My European Discotech Experience... sort of..

So one of my first nights here, I had a lovely Belgian couple staying in my room at the hostel. They were super nice, super cool, and great friends. Dimitri and Daria are certainly people I will go and visit later in my European travels.

Dimitri is a house-techno dj all across Europe, and as you can expect, the man comes with everything you'd expect. He just emanates the smell of European club lover everywhere he goes. While I'd typically judge the bejesus out of this, He and Daria were just so damn nice, and fun, and kind that I decided, screw it, lets hang out and see what happens.

Well... sure enough Dimitri knows everything and everybody in Berlin, and wants to go to the Berghein (a name I have yet to properly pronounce). For those not in the know, its a world famous club. So world famous, that you get to wait in line for roughly an hour, only to be greeted by your friendly neighborhood club bouncer, who immediately escorts you right past the door, where you can do an about face and start walking back home. Cause your not getting in.

Thats exactly what we did. Marcus, Mike, and Myself (the 3 Ms... the 3 Musketeers... aaaaahhh... nope not working) were with Daria and Dimitri (the double Ds.... much better!) and snaked through this line. All Marcus could think was, "I know I probably shouldn't be saying this in Germany... but I just feel like were being herded like cattle here" as the line packed in towards the front.

Dimitri and Daria managed to get through, while the Americans were immediately pointed away, not even a "next", no verbal cue, just a finger pointing "get the fuck outta here". The universal language of rejection. Pleasant.

So we took ourselves back to the Hostel, but only after enjoying a good Dönner Kebab. A posting on these is sure to come in the future. America is missing out!!! Its like heaven touching your tongue.

Inglorious Basterds - Nooooot a big hit in Berlin..

I went out with my friends Hillary, Scott, and June (all UC students doing a year abroad). Real chill kids, and we went to see Inglorious Basterds with some other UC students studying abroad (seriously, Cali is taking over this place). Well.. lets just say, we saw the movie and ... it didn't go over too well. People were staying until the end of the credits, which.. I don't know if that's common in Europe. I thought it might have been from the shock of seeing the Nazi's go down, or Hitler dying, but... I dunno, the Germans didn't exactly applaud.

I can only really liken it to a stock broker on Black Tuesday I'd imagine. Yes yes, Germany. Good things yes. We are German, we are strong. (Insert part where Tarantino does his thing) ... Silence. More silence. No reaction. Just sitting there. Like someone who just went all in at a poker table and realized, shit my 5 2 offsuit is indeed going to lose in this hand. Or like a Roberto Baggio in the 94 World Cup after he duffed the PK. What can you really say I guess? That's the reaction the crowd gave.

For me.. it was a good movie, but.. I had no idea what was going on. Everything in German was not subtitled, and everything in French was subtitled.. in German. So... it was interesting for sure to hear all this talking and have no idea what they were talking about.

Berlin's Gone Wild..

I don't know if its "gone wild" or if its always "been wild". This city is pretty nuts. You can still see the old architecture with bullet holes from WWII in it. Buildings from the 3rd Reich, Cold War, Check Point Charlie (which we'll get to in a moment) still around.

The city definitely wins the "most graffiti award". This place has graffiti everywhere! Its on the buildings, trains, sidewalks, storefronts, apartments, the wall, in your mac and cheese, its everywhere!

People here are just different - and thats perfectly fine. You got people wearing perfectly "normal" close, punks, artists, discotech (Hostels Clubs! - Sean) goers, Fannypackers (myself, obvi), all living together in this weird no-judgments society. I think the difference is that you see less "professionals" around here. Not many suits. People stay out till all hours of the night. It makes me wonder if people have jobs here. Oh wait, they don't! And neither do I! (single tear) Berlin's unemployment is high though (its like 8-9%) so I guess people just say eff it and enjoy themselves. Lots of freelancers I think.

