My Germany ancestry died out in Southern Ontario after World War One when speaking German suddenly fell out of favour. It has been odd hearing my name pronounced properly.
My attempt to fond the tourist office 3.6 kms away was successful but I missed the one about 25 metres above ground. I got started with some maps and basic questions taken care of. Could we not put a sign up somewhere Main Train Station of Berlin?
Had an experience with the transit that was almost as frustrating as the Spanish telephone incident. Of three ticket machines, 2 were out of order and the third one was being commandeered by a pack of British tourists who spent the first 15 minutes trying to find the English button. This created a line miles long and when my turn came, I took 10 seconds and abandoned ship. At the other end, I found more success. A machine that worked as well as a couple willing to help me out. This machine did not want to take my 10 euro note. I finally went back to the other machine which also did not want my bill and then just bought a one way ticket. Nobody told me there'd be days like these.
Afternoon produced several successes! Found hostel and they let me head up to the room immediately where I had the most wonderful of sleeps before being awoken by some techno crud. I did need to get out into the mean streets of Berlin again. I showered and the new clean clothes gave me a reinvigorated feeling. I strolled past the Tiergarten Park which was nice and managed to stumble upon the Reichstag. It was odd to see the real thing in front of me when I'd seen it in war footage so many times. It took only a few more minutes to get to the station too. Tracked down the tourist information which is buried in a corner in what I think is one of the original bunkers from WWII. It's saving grace is that it is open until 10 pm. Also managed to exchange the Swiss francs I've been carrying around for a week now; their sole purpose being to suck up the moisture in my wallet. And scored a phone card so I am now able to call places instead of checking email. Finally, camped out at McDonalds, charged my phone and tried to set up some sort of plan for Berlin. Underground bunker tours and Checkpoint Charlie seem to have piqued my interest but there are several others that are free. A busy few days which I have discovered includes 3 full days which is just as well because finding the tourist centre and the hostel took the starch out of me today! Buckets has confirmed he is good for a few nights and I can discuss an extension with him but a few Berliners have offered up couches as well.
Tactical error in Strasbourg resulted in me leaving my wash kit in the coffee shop across from the worst McDo's. The negative sphere of the sluggards that work there is going supernova! The question is now, how long will they hold a wash kit? I'll find out I guess. If they can wait until Saturday, I might be alright. In the meantime, I've bought toothpaste and deodorant which I've desperately needed to unassemble my complete transformation to full blown Hobo. I look forward to the next few days.