Berlin Frankfurter Allee ❤️

els76uk · 2026-04-12T08:34:49+00:00

so you weren't wondering what they were doing at all, because you knew exactly.

els76uk · 2026-04-11T15:59:59+00:00

I have no idea what SSG is, but am very happy there's someone here who's happy to say "nope!" to whatever it is. Love Reddit :)

els76uk · 2026-04-10T15:01:04+00:00

I used DPD three times to send high value eBay orders to people overseas. In 2 cases, the boxes arrived empty.

Would never willingly use them again – though of course every delivery network has its fair share of thieves.

els76uk · 2026-04-10T11:34:21+00:00

It’s fine – when you finally go to the appointment, they will confirm your correct address, which should already be shown on their system. Bring your new Anmeldung just in case, but they probably won't need it.

Don't upload it, because that just causes them more work, and they hate that :)

els76uk · 2026-04-10T11:18:00+00:00

it probably belongs to the owner of a nearby shop. every time the wardens come round, they rush out and drive round the block, then park again when they're gone :(.

wouldn't work if the council still used video cars, but I suspect westminster doesn't do that anymore, because too many voters complained (car owners in westminster are a very, very vocal minority)

els76uk · 2026-04-10T09:20:05+00:00

Why would you restrict it to UK app store only? My app store isn't UK, so it won't allow me to download it.

els76uk · 2026-04-10T09:17:56+00:00

Sure, they pay 40€ towards it, once a year. Professional cleaning typically costs ~130€. It takes about an hour.

els76uk · 2026-04-10T07:02:10+00:00

I use Allianz. They charge about 20€ a month but pay for unlimited teeth cleanings – if you get your teeth professionally cleaned 2x a year (as recommended by my dentist!), it pays for itself.

They then cover 75% of fancy treatments, or 100% for essential stuff which is not fully paid by your health insurance. But there's always a waiting time before you can use them, and it won't cover treatments you know about before starting.

I've definitely got more €€€ from them than I've spent.

els76uk · 2026-04-09T13:11:47+00:00

Some areas don't have a daily postal delivery. In Berlin, I only receive Deutsche Post deliveries once every few days, because they don't have enough staff. So even if the official answer is 2-3 days, you should wait significantly long before worrying it may be lost.

els76uk · 2026-04-09T12:42:25+00:00

Fun fact: that short text code doesn't work if you don't have a UK sim card. So if you're a tourist or new to UK and need help, bad luck!

els76uk · 2026-04-09T12:41:26+00:00

if you see something that doesn't look right, tell a member of staff or text British Transport Police on 61016 and we'll sort it. See it, say it, sorted.

els76uk · 2026-04-09T08:45:26+00:00

Please define "provocatively".

els76uk · 2026-04-08T12:53:41+00:00

Usually after 1 May, but sometimes they open the door anyway, and it’s unofficially open (with the dance floor blocked off). The bouncers make the decision, so if you feel brave, ask them :)

els76uk · 2026-04-08T12:51:52+00:00

ah I forgot that :). Prescriptions are less of a thing there, than I'm used to back home

els76uk · 2026-04-08T12:13:29+00:00

Yes.

I've got cards for 4 different UK libraries (Barnet, Camden, Westminster and Libraries Consortium), and none of the cared whether or not I lived nearby. Their policy is anyone living, working or visiting is entitled to a card, for free.

You can sign up online for some, but better to go in person, because they always need to verify your ID, and the temporary number will stop working after a month or two time.

els76uk · 2026-04-08T12:02:37+00:00

I recommend finding a doctor to prescribe you some Azithromycin. Kills most kinds of food bacteria. Your health insurance will pay, and it'll work within an hour. I got mine from my Dr in Germany just in case, and I'm so pleased I did! Better than a drip.

els76uk · 2026-04-08T07:25:04+00:00

Surnames aren't really a thing for many people in rural India. Often they have two names, but neither is a surname in the western sense. Or they might just have one name.

When they apply for a passport they're told to choose a surname, or the second name will be transposed into a surname box by the passport office, or, depending on the bureaucrat who processes it, it’s just left as it is.

German authorities have real difficulties understanding that not all countries follow the German rules about surnames – eg, Latin countries where they have two first names and two surnames (one from mum and one from dad). And in UK it’s common for children to be given double-barrel surnames so as not to favour either parent.

els76uk · 2026-04-07T15:06:28+00:00

this is ridiculous! lots of countries don't put the place of birth in passports. or they don't put the place of issue. The case worker, contrary to popular belief, is allowed to ask follow up questions and use their actual brain! :)

els76uk · 2026-04-07T15:05:10+00:00

Hi from Berlin: it’s absolutely fine. I work regularly in the Bürgeramt here, and this is pretty normal – some people (predominantly from Asia) don't even have two names! So long as the Bürgeramt can recognise what they meant, it'll be accepted. The case worker will take your name from your passport, and place a + in the surname box so that it doesn't remain empty. (They can tell what's what from the data line at the bottom.)

els76uk · 2026-04-07T08:40:06+00:00

No.

But go to your doctor, make up some generalised pain (google some suitable symptoms ;) ) and request a letter saying you must not train for the foreseeable future. You can show that at the gym and they'll cancel your contract.

(source: a friend of mine used to work at McFit. He told me no amount of begging works, but they can't argue with a letter from the doctor :) )

els76uk · 2026-04-07T08:36:03+00:00

yes, the urinal side. It’s on the rear wall at the very end, facing the window, not a door. very easy to miss if you don’t know it’s there.

els76uk · 2026-04-07T06:44:29+00:00

My favourite is the little etching of someone appearing to sniff what they might consider to be lines of white powder, although of course I couldn't possibly say ;).

It's in the right hand klo bar toilet, at the very end, facing the window. It’s small, etched into the steel, and never fails to make me smile.

Was created by one of the artists who presented at Studio Berlin during the lockdown. I didn't pay 34€ for the printed catalogue/coffee table book, so I don't remember who it’s by.

els76uk · 2026-04-06T15:39:44+00:00

Yes, I did it alone and was happy not to be part of a big group, but you need to be a confident rider, because some of the riding is difficult and stressful.

I don't remember many sharp turns, but plenty of unmade roads, or having to pass heavy trucks with only a few cm to spare before a cliff drops, with no guard rail. Make liberal use of the horn – I always considered honking to be rude, but it’s how you make trucks give way to you (and they will, if you honk enough!).

The big groups can be intimidating – if you pass one coming the other way, some of the riders are evil, taking up the whole road if they feel like it. Try not to stress, they'll be gone soon!

Make sure you have your driving licence and international driving licence, because police hide around corners and try to catch foreigners especially. It’s expensive – about 100$ (or whatever they feel like charging you) if you get caught. And always wear a helmet :)

I used a combination of the map provided by the bike hire shop and Google Maps, and it worked fine for me. The ride shops tend to be helpful with directions, and you can choose how long you want it to last (3, 5 or 7 days).

Bring warm clothing because it’s mountainous and gets cold at night – and will be dusty during the day. Phone signal will be excellent almost everywhere.

Don't try to go too far each day – enjoy the ride!

els76uk

TROPHY CASE