This could be well be my checkpoint on the way to work in the...

This could be well be my checkpoint on the way to work in the morning.

Day 2 in Berlin!

Since I came here because I got the job, the first thing I decided was to locate the office which happens to be a block away from where this checkpoint. It’s one of the many checkpoints from the days of divided Berlin, but as this point is conveniently located in the center, it was full of tourists, mostly Americans, and I got to understand much better of history from the past century. Few interesting points I didn’t know before:

- The wall was only constructed a decade after Germany was divided, meaning East Germans had a plenty of time to move to West Berlin, not sure how they would have managed to get the passport from the West. Perhaps I need to pay for the museum to find out.
- How much buffer space East Berlin had next to the wall in order to catch evaders.
- Contrast between the two sides are even today

Afterwards made brief stops at Denkmal & Brandenburg Tor, then spent a few hours at Mall of Berlin because it was too cold outside. It’s a different kind of chill here, like pure temperature cold not the windy shiver inducing cold as in London or Chicago. Once I picked up my stuff from the hotel, headed over to Erik’s place as we scheduled to meet at 8pm.

I didn’t think I would meet this guy again, but who would have known. I met Erik during my Inca Trail in Peru 2 months ago. We shared a tent together for 3 nights as he was the only other person joined the trekking by himself, got to know better while hiking up & down. Most times I end up never meeting the people I come across while traveling, so I eventually stop bothering even getting their contact, but maybe I sensed what is forthcoming. Indeed he is the only one I know in this foreign city. After a nice meal & wine, this long time Berliner filled me with additional info about the city’s history.

Far above expectation is the expression I would reserve for this type of situation, not for a typical Airbnb experience. He lives in a separate building from the apartment complex where the gate is, and I was given the entire upper floor to use myself. I can finally start practicing for next recital from tomorrow. (at Checkpoint Charlie)

https://hoon.io/2GROUYX