Tag 16: Creepy

The view from the window (12th floor!) doesn't promise anything good: Berlin can only be guessed. Rain hits the window. I go for breakfast with enthusiasm, the baked beans improve my mood a bit. But then, as I start, the sun shines and accompanies me to the Brandenburg Gate. A little detour to Potsdamer Platz is a must. The route is no problem for komoot, but some sections are not so great: passing by homeless people and alcoholics shows me the reality that we often ignore. Individual fates or failure of society? It's good that thoughts come and go while cycling.

Officially, the Havelland cycle path starts at the Brandenburg Gate, but the signs don't know that. At the beginning, it is still identical to the 'Berlin Wall Cycle Path', which is well signposted. I have instructed komoot and so I roll along the Berlin-Spandau Canal. Already at the main train station, I have to take shelter briefly, the first shower is coming. There will be several more and heavier ones. But riding like this is really nice. Sometimes you get the impression that there are only colonies (allotment gardens), one after the other. Familiar district names appear, I know them from Insterburg & Co ('I loved a girl in Spandau, her husband was always drunk' as an example). I experience the first heavy shower under a bridge, and during the second one I stand still under trees for about 20 minutes and still get wet.

Then Berlin is over. I hope that all the noise and hustle and bustle is over - as nice as cycle lanes are, you still ride next to the cars. Via Falkensee, Brieselang, and Bredow, I arrive in Nauen. I decide that I have cycled enough under these conditions, especially since my 'secret' destination Ribbeck has already taken care of itself with an overnight price of €144, without breakfast. I was a guest there a few years ago, I am curious about what has become of it. So the pear tree will have to wait until tomorrow when I pass by it (explanation for those who don't know Fontane, then in tomorrow's blog...)