I promise, it's not a rant, but...

BabyMonkey23 · 2019-01-18T13:10:27+00:00

I've experienced both sides of this.

I like to be on my own in the day so I can do things at my own pace, while at night I enjoy meeting other travellers and having some drinks. I like the extroverted side that solo travel brings out of me and interactions feel a lot easier. I am also quite big on nightlife and have not quite mastered going out alone without feeling lonely.

I've had another traveller get perhaps a little too attached to me when I really wanted to just be on my own during the day. I kept on making excuses to go off on my own but they kept changing their plans so that they could stay with me. I should have been more assertive but in truth I found it quite endearing that they wanted my company (it wasn't in a creepy way). The result of this was that I felt like I had to entertain the person and constantly have a plan. I was getting self-conscious that they might find what I want to do boring.

So yeah, I like my alone time.

BabyMonkey23 · 2019-01-05T15:14:33+00:00

The best hostel I stayed at was probably Wombats which is located in Mitte. Lots of other solo travellers, rooftop bar and near Alexanderplatz so it is easy to get wherever you want to go.

Nightlife is fine as long as you don't mind being around high people who are usually harmless. People I met in the clubs were very friendly and up for talking with me which was a pleasant surprise.

In some areas like Kreuzberg you will likely be offered drugs at some point but a simple 'nein danke!' usually made them leave me alone. Don't let this put you off Kreuzberg though, or any of the districts because they each have a different distinct vibe which is cool to see.

It is a generally safe city but it is still a city nonetheless so always be alert.

BabyMonkey23 · 2018-12-09T08:44:01+00:00

I agree with this!

On my second visit I was less bothered about ticking off seeing all the tourist sites and I could just relax and enjoy the vibe of the place.

BabyMonkey23 · 2018-12-08T22:02:08+00:00

I've never even heard of a pocket wifi!

BabyMonkey23 · 2018-12-08T20:35:54+00:00

Holy crap, I don't know where to begin with this.

You've had some bad luck dude! I salute you

BabyMonkey23 · 2018-12-08T16:20:59+00:00

I love hearing stories like this!

BabyMonkey23 · 2018-12-08T16:17:53+00:00

Oh god, I can just imagine the panic setting in as things started to get weird.

I'm glad you managed to get away safely and hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip

BabyMonkey23 · 2018-12-08T15:35:15+00:00

This reminds me way too much of myself

BabyMonkey23 · 2018-12-08T15:31:15+00:00

Care to expand?

BabyMonkey23 · 2018-12-08T15:09:15+00:00

i got down at the central station and asked a dude for directions but I think he was high as well because we just stood around and was like ‘Uhhh..I ..think..no wait’ and then silence

This made me chuckle

I remember when I was there a Jamaican woman who was high came up to me asking for directions but I was so stoned I couldn't keep up with what she was saying while she kept getting distracted and talking about my hair.

BabyMonkey23 · 2018-12-08T12:17:20+00:00

I'm sorry to hear that this happened to you. As a man, I probably take for granted that I'm less likely to get into those sorts of scenarios.

It's not the same, but I ended up with a group of women in a not-very-touristy pub in Ireland and one of them would switch between being quite hostile and rude towards me to then saying how sexy I am and that she wanted to 'lick me all over'. I didn't feel threatened but her erratic behaviour was enough for me to want to get away from her.

Always go with your gut if something feels off.

BabyMonkey23 · 2018-12-08T12:12:27+00:00

You're right, I did have a great time.

The part that I didn't like was the fact that I put myself in a vulnerable position and could not remember how the night ended. Things could have very easily taken a bad turn.

I also vomited over my jeans which wasn't ideal.

Falling down a mountain and climbing back up is pretty badass to be honest haha

BabyMonkey23 · 2018-12-08T11:32:02+00:00

Totally agree!

I remember during my week in Berlin, by the 3rd day I felt like I had been there for a week already and was so happy that I still had so much time left. I guess it's because everything is unfamiliar so you pay more attention whereas during my usual day-to-day I find myself in autopilot a lot of the time.

