Monday, 26 March 2012
Sunday, 25 March 2012
Monday, 19 March 2012
Potsdam HBF to Kirschallee - A boring photostory...
Monday, 19th March '12
After a weekend of predominantly sleeping, I finally got off my butt, got dressed and went out... to do nothing. I went to the bank and then to Kaufland, where I bought food that needed to be put in the fridge. So after the quickest and most perfunctory journey ever, I headed back home.
Since I had my camera, I took some pictures of the tram journey to my apartment. Enjoy.
After a weekend of predominantly sleeping, I finally got off my butt, got dressed and went out... to do nothing. I went to the bank and then to Kaufland, where I bought food that needed to be put in the fridge. So after the quickest and most perfunctory journey ever, I headed back home.
Since I had my camera, I took some pictures of the tram journey to my apartment. Enjoy.
Friday - Ritter Butzke
Friday, 16th March '12
During the day, not much was done. I spent most of Friday in my little apartment in Potsdam. At around 4:30 in the afternoon, I decided I didn't want to just sit around my apartment any more and made my way towards Potsdam HBF. Upon arrival, I had heard nothing from Gabby or Emma and became alarmed that I had not been in contact. About 20 minutes and horribly old, soggy McDonalds chips later, Gabby eventually contacted me to say that they would be meeting at Pub à la Pub - A student bar near the main station.
Friday, 9 March 2012
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
Nigella's Lemon Risotto
Gabby was feeling a little under the weather yesterday, so I resolved to make her a nice dinner. I've made this recipe a few times before and it's one of my favourites. It's basically fool-proof, it just always tastes so good. It's easy to make, doesn't require many ingredients, so it's something I'd always recommend.
Lemon Risotto (serves 2)
recipe from Nigella Lawson
Germany - Week 1, Part 2
Ok, on to part 2. Thought it might be easier if I broke the posts up into separate sections. This one will be a bit shorter.
Day 4 - Berlin
Having not seen Gabby or Emma since arriving, I decided I had to see them! I left the apartment quite early, and travelled on my merry way to the hostel where they were staying. We then travelled together to a small cafe in Kreuzberg for breakfast. I hadn't eaten dinner the night before, except for the ice-cream, so I was dying of hunger by then and we kept getting lost trying to find this place.
We eventually found the place, muddled our way through the German menu and ordered our food. I was greatly disappointed that there wasn't a fry-up available, but was pleasantly surprised at the sort of European-continental breakfast I received. I felt so healthy eating it, which was the opposite of my intention but all the same. Lekker.
It was basically a delicious pile of various fruits, cheese, cold meats and bread. It was such a relief to have a big meal after subsisting off pastries for so long.
Most of the day we spent walking around Kreuzberg, looking for places to shop, but apparently Germany just doesn't exist on Sundays. Only cafes and restaurants were open, so it was a little disappointing. But it was still nice just to walk around, soak up the city.
Hopped back on a train to Friedrichshain and thank the lucky stars, Nica was here to let me in. I tried watching GSL for a bit, but I fell asleep at like 6pm and woke up this morning.
So, there you have it. My week in which everything that could go wrong, did go wrong - and I've loved every minute so far!
Day 4 - Berlin
Having not seen Gabby or Emma since arriving, I decided I had to see them! I left the apartment quite early, and travelled on my merry way to the hostel where they were staying. We then travelled together to a small cafe in Kreuzberg for breakfast. I hadn't eaten dinner the night before, except for the ice-cream, so I was dying of hunger by then and we kept getting lost trying to find this place.
We eventually found the place, muddled our way through the German menu and ordered our food. I was greatly disappointed that there wasn't a fry-up available, but was pleasantly surprised at the sort of European-continental breakfast I received. I felt so healthy eating it, which was the opposite of my intention but all the same. Lekker.
Most of the day we spent walking around Kreuzberg, looking for places to shop, but apparently Germany just doesn't exist on Sundays. Only cafes and restaurants were open, so it was a little disappointing. But it was still nice just to walk around, soak up the city.
Random pretty street...
Gabby and Emma walking...
We arrived back at the hostel, maybe around 3:30 in the afternoon? I had an appointment to see a flat in Friedenau. The room itself was really big, neat and tidy, but the rest of the apartment was a shambles. Cluttered and dirty, and the rent was expensive and I would have to rent for a minimum of 6 months, so I decided afterwards it wasn't worth it. The flat mate seemed like a nice, chill guy and he had the most gorgeous, docile cat. I was quite disappointed. Still have yet to find a place, looking at a place in Schoeneberg at the moment, really hoping I get it.
