I checked out of the hostel at about 9:30 AM. It was snowing again and quite cold. The night before I received an email from the site I had booked the flight to Paris from. They said there was a problem with the payment going through. I had enough money on the card. I tried to book the flight again but it had gone, probably booked out. The only other available flight was $300.00 and I would have to wait 4 hours in the airport.
I decided the 8 hour train ride was the cheapest and best option. I left early so I could book a train ticket to Paris at the station. When I arrived, I booked my ticket it was 113 Euro. I have to change trains at Karlsrue, so I hope I don't fall asleep. At least this way, I get to avoid customs and see more scenery. It's not that I have anything to hide, but why attract unnecessary attention to yourself.
Anyway I waited for the train to arrive and boarded. The train was a DeutschBahn (DB) ICE (Inter City Express). It was anice train. Very modern. I was in 2nd class but had plenty of leg room and space. As it was a Tuesday, the train was reasonably empty. This made the 6 and a half hour trip a little more comfortable.
About 45 minutes into the trip, I decided to venture into the restaurant car and have some lunch. I ordered the Rehragout. It was Venison Ragout with Brussel Sprouts and Mashed Potato. I was expecting pretty crappy Microwave food. It cost 15 Euro so I was hoping that was not the case. The waitress brought it to me and I was surprised, the food is restaurant quality.
I ate the Rehragout and returned to my seat. I went to sleep for about an hour. When I woke up, we had just left Nurnberg (Nuremburg). I was disappointed I couldn't find time to vist Nuremberg as it is a medieval city and the home of the Nuremburg trials and executions of Nazi war criminals at the end of World War 2. Maybe I will see it next time I am in Germany.
I listened to my Ipod for awhile. We were now about 3 hours from Berlin. I watched the scenery for awhile and before I knew it, an hour had passed. The German countryside is the best I have seen so far. There are a lot of nice little towns. I would love to live in one of these little towns but I imagine that outside the big cities, there would not be too many English speakers.
I decided to get out the laptop and watch 'A Very Harold And Kumar Christmas'. I think one lady opposite me got annoyed everytime I laughed out loud. I can't help it, it was funny. Maybe not as good as the previous 2 but it was still funny. When the movie ended there was about 20 minutes left until we arrived in Berlin. I packed up everything and watched as we entered the city. Berlin is by far the biggest and most modern city I have seen yet.
As we got off the train and entered the station, I was stunned by how big the station was. It was 3 or four floors with lots of shops and cafe/restuarants. It was very modern. I got lost a little, but eventually found how to get out of the station. The taxis are right out front. I had a cigarette and then got in the taxi. The driver was of Turkish descent but had lived in Berlin for 30 years. He told me that this was the new Central Station as we drove by the old Central Station.
He told me there were many Australians in Berlin and that the city was now very multi-cultural. We got to the hotel and I gave him the 12,00 Euro for the fare and checked in. The Excelsior Hotel is a nice hotel, and I got it a good rate. I was soon to learn why.
Alot of things in this hotel were not included. Breakfast, WiFi, TV all came at an extra cost, and it was a high cost. Berlin is fairly cheap but for some reason the Excelsior thinks it can charge 22,00 Euro a night to let you watch TV. I decided to have dinner in the restaurant. The meal was good but it cost me 70,00 Euro. The Internet is 14 Euro a day. I wish I knew this before I booked here.
After dinner I sat at the bar and had 2 beers. I spoke to the bartender awhile. When I left I went outside and met a Canadian guy. He was wearing a Manchester United hoodie and I decided to advise him of his poor judgement. He told me he lives in Bordeaux in France and we spoke about sport for awhile, before I headed back upstairs.
I was a little bit drunk and tired and decided to go to sleep, but I wanted another cigarette. The sign on the desk read 'This is a Non Smoking room, Please refrain from smoking' I had refrained all night and I could not refrain anymore so I opened the window and lit up a cigarette. If they really didn't want me to smoke, the sign should have read 'This is a Non Smoking room. Do not smoke'. I am to do a the free walk in the morning, so I needed to sleep.
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