ICE is like a crown jewel. I LOVE ice...lots of ICE...when you request ICE, they look at you as if you have asked to see the Queen. They bring ICE water with 1 small cube of ice. As it melts, you cry, "NNNnnnnooooOOOOooo...dont go!"
Water is in your hotel room and at restaurants in a glass bottle. The waiters don't walk around refilling water. In fact, they know you are American when you ASK for water. It's like being on a desert island desperate for something to drink and all they have is beer. For some of you...a dream come true! For me, a version of Survivor!
Don't visit Germany for beer...basically every bar serves one or two kinds ...mostly Berliner Pilsner (here in Berlin). It's like if Coors was the only beer sold in Colorado! The way CTDad explained it is that it used to be so different in the U.S. prior to all of the micro-breweries and options. Now, Colorado is an amazing place for beer.
Just take it from someone who packed a giant bag...wear black...everything...don't bring cute shoes or colors...I stand out like a giant Rainbow Xena Warrior Princess. In London where we stayed, all of the ladies wore black and heels...if you dress "down", black leather jacket, black shoes, skinny jeans (uhh...not the best look on CTM). Want to look American? ... Wear your cute, brightly colored Nike tennis shoes with a bright track jacket to match and denim. I brought a cute dress...haven't worn it once. Also, bring lots of shoes. It doesn't matter how comfortable they are, when you walk 10 miles a day, your feet hurt. No matter what the temperature, it is sticky. Bring plenty of undergarments (men and women)...tank tops to switch out under things, etc... Bring a light blazer to dress things up.
Don't fool yourself..."Everyone" does not speak English. The underground in Berlin was like a bad nightmare...there was absolutely no one there to help, all of the signs were in German, and the "line" we needed wasn't listed on the map. CTD figured it out eventually. Uber is great...no reaching for cash or tips and you can input your destination in English and they know exactly where to go in German. Another interesting tip...in LONDON of all places, many taxis took NO charge cards. Many of the old school drivers refuse to take anything but cash. We waited at Heathrow for 20 minutes to get a cab to our hotel that took credit.
Lastly, kids...don't argue with your parents about taking a language...you will never regret it. My 2 years of German in middle school has hilariously come in handy!
Kinder...zu deinen Eltern zu Horen!
auf Wiedersehen!
Coffeetalkmom
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