Monday, April 23, 2012

My awesome first day in Berlin.


We woke up at around 9am, Good Morning- Maria would say, I love it. Anyways we got dressed and all, it was around 11am when we left. First by metro and the bus and a lot of walking we went to Maria’s friend’s place where her husband was staying, Oh he is lovely! Then lots of conversing at around 12:30 pm we left for lunch. We went to an Argentinian Steak House where the boys had beef steaks and Maria and me had veggie pasta.

We finished around 2 pm. Maria had an appointment at 3 pm, hence I had to hang out with Thomas (Maria’s husband) lovely he is. We went around all by foot to Potsdamer Platz the Berliner Philharmonie, it is a concert hall home to the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. The building is acclaimed for both its acoustics and its architecture.

The Philharmonie lies on the south edge of the city's Tiergarten and just west of the former Berlin Wall, an area that for decades suffered from isolation and drabness but that today offers ideal centrality, greenness, and accessibility. And yes we did also check out the Berlin Wall. Two small pieces are also in Potsdamer Platz and in its neighbourhood at the corner between Ebertstraße and Bellevuestraße. On our way Thomas also pointed out the area where Hitler killed himself in a underground bunker.

Now we were at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, very impressive. It was made in 2005, this gigantic abstract artwork covering an entire block near the Brandenburg Gate, The blocks start out at ground level on the outer edges of the memorial, and then grow taller towards the middle, where the ground also slopes downwards. 3.5 million visitors in the first year make it one of the most visited memorials in Berlin - and it's worth it, as it's one of the most impressive memorials in Berlin.

Then Maria called to ask where we were, Thomas told her and soon she was with us. We were now heading to the Brandenburg Gate (pictures of these places visited are not with me) but we went to the magnificent Berlin Domthz that is the biggest and most impressive church in Berlin, built at the turn of the century (19th/20th) as an expression of imperial power. Located next to the museum island. Entrance is €7, and you can climb on top of the dome for a beautiful view over the Berlin center.

The Twintowers of the Deutscher Dom (German Cathedral) and the Französischer Dom (French Cathedral) face each other at the Gendarmenmarkt in Central Berlin, flanking the Konzerthaus.
Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche— Highly symbolic church, dating back to 1891-95, with two modern buildings designed by Egon Eiermann in 1961, a hexagonal bell tower and an octagonal worship hall, aside the ruins from World War II.

Marienkirche— Located near Alexanderplatz, this is not only the highest church tower in Berlin (90 m), but also one of the oldest churches left in the historical center of Berlin (which is totally torn down in this area). Entrance is free and inside are many treasures from the old days.

Nikolaikirche— The oldest church in Berlin, dating back to the beginning of 13th century (at least the stones next to the ground). Does not serve as a church. Changing exhibitions inside, entrance free.

St. Hedwigs Kathedrale— Domed Church located at Bebelplatz/Unter den Linden, the oldest (mid 18th century) and one of the biggest Catholic churches in Berlin, interior was redesigned in a modern style in the 1950s - but still many treasure chambers in the basement.

Friedrichswerdersche Kirche— Nice church located near Unter den Linden/Museum Island, finished in 1830 by Schinkel - English Neogothic style. Nice exhibition inside (neoclassical statues and an exhibition about Schinkel's life and work upstairs), entry is free.

Synagoge Oranienburger Straße – Today the building houses the Centrum Judaicum foundation which opened in 1995, an institution for the preservation of Jewish memory and tradition, a community congregation centre for study and teaching. Until the infamous Kristallnacht pogrom of November 1938 when the Synagogue was attacked by Nazi thugs and heavily damaged, Jewish citizens had enjoyed full equality and civic rights, enshrined in the 1850 Prussian constitution.River Spree,

It was late evening now, we were all tired and exhausted and had no energy to take any pictures. Hence I have no pictorial evidence! We all had dinner a small Thai restaurant and then off to our hostel.
Maria, I so enjoyed today. Thank you and good night.

Maria, ich bin so genossen heute. Vielen Dank und gute Nacht.




Berlin Wall



Berlin Gates

 Jewish Memorial





Argentinian Steak House


All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265 Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587

Finally…hello, hello Berlin.


The plane landed at 8:30 pm, German time. I switched on my mobile and texted Maria that I have landed. I then received a text back confirming that I’ll be waiting for you out side. I had to wait for half an hour in the plane for everyone to leave, then my turn to come. In the mean while I made friends with this lawyer, soon it was my turn. We exchanged ‘good byes’ and promised to meet-up in London.

At around half nine I was making my way to the airport exit. There, my lovely Maria was waiting. We hugged and kissed and made our way to the O-Bahn (train). The train and station was so spacious. OMG they are so generous! I thought. Anyway Maria and me talked and talk the whole journey, then we got the U-Bah(underground/metro), wow huge they were and all wheelchair accessible. Maria also told me about the ticket system. Its just 6 Euros and is the same for all (no zone system like London), after 8 pm on one ticket you could take a friend for free and that’s what Maria did, took me for free.

We had now arrived Frankfurter Tor Station (our hostel stop) we now took the lift up to the ground and had to walk a bit. Wow I was astonished to see the roads and pavements they were all so wide and everywhere and I mean EVERYWHERE they were cycle tracks. I instantly fell in love with Berlin.
Soon we reached our hostel accommodation it was not bad for 45 Euros per night. The room was nice and clean but the accessible toilet was outside the room which was alright, I guess. As I was the only wheelchair user on the floor, hence the toilet was only used by me. J Maria also stayed with me and as soon as we hit the bed, both of us were fast asleep.
endlich ... hallo, hallo Berlin



All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265 Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587

Sunday, April 22, 2012

A day to remember.