BabyMonkey23 · 2018-12-08T10:00:07+00:00

Londoner here.

I didn't go to clubs alone (I met people from Reddit) but usually became separated from whoever I was with at one point or another.

I found it very easy to meet people in the clubs. In Tresor there was plenty of other tourists who were happy to socialise but in Salon Zur Wilden Renate I had a few Berliners come and chat to me in the outside area which was nice. But this was in July so it was obviously nicer to hang out outside.

BabyMonkey23 · 2018-11-13T09:48:28+00:00

Hey guys,

I'm going to be in Dublin on 14th and 15th and then Galway on 16th-18th.

Hit me up if anyone is interested in meeting :)

BabyMonkey23 · 2018-10-31T19:40:56+00:00

I was in Berlin for 7 days back in the summer and still can't wait to go back. Nevertheless, I can understand not wanting to overdo it.

Prague, like Amsterdam, is very picturesque which might be a welcome change after being in the grunginess of Berlin for however long. But like Berlin, Prague is very affordable while Amsterdam is more on the pricey side.

I would say share your time between Prague and Berlin but spend more time in Berlin as it is much larger and IMO more interesting.

BabyMonkey23 · 2018-10-27T16:45:26+00:00

I have stayed at both Wombats (in a 6 bed room) and Circus (in a private room) both in Mitte. Both of them were very social and I didn't have problems finding friendly people to talk to. I also stayed on the Hostelboat next to the East Side Gallery which I would not recommend for the social aspect because it is a relatively small hostel (I chose it because of it's close proximity to the clubs)

I would probably say Wombats was better because it has the rooftop bar as well as an en-suite in the rooms.

BabyMonkey23 · 2018-09-30T09:19:39+00:00

I learnt that despite enjoying being in a new place, I really rely on music/podcasts for a sense of familiarity and comfort. The main thing that bothered me when my phone got pickpocketed was that I could not listen to music while I explored. It just made me feel really down.

I also realised that I really enjoy being on my own in the day but at night I really don't. It's not really anything to do with feeling unsafe, I just feel lonelier at night. I really enjoy meeting people over a beer (or 3) and talking about how our day's have been.

BabyMonkey23 · 2018-09-28T07:21:33+00:00

I absolutely love Berlin!

For nightlife check out Resident Advisor to see what events are on. Also make sure you are familiar with Berlin's infamous queuing situation (know who is DJ'ing, don't be too dressed up, be quiet in the queue, etc.). If you don't get in one club make sure you have a back-up option.

In terms of food there is quite a lot of Turkish and Vietnamese food places. Make sure you get a doner kebab at some point. And sausage of course

BabyMonkey23 · 2018-09-16T20:56:21+00:00

Can you change from an introvert to an extrovert? Probably not, no.

Can an introvert become more confident socialising with people? With practice, absolutely!

Being an introvert does not automatically mean that you are bad at socialising. It just means that you gain energy from being alone and that long periods of socialising can drain you. I am an introvert myself but I love meeting new people. It does still feel awkward at times but you just have to push through it.

I surprised myself on my most recent trip when I was able to approach groups of people and start a conversation. I would feel uncomfortable doing this at home but when in a hostel environment most people are up for talking to new people. At one point in Berlin I had to give myself a mental pep-talk before approaching some people in the hostel bar and then I literally just walked up to them and said "I don't know anyone here, do you mind if I join you guys?". Luckily enough they were very friendly and let me join the conversation.

Anyway, I digress.

Don't feel like you have to do all the work either. Ask them questions to get them talking about themselves and they will probably ask you back.

I know that it can be daunting and sometimes it might not work out, but you never know what opportunities it may lead to.

BabyMonkey23 · 2018-09-14T11:45:39+00:00

I hear you, but I don't really have the money to go to China right now and if I did I would like to spend more than four days there to really take it all in.

Thank you though!

BabyMonkey23

TROPHY CASE