| Berlin |
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| Written by idyke | |
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IScene I've decided in my grey hair days that I want to travel a tad more. Before the curlers, flapping cape and parrot handled umbrella kick in [Margaret Rutherford style], I want to see parts of the world that have always fascinated me. I might not be able to get to all of them because time and my spend thrift persona.. But, the ones that made an impact on my life shall be added here. Enjoy, if you don't.. You already know I don't give a shit! Berlin 
*Stands up* 'My name is Lorna and I'm addicted
to Berlin and
latte's'.
I have wanted to go to Berlin for oooooh, far to long to remember. West Germany was always my stop off place after a hard six week summer programme working with the kids at my work place. I was in Frankfurt the day the wall came down. I'll always remember that day. So, this September was Berlin quality time. Myself and a friend took off at 4am in the morning on our destination to one of Europe's almost forgotten towns. The city seems vast, certainly spacious. London just doesn't compare.
I just wanted to share with someone, anyone, the delight that is Berlin. I probably won't
even do it justice. But you have to see this place to feel the vibe. There's so
much to see, so much to do and you just can't fit it into a few days
frolicking. I loved it, adored the green spaces, the people, the food and
coffee. The shops and art galleries are like sweet shops to me. Filled with
goodies, arts and crafts, jewellery. The city is seeped in history, some of the
old building covered in brightly coloured graffiti. I found myself gaining an
unhealthy fascination for the big wooden carved doors which led onto court
yards of peoples homes. I can understand why anyone would want to run away and
live there. It really has to be seen to be believed.
By chance we discovered that we had chosen to stay in one of the most up and
coming areas of Berlin. Arty farty my Mother would have called it - I kid you
not when I say it was like the home I thought I'd never find. The area itself
was an eye opener, the people friendly and welcoming. Of course everyone has
their own taste of wonder and this may well not be yours.
We did something I never thought I'd admit to, a tour bus ride throughout Berlin. There was just no way we'd be able to get to see all what we wanted to by flouncing about in the time we had. It was a thrill. Avoiding the trees and the conkers on the top deck, seeing the diplomatic district in all it's kitsch glory and weird fuck off styles. 
Every building, although colourful clashed with the one beside it.
An odd array of architecture. The Berlin
wall was a sight I had longed to see. The fragility of the wall hits you as you
peer at it close up, beyond it's barriers placed there to protect what's left.
The words, scrawled over it, the graffiti which obviously plays a big part in
marking the history in colourful meaningful words. I could go on about all the
other sites, checkpoint Charlie, the Jewish Museum.. You have to go see it for
yourself. make it your own experience. You'll be taking a part of it home with
you in your memories.
Schwulesmuseum Mehringdamm 61 10961 Berlin Establishment in 1985, The Gay Museum of Berlin is run mostly by volunteers. An extensive collection of documents, art and objects which reflect everyday lives and which reflect all aspects of gay life. It's worth a visit |
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