Berlin
Trip Start
Dec 09, 2007
1
48
52
Trip End
Jul 07, 2008
Berlin,
Germany
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
But before any exploration could take place I had to get some more meat and beer in this hollowed out skinny Indian version of my body. I chose a simple looking kabob stand for this opportunity and didn't think twice about diving into the special; a massive lamb kabob stuffed with meat and grilled veggies and a nice tall glass of tap lager for about 4 Euro...Not Indian prices but not bad! Well this turned out to be just about the one of the worst decisions I'd made in a long time. The meal was great but the combination of my gastural intestinal system just not being ready for such an injection of complex protein matter, the stress I had from processing the intensity of India, my severe lack of funds, and conforming back to the rhythm of the western world took a heavy toll on my immune system and everything else with it
me and steph
. I got really Sick! Ironic really that I would get this sick after leaving India. I had Montezuma's Revenge or Delhi Belly in a bad way. For days I could not get further than a couple blocks from my hostel without having to make a beeline for the toilet. I couldn't eat and I was losing lot's of water in a short time. My already thin frame was starting to waste away, which made the occasional eye contact and flirtatious looks from the gorgeous and outgoing Berlin ladies totally shocking. If I'm being shown interest by this caliber of woman in this sad sate of affairs than this is definitely a place I've got to consider spending more time in. Or maybe Berlin women just find sad, week, depraved, and sickly men sexy? I hope not.
I kept trying to reach contacts I'd made there through other friends. Other places I could stay or crash for free. There were a few possibilities but always some last minute snafu would thwart it. I kept packing my stuff and checking out of the hostel, storing it all in the office, then returning every night to get another room and unpack again. I just had a few euros to my name waiting on another wire from the folks.
After several days maybe 4 or 5 my health started to improve or maybe not my health but my disposition. I had received more money from my parents and I was able to make longer trips away from the toilet. I was eating more and managed to make some friends in the guesthouse and had taken advantage of the free interent to catch up on stuff.
It was on one of the my returns from these short jaunts that I saw her
TV tower
. She was one of those women that you can just sense from long ways off. Her curly blonde locks were a beacon. All you want to do is stare and watch her as she makes her way down the walk past you but at the same time the shear beauty is too striking and intimidating to engage straight on. It's like looking at the sun. Your eyes and head make this weaving dance, looking around aimlessly, up, down and to the side just trying to shy away while thinking and longing for nothing else then the glances you steal for her.But I bucked up and made a last ditch effort to raise my head and make a not so subtle glance at her when she was in contact distance. To my shock and delight she lifted her head with just enough pitch and height to flash me a sexy half smile and open inviting eyes. I was totally thrown by the sheer level of confidence and sensuality and at that moment could hardly speak, let alone make a pass. I had to take a moment before ever considering to even talk to her yet knowing that I had to.
I'm not sure of the order of events after that just that I had bumped into her again in the internet shop soon after first seeing her. And she flashed me nearly the same look. I was still dazed and insecure so I went back to my hostel across the street to take a moment. I did some internet stuff but the internet was too slow for what I wanted. It would be better at the store where she was. I convinced myself that if she was still there it would be destiny. I'd take the booth facing her and try talking to her. She was there.
I spent the next 4 or so days with her and stayed in her apartment. For this trip she was my Berlin and what a beautiful and fun city it was
new train station
. From live journaling: June 8 (before I got sick)
Ok things are moving but not easily! Had to check my larger bag with Ryan air for which they charged an additional 30€ for weight...not cool! Got nasty stomach bug which both because of energy and necessary access to a toilet doesn't let me get more than a few blocks from my hostel. And the peas de resistance: Since I lost my Debit/Credit card in India I've now got 12 Euros to my name until more money hopefully can get wired to me tomorrow from the folks.
I did manage to set up an account at the Frankfurt airport with Deutche Bank but access to my funds won't get through the red tape for at least a week. To add to the mess my laptop has been on the fritz ever since I got to Rishikesh. The inability to create music or to journal my experiences has been really hard on me. I haven't been able to get any hosts from couchsurfing which would help financially as well as open me up to locals and I've been unable to contact the locals I do have some connections to. And my cameras memory card has contracted some kind of virus making it impossible to find and upload my photos.
Dark clouds aside it is actually beautiful in this area of Berlin. The weather is perfect and it's quite and so quintessentially and wonderfully Europe. My hostel is comfortable and toward the better of the budget bunch and since they've allowed me to delay room payment in exchange for holding my passport I might just stay here a while....what other choices do I have?
