A Week in Germany
I spent a week in Germany—three nights in Munich and the rest in Berlin. Two very different cities, both with their own quirks.
Munich: Weather, Markets, Film Cameras, and Homemade Mac & Cheese
The Rathaus
Munich was calm and clean, but I didn’t get to explore as much as I’d hoped because of the weather. That said, I really enjoyed wandering through Marienplatz and visiting the Rathaus (Town Hall). One afternoon, I happened to walk into a flash mob—a group of teens doing a full-blown anime dance routine right in the middle of the square. The best part wasn’t the dancing—it was watching the locals try to figure out what the hell was going on. It was super funny and totally unexpected.
I also spent time exploring the local markets, which were full of fresh produce, sausages, and flowers. Even though I didn’t buy much, walking through the stalls was a great way to experience the city’s vibe.
One of the coolest discoveries was a vintage camera shop tucked away on a side street—entirely film cameras, beautifully displayed and well-kept. I didn’t end up buying anything, but I had a great time checking everything out and chatting with the guy who ran the place.
Just a small section of the shop
While killing time on a rainy day, I went to a history museum that ended up being way more fun than I expected. They had an interactive exhibit where you could try on pieces of medieval armor. The breastplate was way too small—definitely made for someone shorter than me—but I managed to slip on a pair of gauntlets, which actually fit. Still, even just wearing that much gave me a new appreciation for how heavy and clunky that stuff really is.
My hostel had a giant Ferris wheel right outside that I kept meaning to ride, but it never once ran while I was there. Still no idea why.
And maybe the biggest win: I finally had a good kitchen. After weeks of cramped hostel setups, I had a proper space to cook and decided to treat myself by making mac and cheese from scratch. It hit the spot. Simple, familiar—exactly what I needed.
Berlin: Grit, Graffiti, and Surprisingly Great Crêpes
Graffiti in Berlin
Berlin was wild. It felt like the dirtiest city I’ve been to in Europe so far—graffiti on literally everything—but somehow, it still worked. The people were super friendly, and the city had this chaotic energy that kind of grew on me.
The public transit, though? Total mess. Expensive, always late, and everyone I met basically told me not to pay for it. So I didn’t. I rode around like a local—no ticket, just vibes.
I met up with a friend I’d made earlier in the trip, and we hit the big spots together: Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall, and Checkpoint Charlie. Seeing all of that in person was a trip. There's just something surreal about walking through places that were once literal Cold War front lines. The wall is still scarred and tagged up, but standing next to it and reading the signs really hit different. Like… history happened right here.
Right in the middle of all that, we stumbled into a massive Pride event happening at the gate. The vibe was great—free concerts, dancing, and this wild energy everywhere. But one of the coolest surprises? LEGO had a full setup there with build stations and custom Pride minifigs on display. It was way cooler than I expected and definitely got me hyped for something I’ve been planning for a while—my upcoming trip to Denmark and a visit to LEGO House.
It also kinda kicked off an accidental tradition. Now I’m trying to visit a LEGO store in every country I go to, just to see what cool displays or regional exclusives they’ve got going on. Berlin was stop one, and they set the bar pretty high.
And speaking of surprises—I had the best crêpe of my life from a little stand near one of the transit stations. Banana and Nutella, buttery, just the right crisp on the edge. I went back the next day like a total crêpe addict.
On Sunday, Berlin basically shuts down. Most shops and cafes were closed, so I wandered into a mall, did some people-watching, and eventually caught Fantastic Four: First Steps just because it was one of the only things open. And you know what? I liked it. Not a masterpiece, but it hit the spot and gave me a reason to chill for a couple hours.
Leaving Germany
Getting out of Berlin was unnecessarily stressful. The trains are never on time. I left at 9 a.m. for what should’ve been a quick three-stop ride to the airport, but because earlier trains were randomly skipped, I didn’t arrive until 11. I was genuinely worried I’d miss my flight.
Next stop: Budapest. I had originally planned to take the train, but after that whole experience, I decided to skip the 10-hour ride and just fly instead. Sometimes convenience wins.