Gay Bars and Heavy Metal....

I start walking in the general direction of Kreuzberg, and in a bizarre twist, I do actually appear to be going the right way. Unusual for me. I arrive on Skalitzer Strasse (the very street I'm looking for) and, just as quick as it descended, the thundercloud lifts, sunshine filters through and a beautiful rainbow bursts across the sky. A man on a bicycle stops right next me and insists I look at how amazing it is - and it really is; especially against the graffiti-addled industrial backdrop.

I find my hostel fairly easily (Berlin tip: stand for more than 20 seconds looking lost and someone will offer to give you directions) and dump my bag in my room.....which I am sharing with 14 other people. Cosy. First stop is for some food though, and I head for a falafel shop down the street. Already decide that I am going to get up super-early tomorrow to go photographing graffiti around the city, but of course the lure of an ice-cold Berliner is just too much, and as soon as I get back the bar at the hostel I can't resist.

I get chatting to a Spanish guy called Cesar and a Brazilian guy called Alex at the bar for a while, and we have a few drinks , before me and Cesar decide to check out the Kreuzberg nightlife. And wow, is the nightlife special!

First up was my choice, an amazingly tacky and kitsch gay bar called Rosie's, complete with pink furry walls, fairy lights, chandeliers, flashing Jesus icons, leopard print....the full gay shebang. And I love it. The clientele are an interesting mix... in fact, one semi-naked guy comes up to me and shouts "TAKE YOUR FUCKING CLOTHES OFF" in my face. Tempting, but no.

Next up is is a little club called Cake; again, interestingly decorated, and good for some dancing - which me and Cesar did plenty of (and very badly). We stay there till about 4am, but everything in Kreuzberg is still buzzing; Berlin really is a vibrant and energetic city.

Last stop before before home is a rock/heavy-metal bar....pretty much the total opposite of Rosie's, and an interesting way to end the evening.

Back at the hostel, I climb in to bed, fully clothed as usual, and managed to sleep. Though I'm pretty sure that my plan to get up really early to take pictures has gone right out of the window.....