The alarms went off and there were logistical matters to discuss since Sabrina had decided to come with us to Berlin, instead of staying home in Cologne to study. Long story short, it meant we had to go to Cologne on our way to pick up my passport which had been delivered from the US consulate, but would only remain at the post office for a limited time, so now was our only chance to collect. It added an hour to our trip, but we had no other option.

Thankfully, there were no issues at the post office and I finally had my passport back in my hand, with a very nice visa page that would allow me back into the US. Sabrina and Alex had some pastries for breakfast, then we hit the road for real to Berlin.

Alex’s grandparents are in Berlin so we would be staying with them. With the amount of stuff Alex and Sabrina were bringing, it was like we were moving in, but we would only be there until new years’. Alex played country music the whole way much to my silent distaste. Even when his playlist ran out, it carried out with round two of every song. I sat in the back and had a few naps, Sabrina in the front did the same. Alex did well to drive the entire way. I couldn’t help with the driving because of the insurance, but he seemed happy to be behind the wheel anyway.

We didn’t hit any traffic, managing to avoid the only traffic jam on the highway by touring through a nice country village. Unfortunately, the closer we got to Berlin, the worse the weather became. We left behind bright blue skies for dark grey clouds and perpetual rain, which dampened all of our spirits. We didn’t really stop for lunch, but snacked on supplies as we drove, with the idea of being hungry when we arrived so we could go out for Alex’s favourite: Currywurst.

When we arrived, I wasn’t especially tired, but happy to be out of a car. Oma (Grandma) and Opa’s (Grandpa) apartment is out of the 70s. A tiny apartment in an old-style building with more rooms than you’d expect. It is filled with memorabilia, trinkets and family photos that breathe nostalgia. Apart from a few words, the grandparents do not speak English, so Alex had a hard time translating for us. When I discovered that Opa has a history with cars (racing them and watching them), we had a connection. I borrowed Alex’s shoe to display Ricciardo’s “shoey” and he knew exactly what I was talking about. Who needs language?

We crammed into the grandparents’ Mercedes wagon in search of Currywurst and stood outside at a table in the hole-in-the-wall merchant. The sausages drowned in rich tomato sauce were delicious, the best in Berlin apparently and I’m not surprised. After dinner Opa gave us a tour of the downtown district in the Merc, pointing out historical buildings and landmarks as we went. We even drove past the Christmas markets where a man in a truck had driven through and killed people days before. There was a memorial and concrete bollards where there hadn’t been before.

I was feeling ill again by the time we returned home so Oma made me a ginger tea, which I dutifully drank. The spice really kicked in at the end. We all sat around the living room table and talked, with a TV on in the background which entertained me when Alex got sick of translating.

Sabrina, Alex and I had a room to ourselves, the couple on the bed and me on a floor mattress. Oma surprised us with a plate of Christmas goodies each, a spread of everything unhealthy and yummy. That would be exciting to wake up to. I was comfortable enough on the floor, but I feared a rough night for all of us with three sickos in the same room at such close proximity.

Berlin Fact: A proper currywurst will offer sausages with the skin off and skin on. While you should try both, skin on is the best!