Anyway, Gabby and I walked around Orienburger Tor for a long while, waiting to meet Emma after her appointment at an apartment. After having met her, we had a really delicious dinner. I didn't bring my camera with me from Potsdam, so unfortunately I couldn't get any photos of the food. It was a vegetarian pasta dish, with fried onions on top and potato salad. I'm not sure what the filling was, it tasted something like a carrot, spinach, bread stuffing-type of filling. And they were covered in big squares of pasta and had been fried. It was really good, probably my favourite meal so far (not that I've had many.)
Anyway, after that I headed back home and immediately fell asleep.
Day 5 - Potsdam... again
I had to head back to Potsdam again on the Monday, as I had an appointment at the bank to open my account. I left quite early so that I could go back to my apartment and have a shower (the shower in this apartment is broken). As I was walking to the S-Bahn from Daniel's apartment, I belatedly realised that I had left the keys to the apartment, in the apartment and was now locked out for all eternity. Once again, I realise I am an absolute failure of a human being. Anyway, so I had a lovely little shower, the landlady had actually had a separate internet connection installed in the little Gartenhaus, which made me feel all the more guilty that I wouldn't be staying there any longer than a month. But hopefully it will make things better for the next tenant.
After my shower it was already past midday, and I had to meet Erik at the Rathaus at 1 to register my address so I had to hurry out to meet him. For once my timing was impeccable and I got there with 10 minutes to spare.
Tram I got off...
Potsdam Rathaus (townhall)
Present from Erik. I LOVE PRESENTS! Apparently these are only available once a month/year.
It took us a long time to see somebody at the Rathaus, but eventually we did and registered and what not. Then it was off to Sparkasse to talk to an incredibly enthusiastic and fast-talker-of-German, to organise my bank account. Twelve signatures and a lot of redundant small talk that I didn't understand later, I have successfully opened my account. The rest of the day just got food again, then organised a new German sim with internet. All well and good.
Hopped back on a train to Friedrichshain and thank the lucky stars, Nica was here to let me in. I tried watching GSL for a bit, but I fell asleep at like 6pm and woke up this morning.
So, there you have it. My week in which everything that could go wrong, did go wrong - and I've loved every minute so far!
Bis später! :)
Germany - Week 1, Part 1
Here begins my journey in a new land, as a (somewhat) responsible adult. It's hard work, I've failed quite miserably at it over the past week, but it can only get better from here. And if it doesn't, well, shit.
Anyway it's basically been a week since I boarded the plane in Sydney. I'll try not to bore you with all the minutiae, but just remember that this blog is mainly for me. So, in my eternal words, DEAL WITH IT.
Flight and Day 1
So, let us begin with February the 29th and having to say a tear-y farewell to all my family... and Lucy. The flight itself was awful. Long and intensely boring. For most of the flight, we were also caught between a myriad of bad smells, stale urine to the front and vomit from behind. It was rather unpleasant. I had a significant amount of carry on luggage - camera bag, backpack, bum-bag and a huge, shedding leopard jacket. I've never resented an article of clothing more in my life. Poor Gabby was rather emotional most of the flight, caught between excitement and sadness at having to say good bye. Emma was absolutely petrified by the notion of flying. With every stop she adjusted well though, so it was okay in the end.
Feeling like a mass of disgust, we finally arrived in Berlin-Tegel airport.
Anyway it's basically been a week since I boarded the plane in Sydney. I'll try not to bore you with all the minutiae, but just remember that this blog is mainly for me. So, in my eternal words, DEAL WITH IT.
Flight and Day 1
So, let us begin with February the 29th and having to say a tear-y farewell to all my family... and Lucy. The flight itself was awful. Long and intensely boring. For most of the flight, we were also caught between a myriad of bad smells, stale urine to the front and vomit from behind. It was rather unpleasant. I had a significant amount of carry on luggage - camera bag, backpack, bum-bag and a huge, shedding leopard jacket. I've never resented an article of clothing more in my life. Poor Gabby was rather emotional most of the flight, caught between excitement and sadness at having to say good bye. Emma was absolutely petrified by the notion of flying. With every stop she adjusted well though, so it was okay in the end.
Feeling like a mass of disgust, we finally arrived in Berlin-Tegel airport.
At this point, I was basically over the idea of life. I just wanted to shower and then find any form of horizontal surface to lie on. I was picked up at the airport by Daniel, who very kindly helped me with my various belongings and we then went on a journey to his friend's apartment, wherein I could shower. It was glorious. After a while, we finally arrived in Daniel's apartment, I was deliriously tired, but I didn't want to sleep just yet, cause it was still only 2 or so in the afternoon. Daniel left to go to university, and, in a vain attempt to stay awake, I took a walk around the block. I tried to find an ATM, failed, but the walk was nice anyway.
Wühlischstr. - Daniel's Street.
Denglish at it's finest.
Friedrichstain - Graffiti and posters, everywhere.
Self-explanatory image.
A preschool in the area.
Having come home from my walk. I promptly gave in to jetlag and had a nap. It too, was glorious. Even if it did mean I woke up at 2am.
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