[Travel Thursday #2] Berlin

As I mentioned earlier, I went to Berlin on a conference. It was my first time in Berlin. And although I needed to work, I fell in love with this city.

It wasn't love at first sight because my hotel was in a street which was more or less under construction. Thus it was a little dirty and smelt like rotten eggs.

But other than that the hotel was actually quite nice:

Tryp Hotel Berlin Central ( << click >> )

Chausseestr. 33

D-10115 Berlin

It doesn't look that special from the outside but there's actually a part of the Berlin Wall outside the hotel.

The inside wasn't so bad either. Nothing too special but everything's quite new and clean and it has air conditioning.

On the German National Day we went on a boat trip on the Spree. It was night, not too cold but it was awesome. We saw the Festival of Lights around the Bundestag and the museum's island. On my last day I went for a walk passing all these beautiful huge buildings. I think it will be a hell of a city, when the constructions are finished.

I also went shopping in Lafayette. That was actually quite impressive. Everything is so beautiful inside... AND I finally found a winter jacket. I've wanted to buy one for the longest time. I've hunted it for more than a year already.

There's so much more to Berlin which I haven't seen to due work but I will definitely come back another time to visit the museums and the Bundestag. I once met a politician at a lecture about energy savings who invited me but I can't quite remember in whose party he was. Funny thing though, it was another student's dad who I've known from college.

Anyway, it's worth a week's trip.

 

Life is what happens while you're making plans.

September was my vacation month. It was amazing. Who wouldn't love it? And it was truly relaxing... When I was back at the office, everyone told me so too. 

Since I'm back, I'm trying to catch up on work. This week-end is the first week-end without any plans since I'm back.

The first week-end I spent with my goddaughter and her baptism. How do you parents handle all that? I don't find it relaxing at all. It's fun, sure. That little girl is so cute and precious but I'm glad I don't take care of her every day... I guess I'm not ready to have babies yet...

Last week I went to Berlin to join a conference. Sunday I came back. Yes, even on the German national holiday I worked. Monday I went to France and Tuesday I came back. My parents came over spontaneously but I only saw them Sunday evening. Of course I was deadly tired from my trip and the next morning was short as I had to leave for work. 

Conferences are a funny thing... I've joined a couple in my scientific life but I never saw the other side. This was the first conference as a host. And it's even more exhausting than as a guest. You have to be the first in the morning and the last in the evening. Always being nice, making conversation, meeting new people, making them feel welcome. Even dinner is work. No matter how great the food is and how much you like your colleagues, it's still exhausting. 

I'm really glad I don't work in sales... It would drive me nuts. My home would be a mess, I wouldn't do any sports or have any friends. Finding balance is important. That's why this week-end it's just my boyfriend and me enjoying our free time together. 

[Travel Thursday] Hamburg, meine Perle

I have thought a little about blog routines. So far my blog style is more messy than anything else. But let me give this a try. In real life I'm very organized. Really...

This summer I went to Hamburg, one of my favorite German cities. A business training with pleasure leisure time... Some of the girls and me went out for an Alster boat tour. Gotta love the northern humor ;-) Some of my best friends live around Hamburg and they are the funniest people in the world. They could do a comedy show.

I haven't been there in ages... 5 years... Actually, that's not THAT long ago... I just feel like it was more.

The city is gorgeous and shopping is so much fun. It's like Venice or Geneva...

Here is the view from my hotel. There is a bar on the top level which wasn't that expensive.

My room was gorgeous too. What a great bed and bathroom... I like these American counters. There's so much space. I need something like that later in my future apartment/house.

I also went a little crazy on my shopping tour in the Adidas and Douglas store. Finally, I found Ardell lashes and NYX blushes. Uhh, and my very first high-end blush from Illamasqua named Tweak. I still haven't unpacked it because I still want to blog about it... It's probably so yesterday but I love this color...