In Regensburg got maybe six hours of sleep overnight in two parts. Up well before other guests, because I needed to leave early and to avoid a line at the bathroom. Did not shower because I was afraid I’d disturb someone. Checked out by putting the key in the mailbox and headed down a part of the street I hadn’t been on before. I was only 10 minutes from the train station, but it was still possible to get lost in this Byzantine, serpentine web of streets.
First leg of train trip was to Nuremberg. Was not sure if all I had to do was flash my EurailPass at conductor on the train, but there was no live ticket agent to talk to [just automated ticket machines], so I took my chances and was OK. Arrived Nuremberg and looked for something to eat.
Bought a big hunk of bread for .50 euro and it tasted great. At another place I bought something better for 2 euros-- now I was full! Got on the high speed train for trip to Berlin. Reached Leipzig and then went “backwards” the rest of the way-- very odd! Checked my compass and determined that they knew what they were doing.
Arrived at Berlin Hauptbahnhof, the MASSIVE main train station, with waves and waves of hordes of people. Was greeted by a sign which said “Bombardier / Willkommen in Berlin”. The “Bombardier” part was curious to me, considering that Berlin was bombed into the stone age during WW2. [It turns out that Bombardier is a manufacturer of train equipment.]
Went to info center for the “S” (ground level and elevated commuter trains). [They also have the “U”, which is the subway system.] Was reminded that my EurailPass allows me unlimited free use of the “S” train system. Would have to pay for the “U” but I got maps of both systems. Although it required a lot more walking, I saved money by only using the “S” for transportation.
Found correct “S” train to my hostel in the far away southwestern suburb of Potsdam, which is at the end of the “S” system. Actually, I was staying in an area called Babelsberg, which was one “S” station east of Potsdam. Thought I was supposed to be able to see the hostel as soon as I got off the train, but that would have been too easy! Wandered around, trying to find the street, finally came upon a group of people at a bus stop and asked them where the street was.
Middle aged woman spoke up and pointed. Street numbers were not in proper order, so I was very confused to find #9 was not between #7 and #11, but I finally found it. Desk clerk immediately knew who I was. Guess they don’t get many 55 year old Americans. Desk clerk spoke English like a caricature of a Nazi SS officer. This hostel was a much better situation for me than the one in Hutteldorf.
There were two bunk beds and two bathrooms in the room! One had wash basin and shower. The other had wash basin and toilet. There was only one other person in the room, a mild mannered English speaking German man by the name of Axel (maybe 40 years old) and he was scheduled to leave the next day. The lock on the door was electronic and very hard to figure out. Even a passing employee had trouble.
Relaxed a little, tried to rearrange my “stuff”, then ventured out to see Potsdam briefly and eat a real meal for the day. Took the “S” to Potsdam and intended to walk the two kilometers to “restaurant row” mentioned in a guide book. There were two problems-- the weather was very threatening and I could see from the elevated steps of the “S” station that at least the first kilometer of my route looked uninteresting and desolate.
Took a taxi instead. Should have used the streetcar, since the taxi ride was $7, including tip. This “restaurant row” area was as full of people as could be imagined. There was a free outdoor concert and all sorts of shops, cafés, “bufés” and restaurants. Only one seemed to have a menu in English. Spent 45 minutes just taking in the bustling street scene while not being able to decide where to eat.
Finally, the rain came and it came down hard, ruining everything! To stay dry, I popped into a sitdown “bufé” with middle eastern pita pocket creations and ate there. It was delicious, filling and inexpensive. I’m sure most of the merchants were quite upset with all the bad weather they’d been having, since that ruined all the ubiquitous outdoor seating for the cafés at the very least.
Only got a few photos because my camera was acting up and I was out of all the batteries I brought with me. In Regensburg, I passed up the chance to buy the kind of battery my camera should use for $30 because it would have cost $15 back home. Should have bit the bullet and paid the money.
After the rain stopped I started to head back to the train station on foot, but saw a streetcar stop with people and asked a college age guy if it was going to the “S” station. He said “yes” and helped me purchase the ticket. You buy them onboard from a machine. I would never have been able to figure it out myself! It was much cheaper than the taxi-- $1.75-- still expensive for a short ride.
The streetcar was totally on the honor system. So far on my entire trip the subways and commuter rail seemed mostly on the honor system with spot checks here and there. I assume people who got caught without a proper ticket would have been subject to large fines-- not me-- I did my best to be legal! I also got the feeling that if I had not paid and other passengers had seen me, they would have made sure I did pay or was turned in to the authorities. Those darn Germans sure believe in following the rules!
Got back and hopped in bed immediately-- I was tired. Axel came in and out a couple times and disturbed me, but what did I expect-- it was around 8:30pm. Then he hit the sack immediately. He snored quietly, but I don’t think that’s what caused me to wake up at 2:30am., unable to get back to sleep. Finally, at 3:30am I gave up and went downstairs to the deserted lobby to update my journal.
--END 7 JULY--
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