Still Upgrading Berlin
by grishaV1
The changes that are still happening is very good to see. Its really so widespread. I know many Germans from smaller cities have told me that its too modern this capital, not representative of what direction they feel Germany should be going in. But I think its a great thing. Of course its nice to have traditional places, historic places, but modernism can be good as well. Berlin cannot really help but be upgraded because so much of it was destoryed in WWII, then stagnated by the communist regime.
Practical tips is just be aware of detours and the like. How the sidewalks have been shifted to accommodate the work going on. Often catwalks, and the ladders and platforms of the builders and left into the evenings so watch your head and your step. You see many ruin buildings or empty buildings in certain areas of Berlin. You see cranes and construction almost everywhere you go in some way too. Whether they are just changing the face of a building or taking down one old one to clear away so that a new one can be put up, Berlin is a changing city. So much of the city is very old and historical left over from the wars, and also you see some buildings with still damage from the wars. Some buildings where completely demolished. My fondest memory to see these changes going on but the memory is a daily one because we'll be living here for some times.
Wurst - Sausages!
by sarahandgareth
Even though Berlin’s a cosmopolitan city, something that’s reflected in its many Turkish and Asian fast food options, there is still no shortage of stalls and small shops selling that old German staple, the venerable Wurst. The variety of sausages on offer in even the most humble of shops can be quite bewildering. Still, the true Berlin Wurst is the Currywurst – so much so that when sales appeared to be in decline a couple of years ago, there were newspaper articles lamenting the problem.
A Currywurst is better known to the rest of the world as a Bratwurst, cut up in sections, and smothered in ketchup and curry powder (though not every place serves it with ketchup), and usually accompanied with a bread roll (Schrippe or Broetchen). It sounds like it could kill you, but it’s delicious.
Some of the other common sausages are the Bratwurst itself, eaten with mustard (Senf); Bockwurst, which looks like a big frankfurter and is smoked; Knock- or Knackwurst, which is short and stubby, has lots of garlic and often comes with Sauerkraut; and Weisswurst, which is white in appearance (it looks raw even when cooked) and which is a specialty of Munich, especially at Oktoberfest time.
Modern fountain
by matcrazy1
This large modern open-air sculpture was a fountain in real although not operating when I was there in February. It stood in front of Europa Center shoping mall opposite to Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche (Emperor William Memorial Church).
Directions:
Breitscheidplatz is a square north of the main shopping Boulevard of former West Berlin - Kurfürstendamm.
U-Bahn: Zoologischer Garten (U12, U2, U9) or Kurfürstendamm (U9, U15)
S-bahn: Zoologischer Garten (S3, S5, S7, S75)
Bus: 100, 109, 119, 129, 200.
Modest Steglitz mall, cosy & only little crowded
by MD2nd about Schloss-Strassen-Center
In comparison to the many of Berlin's malls (whether it's Alexa at Potsdamer Platz or Europa Center at Kurfuerstendamm etc.) this mall, located in Berlin's Steglitz, is rather modest, cosy and very little crowded, little fancy too: To me personally that's basic if I ever need to shop for whatever. Speaking of basic: everything basic does SCC provid (and beyond basic too, hm, what would that be? Electronics? Jewelry? Toys and games? - It's all there). Also SCC is greatly connected with different subways and buses. Since Berlin's Steglitz is a rather quiet and lovely district anyway, this mall fits there very nice!
Travel cards
by smirnofforiginal
You can use travel cards on buses, S + U Bahn & trams.
Berlin is divided into zones A, B + C. You can purchase travel cards for either zones A + B, zones B + C or zones A,B +C. Unless you are travelling further afield (eg Potsdam) zones A + B should be sufficient.
You must validate your travel card in the red machine (entwerter) on either the bus or the platform entrance.
I bought my travel cards from my hotel but you can get them at the orange machines (and there are instructions in English) and also from bus drivers.
Adult day card is 6,10EUR
Up to 5 people can travel on a group card for less the price of x4 adults.
Children aged 6-14 years have a reduced rate
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guard at Brandenburg Gate
Beautiful, little playground for kids at Ikea
Jewish Museum Berlin: basement aisles
Brandenburg Gate
