Day 2 - Sept 16

Okay, now that I've made it to Monday, I can tell the story of Saturday. My flight landed in Berlin around 12:30, and I took a taxi to my apartment. I was told to pick up my keys at the Greek restaurant below the apartment. Well, I get there around 1, and the Greek restaurant is not only closed...but doesn't open until 5pm. It's traumatic enough to leave everything you know and go to a foreign land...but then to show up with two huge suitcases, and not have anywhere to go? I have to admit, I went across the street to a little park and had myself a good cry. Once I pulled myself together, I went back across the street as a delivery man (who spoke English - praise God) was going into the restaurant. He went in and found the little lady who had the keys, and after showing her my passport, gave me mine.

Should be easy from there, right? I then come into the apartment building, and after looking around, begin to lug my not-so-small bags up the three flights of stairs to my apartment. After I get up the first two flights of stairs, I run into a girl who informs me that there is an elevator. OMG! I used it for the last flight - I don't think my arms, or my mental status, could handle another floor.

So, now that I'm all recovered, Flat Tony got to go on a little walk at lunchtime today and had his picture taken near the Ullsteinhaus. I have since looked it up, and Ullsteinhaus is one of the largest publishing houses in Germany. And to think, I just took him there because he likes water, and there is a river right there (it didn't hurt that it was next to the mall).

I worked from my apartment today, but will be in the office tomorrow - so Flat Tony will be taking a trip to Dahlewitz and, in the evening, should have his first introduction into Berlin's public transportation system. I'm sure there will be an interesting story there!