Explore Berlin with the locals to find a different story

So you’ve seen Berlin’s East Side Gallery, Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie. Now it’s time to dive into this vibrant, confident and dynamic city and explore it along with the locals

July 04, 2018 03:49 pm | Updated July 05, 2018 11:37 am IST

Zero-waste warriors

Dedicated to a zero-waste lifestyle? You’ll love Original Unverpackt (Original Unpacked) in Kreuzberg, a refreshingly practical packaging-free store. Products are delivered to the store in bulk, then displayed in tubes and glass containers. Customers carry their own bags and jars to the store, fill them up, weigh and pay. University dropouts, Sara Wolf and Milena Glimbovski spent two years putting the concept together. They finally launched the store through crowdfunding in 2016. Their mission is to challenge consumers to confront how much waste they produce, and educate them by creating a space that dispenses with disposable packaging by adopting sustainable solutions. The store predominantly sources food locally to reduce energy used for transportation. Most items are dispensed from a gravity bin (muesli, dry fruits and nuts, liquid items for example). Berliners have embraced the concept, especially appreciating the fact that they can buy exactly how much they require, which also results in less wastage. Reusable containers can be purchased at the store, and customers are encouraged to bring their own. Non-food items such as personal care and cleaning products are also stocked here, but although the store stocks a range of items, choices are deliberately limited. Still need convincing? They have gin on tap.

 

Garten der Welt

As far back as 1987, the East Berlin city government opened Marzahn Recreational Park. Today it’s better known as Garten der Welt (Gardens of the World). Spread across more than 100 hectares, this is a centre for international garden and landscaping artistry. What started as a horticultural show was later renamed Gardens of the World in 2000, and has today evolved into an international garden exhibition, on show since October 2017.

 

A leisurely walk around the garden takes you on a horticultural journey. There are 10 traditional-themed gardens and also nine contemporary-style show gardens from different eras and different parts of the world. Contemporary designs from five continents are represented here. The Chinese space is one of the largest gardens in Europe. And even though there is one garden for Asia, the centre is yet to have one exclusively for India.

The Balinese and English rose gardens are favourites with the locals. In summer, open-air concerts are organised in the arena, which can seat 5,000 people. Navigate the hedge maze, explore the green house and when you’re in the mood for a cuppa, choose between the tea ceremonies in authentic Chinese, Japanese and Korean tea houses.

 

Street food Thursdays

The street food scenario in Berlin has become more vibrant and exciting, with chefs coming together to set up stalls at Markthalle Neun (Market Hall Nine), Kreuzberg, every Thursday between 6 and 10 pm.

The historic market has always been busy. On the third Sunday of every month, it hosts a breakfast market with pastry, coffee and cookbooks. Once a quarter, it becomes a snack market, with cakes, macaroons and cookies. They even have a food festival for just sausages and beer.

 

However, the biggest draw now is possibly Street Food Thursday, launched in 2013, featuring a constantly changing array of vendors serving food from all over the world. There are over 100 carefully curated stalls offering food at affordable prices. Look for the Taiwanese pork buns, smoked fish and congee, in addition to burgers, pasta and curry.

This community dining experience reportedly draws nearly 5,000 people, so get there by 6 pm and hustle, because many of the stalls sell out by 7 pm. This also ensures that there is something new every week. If you happen to be in Berlin on Thursday, just don’t miss this holistic dining experience. For this initiative, it was awarded the title ‘Gastronomic Innovator 2013’.

 

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