First Impressions of Berlin

It wasn’t more or less than that

This wasn’t a trip intending to explore the capital. No, I’ve never been to the capital of my home country. But the city of Berlin is also far away from where I grew up in the country.

This trip only led us to the city because we found no closer Decathlon than on the outskirts of Berlin. Decathlon is the sports store where I buy all my sports equipment. From swimsuits and snorkel to hiking pants and boots, sunglasses, and whatever else I need. We even bought an inflatable kayak here.

There are many stores across the world (we even found a Decathlon store in Thailand) but the closest one to our current home was about an hour's drive away. And in Berlin.

We were looking for a bicycle for my husband and that was the reason why we went on the journey to Berlin. Originally I had said I won’t be driving into the city. There’s public transport here. Use it. It’s much more relaxing than taking the car.

But remember, we live in the countryside. It takes a bit until we get to a train station. Or bus stop. Plus, we would be coming back with a bicycle as luggage. Maybe I should get over my shadow and just drive.

We’ve driven in many cities before and even though I wasn’t the driver in Bangkok’s crazy city traffic, I’ve done a fair amount of standing in traffic.

However, Berlin isn’t that bad. I’m telling you. Yes, we weren’t in the city center, but we got close to it. And we got quickly into the city and just as fast out of it again.

Yes, I had looked up a parking lot before. I did not want to look for parking. And I didn’t. It was easy, convenient, and right on top of the store, I wanted to visit.

After buying a city bike and squeezing it into the back of our car, we had some time left and decided to walk down the shopping street. Getting out of the shopping center we were in, I didn’t get surprised.

It was just another city street. It could just as well have been Stuttgart. The street, the trees, the same shops, and some people out and about. Same same, but different. We learned to say in Thailand.

I’m not a city person. Not at all. And nor is my husband. We aren’t keen on shopping. If we go shopping we spend more on food and alcohol than on clothes or items we don’t need anyway.

We’d rather buy a fancy Salami and some good cheese than buy souvenirs that collect dust and take up space we don’t have.

So what should we do in a city? Look at buildings? Visit churches maybe, but not today. Do window shopping, sure why not.

I’ve never been intrigued by the city of Berlin and didn’t miss not having seen the capital of Germany. I was told I’d love the city, now that I’d moved so close to it.

But are you sure about it? There is no city I would name, I really love. All my favorite travel memories revolve around nature. Mountains, beaches, deserts, or some other landscape features. Just not cities. They are simply not for me.

I did like Vienna, I remember that. I’ve been to the city a handful of times. As a child and a young adult. I’ve partied in the city, visited the theme park, and traveled cheaply by public transport. But have I gone back? No.

I’ve been to Oslo. It was nice. What did I like most about the city? The ocean, the surrounding islands, the coastline, and the mountains. That much about city life.

The same about Cape Town. I love the beaches, the mountains, and all features of nature down there. Stunning coastline. I’d go back anytime. For the adventure on the coast. Not for the city itself.

And I guess I could go on like this forever.

I’m just a little different. I don’t find beauty in cities. At least not as easily as in nature.

Especially not when I walk past graffiti like this one. I’ve been told it is part of the city image. But is it really? Definitely not appealing to me.

And then all the construction work.

Yes, I know. You do find construction work everywhere. Also in the countryside. But on a different scale.

And then I did find some real art. The Berlin Bears. Or as I found out, they are being called Buddy Bears.

I think this was enough of city life for now. And for me.

Back in the car, we quickly drove back to our home out of the city. And as soon as we dragged the bike out of the car, we went on a short trip to test the new toy.

Yes, it is a city bike. But we’ll be using it in the countryside. Roads are just as good and nature a bit more abundant.

Maybe I’ll get to show you some more of Berlin later this year. But for now, I’ve had enough of city life.

More about cities from around the world:

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