of a political meeting and people were there to protest. The police were there to escort the party back on public transportation so they could get home safely. It was so interesting!
After reading this post, I think phew what a weekend. But to end with a bang a HUGE thunder storm comes out of nowhere Sunday night. Being in Northern California, I am used to rain and thunderstorms, but this was nothing like I had ever seen or heard. My whole room would completely light up after lightening had struck and the house shook after every burst of thunder. It has started to rain often in Berlin, but unlike California which gets a cold rain, it get disgustingly hot when it rains in Berlin. Nobody really wears jackets because, even though it is pouring rain, it is 80 degrees and humid. The thunderstorm was a great end to a fantastic weekend!
We make it into the club and immediately hit the dance floor. Now for some background info, I have only been to clubs in the Inland Empire (San Bernadino and Victorville, represent). I have been to a few in San Fransisco for sorority invites, and I guess every frat party can be considered club-esc. But regardless, what I have observed is that people in clubs are on the hunt for a hook-up buddy. I know my girls can relate: you just be dancing or ordering a drink when all of a sudden there is guy trying to hump your leg. However the clubs in Germany (and all of Europe as Germans have told me) are an opportunity for people to actually dance and socialize. People of all ages go, and unlike America it's not weird or creepy to see older people on the dance floor.
On a side note, the guys in Germany can wear white pants and style their hair without being labeled as "gay". The men are actually very fashionable and it is ok to have a more "feminine" style.
The club is playing techno, but good stuff that you don't get sick of. I hadn't been able to get my groove on for some time, so I was digging it. A cute German guy comes up to me and asks my name. After he noticed I could not speak German well, he switched to English. Firstly, I was surprised he even said anything before he tried to dance with me. We eloped in delightful introductory conversation and he even socialized with my 2 friends. We make our way to the dance floor, the bar, and outside for fresh air, the whole time he was completely respectable. When my friends and I decide to leave, he responds with a simple, "Alright, let me get your number? Then we can hang out another time. And have a safe trip home." {and yes we did exchange numbers ;) }
On the way home, I ran into another friend from the program. We were on the same S bahn and we decide to check out a bridge and small lake that is close to my flat. After all it was only 3. Germans never get back before 6 am when going out. While chillin at this bridge, a car similar to a "Polizei" car rolls up next to us. We see normal looking younger guys in it, and the driver steps out and ask for our ID's. At night, many of the cops are undercover. Not knowing protocol and being a little nervous, we hand him our California ID's and he goes back to the car. Then the whole car bursts into laughter and they yell, "You guys are Californians? You WOULD be out in the residential area at 4 am like a bunch of hobos!". Relieved that they were not actually police, we laugh along. Friendly German bunch if I don't say so myself. Finally walking in my room at 5am, I crash.
The next night, Paz, another friend from the program, and myself check out a bar called "Kater Holzig."
Check it out
Paz's host brother is a bartender there and got us on the guest list (which is good, they had a very strict dress code and were very exclusive with who they let in the club). But once we were inside, it was amazing! The building is really old and there is graffiti everywhere, but since the whole building is open, there are many bars and several dance floors. The club is located right next to the Spree River, so people can sit next to the river. They even had a bomb fire going. It was not your typical club, but more or a "hipster" social gathering. Nonetheless it was a great experience. I also took some groovy pictures.
 |
| Centrum of Kater Holzig |
 |
| View from the bar (the S bahn is going by in the middle of the picture) |
 | |
| Bombfire next to the river |
On Sunday, I go with a few peers on an "Independent Walking Tour". They are in an architecture class and they had to walk around the city center and observe the buildings. I tagged along and enjoyed the history lesson. This was on 9/11, which even Germany celebrates. In the city center they had a day of remembrance with guest speakers and a moment of silence. It touched my heart that Germany recognized this day. I almost felt guilty for not being in my home country to remember the tragic day that happened 10 years ago. But at the same time, seeing another country take part in the anniversary was beautiful.
 | |
| At Checkpoint Charlie |
We head to Mauer Park, which is known for their huge flea markets. We meet up with Paz's Germans friends that she actually met in Berkeley. We chill for a bit, but then decide to do some real dirndl shopping. After all Oktoberfest is only 2 weeks away! We went to Tiergarten and were actually able to find some (everyone looked at us like we were crazy when we told them we were looking for dirndls in Berlin). But we were successful and are ready to really experience Southern Germany!
On our way home, we get to the S bahn station and notice an usual amount of Police. We head towards the escalators and see that it is actually blocked off by police. I hear a lady next to me speaking English, so I ask what is going on. She explained that the Neo-Nazi party had actually just gotten out of a political meeting and people were there to protest. The police were there to escort the party back on public transportation so they could get home safely. It was so interesting!
After reading this post, I think phew what a weekend. But to end with a bang a HUGE thunder storm comes out of nowhere Sunday night. Being in Northern California, I am used to rain and thunderstorms, but this was nothing like I had ever seen or heard. My whole room would completely light up after lightening had struck and the house shook after every burst of thunder. It has started to rain often in Berlin, but unlike California which gets a cold rain, it get disgustingly hot when it rains in Berlin. Nobody really wears jackets because, even though it is pouring rain, it is 80 degrees and humid. The thunderstorm was a great end to a fantastic weekend!
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