This week I didn't have to work because of the international Fulbright conference that was happening in Berlin! All Fulbrighters in Europe gathered at the 37-story, five-star hotel named "Park Inn" at Alexanderplatz (directly next to the radio tower; this was the main center of East Berlin during the GDR-era). Those who had to travel had their expenses paid for, and room and board was included. I was even able to stay since I technically live in the state of Brandenburg (although Neuenhagen bei Berlin is still connected to the city). Score!
Of course this meant that my high school friend and fellow Fulbrighter Margie was also there for the week, and we had a ton of fun together!! She flew in on Saturday morning, and I took her out to Potsdam for the day to visit castles and other fun things (Potsdam is the so-called "Versailles of Berlin"...something like a twin-city). We got there in the morning, and walked around the city for basically the entire day. It was my second time there; back in the summer of '06 Nicole and her parents took my mom and I out there one day during our stay. It is so beautiful though...I'm kind of mad at myself for not going out there more often since I'm so close!
Anyway, we went to Sanssouci Palace (Schloss Sanssouci) and the New Palace (Neues Palais), taking tours of both. The weather was absolutely beautiful. There is also a huge park here, a Chinese tea-house, an orangerie, and a massive windmill. Totally gorgeous. Afterwards, we walked to the other side of the city and across the large river to the idyllic woodsy area where Babelsberg Palace (Schloss Babelsberg) is. We got there in the late-afternoon or early evening, so everything had this magical glow to it. There was basically nobody around either, so it was like we were walking around in the woods and just stumbled across this centuries-old, fairy-tale castle. It was wonderful. We were so mesmorized!
The whole week was awesome, and I really felt happy hanging out and catching up with my closest friend. We did so much. Other places we went include: the DDR-Museum (or GDR Museum), Potsdamer Platz, the Film/TV Museum, Charlottenburg Palace, the Memorial for Murdered European Jews, the Museum of German Resistance during WWII, the Victory Column (Siegessäule), the Tierpark (where 7 of us altogether went for a picnic), the Gedächtnis Kirche and Glas Church, White Trash Fast Food (best American restuarant in Berlin!), and countless other small places along the way.
We pretty much had every meal covered by Fulbright at the fancy hotel restaurant. The food was awesome. However, I have to say that the meatballs at the reception after our briefing with Berlin's mayor were my favorite! (Gotta learn how to make those).
Memorial for Murdered Jews of Europe
Fulbright really outdid themselves for this conference. We listened to speeches from American and German ambassadors alike, as well as many other "VIPs". We had great banquets with unlimited food and drinks. One night the Fulbrighters here on music scholarships performed for the rest of us in a gala, and it really made me wish I had double majored in music AND math. They were excellent. One violinist and his pianist-wife even played my Saint-Saëns piece, Introduction and Rondo capricciosso. (And it never gets old, no matter how many times I hear it! Hear Heifetz play it).
On Wednesday evening we had our farewell party at the Alte Kantine, a club in Prenzlauer-Berg (a district of Berlin). At one point this was a church, and then it turned into a brewery. Somewhere along the way it stopped being a brewery and became a club. We had a DJ and everyone was given two drink tokens, which I used for some delicious cold apple juice (go ahead and call me lame, I don't care, lol). Margie and I left early as she had some serious tooth pain, and we had to find something. Luckily there was a pharmacy open 24/7 in the main train station!
I am really thankful for this week. It was a great change-up from my normal routine, got to see some old friends and meet some new ones, and go do some fun stuff that normally gets pushed aside. Also, nothing compares to quality time with someone you love and don't get to see very often! :)
I LOVE BERLIN!
