The last couple of weeks brought lots of fun and enjoyment, but vacationing across Europe was incredibly hectic and unnerving as well. Since Mandi still has her third week off of work for Easter Vacation here in Germany, she’s traveling around the country with some friends and I came back to Berlin for a few days. For me, this is a way of resting and focussing and getting back into my hobby job.
There’s something for everyone in this city including lots of Internet- and power-ready cafes where I can work. Today I spent the entire day at my favorite spot, the westberlin bar & shop, which is a cafe near Checkpoint Charlie – in when they opened at 10:00 am and out at 7:00 pm when they closed (though because I had a meeting at 7:00 pm I hung around their large front window to borrow the WiFi, much to the chagrin of their employees who laughed at me and made faces from within).
The hostel I’m staying in is only 10€ a night and I don’t eat much when I’m in my programming trance, so it’s pretty economical to be here. Hostels seem to have a bad reputation but they are great ways to interact with others and be social in new places. I’m writing this post from the lobby and there are dozens of people from various countries speaking a mix of English, German, and native tongues – something you miss from the isolation of an expensive hotel. Last time I stayed here I was in the megadorm with fourty-nine others, but this time I opted for the seven bed room since it was one more Euro per night. In some regards I wish I had stayed in the megadorm, but the bathrooms on the floor of my new room are much nicer.
I’ll miss these experiences when we return from Europe.
the afterburner 