Damn it's good to be back. Right after landing we bought ourselves a 7-day public transport pass with a bit over 25€ (even though I also recommend hiring bikes & just driving around), it may sound a bit costly, but it gives us the flexibility & swiftness we seek. So we're nine guys in total & we decided back in Helsinki that it would make more sense (& cheaper) to rent a flat instead of several hostel rooms. So back in April we just googled "Berlin, flats for rent". So we found pretty easily this flat in Boxhagener Stratsse, laying in East Berlin district of Friedrichshain. It's one of the neighborhoods that suffered a bad beat during World War II, being reduced to ruins. Since then there's been a bunch of housing projects & after the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 it gained its present reputation as a young, dynamic district. Until 2001 Friedrichshain was even a freestanding city borough, just like Cristiania in Copenhagen. So there we were heading. All fired up. Maybe that's why we bought three cases of beer on the way just for the fun of it. Oh yeah, and we were thirsty.
Four rooms, kitchen, 2 bathrooms & balcony. The flat is great. After a while of marveling the flat (involved serious high-fiving) we took a stroll for a bite. We knew this place back from the days, this Sudanese Imbiss called N.I.L. So we headed to Grunberger Strasse just a few blocks away from our gaff, and to our amazement it was still there! Even more astonishing that the prices were still the same friendly ones. With a mere 3€ you get your system full of Sudanese love in a thin naan-like bread, the secret lies in the sauce. We recommend the Tofu Madagascar & N.I.L. Chicken. Always with the friendly service this place is a must go for everyone from penniless squatters to deep-pockets suits. To accompany have a Afri Cola, a German alternative to big brands.
Walking in the streets of Friedrichshain is really a own chapter. By far, along with Prenzlauerberg, it has the friendliest atmosphere & it really is contagious. You get a smile out of everyone. We came across this cool shop called Big Brobot right up Kopernikustrasse. Besides a urban, street inspired clothing selection, the shop carries a whole bunch of savvy art/fashion books & comic gadgets.
Now going out to club Cookies in Kreuzberg, the best place to go on a Tuesday night. First night in Berlin since a while, could be a potential disaster, especially knowing the parties at Cookies last until morning. A talented German act called Motor City Drum Ensemble are performing tonight, so I think we'll be all rock hard all night long. So it goes.
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