Learning German at 'die Volkshochschule'

Since I moved to Berlin in September I have been studying German at the Friedrichshain Volkshochschule. The Volkshochschulen are locally funded adult education colleges that offer all manner of classes, including German as a foreign language.

There are endless numbers of language schools in Berlin, and having spoken to friends I have concluded that high fees do not necessarily guarantee high standards. Therefore I recommend the Volkshochschulen to anyone looking to learn, as they are certainly the cheapest.

Die Alte Eisfabrik (The Old Ice Factory)

We wanted to have a look at some of Berlin's fabled abandoned buildings, so headed to the relatively easy to access Eisfabrik, which stands decrepit on the banks of the Spree.

You can essentially walk straight into the factory, having only to climb over a wall ( which has helpfully had fencing propped against it to facilitate easy access for urban wanderers) to get in.

The factory produced ice for almost 100 years, having closed in 1995. Since then there have been various campaigns to save the building, which is listed and yet in a terrible state of repair. As far as I can gather, the owners of the site are keen to demolish, whereas campaign groups want it to be renovated and restored.

I actually found the visit quite bleak. There is little left to give an impression of the actual workings of ice manufacture, apart from some impressive pieces of machinery on the ground floor. The overwhelming impression I got was of the lives of people who have used and are currently using the factory as a temporary home which, as we visited just after the harshest part of the winter had come to an end, was somewhat harrowing.

In fact, I often felt I was trespassing in somebody's home as we came across rooms containing sleeping bags, old clothes, human waste and bags of rubbish. The rubbish ended up being what interested me most.

Of course, the view from the top of the factory, as with any moderately tall building in Berlin, is great. It was an interesting hour or so, but not the most uplifting.

Die Eisfabrik is just 5 minutes walk from Heinrich-Heine Str. U-Bahn, on the U8.

Nowkoelln Flowmarkt

This Flohmarkt only occurs once a month takes place on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month and is one of our favourites so far. There are far less professional market traders selling over-priced handbags and cameras that you find at Mauerpark and Boxhagener. The general fare tends to be people selling their own second hand stuff or crafts people selling hand-made things.

The location is lovely, stretching along the canal, and the atmosphere very cheerful. There are live music acts throughout the day and food stands (which are actually a bit pricey).

Our stall at Nowkoelln Flowmarkt

We have been twice and found some great bargains on both visits. People are willing to haggle and if you're prepared to rummage around then you can get some crazy things for just a few euros.

Nowkoelln is also a good spot to sell your own stuff. Having helped clear out an apartment in our block we had a fair amount of curious items to sell and had a great day standing next to the canal. We made some nice new friends: people were very friendly, despite our inability to count auf Deutsch.

Check the website for the date of the next market: Nowkoelln Flowmarkt. If you want a to have a stand at the market you can either sign up at the proceeding event for a large 3m covered stand, or just turn up on the day with your own table/rail/rug and they come around and collect money off you depending on how much space you have.

Directions: go to Schonleinstr. on the U8, take the exit for Burknerstr., go down Burknerstr. and then keep following the canal until you reach the market.