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.

Berlin Burger International

As a (not very good) vegetarian one thing I have missed is burgers. The trouble with vege-burgers is they lack substance. Too often eating a vege-burger is like eating a porridge sandwich: too soft, too bland, too messy. That's why I was very happy to discover Berlin Burger International.

These burgers are sky-scrapers, piled high with salad and sauce, kept standing with a skewer, and full of flavour. Although nothing will quite match the chewy, meaty goodness of good beef my vegetarian order was by far the best I've ever had. I heard positive noises in regards to the meat options too.

Stacked!

Located at Pannierstr. 5, just round the corner from Hermannplatz. 

Berlin Tempelhof

Once one of Berlin's busiest airports, Tempelhof airfield now serves as a public park, offering fantastic spaces for cycling, roller skating, kiting and walking.

Overlooked by the vast Nazi-built terminal building you can make your way around the park, walking down its two runways or following the circular taxiing tracks. And if you visit on a windy day you'll be treated to a sky full of kites.

The design of the park facilities is also notable it's functionality and unobtrusive implementation. The runways are marked out with cycling and running routes which let you know how far you've come. Maps are displayed on flat blocks that make them easy to understand in a park that has few landmarks to navigate by. There are also three info kiosks that also serve as viewing platforms; they may not look particularly high, but in such a flat, open space they give great views.

To really appreciate the vast scale of the airfield you have to go there. Now that I live round the corner I am lucky enough to make frequent visits, though the daily bike rides I envisioned have yet to materialise...

The park can be accessed by various entrances marked on this map, and the best U-Bahn stops to go to are Tempelhof, Paradestr. (U6), Lienenstr. or Boddinstr. (U8).

N.B. The park is open from sunrise to sunset, so in December and January it closes at 5pm.

Flughafenstraße

Berlin is full of junk/antique stores that are as much museums as they are shops. Flughafenstraße has a fair few of these on it and some of the owners seem to put as much care into the display of their wares as curators in galleries.

Apparently the price you are told when you first ask about anything is twice that which you should pay, so don't be afraid to bargain. Having said that they're still pretty cheap so if you don't feel like your German is quite up to a Life of Brian-style stand-off then you'll still be able to find some bargains.

U-Bahn: it's got Boddinstr. (U8) at the top, and Rathaus Neukölln (U7) at the bottom.

Multilayerladen

There are lots of expensive, big name clubs in Berlin that play host to big name DJs who I know nothing about. I feel reticent about laying down up to 14€ to gain entry to these venerated techno temples.

Multilayerladen has the look of an office, with disco balls hang from the false ceiling. It's shabby and, on the night we went, packed full of people. Entry was free and the music kept everyone dancing till the not-so-small hours.

Office Chic

The night we went was the 'Miniclub', and it really did have a relaxed, house-party feel to it. You can see their upcoming events on the slightly confusing (and German) website.

U-Bahn: Kottbusser Tor (U8, U1/2). Head towards Oranienstr. from the station, and before you go under that housing estate turn right. The club is opposite a large climbing frame (perfect spot for a between-dance breath of fresh air).