Berlin 2011

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It is interesting to see how my trips have evolved over the past few years. I started off traveling alone or with travel groups since I couldn’t find anyone who liked to travel like I did (active, adventure trips). That was 5 years ago. Germany was a major departure in my travel style. It was far less about seeing the place than about spending time with good friends. It was a very light itinerary and I had lots of company the whole time. So much so that I took off for a solitary trip to Salzsburg to maintain some semblance to how I used to travel.

The idea for Germany originated with a lovely Christmas postcard from Eva, one of my two favorite people from HBS PLD. The post card said “Germany wants to see you” and came with a repeated invitation from Eva to come visit. As a coincidence, Art of Living was hosting their 30 year anniversary in Berlin during July 4th weekend.

Lately I have become deeply involved with a campaign sponsored by Art of Living to promote meditation to New Yorkers called ‘I Meditate NY’. The ‘I Meditate NY’ contingent was traveling to Berlin for the World Culture Festival, complete with the American Flag and custom t-shirts made for the occasion.

70000 people were expected in the Olympic stadium where Hitler gave his marching orders to do what he did. Less than half showed up. It was raining and bitter cold the whole weekend! We braved the cold and wet, layered up in all that we were carrying plus ponchos to keep the wind out. It was nothing short of dedication that kept us there. More than the spectators, it is the performers that I admired. 2000 performers from Bulgaria led by Elitsa Todorva, Outlandish from Denmark, thousands from Argentinians with their famous yoga rave and tango, Swiss horns, Greeks, Germans, Chinese, Ballerinas from somewhere and so many others that I am forgetting. They all performed fabulously without exception in the cold rain. The ballet performers slipping every now and then, the tango pair that just gave up the concrete stage and took to the grass, they improvised where they had to but didn’t quit. Good for them!

While the day time was in the stadium, the first couple of evenings were spent in guru chasing (chasing Sri Sri , founder of Art of Living in hopes of spending time with him), something I still cant bring myself to do for more than a couple of hours, I easily give up. Oh well… By Sunday evening Eva had joined me (from Munich) for her first taste of an Art of Living satsang (spiritual music in a group setting). Crammed into a large hall, we spent a few hours sitting on concrete to listen to some divine music. She was polite about it, but perhaps it was a little too crazy for her!

Sunday night took Eva and I to the up and coming new East Berlin with its fancy restaurants and night life. Monday started with brunch at Literaturhaus restaurant. Eva, Poonam (from New York) and I then spent some time wandering around in museums and a boat ride on the Spree river. Poonam then went on to another satsang and guru chasing while Eva and I continued on.

I had already spent a few hours on Friday with Raisa, also from New York, wandering around Brandenburg gate all the way up to Potsdamer Platz and hence was a bit familiar with this part of town. We tried visiting Dali museum near Potsdamer Platz, but it was closing just as we got there. Eva made up the loss by buying me a catalog of his works at this museum. We visited Checkpoint Charlie and the little of the Wall that is left. What was even more amazing was to hear Eva’s stories of her experiences visiting East Berlin when the wall was still up!

Dinner was at the Lutter and Wegner restaurant where I finally stopped asking for tap water after being flat out refused (waiters at previous restaurants were perplexed at my request but would serve it after perhaps writing me off as an ignorant foreigner. Germans drink bottled water, usually carbonated). Interestingly several vendors came into the restaurant selling newspapers and books (apparently a common practice there). We also visited at Borchardt for an after dinner port; this is where the politicians, stars and other celebs come although we didn’t see any that night.

That was about all the time available with Berlin. There were several architectures, modern, communist and neo classical all to be found in one city. Food was good although Munich stands out better in memory for culinary experiences. Tuesday was to take Eva and I to Munich, which according to Muncheners is the center of the universe (or at least of Germany)!