Berlin dinner/drinks - 9 October

[Mattg]

Since I will probably already be joined in Berlin by at least 2 AFFer's around the 9th of October, I thought I might as well create an AFF event and see if anyone else might happen to be in or around Berlin at that time - or would like an excuse to be (although getting to spend time in this wonderful city should be reason enough!).

Although I can't give an exact date or time yet as I don't have my work roster for that week yet, we will most likely have dinner on the 9th of October, or if not perhaps the 10th. It may also become a lunch if need be. But I'll keep this thread posted.

Venue TBA. (There are so many good places to choose from, I can't pick just one!)

Everyone is welcome.

Likely starters so far: Myself (Mattg), JohnM, Joshua and possibly kermatu.

Looking forward to seeing as many people as possible!

(By the way, if you can't make the dinner but would like to meet up for a beer in Berlin some other time, just get in touch and I'm sure we could work something out.)

 

[JessicaTam]

I don't get to EU until mid/late Oct so will have to pass on this one.

*sad face*

 

[*A Flyer]

Given I live in Berlin now I should probably come along.

Might I suggest the Weihenstephaner restaurant at Hackescher Markt or the Augustiner Brau on Gendarmenmarkt as suitable venues?

 

[Mattg]

Given I live in Berlin now I should probably come along.

Might I suggest the Weihenstephaner restaurant at Hackescher Markt or the Augustiner Brau on Gendarmenmarkt as suitable venues?

It would be great if you could come along - and I must say, I'm pleasantly surprised to see that I'm not the only Canberran living in Berlin!

I like your Hackescher Markt idea. Other places I had in mind included Oranienburger Straße, Friedrichshain, Potsdamer Platz, the Hofbräuhaus near Alexanderplatz or the Italian restaurant across the road from the entrance to Tempelhofer Freiheit (near Tempelhof S-Bahn). As I said, there's so many good restaurants and bars to choose from!

 

[Joshua]

Subscribing.

I see no reason I shouldn't make it but can't check schedules yet. Will be good to just do another alcohol run

Jess just post something up whenever you make your way over, would love to hear how TK treat their own golds anyway - I really should fly them sometime.

The only definite plans I have remaining this year is a quick RTW in early Dec, so hope to see some people around!

 

[JohnM]

Subscribing and have just PM'd Matt my contact details.

 

[penegal]

I can't do this one, but I will ping you when I am next in the area

 

[Katie]

Can't do October, but perhaps December (with +1 and kidlet)

 

[Mattg]

Ok, I got the bad news today... my roster for next month. I am working from 2.30pm to 10.30pm every weekday that week! :shock:

So, would it be okay if we instead did a brunch on 9 October?

 

[JohnM]

Bummer! The problem from my POV is that I have such a short (first) time in Berlin, so I'll be seeking to maximise the daylight hours to see all the key sights. Don't laugh, but usually first day in a new city I do the hop-on-hop-off bus, so that was my plan for the full day on 9 Oct.

Day 2 is fill in some details or go to slightly out of centro sights, then day 3 I head into the countryside. Does it sound like I work to a plan? Matt, now that you have seen the spelling of my surname, you would know that any German would understand .

Regrettably, It won't really work for me .

 

[Mattg]

I'm keen to make something work, so I propose three options;
1. We could meet up for breakfast/brunch on 10 October instead - we could even work out a place which fits in with your plan for the day.
2. I try to change my roster (I can ask tomorrow - and will report back here with the outcome).
3. We could meet late at night. I wouldn't mind that too much personally but I realise 11pm is quite late to have dinner.

This is really quite a bummer. I guess that's what can happen though when you do shift work. (This wasn't the only problem with this month's roster - they have me working an overnight shift finishing at 6am on the same morning I'm supposed to fly fly to Munich. :shock

 

[JohnM]

OK - we Germans will make something work .

I'll await the outcome of your roster issue!

 

[Mattg]

I asked today if I could change my shift on the 9th and was told that it might not be possible but she'll see what she can do and to check with her again in a few days. Having said that, I'd say there's about a 75% chance I'll get the evening off.

But I'll let you know the outcome for sure once I know, hopefully by Wednesday or Thursday.

 

[Timba-Jet]

Congrats Matt on finding a job in Berlin, hope they are treating you well, and you can enjoy the remainder of your stay in Berlin with a bit more k'ching to spend.

 

[kermatu]

Thanks Matt - have just seen the thread. I am in Berlin 8/9 October. Dinner on 9th, even if a bit late, may well suit me best. I am staying very close to Gendarmenmarkt so the suggestion to eat there works very well for me. But I'd be fine anywhere close to a train stop and as long as there's somewhere comfortable / easy to sit!

Will do my best to keep in touch Matt and fellow AFFers.

 

[JohnM]

No joy in changing your roster Matt?

 

[Mattg]

No joy in changing your roster Matt?

I made a follow up enquiry today but still waiting to hear back, unfortunately. I won't be at work again until Monday either as I'm heading off to Oktoberfest tomorrow morning.

But I promise that we will make something work, whatever happens. If all else fails, I have to pass through your neck of the woods on Friday morning anyway (on the way to the bus station), if breakfast would work for you.

 

[anat0l]

A bit too far for me - in a weekend it could work (but then Lausanne to Berlin return without Sparpries is back breaking expensive....)

 

[Mattg]

A bit too far for me - in a weekend it could work (but then Lausanne to Berlin return without Sparpries is back breaking expensive....)

I'm not going to lie, I just had to look up where Lausanne actually is! But now that I see it's in western Switzerland, I would agree - that's a long trip! Do they have special deals for the train?

 

[anat0l]

I'm not going to lie, I just had to look up where Lausanne actually is! But now that I see it's in western Switzerland, I would agree - that's a long trip! Do they have special deals for the train?

Apart from travelcards and half-fare cards, domestic Swiss train travel is pretty much a standard fare all the time.

International train travel is another thing. Like planes most of the time, earlier is better, last minute is asking to be punished. I know Germany, for all train travel, has both discounted and standard priced tickets (latter has more flexibility). Same with France.

Probably even at Sparpries it's not likely to be too cheap. Might be better off flying (except for walk up fare).

Basically it'd probably take almost a whole/half day and a few changes to get to Berlin from here....