Want to drink in the middle of the street. Sure. Want to bring a prostitute home with you? No problem (they run the BLOCK! Seriously, they own a few blocks, its frightening) and yes, they tried to solicit me (EVERYONE tries to solicit me) "Hey baby, would you like to sleep with me?" "No" "Would you like to donate money to our cause?" "No" "Would you like to save the environment?" "Goddamnit NO!" I have a "nice face" and so people think its ok to bother me? I need someone to make me look meaner? I'm thinking if I cut myself and put a good scar or too on my face, it might add some badassness. Any suggestions?

Jobs Jobs Jobs..

This place has no jobs. The well is dry. Its like trying to find alcohol in Salt Lake City out here. Its just not happening. After applying about 20 places, I've been laughed at twice ("... yes and you are looking for an English teaching job. Hahahaha, (calls over a German friend, explains what I'm asking for in German to him, they get a hearty chuckle at my unemployment status) No we have no jobs available, nor will anywhere else I imagine. You will have a hard time finding a job in Berlin teaching English." "Ok thanks asshole, tschuss!" But instead of saying that I said "Ok, well thank you for your time, sir" Every other place I've heard back from has been "sorry, no positions available" or just don't get back to me at all. I'm spending a fair chunk of time just saying "thanks for replying so promptly" to the bad news.

I found one job that I'd be perfect for. I got a 1/3 chance (cause they're only interviewing 3) so... pray for me on that one. Otherwise, I'll be eating twigs and leaves in the park. I'll hear back at the beginning of next week.

Unemployment kinda sucks.

My trip to the Circus..

So I arrived at the Circus Hostel. OH SNAP! I fooled you. You thought this was going to be a blog about a kick ass trip to a circus somewhere in Berlin. Well, it isn't. Well, sheizer, actually.. it is. The Circus Hostel is probably the coolest place on earth. Its awesome here, and if you are ever traveling Europe, you should go to Berlin. And if you are in Berlin, you should stay at the Circus Hostel. This place is the tits! I feel like mini-celebrity cause I've been here so long. But, I have networked the hell out of Berlin through this hostel. I have German friends, English friends, American friends, Belgian friends, and of course Australian/New Zealand friends (if anyone is familiar with traveling around Europe, I'm sure you know by now, 1/3 the whole population of these two countries is currently backpacking Europe).

Great location, great atmosphere here, great people. This is a rockin' place to be. It's as cool as a circus.. hence the name.

Day 1: The Arrival

After leaving the house 20 minutes late cause I couldn't find my passport (typical start for me) I ventured off into Deutschland. Alone. Like John Wayne. But going the opposite way. On a silvery metal falcon instead of horseback.

I had the pleasure of sitting next to a disgruntled Indian man on my way to Brussels. We danced the night away in silent anger. Him refusing to get up so I could go to the bathroom, while I left the light on reading the whole time as he tried to fall asleep. Each finding a way to torture the other while calmly crammed into our seats. This man was ancient. I'm talking like Dahlsim from Street Fighter ancient. In retrospect, I shouldn't have messed with him. He probably could have teleported all over the plane kicking my ass. Or used his stretch armstrong-like arms to punch me. Though I guess he wouldn't need them, being that we were so close we were actually touching each other the whole ride over in a never-ending jostling for position of elbow on the arm rest. Neither of us backing down, like a game of chicken... but with elbows instead of sweet 1950s Fords and Chevys where you meet at Dead Mans Curve or whatever.

Sure enough, after a night-long battle, a silent war with the old Indian man who couldn't control his flatulance and burping, the dawn arrived. Never before had the words of Harvey Dent rang so true, "the night is darkest just before the dawn" and sure enough, the dawn arrived, and so did Brussels. My connecting flight to Berlin was fine. I arrived at my hostel, and slept a much deserved rest. My battle was over. I had cross the Atlantic. I've arrived.

Day -9

No official flight.

No contacts in Berlin.

No completed resume/cover letter.

No place to stay.

Minimal savings. 

I'm going to Europe soon!