Ich bin Allen und ich spreche ein bisschen Deutsch.

Okay!
Yesterday was my first time to Berlin.
Thankfully, it was the first trip where I had an tour guide because I needed one!
And by tour guide, I mean Thorben's father who was an expert on Berlin.
Also, it would be my first trek around a city with company.
Thorben & his family all went with. They brought their exchange student Valts and his two friends from back home in Latvia. Finally, Thorben's girlfriend joined us on our trip.

I can definitely say this...
I learned a lot throughout the walk in the city, which was good to have explained in depth by Achim (Thorben's dad), otherwise, I would just see the places as buildings and not for the rich history they have.

Our day began at 7.30am; our train left Minden at 8.50am.
It was only a 2 1/2 ride from Minden into Berlin's main station.
Most of that 2 1/2 hours were spent sleeping!

To Berlin!
We arrived into Hauptbahnhof station just after 11.30ish.



Our first stops were the Reichstag building, which is home of the German parliament and the Brandenburger Tor. Next to the Brandenburger Tor was the US Embassy, which was heavily guarded compared to the Embassies of France, the United Kingdom, and Russia.





Achim led us through the streets of Berlin to the Holocaust monument, which sat across the street from the US Embassy, on the opposite side as the Brandenburger Tor.



I am not sure if it is a coincidence or not, but the housing barracks where Adolf Hitler committed suicide are a short distance down the street from the Holocaust monument.



After visiting this area of Berlin, we to another area close by which was home to the French-influenced Cathedral at Gerndarnenmarkt, the Russian monument that symbolized anti-violence, war, ect, as well the Berlin Cathedral.







Prior to breaking for lunch, we visited a synagog that was burnt down during Kristallnacht in 1938. It was then destroyed during WWII and rebuilt as a monument & remembrance of the Jewish religion within the area.





We broke for a meal around 3.30ish. We ate a fantastic little restaurant called Die Zwölf Apostel. It was located underneath the bridge trains crossed over so every 2 minutes you'd hear a train rumble past over head. They had fantastic food. I ordered a pizza with peppers and pepperoni that turned out to be a tad spicy and I couldn't feel my lips after! D: Was definitely worth it though.



After lunch we made our way to the most heavily visited part of the Berlin Wall.
The Berlin Wall separated East (Soviet occupied) and West (Democratic occupied) Berlin from 1961 till 1989.
When I first looked at the wall, all I could hear in my brain was the speech given by President Reagan's in June 1987, challenging Gorbachev to support his push for peace in East Berlin.
It was this speech in which he said, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall."



The famous death strip, preserved:



Once we finished at the wall, we made our last few stops. The first was at Check Point Charlie. The second at Postdamer Platz-- which was completely destroyed during the war. The third, and finally, was at Kurfürstendamm-- the shopping district.

The double bricks show where the wall formerly was.
It goes throughout the entire city.











On our way home, Thorben's mom Susanne decided it was time I properly learned more German. Now, I hadn't learned a lick of German outside of small-talk phrases that Thorben taught me. And I hardly remembered anything I learned back in grade 3 & 4, but I was eager to learn. Susanne and I spent the entire train ride on my German lesson. I learned things I could say at the New Year's Eve party as well as re-learning numbers and lastly, I learned how to say things about myself. :]



Here is a short video of my attempt at numbers in German.
Mind you, I have an awful accent, but I learn quickly!
And everyone tests me when they have the chance to. :D



Food for thought when visiting Berlin:
1) Find/Bring someone familiar with Berlin, you will get around easier.

• Without Achim, I do not think the day would have been as successful as it was!
• Take the time to appreciate Old & New Berlin as much was destroyed during WWII.
  

2) Die Zwölf Apostel is a fantastic place to eat, the atmosphere is great.
3) Be prepared with a jacket as Berlin tends to be very windy!
4) If you find time (and I mean time to wait in line) then try and walk up the Reichstag Dome. I wouldn't be able to as I hate heights, but I suggest it by recommendation!

Arrival in Minden

It is a late post, I know, but I've been busy catching up with my old high school friend!
I arrived in Minden, Germany to visit Thorben & his family, who had graciously accepted me into their home. It is/was the first time I touched German soil, which was pretty exciting.

I had little trouble getting thru German customs a side form the barrage of questions on why I wanted entrance into Germany. Thorben found me after he shook off his fan club at the airport ;D. I won't go into detail of how fast we went on the Autobahn, but we got to Minden pretty quickly, shhh!

Continuing on because I of course made it into the country and to Thorben's!

The first night was just a home cooked meal by Achim (T's father).
Was really nice to catch up!

After getting to bed on an air mattress that didn't keep its air all night, we awoke to fair weather.
It was a nice change of pace from the typical English weather.

Thorben took myself and Annija, the friend of his Latvian exchange around Minden for the day.











Following a dinner prepared by Thorben's mom, which included roasted potatoes, Thorben took myself and his girlfriend to his friend's birthday.

