I Packed My Bags to Berlin

by Carmela Teresita Dorde (Singapore)

A leap into the unknown Germany

My first solo travel – Berlin, Germany in September 2018. I can’t believe that I was chosen from the lottery of 45th BMW Berlin Marathon and the idea that I will go to Berlin. I filed a week-long vacation leave at work, I applied for a tourist visa, I booked my tickets, I arranged my itinerary and I packed my bags to Berlin. I did not expect much from this trip and told myself to enjoy the things that Berlin has to offer. To be able to survive this solo travel, I needed to muster-up my courage to take that step no matter what happens. I made my way from the airport to the hotel that I stayed in. I took out the map from the travel guide booklet and realised that the places to see in Berlin were overwhelming. I noticed that the U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations were quite interesting for their platform designs. I settled to Potsdamer Platz in the afternoon as my first stop. I found this place like a warm-up for my trip. When I exited the station, I saw a crowd gathered standing in front of some huge walls erected in front of them. I checked as soon as I saw them and there, I stood in front of what remained as part of the history of Berlin – the blocks from Berlin Wall. It took me a while to carefully look at each of those standing blocks with words and phrases telling me of what happened in those years. I explored the surrounding area and even found some eye-catching structures too. Then for the rest of my itinerary, I went to visit Alexanderplatz area and explore all I could thru foot. I saw the Marienkirche which is the oldest church in Berlin. Then the Neptune Fountain which is also near the Rotes Rathaus which is the town hall of Berlin. I walked all the way to the Museum Island. I was slowly approaching the Berliner Dom when a teenager approached me and showed me a paper with something written on it. She asked me if I spoke English and explained that she belongs to a group of people doing charity for children. I got sceptical and did not say a word. Then I raised my hand and gave her a gesture that I couldn’t speak English. I quickly walked past her and when I looked back she approached another tourist in the bridge and I noticed that she was so pushy in letting the person read the paper she showed me. I just thought this was another kind of a modus. I’ve seen people doing this everywhere and some might even hurt you if you don’t give something. I felt bad that I turned my back away from someone who asked for help but I learned later on from one of our tourist guides that these things always happen around Berlin and they warned us not to entertain them as they always victimize tourists of pick-pocketing. Sometimes I’m caught in between wanting to reach out to people in need but hesitant to give because I get doubtful with their intentions. I just hope that people should be vigilant at the same time enjoy their traveling. The weekend race came by so fast and the weather was nice on that day. Since I only had a few days to see Berlin, I thought that participating on the marathon will take me to other places in a span of 6 hours. I successfully finished the race and I was surprised to see other interesting spots of the city which I could’ve not done for just few days. I saw more of Berlin’s rich history, culture and its people. I got tired from the race but I’m fulfilled from my travel to Berlin. I brought home memories which helped me grow and move forward to a better version of myself. It’s true that you will never know unless you try and see for yourself. There are times when we think of females traveling alone and we tend to get anxious but these things that we’re afraid of are the things that will help us discover more of ourselves.