Study Abroad: Vas Happenin'

Week 4: Berlin, Germany

May I just say flying internationally in the EU is the most lovely experience? I mean, I was bummed I didn't get a stamp in my passport but wowza was it stress free. I'm almost certain registering for a Costco card is a more strenuous process.

Never mind the breezy security and tax free goodies right past it; my trip to Berlin was even better than a fabulous airport terminal experience! We ate, drank, played cards--it was v laid back. People give me weird looks when I say we didn't go clubbing (because apparently that's the thing to do in Berlin) but I'd rather jam out to early 2000's hits than techno electronic noises all night.

We arrived at our hostel Thursday evening, and, like any other trio of off duty models, we immediately asked where the best food was. One of the receptionists knew of a pop up food market that happened once a week and he printed out the directions. After getting confused by their bus system, we enjoyed some of the best pulled pork sandwiches ever.

We slept happily that night among the eccentric dorm-mates one can expect in a cheap hostel.

Friday we fully enjoyed being tourists and exercising our right to use selfie sticks. We ventured to the Reichstag Building, Brandenburg Gate, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and the Berlin Cathedral. It was a long day and I taught Winnie & Charlotte the expression, "My dogs are barkin'" cuz, well, they were.

Berlin has this weird thing about their crosswalk signs. We never learned exactly what the big fuss was over it but we had a good laugh.

If you happen to know what the deal is, tweet me @mlmasterson13 using the hashtag #WhatsTheFussBerlin? I follow4follow and favorite4favorite ha ha!

We then went in search of kebabs. This actually ended up being a large dispute for the 3 of us. Well, mainly for me. 'Lil 'ol American me only knows kebabs as food on a stick. Of any kind. But when we got to the 3rd best kebab shop in Berlin, I was presented with sandwiches. Hella delicious but way less fun, you feel?

We wrapped up the night with a stroll around town and hitting up happy hour.

Saturday brought more food and German clichés.

Lemke Berlin was seriously top notch and I recommend it if you're feelin' the microbrewery vibe.

Hopped up on the hops (lol), we made our way to the Reichstag Dome. Great views and obvious Kodak moments. Let's move on.

We were pooped and headed back to the hostel for some much needed R&R.

By R&R, I mean free wifi.

Winnie taught us how to play Dutch Blitz and we met our new English friend that we could hardly understand. We also ended up at ¿Qué Pasa?, the local Mayan restaurant because duh where else would we go?

Before we headed out on Sunday, we stopped by a flea market, the East Side Gallery and Burgermeister. Seriously best burger I've ever had--even with the side dish of side eye from a British girl whose table I stole. (It was necessary with only 3 available tables and about 40 people waiting in line. But it's chill we shared the table so there was peace once again.)

We came, we saw, we conquered. See ya next week, ya filthy animals.

-Mads