Now, to be honest, being around Thorben while he is talking in German with his parents is completely fine. But being around about 10+ German speakers who you don't know is a little intimidating. Although I did meet several of Thorben's friends who are all really nice. I found it to be a nice gesture when one would speak to me in English. Even if they seemed shy about trying, it was nice that they acknowledged I have zero percent German ability aside from some flattering phrases. :D

Boxing Day

I spent my first Boxing Day at friend's of Katy's parents.
But I'd say it was basically a second day of Christmas. xD
Katy drove Patrick & I over to Addlestone, just a half hours' drive.

When we arrived I was introduced to everyone and everyone seemed very nice!
I was conned into have a tequila shot as it was customary to have one with the host.
That shot would be the first bit of alcohol I would taste in my life.
And I will say, it was bloody awful.
I was a bit disappointed in myself for going along.
But hey, I can say I'm a part of the percentage that went the first 21 years of life obeying the law, which I am very proud of.
Life lesson learned.



Continuing on...
The table was set as it was on Christmas Day at Katy's parents.
I love the little popper thingies you get!
Inside is a terribly cheesy joke and a 'gag' gift.



Gemma had prepared a huge chicken & prawn curry for the main course.
I don't remember the names of the food we had as an appetizer though...
And yes, the green bit is in fact spinach. I had spinach, something I don't say often.



After the dessert of Christmas pudding and chocolate tart, we all headed into the living room.
Much like the day before, everyone opened their presents.
I received fancy socks, Monty Python movies, and a box of chocolates.



Once presents were opened, we had a game of pop quiz! :]
And to say the least, I was awful.
Mainly because it was all British trivia questions.

I would like to thank Chris & Gemma for being great hosts!
The food was delicious and I can't wait to indulge in the Guylian chocolates you gave me! :]

I've really enjoyed the holiday season here in England.
It is much different from the traditional holiday back home.
I hope to bring several aspects to Christmases back at home in the US!

- - -

Much like the NBA and Christmas go together, football and Boxing Day go hand in hand as well.
There were 7 Premier League, 12 Championship, and many other matches on.
Southampton was playing Crystal Palace, and all I wanted was a win!
Boy, did they deliver! A 2-0 victory that extends their lead atop the Championship table by 3 points, thanks to a West Ham draw against Birmingham.
I am anxiously awaiting the delivery of my Jack Cork kit that will be arriving at Mackinnon's house sometime soon. :]

- - -

Here is my favorite Christmas carol that I've heard since being here.
It is regarded as the best Christmas song of all time by different media outlets in the UK.
The Pogues released this beauty in 1987.

An English Christmas

I celebrated my very first 'English' Christmas today :]
We [cousin, his wife, and I] set off with presents & all for Katy's parent's house around 10.30.
I was dressed in my Southampton finest. Come on you reds!

Katy's parents had a lovely tree set up with festive carols playing.
I was very excited for the Christmas dinner as I had heard a lot about it.
Two family friends who would be joining us for the feast arrived around noon.



Upon our arrival, Katy's mom served us tea/coffee and Yule Log.
Tasted fantastic!



After the Yule log, we opened presents!
I would like to thank everyone for everything! :D
I really appreciated it :].
Here are Patrick & Katy modeling their onesies xD



While waiting for the Brussels sprouts to be ready, we opened the small presents Father Christmas left for everyone. I happened to receive table football. :D

Katy and Helmet having an intense game of table football:



The feast was read around 2ish and boy, was I ready to eat!
Paul and Pushpa had prepared turkey, Yorkshire pudding, sprouts, red cabbage, parsnips, roasted potatoes&carrots, and cauliflower-- all of course were delicious.



Once we were all stuffed we headed into the living room to "bet" on dog racing.
It was an interactive DVD game.
I've learned that I am terrible at choosing a dog to bet on.
Although I did select one winner!

We returned back into the dinning room for dessert!
Helmet's wife prepared a fresh apple crumble-- was delicious.
There was also a Christmas pudding, which I found to be a bit too bitter for my liking.
Though, I was the lucky finder of a quid lodged in my pudding!

After dessert and tea, it was back into the living room to finish off the evening.
We switched from dog racing to horse racing on the DVD.
And my luck was even worse until I picked Getting Hitched to win in the last race.

All in all, I enjoyed my very first Christmas abroad!
I hope everyone was good and got what they wanted! :]
I wish everyone a very Happy Christmas!

PS - the greatest discovery since arriving has been Cadbury chocolate.
My obsession for Cadbury has not gone unnoticed.
So for that, Katy purchased me a "not so normal" Cadbury chocolate bar.
Literally, it is twice the size of my head and then some.
Talk about a chocolate bar and a half. :'D

Christmas Shopping in London

Well, Christmas is very much upon us all!
And with the help of a fellow Metros hockey club member, I safety ventured into London to finish off my Christmas shopping. Finish/start, the word is really interchangeable for my Christmas shopping habits as I like to wait till the last minute.
But of course I won't say what I got because that would just ruin the surprise!

Weather Forecast?
To be honest, I misjudged the weather by miles.
Not a cloud in the sky, and a sweltering heat wave.
The sun was just bearing down on not only Woking, but London as well.

