Ich bin ein Berliner

‘It’s not the destination that counts, it’s the journey. “With this wisdom in mind, we start our train journey from Amsterdam to Beijing. In the timespan of around one month we will undertake the famous Trans-Siberian train journey (the first part) and then a piece of Trans-Mongolian Express. Reportedly one of the most adventurous train journeys in the world.

The biggest challenge during a train journey of over 10,000 kilometres is; do not miss the train. Things almost immediately go wrong already. Waiting for the train in Apeldoorn, which is an hour late, we forget to schedule time to say goodbye to our home front. Once the train arrives, we see the doors close immediately from the corner of our eyes, while we just finish our last hugs. Fortunately, after a sprint, we can still join. And while the train conductress is shaking her head because of all of the additional delays, we jump in with backpack and all. Off to China!

Hostels & cheering Germans

Not in one go, of course, because after five hours by train we arrive in Berlin. Our first stop. It takes a little getting used to backpacking again. We both already have experienced traveling for many months with all our possessions on our backs. But that is several working years ago, so we need to get back into it. However we decide to immediately go for the full experience again; in Berlin we spend the first night in a hostel in a 8 person dorm room, romantically in a bunk bed.

Berlin is familiar territory. We walk through Checkpoint Charlie, Potsdamer Platz and the East Side Gallery where 1300 meters of authentic Berlin Wall is covered in beautiful art-graffiti. Unforgettable is the Trabant Safari; a great tour around Berlin whilst racing after our guide in a little toy car (see our 360 video of this tour).

In the evening the German football team plays against Northern Ireland in the European Championships and we end up in a small beer garden next to Checkpoint Charlie. With a Berliner beer, set between the Germans and a handful of tourists, we see our neighbours win. And what do you do as a Dutchie in a crowd of happy Germans? Indeed, you just cheer along. It is all a game after all …