Hey there! Now I can tell you about something you do not know about me, I am crazy about slightly out-of-the-way places and slightly out-of-the-way people. I am a suburban guy who was raised as a shy boy .
However, somehow, I changed! Today I like to hang out in the curb with the eccentric interesting people at the Venice Beach at home. And then, I will be able to go to a very fancy restaurant with a friend. I suppose I can be compared with a chameleon – I belong everywhere!
And so there was no wonder that I went to Berlin and all those tattooed individuals are there, and those artists who do not have that much money and as soon as I arrived in Berlin I immediately said to myself, “This is my type of people, this is the people I like!”
Getting My Place
I was lucky at the time I first got in Berlin. One of my friends was on a business trip and offered to allow me to reside in his lovely apartment located in an area known as Charlottenburg. It was sunlit, had good furniture, was quite clean and posh. It was, however, not me.
Having returned to California and then traveling at some other destinations, including Malta and Italy, I knew where I wanted to stay come the next time I landed in Berlin: Kreuzberg.
I love this side of the town! It has various types of bars, bus-loads of delicious food, a bit of a park (that I would describe as a bit shady but it is my kind of place and filled with passionate people), and brilliant street art. Kreuzberg is completely different to my first apartment. It is near like another city altogether!
The following are my favorite places in Kreuzberg
1. TeePee Land
In order to comprehend TeePee Land we must have a mini-history lesson. There have always been artists and non-rule loving people in empty buildings in Berlin. When the Berlin wall was brought down some 25 years ago, most residents of the East Berlin (which was a Soviets domain) abandoned their houses due to sad memories. This created vacancy in many houses.
A usual method, to tell whether an apartment was actually vacant, was to make a match at the door. The fact that the match remained there a couple of days meant that it was space up for grabs! Majority of the apartments in east Berlin were very simple such as sharing bathrooms with all the people on the floor.
Whereas a lot can be said about those areas, TeePee Land is rather different. It demonstrates that the residents that are of a different nature of life have always gotten a toe hold in Berlin. TeePee Land is along Spree river (passing through Berlin) and is literally in the old West Berlin.
It lies between two large nightclubs and between an old, unused ice factory. TeePee Land is a teepees and yurts cluster, and their central concept is: All people are welcomed. This fact has assisted them to remain there.
The former ice works. Unfortunately, today it is enclosed. I say sadly (because apparently there is cool art inside!))
Why teepees then? One of the inhabitants informed me, that teepees do not appear to be stout as houses, but they are. It is very united and cozy during winter. And we did not want to create trash houses either, you understand. Teepeeland was to be good looking,” said we.
He also discussed his reason of residing there. Instead, he employed to have jobs similar to a donkey turning a water wheel by walking in a circle every day. I do not want to be that donkey said he.
Seeing the mirror catching on me.
The characters in TeePee Land are performer and opportunist. This implies that they survive courtesy of others and subsist on food that others reject but keep believing that it is not bad. Essentially they are very effective at discovering food in dumpsters! And something I found very surprising: TeePee Land brings on a stand-up comedy show on Fridays for free! It is welcome to donations.
The TeePee Land was the nearest I ever laid my eyes on to year-long Burning Man campsite. Money is not used by them and they rely on their community who accept everybody. They have in this city been guaranteed two years longer on this ground, which is a prime location. Then I ask myself, what is going to become of them.
2. Punk Rock Village
This area I term as the Punk Rock Village (officially its name is KØPI). The atmosphere is quite contrasting to TeePee Land. It says: Keep out, No photos, and Stay away of criticising us. This is our own country, and we do not want you here. Except in the cases you go to a party or a music show. That is all right, yet you are not to have pictures!
It is one more location in which people moved into an unoccupied building and it is so nearby to my place! It is literally in the boundary of Kreuzberg but literally in an area known as Mitte which is in old East Berlin and filled with punk rockers who are pierced and tattooed. That a lot larger than TeePee Land and they do live in an actual building.
I entered with a local tour guide that has been residing in Berlin since 13 years. He said, just before we went in, I think you had better stash your camera on this one.
I did! and I did do my best not to take pictures, I did! Everything was simply too cool. Bikes, piles of bikes, tons of bikes, some crazy art suspended everywhere, empty wine glasses that I thought might have been on the outdoor bar since the beginning of time, mounds of old barbecue grills to make sure people did not venture near the walls and some weird metal objects which looked like they were protecting the back doors. All this was too bizarre and awesome not to snap a pic.
Metal guards, which look friendly (can you see the old wine glasses?)
Come and see it at the address Koszlner Strauss 137. But in earnest hole up yore camera. I was yelled at!
3. Neu West
New West is a place of art in 55, Köpenicker Straße. It is not more than a few months old yet all over it there is super cool street art and even some pieces of the old Berlin Wall. I was snapping a photo of some graffiti by some local graffiti guys called the Berlin Kidz on the side of a building and I heard someone shout a window at me.
I felt that I had once again screwed up by taking pictures and left my camera on the ground. Then I spotted a man beside the painting hanging out of the window posing to the camera! I was in accord with this place right away.
What kind of signs is he flashing up that he is not certain about, but appreciate modeling before me, bro.
In this building you will find a restaurant, places where art can be displayed, studios where you can rent and sometimes yoga classes. Over 40 artists have already exhibited in the venue.
What kind of mood do you get with the words?
This is what makes Berlin so special to me, they are quirky and nothing like the other places I have ever visited. That is why I like my neighborhood. And I guess it is the same reasons why it may be dirty or not nice with others. The writer Jack Kerouac describes my reasons of loving it in an eloquent way. I shall conclude some what by altering his.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1: What’s your favorite part of Berlin now?
A: Definitely Kreuzberg! It has cool bars, great food, a shady but lively park, and amazing street art. It feels like a whole different city.
Q2: What is TeePee Land?
A: TeePee Land is a unique community by the Spree River.
Q3: Why do people live in teepees there?
A: One person told me that teepees might not look strong, but they are! They’re cozy in winter, and the people there wanted to make something beautiful, not just “trash houses.”
Q4: What’s special about the people at TeePee Land?
A: They’re very resourceful! They survive by finding food that others throw away and believe in community over money.
Q5: What is “Punk Rock Village” (KØPI)?
A: KØPI is a place full of punk rockers who live in an old, unused building. It’s very anti-establishment, meaning they don’t want photos or criticism. It’s more about music shows and parties.
Q6: Can I take pictures at Punk Rock Village?
A: It’s best not to! I was yelled at for trying to take photos. They really value their privacy.
Q7: What is Neu West?
A: Neu West is a newer art spot with cool street art, including pieces of the old Berlin Wall. It has a restaurant, art displays, studios, and even yoga classes.
What are your preferred “alternative” spots in the world? I do like such things very much and must see more of it!
