EDITOR’S DIARY

Recently, I have discovered that I actually really enjoy and find it relaxing to do absolutely nothing. In the past, I was always out and about, I never said ‘no’ to a party or gathering, and naturally, I would turn off the lights there as well. Lately, I have completely gone in the opposite direction: lounging on the couch with the cat has become somewhat of the norm. It's also very nice, of course, but when even your cat looks at you judgmentally, indicating that you really need to get out again, you know it's serious. Fortunately, last week was once again a busy week as usual, with a lot of fun things happening.

Starting with a football tournament on Ascension Day, which our team has traditionally participated in for about fifteen years. Can I play football? No. Have I ever scored? YES. Just once, in the fifteen years that I've been participating. The tournament isn't really about your football talent, but more about endurance. The first beer is poured around half past ten in the morning, so it's quite an art to still be able to walk somewhat in the evening. Luckily, I proved again this year that I can handle that easily.

The weekend that followed I am already nominating for the best weekend of the year: the bachelorette party of my best friend in Berlin. People who know me are aware that I am not particularly good at lying, so it was quite a challenge to keep this hidden for months. And when she asked me what I was actually doing this weekend, I immediately forgot my own excuse. Very handy.

But anyway, off to Berlin. With fifteen people strong. And really, if you ever have to organize a bachelorette party and want to go to a city outside the Netherlands: Berlin is definitely a recommendation. Especially with large groups (going out alone you really have to arrange well, because in many clubs you can't get in with a large group). It had been a few years since I was in the German capital, but luckily one of the fifteen had lived there for a few years; she was therefore a semi-local. We forced her to help with the organization because she would know all the hotspots we needed to go to.

And she did know them. Do you have a trip to Berlin coming up (maybe with a larger group)? Then you absolutely want to go here:

– Brunch/lunch at The Reed 
Here you can have an all-inclusive lunch, with all-inclusive prosecco for 25 euros. So fun. Very nice in terms of interior as well, a bit of a club-like vibe including a DJ. The menu is really gigantic, and they have very small portions — so you can really taste a lot. The recommendations: the gyozas, asparagus soup, chicken wings, and the salmon. Fun: they have different types of low-fat pastries.

– Dinner at The Night Kitchen
Apparently, this spot is also in Amsterdam, so I'm going there very soon because this was really so delicious. A mega nice interior, super friendly service, and here too we had a deal for food and drinks in one. They also have an option where you even get cocktails. The crispy cauliflower was truly divine, just like the burrata, the beef, and for dessert the bread pudding. Very good wine too, by the way. Really a recommendation.

– Lunch at Cecconi’s
Maybe you already know this restaurant from the Soho House, but in Berlin, it is also worth a visit. I am still dreaming about that delicious pasta with fresh truffle. And the pizza with burrata and parma ham. Not. To. Do. So. Delicious.

– Brunch/lunch and drinks at ABC: Allans Breakfast Club & Wine Bar
For a brunch with Bloody Mary’s, you must go here. Boozy Brunch 2.0 at this spot, where it is also very cozy. You forget your hangover upon entering, believe me.

– To Mauerpark on Sunday
Here you have a very large market, a stage where you can sing karaoke, and many food stands. Fun to do, even if you have (like us) somewhat less nice weather.

– Swimming at Badeschiff
If you have nice weather, swimming in the middle of the city is a fun option. It's a swimming pool in the Spree, which means you are not swimming in natural water but you do have a beautiful view. Win-win.

– We danced at The Weekend, where we had a table; very doable with a larger group. Other fun options are Suss War Gestern or Sisyphos.

By the way, don't forget to download the Bird app, or Bolt, which is the same as the one you can use in the Randstad. With this, you can rent scooters that you see all over the city. So on Sunday, I took a little tour around the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, and East Side Gallery. Quite a shame actually that these are banned in Amsterdam because I thought it was really great. Although I did almost fall a couple of times. Just managed to stay upright.

Oh, what a wonderful weekend this was. Even though our EasyJet flight was canceled while we were already at the airport and we drove back with fifteen girls in vans: it didn't matter at all. After reminiscing and a rough night, it was already Monday. I don't mind working after such a fun weekend because there were still many photos to be exchanged. And well, that evening it was just quality time with the cat on the couch. When can I go back to Berlin?

PS. And that photo at the top with that half-naked man in our group photo? Yes, of course, that was the stripper. And of course, there are videos and photos of that which unfortunately cannot be shared online. But hey, the Berlin Dreamboys are a recommendation. Because is a bachelorette party really complete without a stripper? Of course not.