We are now in Berlin, having followed several interesting paths since my last post.

On our final morning in Bern, Fabienne, Sabina, Stefi, Leoni, Casey, and I took a long walk through the city. The lightly frosted houses created a picturesque winter scene. I could imagine raising children there. We walked down towards the river and stopped at a small cafe with large blue sofas and elaborate drinks. The coffee arrived with a glass of water, a welcome touch. After discussing the peculiarities of Bern, we returned to Fabienne’s home, collected our bags and a few remaining bottles of wine, and made our way to the station.

We bought our tickets and exchanged three farewell kisses with each person. Our visit ended with four generous new friends waving goodbye. Looking back, Bern seemed to glow with hospitality: Sabina welcomed us into her home; Sabrina did our laundry and helped with Casey’s leg; Fabienne and her friends prepared cheese fondue; Manuel repaired my Swiss watch; several people bought us drinks when we had no francs; and Ric bought chestnuts for me to try. Everyone offered the warmest of farewells. There must be something in the water that encourages kindness. I intend to return and have some more of it.

On the train, Casey and I exchanged family stories, and I am fairly sure I fell asleep. We nearly finished the unremarkable bread and water that we had kept outside in the cold for three days. At Basel station, we took the number 50 bus to the airport. We arrived several hours early, joined the check-in queue, and passed through relatively relaxed security. Casey almost walked straight through passport control by accident. Our departure area was completely deserted, so I fell asleep again. I woke when another traveller sat nearby and shook the bench. Soon afterwards, we boarded the plane and left for Berlin.

After landing, we collected our luggage and headed towards the S-Bahn. While we waited on platform 9, the airport express departed from platform 7. We hurried around the station, found the next correct service, and climbed aboard. On the train, I noticed a New Zealand patch and asked the couple wearing it where they were from. They answered, “Dresden.” We chatted for a few minutes and exchanged email addresses; they lived in London and might be able to help us find a less expensive hostel there.

We left the train in eastern Berlin, at Schönhauser Allee or somewhere nearby, and the next adventure began. We walked for half an hour along the right-hand side of the tracks while the street numbers grew larger. Unfortunately, the hostel was on the other side, immediately beside the station, so we had to walk all the way back.

Our hostel was called Alcatraz. I am not sure realism was the best theme, but the owners had committed to it. Behind a large wooden door and a second gate was a small office, where a tired staff member accepted cash for our €12 dormitory beds. Still, the rooms were quiet, the staff were helpful, and there was a kitchen. We quickly fell asleep.

The next morning, we visited a grocery store and returned to make eggs and bacon pieces in bread, a satisfying meal after having eaten very little cooked food. We then walked around Berlin for hours while I showed Casey some of the places I remembered from the previous summer. Eventually, the cold drove us into a Starbucks for coffee. I read more about Berlin while Casey worked on his journal.

Later, we met three women from Ecuador. Before long, I was showing them a remaining section of the Berlin Wall, and we all went to dinner. Six hours later, we said goodbye, and my head hurt from speaking so much Spanish. I would write more about the dinner, but my internet-cafe rate is about to increase.

To our new Ecuadorian friends, it was a pleasure getting to know you. To everyone reading notintrouble.com, I hope we are keeping you entertained. Adios!