KUNG-FU FIGHTING

I cannot believe that its been 20 years. BERLIN is one of my most favourite cities in the world. It's fun, it's funky, it's grey and it's totally SexyUgly. It's also the place to be next week for all the celebrations for the FESTIVAL OF FREEDOM.

I wish I could be there, I really do, but we don't always get what we want...

I was personally lucky enough to be working in Europe in the nineties (oops just dated myself!) and got to see all the changes after the communists left all those years ago. It's seems so long, yet not long ago. Cannot explain. Back in those days there weren't too many digital cameras, so I don't have images from that era sadly.

Lots of articles are mentioning this little annoyance called OST-algie. Its where people become "nostalgic" for the era of spies, suspicion, bare store shelves and bad fashion. PULEESE. Anyone suffering from this sickness should move to Belarus or North Korea immediately and I guarantee they will be cured in less than 24 hours and then kiss my white Germanic ass..

Anywho, this Anniversary Event promises to be loads of fun, remembrance, tears and good old Berlin style partying! Word to the wise - Techno is king here. Hip Hop wannabees stay in North America please!


FESTIVAL OF FREEDOM
9th of November, 2009

Berlin Tourism

PLANNING YOUR TRIP!
(Listen this is not meant to be comprehensive by any means ok? Just wait for the Dead Sexy Guide to Berlin 2010!!):

Getting to Berlin:
To get in the proper mood, LUFTHANSA will get you in the spirit with their efficient, severe and non nonsense Germanic style. Love the livery, yellow corporate colour and blonde german attendants! German is an unwieldy language made sexy when flying on their flag airline. "Guten Tag Meine Dame und Herren" (purrrrr).

Frankfurt is currently in a state of very un-German mess, but flight transfers are not too bad. (it still beats the pants off Heathrow and De Gaulle)Lufty flies from Toronto, Calgary and Montreal via Frankfurt everyday.
www.lufthansa.com

Getting around
Pretty messy but easy all the same. U BAHN is underground and S BAHN is above ground TRAINS. They will take you EVERYWHERE and its cheaper than the TTC! go figure.

Eating
Get your Wurst on pretty much everywhere, its street food and casual is all good. Lots of Turkish delights are a popular option when German food gets to be..well, you know...skip the fine dining restos. Seriously.

If you are jones-ing for something different, slightly cheesy, but totally Berlin you gotta check out WHITE TRASH FAST FOOD. Trust me - just go! Tattoos also readily available if you must...

Where to Stay?
Wanna flashback to the 1980's communist chic? (not that most of you remember it anyways) OSTEL is the answer. Pretend that your neighbour is spying on you and that the phones are bugged. Tons of communist paranoia fun!

more serious? more comfort, yet cool design can be had at a slew of Berlin Boutique hotels such as:
KU'DAMM 101 very sleek and clean, young things galore!
PROPELLER ISLAND funky, nuff said
BLEIBTREU cute german/parisian vibe, love the cafe.

Drinking
The only place I drink is CSA BAR. It's appropriate for your visit this time as well, since its located in the former Czech Airlines office and retains it mid 70's Russian/Brutalist style. You might have to avoid the Wallpaper* brigade, put its a small price to pay to drink in history.

Street Style?
Berliners are poor but street style savvy, I will give them that much. Wanna see?
here:
Stil in Berlin


FINAL TIP:
Get in the mood for your Berlin weekend getaway by renting (or downloading) the 1998 cult classic film RUN LOLA RUN. This hyper and stylish thriller was exclusively filmed in Berlin and almost works as a travelogue, plus its a killer movie!