Musical

Walking to Hadestown

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A first visit to San Francisco

On this year’s trip, I wanted to visit California’s Great America theme park and I also wanted to take a ride on the nearly 100-year-old Giant Dipper on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. After several iterations of my planning matrix, it was finalised: I would start and end my trip in San Francisco, and visit the city mainly towards the end. However, as Sunday was the only day I could visit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, I had the opportunity to explore the city a little before the amusement park opened in the evening. In addition, the musical Hadestown had its last performance in San Francisco that day, which made a visit a must.

The previous day’s journey had gone without a hitch, and instead of standing in the immigration queue for three hours like last time, I was in the United States in less than 10 minutes. Although there were queues at baggage claim and the car rental counter, I arrived at the Hotel 1550 close to the airport in the early evening. After a short night, I treated myself to some porridge in the small breakfast room and immediately set off for San Francisco.

I parked in one of the car parks next to the City Hall, which was surprisingly cheap for San Francisco as there was a special rate for Sunday parking. I walked to the theatre and then around town. After a delicious breakfast at the Mason Diner near Union Square, I looked for something to do before the Hadestown matinee and found the Free Walking Tour of Free SF Tour, which was about to start. Mercedes led our international group around the city, with a special focus on China Town. Unfortunately, the tour got a bit lengthy towards the end, so I arrived at the Orpheum Theatre a bit breathless, but just in time.

I liked Hadestown, although the minimalist set was very reminiscent of Come from Away. It took me a while to warm up to the music though. I particularly liked the staging of Wait for Me with the swinging lights. But the more I heard the songs, the better I liked them.

After the performance I went straight to Santa Cruz where I spent the next two nights at the Drift Inn Motel near the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The motel was simple but very clean and reasonably priced, so I can definitely recommend it.

Pictures San Francisco

 

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California / California Adventure Day 1 and 2

Berlin (2019)

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When my friend William figured out that Berlin is showing the Blue Man Group, he just wanted to have a trip to the German capital city. As a theatre fan myself, I could not say anything against a visit. Thankfully, Stage had a good offer at the time and I insteadly bought two tickets. Unfurtunately, William and I were on a budget, which is why we scheduled our visit to a weekday. We stayed in the Alper Hotel am Potsdamer Platz, a run down hotel right above a noisy night club – whereby the night club was not the problem, but the loud visitors infront of it –, which we cannot recommend, especially since there was a heat wave in Berlin and we had to try to sleep with opened windows. The show at the Bluemax Theatre on the other hand was a treat. It is a funny, very chaotic and unorthodox experience, which should not be missed when in Berlin.

The next morning, we were searching for a nice place to have a coffee and a small breakfast and found the Kranhauscafé right next to the river Spree. As we were already in the eastern part of Berlin, I showed the remains of the Spree Park to William. After a walk through the Plänterwald, whereby we surrounded the lost place theme park, we had a delightful lunch at the Klipper restaurant, which I can fully recommend.

 

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Berlin

Berlin (2014)

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As my friend Hauke just started his job training in Berlin, I dicided to give him a visit. After a four hour long coach journey, I arrived at the ZOB right next to the fairground of the Messe Berlin, where Hauke was already waiting. Together we spent the next days exploring the remains of the Spree Park theme park in the eastern part of Berlin, the night life, as well as other attractions of the city. We also saw the musical Hinterm Horizont together, which I can fully recommend to everybody.

During the time Hauke was at work, I also went onto a guided tour by Sandeman’s New Europe, which I can also fully recommend. As always the guides of Sandeman’s New Europe are doing a great job explaning every bit of the 2 1/2 hours walk without being too superficial as other companies often are. Although our walk never guided us to far from the Regierungsviertel, there were many interesting stories to tell.

As the tour ended nearby the cathedral Berliner Dom, I also had a look inside the church. Even if you are not interested in any kinds of religion, a look inside the Berliner Dom is worthwhile. The tour also leads you to the roof of the church, where you have a great 360° view onto the city. It is actually a far cheaper alternative to the Berliner Fernsehturm at Alexanderplatz.

 

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Berlin