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Archive for September, 2012

Berlin Marathon

Thursday, September 27th, 2012

It´s the Berlin Marathon this weekend and a chance to see 40,000 runners pounding the Berlin roads. Professionals and amateurs taking part in what is still a stiff test of endurance and a source of accomplishment for many participants. There is always a fantastic buzz around the city and about the race. Spectators get behind all the participants supporting them with choruses of cheers and goodwill. The crowd are also kept amused and entertained by street and live music performers.

The Berlin course and conditions are said to be one of the best for runners and a reason why so many world records have been set there than anywhere else. The current world record was set by Kenya´s Patrick Makau Musyoki who achieved his world record breaking time of 2:03:38 in last year´s 2011 Berlin Marathon.

The sun is forecast to make an appearance on Saturday so if you are in Berlin why not get down around the Brandenburg Gate and watch the spectacle and festivities and give the runners some encouragement.

You can see the full Berlin Marathon 2012 – The marathon party on the fastest course in the world article at the Oh-Berlin blog.

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Kater Holzig

Thursday, September 27th, 2012

While Berghain may get many accolades from the international media and a following from far and wide anxious to try and get into this mecca of techno, arguably it´s Kater Holzig that still keeps the old skool Berlin playful party vibe alive.

Whereas Berghain is all shiny, industrial, minimalist – signs of a new dawn in Berlin, Kater with its large outside area, creatively decked out of course,  aspires to Berliners love of “open air”, preferably with a view of water, open fires,  chatting, partying, not being restricted to stuffy indoor confines if at all possible.

So Kater is run by the old Bar 25 crew who were meant to have thrown the wildest and best parties back in the day until it finally closed in 2010. Kater may not be as wild as some of the Bar 25 shenanigans but it still has some of that Berlin spirit: The mini tree houses in the middle of the club, the turning of, at first glance, the slightly ramshackle into something visually appealing, through art, sculpture, design or construction, the chance to create the space you party in – an adult´s cultural playground.

Read our Party Hard – Ten Berlin Clubs Worth Checking out at the Oh-Berlin blog.

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Bernauer Strasse

Wednesday, September 19th, 2012

One of the things that made Bernauer Strasse stand out in its time was that the street became famous for escape attempts. Stories would spread through the western media that people were escaping to the West from Bernauer Strasse.

One of the most famous daring escape attempts was through an underground tunnel which began in a cellar at 97 Bernaeur Strasse. There is a very moving audio translation from Eva Klein speaking about her escape with her husband and child using Tunnel 57 as it has become to be known due to the amount of people who escaped. In the recording Eva explains how she was initially very frightened as she thought she was actually being tricked by the Stasi to attempt to escape and that they were setting her up. Not really knowing where she was going, but taking comfort that she was with her husband and child among a large group, until she said ´I saw some light as I stepped out and then realized I was in the West and it was a beautiful moment.´

Read about Oh-Berlin´s visit to the Berlin Wall Memorial at Bernauer Strasse.

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Back in the GDR

Wednesday, September 19th, 2012

Ever wondered what everyday life would be like living in the old German Democratic Republic? Were there really spies everywhere? Did everyone own a “Trabbi” and enjoy a spot of naked beach volleyball?

Oh-Berlin was very curious to find out so we wandered down to the DDR Museum on the Spreepromenade to find out for ourselves.

First thing we found out at the DDR museum is that the museum is not for the lazy as it requires a fair bit of interaction. The interactive aspect means that you are encouraged to open draws and cupboards, pick up telephones or sit in Trabants.

The permanent exhibition covers pretty much every aspect of life living in the GDR.

Interesting or unusual things we found out about life in the GDR were that you could actually get medals given to you at work for doing a good job or how children were actually taught how to properly throw a hand grenade using a wooden replica.

We also found out that Trabants could take up to 14 years to deliver, there were in fact quite a few spies walking around with cameras in their briefcases and yes nudity was indeed highly cherished.

See our review and pics of the DDR Museum.

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