Berlin felt different to anywhere else on the trip. There’s a rawness to the city that gets under your skin - the remains of the Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the Topography of Terror - it all carries a weight that’s hard to shake.
I met up with Keika on my first day and we ticked off the main sights - the TV Tower, the Reichstag, Brandenburg Gate. In Görlitzer Park I had my first proper Döner kebab, and I now understand why people rave about them. The Sandeman walking tour the next day added more context to a city that wears its history in a way that few others do.
The most sobering day was visiting Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. Freezing temperatures and a long, complicated journey back to the city only added to the heaviness of the experience. I ended the day at Burgermeister with a mate from the hostel, grateful for the warmth and some comfort food. Berlin’s nightlife lived up to its reputation too - the alternative pub crawl was chaotic in the best way, even if we didn’t manage to get into Tresor.
As is custom for me, the first thing I do in a new place is go looking for a decent coffee. If this took you to Berlin for a few minutes, you can buy me the first one in the next city.