Snus

Tue 20 Jun

Aaron continued his mission...his pursuit to get his camera fixed and collect his luggage (it took 7 trains and 4 buses). Once he got back we walked to the train station, had some train beers and went to Polar TV to watch the Germany vs. Ecuador game (3-0 Germany). Sitting in some reserved area we had a fantastic view of the large indoor screen. Yonca and Alessa met up with us too.

The girls let and Aaron and I went to Hackescher Markt for some Italian dinner and then to the Fan Mile for the England vs. Sweden game (a 2-all draw). Aaron sparked a conversation with some Norwegian dudes as they had a couple of spare seats and it was all on from there. Aaron and I tried snus; a smokeless tobacco that they offered us. The goal by Joe Cole was an absolute cracker. We planned to meet up with our Norwegian crew tomorrow.

Cut Loose

Mon 19 Jun

Since it was another scorcher of a day, we decided a beach visit was in order. After breakfast, the usual four (Alessa, Aaron, Yonca and I) got on our bikes and cycled to Krumme Lanke...together. However...

At the first set of lights the girls got through as it was green, but it turned to red before we could get over. Instead of waiting they rode off somewhere thinking we knew where they were going. Needless to say we didn't. Neither Aaron or I had our mobiles so we just chanced our arm and cycled there ourselves. A brief dialogue at a service station (in German) almost got us there, but it was a kindly old man who finally pointed us in the right direction. We had made it!!! We had a swim and a look around for the girls (no dice) so we biked home (unaided) for some lunch.

I wasn't feeling the best in the afternoon so I just read in the sun and fluffed around. Günter and I watched Tunisia take a 1-0 halftime lead over Spain, only to lose 3-1. Tomorrow will be a huge day as Germany take on Ecuador.

Aussie Aussie Aussie

Sun 18 Jun

Up for a big German style breakfast (bread, cheese, fruit, pate, meats etc.) with the family and their guest. Required energy for the day of walking and football we had ahead of us.

Aaron, Alessa and I trained to a secondhand market for a look around. It was pretty big so we spent a good two hours walking around. After this we found ourselves a beergarden where we took in some of the game between Japan and Croatia (nil-all draw).

It was nearing 6pm...when the Brazil vs Australia game started so we had some dinner and picked up some beers to take to the screen at the Fan Mile (it turns out you can take plastic bottles of beer with you). We didn't get good seats like the last Brazil game, but we had a pretty decent view. At half time we were met by Jannis and Marielle so we walked around listening to the groups of drum players. The second half was pretty exciting, Aussie coming very close a couple of times, but Brazil won 2-0.

After this we met Yonca, and caught the bus to Hackescher Markt where we went to a beach bar for a stein before going home.

Doo-ner

Sat 17 Jun

After a cruisy morning Claudia drove us to Winterfeldmarkt to get snacks and supplies. I bought some delicious cheeses and pestos, and some turkish bread. Our lunch was Turkish doner (doo-ner).

Got home and chilled around the house, preparing a family dinner; which was sehr gut.

No one goes out till late so we only left at midnight to get to the club (Icon) where some drum and bass DJs were playing. On the way Alessa, Aaron, Jannis and I picked up Yonca and her friend Marielle. The club was awesome, underground. It was pretty quiet early on so we played 'Finger On' and 'A Ship Came Into The Harbour'.

Cut up some massive shapes on the d-floor and went home exhausted.