Mauerpark

After we realized the roundhouse was a bust we stopped into some hole-in-the-wall place to grab a drink because we were all hot from walking in the sun. We were going to visit another abandoned place, but, after Cheryl went to check to see if we could actually still get to it, we realized it was torn down. She felt bad that nothing was working out and offered another suggestion of going to Mauerpark. It didn't bother me that we couldn't explore anything because I know the nature of abandoned places and it was cool enough just seeing the outside of the roundhouse. We said good-bye to Elizabeth, who had other plans, and headed to Mauerpark.

One of my favorite things to do is go to flea markets, and it just so happened that every Sunday there is a giant flea market. Most markets I've seen in other countries are just people sell cheap Chinese products. I was so happy to see vintage items and a lot of handmade items from local artists. It was so crowded so I didn't take pictures inside the market (except for the one above). I was able to buy some artwork from a local artist which I try to do everywhere I travel and since I hadn't seen any street artists this was the next best thing.

After walking through the market she took me to the top of a hill where there is an ever revolving art display on what used to be the "death strip," or the no man's land, that formed from the two parallel walls of the Berlin Wall. Not only can you view the street art but you can watch artists create their works. People are so talented with a can of spray paint! The best part is the work is constantly being painted over so every time you visit you'll see something new. Graffiti on the park side of the wall is completely legal as well according to the website!

If you don't like crowds I'd suggest you don't attend on Sunday because, along with the flea market, there is live karaoke. The karaoke was started by a Dubliner named Joe Hatchiban (that's a fake name by the way) when he decided to bring his stereo equipment to the stone amphitheater. He's been doing this since 2009 and, weather permitting, is there every Sunday at 3. 10 years later he's still drawing quite the crowds. The couple people we listened to were really good but there's no way I'd ever do that even for a million dollars. I wouldn't subject the crowd to such horrible singing.

We didn't stay for very long, but it was nice to experience something so quintessentially Berlin and see all the people Berlin has to offer. Cheryl and I finished our evening by grabbing tacos at a restaurant called Nenes. We watched part of the World Cup and talked for a really long time. If you ever visit Berlin make sure to check out her blog. I managed to navigate the tram and made it back to my hostel. I'm always amazed that I'm an adult capable of navigating a foreign city alone.