Once I arrived in London, I emerged out of Waterloo to the picturesque sight of Big Ben.
I couldn't go into London without an updated photo of Big Ben overlooking the Thames!
Everytime I see Big Ben, it is a reminder of how far I have come from home.



After I navigated myself from Waterloo to Oxford Circus (West End of London), I was able to connected with the first of the friends I would be meeting up with.

To say the least, London was bustling with Christmas-goers and every store was decorated for the season. I couldn't pass up not going into the Disney Store which was very festive :D.







Not only were stores decorated, but Christmas lights were hung throughout the city.
It was a sight I had been looking forward to see.




I was taken to the Liberty department store.
Liberty is a popular stop in the West End, which was established in 1875.
The store has grown to become one of London's most renowned stores.
Liberty had a huge selection of Christmas decorations amongst other things.
Feel free to look at their online catalog at www.liberty.co.uk/.
I was also brought to Piccadilly Circus, a large shopping district also in London's West End.

There were many street performers.
I was particularly impressed with this group of steel drummers.
Take a listen!

Southampton Day 1 & Day 2

My visit in Salisbury was over when I woke up on Monday.
It was time to move onto the next city.
Once again I was lucky and evaded the rain just in time.
Although, the sky began to open up by the time I reached the Salisbury station.
I boarded the 1030 train bound for Southampton, the home of the Saints.

Southampton Day 1:

As soon as I arrived, I didn't chance the cloudy skies.
I hopped into a taxi and headed for St Mary's Stadium.
I was scheduled for the noon tour.
(Lucky for me, the rain started halfway to the stadium.)

I arrived a half hour early to St Mary's so I was I finished up my Christmas shopping. :]
As 12 neared, the tour guide rounded up the group.
The tour guide, Mike Young, was very informative as SFC has a great importance in his life.
He took us to all the import areas of the grounds.
--the players lounge, the locker rooms (home & away), the Ex Saints executive box,
The Matthew Le Tissier Suite, trophy hall, ect.



The players lounge:



The story behind the away locker room:
Our tour guide explained the weirdness of the double mirrors in the away locker room toilets.
According to sports psychologists, men do not like seeing themselves using the bathroom.
So the one quirk, the dual mirrors inside the toilets to make the away players feel uncomfortable.
Whether it works, who knows! Still, it is a funny proposition.
But he also explain other weird quirks in away locker rooms shared to him by other clubs' guides
(ie - Chelsea's heating, A/C "problems"; Liverpool's wet floors, Arsenal's random piece of furniture in the middle of the room)



The one difference from the Saints locker room was the inability to sit in the players seats.
Was well gutted as I wanted to sit where Lambert sits.
At Old Trafford and at Anfield, tours had the ability to.
Although, there was a huge difference in presentation between the 3 locker rooms.
Old Trafford was basic, but eloquent. Anfield was historic and simple.
None the less, the Saints locker room was well designed.



Nigel's most important poster in the locker room:





I think the best story he shared was the story of Matthew Le Tissier wanting chips.
Won't give the full as I am awful at telling stories... here's the just!
Our tour guide said he knew Le Tissier's parents and following a match, Le Tissier, his parents,
and Mike & his wife were all exiting the stadium.
Le Tissier wanted chips from a chippy they had passed, but his mom denied him.
He repeatedly asked his mom if he could get chips, but everytime she said "no".
The idea of a 25 year old, professional footballer, asking his mom if it was alright to buy chips :'D.

Sitting in Southampton manager, Nigel Adkins' seat:





Peter Rodrigues' 1976 FA Cup medal:
This is the only time in FA cup history that the Queen presented the FA Cup.



The spire behind the video board is where Southampton FC was founded in 1885.



Check from Corbett that kept Southampton out of bankruptcy.
Paid the wages of everyone at the club for the summer.





Photo of the final league goal at the Dell, scored by Matthew Le Tissier (also signed).
Southampton 3 : Arsenal 2



Southampton Day 2:

I wasn't planning to do much except catch my train to my cousins.
When I was re-packed, I walked through East Park on my way to the station.

East Park is home to many heritage monuments within Southampton.
One that particulary interested me was the Memorial to the Engineers of the RMS Titanic.
The Titanic set sail from Southampton on 10 April 1912, but as the story is well known, did not make it to New York.
Many who were aboard the Titanic were residents of Southampton.
The engineers, all from Southampton.



Richard Andrews memorial:



I arrived at the station and learned I had in fact booked an "Anytime Day Single", so I headed to the West Quay for lunch.
The West Quay is the massive shopping centre in Southampton that includes their Christmas Markets.

After lunch, I took a wander around the Town Quay, where the Queen Elizabeth was at her port.
I also passed by several interesting points of interest on my way to one of the major port areas within Southampton.





Jane Austen's stone marking the beginning of her heritage trail:
Her romantic fiction novels hold an important place in English literature.



Remains of the South Gate Tower, built sometime during the 14th century:




The ports in Southampton were also the departure point of the Mayflower, destined for America in 1620.
Unfortunately I couldn't find anything that memorialized that historic point of American history.

Not much of an end as I'm awful with conclusions...
But I concluded my successful, 4-day travels, by returning to the station, bound for my cousins. :]