Brief Info Of Berlin

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"HELLO, HELLO, CAN U PLEASE SHUT UP !!!" The air hostress shouted in desperation through the PA system, in the mist of the safety demostration.

Some from the several groups of Italian teenagers stopped talking, trying to figure out what those few English words mean. A second later, they shrugged their shoulder, turned back their heads to resume their loud, almost quarrel-like conversation. Under that kind of head banging noisy condition, it made a stark contrast when the "Easy Jet" plane landed in Berlin.

Berlin, despite being the capital of Germany, is one of the quietest city that I have been. The people here are polite but not overly friendly. They are educated and composed in their behaviour. They have the signature German efficiency but also bears some signs of sadness. They've came a long way. From several brutal wars, concentration camps, protests, revolutions etc. All these reflect in the city and the people. Although this is basically of little interest to a gay traveller, it does set the mood of one's stay.

Those who love bars and drinking will find their paradise here. There are probably more gay bars and cafe here than any of the European cities.

Berlin is a huge city divided into several zones. Gay establishments are mainly located in Mitte (central) and schoneberg (Kurturstendamm street).

One of the famous bars in Tom's bar. A very popular bar with a small but crowded dark room underneath. Hard rugged men in boots mingle with average streetwear guys. Special events and sex parties during the weekends. Action starts after midnight.

Cafe Berio = Popular cafe serving breakfast, cake buffet and cocktails. close at midnight.

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Saunas:

For a city with temperature is under 20 C for 3/4 of the year, one would expect sauna visit is the culture. Not true. There are only 3 saunas in Berlin. One is so far away that it is quite impossible for a non resident to visit.

The other 2 saunas are Brasil Saunaclub and Steam-sauna. Both are within 100 mt apart, located at the Kurtunsten area.

Their size is about the size of BH in Singapore. The rooms are small, no free lube. (not able to recall if there is any toilet paper inside). Both place are worn down (especially Brasil sauna). Afternoon crowd is almost zero. More crowded at 6 pm onwards.

Forget about meeting those models-like Germans that grace the fashion magazines. They are a rare specis in the sauna. Clients are hairy, chubs and age above 35.

Cost about Euro 15 per entry.

One thing has to note. At the entrance, you have the choice to "book" a room or not. Additional fee about Euro 5 is charged for the room. If you do not have a room, you either have sex openly in the steam room, in the hall, in some dark corners, in the movie theatre room or go to hook up someone who has a room.

[akated]

berlin: where mr akated had his first leather encounter in his first leather bar

yes there are very few saunas there; but i guess that's because all the action is in the darkrooms of the gay bars...

anyway, i walked from schoneburg back to my hostel in rosenthaler platz (20 min walk) at 3am in the morning alone, with only a glass coke bottle in my hand... pretty foolhardy...

[Andy@Tokyo]

Thanks TT!

have always wondered what is the PLU scene like in Europe

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EATING OUT =

I thought during the whole journey I had to endure the fatty grilled meat and sausages like in Munich. How wrong was I. Typical German restaurants were actually difficult to find. There is a wide choice of food from all over the world : Japanese, Indian, Thai, Russian, Chinese, Italian, French and even 1 Singapore restaurant (together with the Sing Lion logo)

Follow what the doctor says! Eat a full meal during lunch and eat lightly for dinner. Set lunch is usually 50% less, costing around 5 Euro (which is SGD10), including dirnk and coffee or dessert. Since dinner costs more, u can choose to eat a simple meal. There is a hugh Turkish community so turkish kebab bars are aplenty. Kebab + 1 coke cost Euro 3.00. It was my staple food after clubbing!

DO try the German Pastries, easily available in pastry shops everywhere in the train station or the streets. The freshy baked apple pie is absolutely divine, costs Euro 1.25 (SGD2.5) The dough is crispy with the aroma of light wheat. To me, it worth the trip to Berlin just to eat that.

However when it comes to cakes and bread, the French still reigns.

When in Germany, drink like the Germans ==> which is BEER. It is cheap. In some places/bars, beer costs less than water or Coca cola.

TRANSPORT =1 simple ticket costs Euro 2.10 (SGD4.20) valid for 2 hours

1 day ticket costs Euro 6.10 (SGD12.20) valid till midnight

can be used in metro, buses, trams.

... to be continued

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berlin: where mr akated had his first leather encounter in his first leather bar

yes there are very few saunas there; but i guess that's because all the action is in the darkrooms of the gay bars...

anyway, i walked from schoneburg back to my hostel in rosenthaler platz (20 min walk) at 3am in the morning alone, with only a glass coke bottle in my hand... pretty foolhardy...

Leather is quite common. There are leather bars and shops everywhere corners. There are plenty of leather bikers on the road. Many also wear them in the streets. I think every German has at least a leather gear in their corset

Were u in normal clothes ? (not in leather wear) It is not easy to hook up in a leather bar when one is not dressed up in leather. The only thing that I could find in my bag was a thick metal chain with a pendant in Peace sign. The guard at the entrance ordered me to remove it. Otherwise I will be refused entry. I don't know why.

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People in Berlin :

Men are mainy blonds and hairy. When they are under 20 years old, they look like angels and are handsome. They do demonstrate older than they actually are. They don't play hide and seek in the dark room. If they like u, they fix their eyes on you and the next minute, they will grab you or embrace you right away. BTW for the curious, they are mainly uncut.

English speaking tourists will not have much problem here. People don't really care if you are Asians, Europeans, Africans. The shop keepers serve their customers the same way. People in the streets don't give particular attention to you. U are just like one of them and you can be who u are. Actually indifference is good for a gay traveller (GT), especially if your intention is just to enjoy looking at the guys in the street or to search for gay establishments

Unlike in India where children tag you for an hour begging for money.

Unlike in Italy where the cashiers in the supermarket look at u from top to toe.

Unlike in Japan where the Tourist promotion staffs bow deeply and cheerfully to you and only to drop their smile and reply in a deep voice after they realise you are not a Japanese.

So indifference is good.

Shopping :

Apart from some big department stores, there are some shops along the streets selling goods that are nothing exceptional. There are some famous fashion brands like Hugo Boss but their sizes are usually too big for us.

U can get some nice & unique musical CD and most electrical gadgets in speciality shops. I personally find that things are cheaper in Berlin than in other German cities. (daily groceries, fresh meat etc) Even their property / housing is half the price of Milan (Italy).

Can't think of anything worthwhile buying back home for souvenirs. When it comes to mind, I will update here.

ps : did I leave some points untouched? If so, please let me know.