Wednesday, the 18th of April 2012 at 5:40 am. I had now reached London Gatwick and was at the check-in counter, everything went smoothly and was now a bit relaxed waiting to board the Easy Jet plane in the waiting lounge. My next and last stop Berlin, good I thought. I was exhausted as I hardly got any sleep and was determined to take a nap when I’m on board. All relaxed I messaged Maria on facebook that I’ll be reaching Berlin at around half nine in the morning.

However this was not at all what happened. It was now 6 am and someone one from passenger assistance came up to me. Madame, did anyone speak to you about Easy Jet’s disabled passenger requirements, they asked. No I said. Well then we’ll have to take you to the Easy Jet Office which is located downstairs. OMG, but I’ll miss my plane, just 20 minutes left. Unfortunately, you will but Easy Jet already has been in trouble before and now they did a mistake again. But I’m sorry Madam without this check we can’t allow you to travel. But don’t worry Easy Jet will figure something out. Oh no but what to do and yes I did miss the plane and guess what the next Easy Jet flight was at 5 pm, wow! I text Maria the whole story, even she was disappointed.


Well as compensation they gave me a £15 voucher for refreshments and changed my return flight to Saturday from Friday but missing my two meetings o Friday as well as paying my accommodation in Berlin 45 Euros for the extra night. After all this drama I went to one of the cafes to have breakfast (used one of the vouchers). After breakfast just roamed around shops and bought my friend Maria a gift.
The best part was when at around 2 pm the fire alarm rang, what good fortune for me I thought. We were all guided to safer part of the airport. Thank god we didn’t have to go downstairs! After an hour we were then allowed to go back to the waiting lounge where I charged my phone and called up friends to talk to, time was not moving, it seemed.

Finally it was 5pm but, yes another but! The flight was delayed to 6:30, what a delight! My entire day was wasted at London-Gatwick, but  they put me on the plane at around 6 pm. I was in the air at 6:35 pm and in Berlin at 8:30 pm (Berlin time).

Ein Tag zu erinnern!









All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265 Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587

My journey begins...


My journey begins from when I leave my house.

18th of April 2012, at 2 am! A day before I had already done my packing (very, very light I travelled, Gosh, just 3 tops, PJs and toothbrush, paste, face wash and cream. Oh yes not to forget my wheelchair charger and phone charger). All my hand luggage, which was just a big bag, I hung it a night before at the back of my wheelchair. By the way it’s a very very bad idea to take pictures from your phone especially if it’s a HTC, My pictures are all stuck as  it always says out of memory, hate this crappy situation. I have pics of painting of Van Gough and Monet and Nefertiti (beauty is she!) at the Pergamon Museum but unfortunately we were not allowed to take pictures.

My taxi came to my place in London at 3 am, I was all ready to leave (with butterflies I my stomach due to anxiousness of travelling all the way to Gatwick airport, London). My taxi to Victoria station cost me £25, it took me almost an hour to get there (roads were empty but all the traffic lights were closed). 

Finally I reach Victoria Station, then I bought my ticket for Gatwick Express open return which cost me £16.20 (this is the discounted price as I have a disabled rail card). The train which I had to catch was at 5 am. It takes half an hour to get there and drops passengers right next to South Terminal. Which was good for me as I was flying from the same terminal, so no time was wasted in going all the way to North terminal.

Meine Reise beginnt ab, wenn ich mein Haus verlassen
Wake up Nadia Ahmed, you are on the train to the airport.at 5 in the moring.



All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265 Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587

Excitement Begins...

A week ago we were just having lunch at the Queen Mary Curve Café, discussing our plans about the weekend. Maria said I am going to Berlin tomorrow and all of us were like wow, lucky you? I wish I could go to Berlin…I love travelling (honestly, I love travelling and would go anywhere). Anyways Maria invited me, at first I thought she was just kidding. But the next day I received an email from her asking if I’d like to join her in Berlin, also assuring me that I’d love it there!

I quickly did a online surf for cheap flights to Berlin. The cheapest was Easy Jet from Gatwick London to Berlin, £62. I got excited and emailed her back yes I am coming but please can you look for accessible and affordable accommodation in Berlin, and yes she found a Hostel 45 Euros per nignt and wheelchair accessible The Odyssee Hostel In Berlin (http://www.globetrotterhostel.de/index.php?Land%20Ho!&page=0 its near Frankfurter Tor U-Bahn station. By the way the metro, over-ground trains, the buses and trams all public transport is fully accessible and why not ‘Hitler was famous for getting rid of the disabled and elderly’!

I booked my flight for the 18th of April 6 o’clock in the morning (from Gatwick) till the 20th (7 o’clock in the morning from Berlin. I emailed Maria my flight detail and shortly received a very comforting and welcoming reply that ‘Nadia you’ll love Berlin, the food is awesome, people are lovely and accommodation is all sorted. 'Nadia Ahmed, Berlin is waiting for you.' quote Maria Fernanda (2012) 

Now it was time to get excited and yes I was although I had heaps of work but a few day off work is good ad sure it was.


Aufregung beginnt!



All rights reserved. nadiahmed@excite.com +44 (0)789 6250265 Please do join my facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=120688481285587