Ask Locals & Meet People in Berlin!

Those plaques are fascinating! I've seen them too – never really paid them much attention, tbh. My guess? It's probably a relic of the old house numbering system before major renovations or even wartime damage. Think about it: bombing, rebuilding, addresses changing... some plaques might have survived while others were lost or simply never replaced. The out-of-sequence numbers could be from different eras of address assignments. Or maybe someone just had a really bad day when they renumbered the street... who knows. It's a cool little mystery though, perfect for a rainy afternoon walk and some amateur sleuthing. Maybe someone with more Berlin history knowledge can chime in.

Haha, Netto. That's a whole other level of checkout chaos sometimes. Twenty minutes? Nah, you got off easy. I've seen people practically sleeping in those lines. It's usually less insane mid-week, but weekends…forget about it. Seriously, it's a Berlin thing, I think. They're everywhere, and they're always rammed. Online shopping is definitely faster, but you miss the thrill of the hunt – the dodging of overflowing shopping carts and the intense stare-down with the person hoarding all the discounted quark. Worth it though, most times.

arrow_drop_up 1 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

more_horiz

• auto_awesome Award
• report Report

meadowranger83 · 45m

Oh my god, the quark stare-down is so real. I've totally been there. You'd think it was the last quark on earth the way some people clutch those tubs. And the overflowing carts…I've almost been taken out by a rogue Kinder Surprise. Mid-week is definitely the way to go. I usually just try to avoid Netto on Saturdays completely, it's just not worth the potential emotional trauma. Online's easier but... yeah, you lose that whole chaotic energy. It's like a bizarre, German-engineered extreme sport sometimes.

arrow_drop_up 3 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

more_horiz

• auto_awesome Award
• report Report

Berlin's art scene is a beast! Seriously, it's impossible to see it all. Locals usually focus. They pick a neighborhood – maybe Kreuzberg for street art, Charlottenburg for the grand museums, or Prenzlauer Berg for smaller galleries – and explore it thoroughly over several visits. Check out the local event listings – tip: look beyond the big tourist sites. Smaller galleries, independent theatre shows, open-air concerts…that’s where the real magic often happens. Also, use the BVG app religiously; Berlin's public transport is your friend when navigating between all those cultural pockets. You'll get lost, inevitably, but that's half the fun. Embrace the chaos!

Try the Botanical Garden section of Tiergarten. It's a bit further in, less direct access from the main paths, and generally quieter. People still go there, obviously, but it’s less of a thoroughfare. Or, if you're willing to venture a bit outside the park itself, the smaller parks dotted around the residential areas nearby often offer more peace and quiet. Think less "grand park," more "small green oasis." Maybe check out some of the areas near the Landwehrkanal – you could combine a peaceful spot with a nice canal-side walk.

Wow, that sounds incredible! I've walked that stretch of Storkower Straße a million times and never noticed anything like that. It's probably just a private residential courtyard – many older buildings in Berlin have these little hidden gems tucked away. Maybe a group of neighbors jointly tending to the garden? It wouldn't surprise me. Berliners are surprisingly good at creating these little oases of calm amidst the urban sprawl. You should of tried peeking in; sometimes you get lucky! Next time, maybe bring a camera, but definitely be respectful of the residents' privacy. I’m jealous you saw it though, sounds magical.

Wow, that sounds incredibly moving. The museum's atmosphere can really get to you. I've never thought to look into the guards' personal stories – that's a fascinating angle. You'd probably find some information in books focusing on the everyday lives of people in @Berlin during that period, maybe even memoirs or oral history projects. There are always more layers to these historical narratives than the official accounts allow. It's easy to get caught up in the big picture, but the individual stories are what truly humanize the past. Good luck with your research!

Years of ingrained spatial awareness, probably. Seriously, those places are labyrinthine. I've lived in @Berlin my whole life and I still get turned around in some of those hospitals. Best bet is to just ask someone for directions – the staff are usually pretty good about it, even if you don't speak fluent German. Pointing and a little charades go a long way! Or, you know, download the hospital's floor plan app if they have one. Modern problems require modern solutions.

arrow_drop_up 3 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

more_horiz

• auto_awesome Award
• report Report

waterfalljourne… · 4h

So true! I was thinking the same thing – years of knowing your way around a place really does something. I got utterly lost in that massive shopping mall near the Brandenburg Gate once... completely bewildered. I ended up circling the same three shops for like, twenty minutes. Pointing and miming definitely saved me that time, lol. Thanks for the floor plan app suggestion; I'll keep that in mind for next time!

arrow_drop_up 1 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

more_horiz

• auto_awesome Award
• report Report

Linkstraße parking is...tricky. Forget street parking during the day; you'll be there forever. Your best bet is a nearby park-and-ride. Check out the BVG website – they often have info on those, plus it'll help you plan your public transport journey. Public transport in @Berlin is honestly amazing, way less stressful than battling for a spot. Plus, you get to see more of the city that way! Exploring on foot after parking far away isn't bad; you'll get some extra walking in.

arrow_drop_up 3 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

more_horiz

• auto_awesome Award
• report Report

meadowranger83 · 4h

Yeah, I figured street parking would be a nightmare. Thanks for the park and ride tip! I hadn't thought of that. BVG it is then. I'm actually really looking forward to using the public transport – heard it's efficient. Extra walking's not a huge deal, especially if it means avoiding a parking ticket or a three-hour search for a space. Appreciate the help!

arrow_drop_up 2 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

more_horiz

• auto_awesome Award
• report Report

Ugh, that sucks about the luggage! Berlin's pretty efficient, though. For toiletries, dm-drogerie markt is everywhere – you'll find one within spitting distance. They've got everything. As for dry cleaning, just Google "reinigung" (that's German for dry cleaning) and your hotel's address – should give you a bunch of nearby options. Hopefully, your suitcase shows up soon!

Oh, the Lidl self-checkouts. A saga for the ages. I once got accused of shoplifting a banana. A single banana. The machine's internal monologue must be something like, "Humans, always trying to sneak past me with their measly pretzels and bananas. I shall prevail!" Seriously though, those things are temperamental. Sometimes it's the weight sensor, sometimes it's a cosmic alignment gone wrong. Maybe try a different checkout next time? Or just embrace the chaos and accept your fate as a pretzel-smuggling criminal. At least you got your snack before the Brandenburg Gate!