My day yesterday started WAAAAYY too early at 6:30 am. I dragged myself to the S-Bahn (metro-esc but pretty and with gorgeous views) in Schoenhauser Allee and then made a connection in Westkreuz to another S-Bahn that takes me to Potsdam. The views are unbelievable! Before I leave, I want to take this train and get off at random stops to walk through the fairy tale streets, churches, and restaurants that line the way. I can't imagine what this will look like in the summer, because it is full of trees and gardens.
This brings me to one of the things that has caught my attention the most. Many of the train, bus, and tram routes are lined by plots of land divided into tiny little plots with miniature houses and precious gardens. I had never seen anything like it, and if you don't think the towns of Germany look fairy tale like, these little houses would certainly convince you! They look like little elf houses, it is sooo cute and unique. After 3 trips to Potsdam spent constantly thinking about googling these houses, I have googled and this is what I found:
The man writes: " Finally, I saw a sign on the entrance to one of these spaces. It read, Kleingartenkolonie, or little garden colony. No elves included. These are Germany’s allotment gardens, which are something like U.S. community gardens, super-sized. The concept originated in the 19th Century, when the German government, instead of handing out welfare, granted land to poor folks to garden so that they could provide for themselves. Over the decades, the number of allotment gardens grew; when the city ran out of empty land, it bought more, with help from the federal government. After World War II, people actually lived on their plots, which may explain why so many of the current structures look more like little houses than potting sheds." http://www.slowtravelberlin.com/2011/11/08/berlins-community-gardens/
So interesting! I have officially learned something!
During this wonderful ride, I noticed that I was the only person staring off into oblivion... So I took out my book and tried to fit it. But it is sooo hard to read when there are so many opportunities to people watch or landscapes to see! One of the scenes on the train that caught my attention was a man who was apparently asleep. He had two kids with him, probably 4 and 5, and was wearing his hat acting asleep. The kids were climbing all over him, taking his classes, taking his hat, and playfully screaming for him to wake up. I've done a lot of babysitting in my time and have played this game many a times... but seriously.... He did this for a good 45 minutes. If I was one of the kids I would have been terrified. The man played along until he got to his stop, he got up, grabbed his bag and the kids followed. Soooo funny.
Anyway, once I finally made it to Potsdam I got on a forever long bus ride to the dorms. The bus was extra packed because it was 8:15 and I'm going to assume people were going to work. After being stuck in traffic a man yelled at the bus driver and nearly scared me to death. Because of the amount of stops, I had budgeted 30 minutes for this bus ride, even though it's not a very long distance. (disclaimer: after 3 trips to Potsdam I have discovered there is a quicker way to get to the University, which avoid this bus ride) On the way, I got to admire how well planned and designed the streets are. Every street or sidewalk has an assigned bike lane and an assigned walking path. Everyone rides bikes! Such a healthy habit! The bus ride into my dorm goes through the palace gardens, which I cannot wait to see in full bloom. The scenery is exquisite!
Once at the dorms, I waited in the chili cold because I was early... and I've learned my lesson about not arriving at the exact time. At 8:59 I rang the door bell and the very nice man let me in. He asked me if I was Italian... haha nope... that's about the only thing I'm not! Then he asked me to sign some more papers, told me about the internet situation, told me about the garbage situation, gave me my keys, and led me to my room. The dorms are precious. I don't know why I didn't take pictures of the outside, but I will. (It was a grey day yesterday anyway). My "apartment" is small but perfect, because my room has plenty of space and there's a bathroom. It will work wonderfully! Here is a quick video of the room.
After glancing at the place, I headed for the bus. I stopped over at the bank to tell them I wouldn't be coming in, but the line was so long that I left.... I felt bad, but what can I do...
From the bank I walked to a precious grocery store where I bought my breakfast-- a banana and a deliciously cold water! Then I walked to the bus and headed back to Berlin on the same trains. Once in Berlin I walked a bit and then stopped to buy lunch at the grocery store. I took my lunch with me to my room and laid around all afternoon. I have been soooo tired! I know it's because of the jet lag and the fact that my body HATES waking up early.... so I took the day off and sent emails and read letters. I fell asleep around 8 and today, I woke up promptly at 7:45. Great nights sleep! Now I am still in bed, at 9:00, but am reading my grandmother's 30 pages she wrote about Prenzlauer Berg in the 1930's. Then I will head out and retrace the route she wrote about!
I will probably update some more tonight! Bis spaeter! (till later)
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