Impressions of Berlin

Sitting in outdoor cafes drinking Hefeweissen, going to clubs and staying up all night in the bohemian community which thrived in the old bombed out Oranienburger train station.

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We walked around alot and took the subway, which was exceptional and easily understood.

The best part about this hotel, although it was very nice all around, was its location. It is situated in a very interesting part of the former East Berlin, on an active street full of cafes and restaurants, across from a vibrant artists' community. It offers basic, moderately sized rooms with all the normal amenities. There is a simple, complimentary breakfast buffet available every morning, and the hostess was pleasant and helpful, she was involved in every task at the hotel. It was more like a bed and breakfast, small and personal, and I highly recommend this place. The only problem we had was communication. There wasn't anyone on the staff who had a very good command of English, to my surprise.

Our first night in Berlin was spent awake, in an incredible artist community located inside and around a partially demolished train station bombed out during WWII. Our hotel was situated right across the street so I got to know it well. Being a New York City artist, I have never experienced any art community such as this. There was an honesty, grit and a lack of self consciousness that you do not find in places like Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Nobody seemed to be pretending.

It had the basic appearance of a junkyard, the ruins were covered with murals and grafitti. Sculptures from all disciplines (and some undisciplined) were distrubuted all over the lot. There were painting studios, metalworking shops, small galleries and bars which the art extended into. The large sculpture yard had all sorts of things going on in it at night; music, performances, people just hanging out. There were plenty of people drinking beer and doing various drugs that may induce a feeling of profound but temporary love with everything and everyone in the world.

I went to several clubs in Berlin but unfortunately do not remember any names or addresses. The club scene there had an inclusive quality to it that I didn't feel in New York at that time. There was an underground aspect to the ones I went to there, grungey, more like a party, less tied to fashion and pretentious hipness. The music was cool and there seemed to be plenty of the usual drugs around. The places were gritty, unpolished, energized, and didn't have high cover charges. I don't go to clubs anymore, but I would take that scene over the one in New York anyday. I might start going again, if I lived in Berlin.