Month: September 2012

Ejo #34 – TEEC: Day 25 (The Best Of…)

Amsterdam, Berlin, Food, Munich, Photographs, Travel, , , , , Leave a comment

BEST COFFEE
AMSTERDAM
Latei
http://www.latei.net/

BERLIN
The Barn
http://thebarn.de/

MÜNCHEN
Bar Centrale
http://www.bar-centrale.com/

BEST BAR
BERLIN
Zyankali
http://www.zyankali.de/

Zyankali (apparently) means cyanide in German. There were razor blades and barbed wire set in resin on the toilet seat, spiders under glass for the bar top, beakers, Bunsen burners and test tubes behind the bar. The cocktails were amazing, and delicious and the place was warm and inviting. Highly recommended!!!

I know, it’s kinda gross but hey, i think deep down you really wanted to see it!

BEST SIT DOWN DINNER
AMSTERDAM
In De Keuken
http://www.indekeuken.com/

Best meal in Amsterdam. Relaxed environment but really top quality dishes. This was the unbelievably good peach dessert. In contention for best dessert ever.

BERLIN
Lorenz Adlon
http://www.lorenzadlon-esszimmer.de/en/mission

BERLIN – HONORABLE MENTION
Baldon Sur Mer
No website.

This place had room for 19 guests. It’s tiny, but the food is world class. Nina, the sommelier, was a delight, charming us with her friendliness and wine choices to match the six delicious courses. Only just pipped at the post by Lorenz Adlon (though it only cost 20%).

MÜNCHEN
Tantris
http://www.tantris.de/home.php

MOST FUN EVENT
AMSTERDAM
House Of Bols Tour
http://www.houseofbols.com

BERLIN
Berlin Festival
http://www.berlinfestival.de/?lang=en

MÜNCHEN
Oktoberfest
http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/

BEST QUOTE
AMSTERDAM
“I speak English, I just don’t want to help you”

BEST FAST FOOD
BERLIN
Mustafa’s Döner Kebap
http://mustafas.de/

BERLIN – HONORABLE MENTION
Curry 36
http://www.curry36.de/

SOOOOOOOO much better than it looks. And so good at the end of a big night. Berlin, thank you for the best currywurst!!

BEST DECISION
AMSTERDAM
Catching up with Claire, Ben, Kevin and Rachel

The Amstergang: Claire, Ben, David, Rachel, Kevin (and me, of course)!!!

AMSTERDAM – HONORABLE MENTION
To get my hair cut
http://www.lysandro.nl/en/about-us/about-us/

BERLIN
To wait in line for Döner at Mustafa’s

MÜNCHEN
To wear a dirndl to Oktoberfest

BEST WEATHER
AMSTERDAM
The day we left

BERLIN
The day we left

MÜNCHEN
The day we left

Ejo #34 – TEEC: Day 24 (Our Oktoberfest Experience)

Munich, Photographs, Travel, , , , Leave a comment

The Oktoberfest gods smiled down upon us yesterday. When we woke up it was pouring down with rain and I was devastated that it would be too cold to wear my dirndl. But very gradually, the rain abated and the blue skies prevailed. It was still a little chilly, but hey, sometimes you have to suffer for your art!

Yes, I did go out in public like this! You know what they say, “When in München…”

So off we went to Oktoberfest. It was like nothing I’d imagined. A big fairground with food stalls, shriek-inducing rides, kids running around, girls in dirndls, men in Lederhosen, and beer! Lots and lots of beer! What was really wonderful is how everyone gets into the Oktoberfest spirit. I had been prepared to feel like a weirdo wearing the regional costume, but I think I would have stood out more if I hadn’t worn it. I’d say 85% of all women (between the ages of newborn and 90) were wearing them. And I was a bit sad that David hadn’t been swept up in the hoopla (like the other 70% of dudes), and bought himself a handsome pair of Lederhosen to wear. Oh well. Maybe next time?

Boys in Lederhosen…..

…. checking out girls in Dirndls.

Heidi, is that you?

I don’t even like beer that much but when you’re at Oktoberfest you’d be ridiculous not to drink it. And yes, those are 1 litre maß (jugs)!!!!

The tents were absolutely jam packed. Punters happily squeezed onto benches designed to fit half as many people.

Every time the band played a song (which I’ve translated as being something along the lines of, “Beer, beer beer, beer, beer beer beer!) the entire tent would erupt into cheers and shouts and everyone would clink their steins. It was fun!

Ejo #34 – TEEC: Day 23 (Goodbye Berlin, Hello München)

Munich, Travel, , Leave a comment

Today, sadly, we had to say goodbye to Berlin. But, the flip side is that we had the chance to once again say hello to Munich. I think I mentioned already that München surprised me when we were first here WAY back on Days 1 and 2. I hadn’t expected to like it as much as I did, and that feeling was only confirmed today when we hung out near the centre of town this afternoon. There is a really easy-going, laid back feel to the place. Berlin is cutting edge cool, but München is comfy. And sometimes, comfy is nice.

Oh, you know what else I did today? I bought a dirndl. And tomorrow? Tomorrow, friends, we hit Oktoberfest!!!!