[Germany | Berlin] Life in Berlin Starting with Taro Milk Tea

Since July 9th, I have embarked on this three-month journey, a rare opportunity in my life, and I feel fortunate to have made the most of it.

The arrival date was the morning of July 10th local time, and it was a bit cold outdoors. I originally thought I would need to spend money on clothes…

Berlin, a city filled with the intertwining of history and modernity, I started with a cup of “Taro Strawberry Bubble Milk Tea.” How to describe that taste? It made me question life. Taro milk tea made with milk powder plus strawberry-flavored bubbles is definitely something not to be tried lightly…

Before coming to Berlin, I had no plans (after all, there were only two weeks from decision to departure QQ), and I knew nothing about this city, so I bought the Berlin Welcome Card + Museum package. This card was truly my downfall! It made me feel pressured to visit various museums in the first few days upon arriving in Berlin.

However, the transportation ticket system in Berlin did teach me a small lesson. I originally wanted to save money and hassle by buying the Welcome Card, but I discovered that Berlin’s monthly tickets are calculated from the first of each month. My Welcome Card instantly wasted many euros, and this experience serves as a reminder for my future travels: I can’t go abroad without knowing anything.

Throughout this trip, I found that Berlin is truly a city to explore freely. Whether it’s the art-filled streets or the historically rich monuments (or the incredibly smelly subway, which is also ridiculously expensive), it all makes one reluctant to leave. However, looking back at this week’s bills, the sound of my wallet crying has already echoed in my ears…

Spending ten thousand dollars in a week is indeed a shocking figure, but it doesn’t seem so unexpected. It wasn’t even an enjoyable eating and drinking experience, which accumulated into a significant expense. Nevertheless, this journey has made me realize that it’s time to adjust my spending habits and reassess my financial situation (and eating out in Europe is really both expensive and unappetizing).

In the coming days, I plan to live more frugally. Perhaps I can go to some budget-friendly small restaurants. Or I can have my sister cook more (super delicious and cost-effective, my sister is a must-have when traveling abroad). There happens to be a market and a Thai food vendor near where we live, and the food there may not always be cheap, but it will definitely bring me new surprises.

In summary, this Berlin trip started with a cup of terrible milk tea, followed by repeated cultural experiences, and then a re-planning of my future life. Although my wallet is empty, my spirit is fulfilled. I look forward to continuing my exploration in Berlin and hope that the coming days will be more comfortable and smarter.