
Our first night however was dedicated to our old neighborhood Prenzlauer Berg to the north of the city center. On a mission to find the restaurant where we had an unexpectedly tasty meal before, we managed to find our way to Der Imbiss, which means 'food to-go' in German, and although it is a small space, is great space to eat-in. While what Joseba ordered, Popeye's Cigar (a spinach wrap with melted cheese and spices) was no longer on the menu, my massive burrito was but with the menu change got a whole lot spicier than I remembered. So, while different it was great to revisit something from our first trip together. Soon after, tired from travelling since 4:45am that morning, we headed back to the apartment.
The next day we spent poking around our neighborhood Kreuzberg. When we were there the first time, we had only been able to spend one day in the area - admiring the gorgeous buildings and walking along the stretching Spree River canal on a oh so sunny day. Known as an
immigrant hotspot, in 2006 more than a third of the residents of this neighborhood
south of the city center weren’t German citizens. This
diversity is the key ingredient to the community’s eclectic spirit. From punks and creative artists to students
and gays, the area oozes bohemian vibes and provides travellers a unique view
into Berlin from the past as well as the current and
trendy melting spot.

Finally hunger set in and we had our hearts set on a Thai food spot called Phuket. We were pretty surprised with all of the cafes because they had prices to die for and it seemed like quite decent meals. In this Thai we each got soup, a main meat dish with rice and 2 spring rolls for a total of 13€ which was shocking. You can never get that here in Donostia!
For the evening we decided to try and find a fun spot to dance to some good tunes. We found a funky soul DJ event at a bar in the neighborhood but when we arrived found out it was more rave music than Marvin Gaye and settled on a little bar in the area that suprised us with thier music selection. The gamit ran from current stuff to 50s and 60s hits and although everyone was smoking (which you can't do indoors in Spain anymore, so we aren't used to it) we had a good time dancing the night away.

To be like the Germans, we grabbed a beer for the road and headed to Brandenburg Gate for the official countdown. Having arrived too late to actually enter the gated area, we made our own party compliments of our singing/dancing skills again. Fireworks lit up the streets - from a scarily close distance - and finally at midnight the big show came as well as New Year's hugs and kisses. Having started celebrating so early though...we didn't make it to much partying that first night of 2012 and instead retired early.
For our first day of the year, although drizzly, we walked along the East Side Gallery - the longest part of the Berlin Wall that is still erect and has been painted by artists from all over the world. Quite a sight, I was happy to have the chance to see it again. Along the same artsy lines, we next headed to the center of town, Mitte it is called, to check out the Tacheles Art House. Originally in the Jewish Quarter, this was once a department store and later a Nazi prison, but after the Wall came down it was taken over by artists and still remains in thier hands to this day. With floors and floors of rooms where the artists display thier works and maybe some even live, the whole place is a grafitti dream with not a single part of white wall.
Sadly, the rain crushed most of our other plans for the evening and the next day in the city and we eventually just managed to go from bar to bar, sampling food and drinks while taking in the view and best people watching ever. My favorite bar, same as last time, is one called Luzia. It is a large, deep bar with the entire front fachade as a window. To enter you walk up a few steps and upon entering you see a hodgepodge of mismatched tables and chairs, antique chandiliers, and a vase of fresh flowers and a glowing candle on each tabletop.

After saying goodbye the next morning, Joseba and I spent our last few hours in Berlin wandering yet again and then eating an incredible and yet again cheap lunch. This time a massive chicken pasta in peppercorn sauce and a pizza that is all the rage in the city - thin pizza bread, rich sauce, some mozzerella, arugula and a bit of shredded parmesan - again for less than 15€. Over lunch we decided that Berlin, being so special to us and our relationship, should try to be a destination spot of ours each year. While I did brave the cold this year I didn't die as much as I thoght I would, but I think if we are planning our next trip it should be in Summer. Will keep you posted as to our next journey to this addictive big city!
Muxu!
Amanda
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