The Little Things in Berlin

After arriving in Berlin on Friday and initiating our tour through the city, I asked, “Where’s all the old stuff” I found myself mostly surrounded by newer construction dating from the mid-century. It all made sense after I read in Paddy’s book that most of Berlin was destroyed during WWII. With my newfound knowledge, what I saw made much more sense – with a few special items peaking my interest.

I miss eating Mexican food at Uncle Julio’s and burritos at Chipotle. So, when Chris stumbled across a notation in one of his cooking magazines about the “best burrito in Europe” being in Berlin, we had to give it a try. As a result, Friday for lunch, we headed to Delores California Style Gourmet Burritos.

After a short walk from our hotel (the fabulous Ritz Carlton located in Potsdamer Platz), we landed at Delores. Its location was a bit odd - surrounded by construction (though, as we noticed, the entire city seemed to be under construction). The interior was extremely hot so fortunately we could sit outside. Similar to Chipotle, you chose a meat option, followed by bean selection, topped off with cheese or sour cream. The staff was friendly as they assisted us to better understand the difference between beef options. As I chomped my way through my steak burrito with pinto beans, corn salsa, cheese and sour cream, I agreed with the magazine’s review. The burrito was solid, tasty and filling. If only they would have had ice to accompany my soda I could have given the restaurant a superior rating. But with the omission of the cold necessity, Delores strolls away with a “great.”

As we made our way back to the hotel, I noticed something about the stoplights. Forget the clicking noise that emits from the signal – notifying you of how much time you have to move from one side of the street to the other. Rather, it was the little green men that illuminates when it’s time to cross. They aren’t the standard blockhead figures seen in American and throughout Europe. Rather, the green icon wears a hat. I appreciated the subtle difference.

The crosswalk fashionista wasn’t the only small article that caught my attention. While enjoying a German specialty from the Rine provinces at a restaurant on Friday night, I found myself constantly in the restroom blowing my noise (I caught a cold after Ibiza that continued through the weekend). When I tossed my used tissues into the toilet, I was treated to a rotating display of modern technology.

Click on the Quicktime movie above to watch the toilet in action!

Rather than having a paper seat cover that rotated around after one use, the German variety cleaned itself with a liquid that emulated from a mechanical arm at the back of the toilet. Though having to do “number two” wasn’t on my agenda, it was good to know that for the next hour or so, if I had to, I would be treated to sanitized toilet seat Mr. Clean would appreciate.

After having seen most of the city on Friday including the Berlin wall (much smaller and thinner than I imagined) and Checkpoint Charlie (and interesting sight where I had a history lesson on the occupation of Germany), we spent Saturday visiting only one museum with the remainder of the day watching Paddy and Chris drink liters of German beer. The Jewish museum was an amazing adventure into modern day architecture significance with the eerie ability to move you - literally. Built by Daniel Libeskind in 2001, the museum is a multi-angled masterpiece that, with it’s construction on varying degrees, affects your equilibrium. At times, a queasy feeling overcomes you – purposely designed to remind you of the tortures those being memorialized how to endure. Surprisingly, I was fine, so was Chris. Paddy, on the other hand, began to get nauseas. So, we quickly ended our Jewish history lesson and headed to a bar.

We love Paddy. But drunk Paddy is even more fun. He constantly smiles, giggles, and entertains you with his inebriated charm. So for two days in Berlin, watched as he enjoyed liter after liter of liquid barley delight. Chris would also drink, but only one or two. Paddy would drink three or four. I, of course, drank Diet Coke. “BOO!” some would say (as shouted by Grace on the Will & Grace episode where she meets Leo's parents). But with my frat days ruining my taste for beer, I’ve become a spectator when it comes to drinking. Which makes me wonder what I’ll do in September when I return to Germany for Oktoberfest?

Our trip to Berlin was a wonderful way to cap a busy summer of traveling through Europe – beginning with the South of France, encompassing Stockholm, Madrid, London and Ibiza. And the time spent with Paddy over the past two weeks was priceless. Museums are nice, but friendships are better. Combine that with cannonballs into the pool, mechanical toilets, scary gay bar visits, drinks at outdoor cafes and tasty burritos, you have yourself a photo album full of memories – ones I’ve promised myself I’m starting this week.