A Happy Weekend
“The Happy Weekend Ticket” This train pass is what Matthew and I were after. Our plan Saturday was to get on a train to Berlin. “The Happy Weekend Ticket” is a one price ticket for up to five people to anywhere in Germany. It was a great deal. It was also a rumor we heard from someone. There was no guaranty that this elusive ticket existed. Matthew and I stood at the kiosk, navigating the menus which were half in english, half in german. A kind german man stood over our shoulder trying to help. In doing so he only made things more difficult, as he spoke no english, and we spoke no german. There is is!
Under the original german name we found it and we were off to Berlin. A friend of mine from China now lives in Berlin and it was his birthday weekend. A good excuse to see the city of Berlin and an old friend.
When we arrived we saw balloons, street stages, and large crowds. Something that is not too uncommon in a large city. Sascha informed us this weekend was the 20th celebration of German reunification. This city wide celebration was the backdrop to our entire journey through the city.
At one point I saw a building, large and curved, I turned to Sascha and said, “That building looks like a Playstation #3!” which I thought was awesome. As we walked past it though and reached the other side, we were presented with the entrance to the Sony Center. It was a giant complex of offices, shops, and a three level Sony store. This leads me to believe, either Sony built a building that looks like the playstation, or they built a the playstation that looks like a building. The mystery still plagues me.
Berlin is not a tall city though, buildings are short but numerous. The city spreads out for a long distance. Art and statues cover everything. We took a sobering walk through the Jewish memorial from WWII. Walked through many courtyards of churches and universities which had hundreds of years of history.
Most important we ate good food and had good conversation. I was the second friend from China to visit Sascha, and thus am now his second best friend from China. A title I will gladly take. We made it home safe the next day and came with the news: “The Happy Weekend Ticket” exists and provides and affordable path to anywhere in Germany.
