Final Bits of Berlin...

Luckily I managed to fall back to sleep after seeing sunrise at 4:37am. 

While the guys worked, I spent the day with Fleshmob and some other visiting hashers from Edinburgh. During our long walk from the East Gallery, we saw the Oberbaum Bridge, a double-decker bridge with subway trains crossing on the top since 1902. 

Next we went up the Berliner Fernsehturm (TV Tower). built in 1969 as a functioning broadcasting facility and a symbol of communist power. At 1,207 feet (368 meters) tall, it is still the tallest structure in Germany. 

The observation deck was at 666 feet (203 meters), which is actually shorter than Horizon 22 in London. The views were nice, but not sure they were worth the high price of entry (guess I’m spoiled with all of those free viewing platforms in London).

We saw the sunset from our plane back to London.

While we were flying back, Dogsh*t (who we knew from Amsterdam and now lives in Hong Kong) was at City H3. He accepted an award for Opee for Most Trails Laid in the previous year. 
 

In Search of Beer...

The guys worked the next day and I just goofed around. That evening Jim took us to Pratergarten, Berlin’s oldest beer garden dating back to 1837. 

It was a lovely evening and we enjoyed eating outside.

Pretty sure these Jimmys weren’t the target demographic for this shop.

After stopping at a craft brew bar, we finished the evening in a uniquely Berlin drinking spot: a spati. These convenience stores have tables set up so shoppers can enjoy a cheap beer outside. Apparently there is around 1,000 of these little stores around the city center. 

Jim had fun modelling some of the merchandise. We didn’t know it at the time that this would be our last time visiting Jim in Berlin because he’d be moving back to the States before the end of 2024. It was definitely fun while it lasted!
 

Wandering Around Berlin...

Jimmy had the following day off work, so we went for a long wander across the city while Jim worked. 

We came across another Christmas market, mostly full of tacky decorations and food stalls.

However, it led us to two incredible churches. This modern one, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church was opened in 1961, as a memorial to peace and reconciliation. The octagonal building contains 21,292 stained glass inlays.

The old one opened in 1895, built in a neo-Romanesque style. It was heavily bombed in 1943 and instead of rebuilding it, the new church was constructed. 

The surviving mosaics were really impressive.

We also saw some cool street art.

We met up with Jim that evening for dinner at Arminius Market Hall. We were especially impressed with this enormous table, although we ate at a normal one. If you look closely, you’ll spot Jimmy at the other end of the uncomfortable log bench. 

We finished off the night at Solar, a rooftop bar on the 17th floor of an apartment building where we enjoyed excellent views and cocktails. 

 

New Year’s Day Hash...

It was no big surprise that Jim volunteered Opee to hare Berlin H3’s New Year’s Day Hash. It was also no big surprise that he ignored most of the area that we had scouted the day before and just punted despite not knowing the city well. Luckily he pulled it off like usual. 

Despite being slow, I managed to meet up with the pack in several key photo spots.

We’d been told at the start that there would be a gluhwein stop, so there was a lot of disappointment when we went through this Christmas market without stopping for a drink.

All was forgiven when we stopped nearby for a drink stop, which included bubbly.

Compared to the many statues around the city of stodgy old men, this series of naked statues was quite modern. 

Eventually we made our way to this beautiful Christmas market where we were treated by Berlin H3 to a free gluhwein with a shot. 

It was dark by the end of the trail, but that didn’t stop the RA from noticing that Opee was wearing new shoes. 

I know this photo is upside down, but better to see the shape of the trail.

 

Starting 2024 with a Bang...

After much drama at Schiphol Airport about whether we’d been banned from the EU for overstaying our Dutch visa (which actually wasn’t due to expire until this coming August), we were thrilled to be able to start the New Year in Berlin with Jim. Much like his place in The Hague, he lived in an incredible penthouse apartment, seen here adorned with Christmas lights. 

After hashing with us a few times at the FILTH, Jim joined Berlin H3 and volunteered to host a New Year’s Eve party. 

We already knew several of the guests from various Hash Weekends. 

Having not seen any fireworks when we rang in 2014 in Berlin, we were shocked by the display of giant fireworks from every direction. The show lasted for many hours, putting what we were used to in Holland to shame. Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to get any good photos.

Jim’s flat also had a rooftop terrace, where some Hashers set off some fireworks.

Jimmy had brought his laser along, so we could have a dance party.

Veronica and Brett had a very quiet start to 2024 in a quaint shepherd’s hut in the Devon countryside. And Ashlynn bartended until the wee hours.