Berlin apartment - we are here for a whole month!

Well if travellers want to get to know a city and stay for a month, in our case Berlin, Germany, this apartment is close to ideal.  Only one tiny little unannounced detail ----- surprisingly it turned out to be a 5th floor walk up!  This was not mentioned in the advertising so it was initially a shock after overnight travel from the Netherlands then another 6 hours by Hi-speed then 2 local trains!  However, what we found inside the door (after I caught my breath) more than made up for it - what's 78 steps anyway?  I go up and down the Beacon Merritt steps at least twice a day in Oakland and there are 80 of those and they are uneven, even broken in places!  Anyway fast forward back to Berlin, this place is big, airy, modern and more than comfortable.  We even have 3 couches - room to entertain - and we already did with Marco and Loredana flying in from Brussels for a three day visit to meet us and celebrate their silver wedding anniversary!  So we arrived last Monday night (I don't even remember dragging my roller bag up all those stairs) and settled in to Neukolln (District)  pretty quickly. Just southeast of Kreuzberg, this area has several canals running through it and is populated by Middle Easterners (mostly Turkish Muslims) and (surprise) hipsters which makes for a youthful student atmosphere as well as art and music.  So it looks and feels quite familiar to us.  There are tons of great eateries, bars an those all important bakeries of all types - breads, pastries, and on and on.  Prices are very low compared to what we found in the Netherlands and in other Districts as well - another good thing since we are staying a month.  We already bought bus/train passes and may also get museum passes since visiting the many museums will be good rainy day activities.  In the meantime, it has been sunny except for a cold wet day and a half and no rain is predicted at least for the next 4 days. So we're good.  Been spending most of our time exercising, walking, talking (Danny), eating and of course enjoying the German brews.  And like home - also vacuumed the place and did some hand laundry -- the only thing missing is a washing machine.  Our immediate neighbours are also here via AirBnB - and from Los Angeles - small world.  They are doing our trip in reverse, and are here for a month as well. 

Entry toward the center rear of photo, kitchen right

Dining table off the deck

Looking toward the balcony - built in guitar niche

Living room area looking out toward balcony

Large bathroom has a spa tub,  toilet, and
one roof window

Large shower with window toward tub
(and living room (?!)

Rest of the living room area w hammock (DW tried it out)

Large terrace overlooking river birches and a quiet courtyard - this
is just a portion of the terrace - it does have very loud birds in the morning
 (like home) as well as a screamer cat or two at night. 

Wood burning fireplace - no need for this now!  And king size bed.