Travel & Hotspots

May’s Berlin Diary

This trip has been on the agenda since May, and all summer I knew that at the end of the vacation, a little ‘dessert’ was waiting for me. Namely: this trip. At least with Esther Goedegebuure, editor-in-chief of JAN and my BFF during press trips. So we were all set with wine, food, and conversation, because we are really good at that. And we were texting about running in Berlin (because we had done that together in Paris and it seemed like such a fun tradition), but my carry-on was already full with the dress codes for the upcoming event.

At Schiphol, we saw our other travel friends, because it wasn't just Esther and me. Lizzy van der Ligt, Sabrina Meijer, Nicolette Kluiver for RTL Boulevard, Anna Nooshin, De Telegraaf, Grazia, Cosmopolitan, and Elle.nl: all heading to Berlin.

At Schiphol, Esther and I bought the same book, our version of the friendship tattoo, because what could be more fun than reading the same book? It was Saskia Noort's ‘Huidpijn’, maybe not the most literary masterpiece, but definitely a nice book that everyone is talking about, so...

At Schiphol, Esther and I bought the same book, our version of the friendship tattoo

I have to tell you that I was a Berlin virgin. In the fourth grade of high school, I could choose between a cycling holiday along the Loire or a cultural trip to Berlin. I chose the cycling holiday (because my friends chose that too) and have regretted it ever since because a few months later the Berlin Wall fell. Anyway. Now I was here, even if just for a moment. Too short to say whether I am part of Team Berlin (like Joss, for example) or not. What I do notice is that the taxis here are cheap and so is the food and drink. We dined at the Soho House (a.k.a. the coolest clubhouse on earth) and had such a modest bill that we wondered if it was correct. But that’s Berlin. Apparently.

Anyway, I digress. We were here to meet the new Hunkemöller face. It was called Project Lisa, to not reveal the name of the real person. I had my suspicions (I know people who know people, you should know) and what I thought turned out to be true. Doutzen Kroes is the new brand ambassador for Hunkemöller. Two Dutch brands, a match made in heaven.

After a glass of soda and some sweets, I could interview Doutzen. I will tell you all about it in another piece. Then in the taxi with Esther and Sanne Groot Koerkamp (editor-in-chief of Glamour) for a bite and a drink. At the Soho House, of course. Talking about life and love and also a bit about work. In bed, I had the worst night ever, because the air conditioning made a noise like an African drum band was drumming against the grill. So if you see me today with bags under my eyes, you know why.