Flat plains drifter…Germany #13

So here we are…after getting into the mighty Berlin hbf,buying a weekly ticket on my phone and having a smoke( if you smoke don’t go to either of the main exits,there are two side areas up on the 4th floor where all the workers go.You get no hassle) I got the u-Bahn to Pankow where I’m staying…

I was sure the place would be a piece of piss to find but I made the mistake of going to the S-Bahn station and then coming out of the wrong exit,unfortunately there’s a huge duel carriage way in the middle with no way across except climbing innumerable stairs( Berlin and stairs.More later) by which time it was blistering hot,I was sweating like Nigel Farage having to talk to his constituents and I still didn’t have a scooby where the hotel was.Plus my legs & feet were aching…

Eventually found the place after strolling past it twice ( I was frazzled) and of course couldn’t get in.Was calling a number when a nice lady opened the door to me “ I only speak Deutsch & Spanish,no English” we got by though,we always get by…of course the room’s on the top floor and no lift and also as far away from urban life as possible…Jesus what have I come to I thought…

No worries.Cleaned up and headed out to see what’s what.Went in the opposite direction to where I came in,pub at the end of the street,promising,I had no cash,she doesn’t take cards.Is there an atm close? She shrugs…I hadn’t noticed there’s a tram stop opposite the bar,gave her the Arnie “ I’ll be back “ and jumped on in search of civilisation,or at least an atm.Five stops later I found a dodgy one in a kebab shop and caught the tram back.Meanwhile a truely magnificent storm had broken out.One of those the Russians send over occasionally as if to say “see what you get?” 

The landlady greeted me like a returning war hero and even said I could sit out the storm and sit inside smoking but I feel it’s my duty to sit it out under a leaky cover…

So from a very iffy start I’m hopefully getting into the swing of Berlin again no matter where the hell I am…I’m doing my British thing of making a good job of an unpromising situation…

Have also noticed over the road a huge bikers bar( well more of a clubhouse really) with “ All welcome “ on the front.I’m gonna take that with a large pinch of salt I think.They may be genuine but I’m not taking chances…

I think in the morning I might see if I can mess up the washing machine…oh yea and my room is huge but with very little in it save a bed,table & chair.Very odd.At least I have a bathroom…

Certainly I’m in a better frame of mind than I was four hours ago.Anazing what a difference finding a local bar and a good transport link can make to one’s situation isn’t it? 

I am easily pleased…and I also met a fellow Yamyam…