Dealing with self expectation, and finding motivation through feeling loved and lucky. These are some of the thoughts and feelings I talk about working through in this weeks #patchat for 12/20/19. I also discuss my experience at the Berlin night club Griessmuehle, visiting my first Christmas Market, and performing at a story telling show. In addition I share what I learned Germans call projectors, and talk about finishing the first phase of an art project in the make something/learn something part of the Johnny Karate top five.

I discuss the many awe inspiring castles that dot the German countryside, and which one was my favorite to visit. I also discuss the most famous castle in Germany that inspired Walt Disney in the film Sleeping Beauty. In addition I also discuss a little bit of the history of these castles, and how best to visit different groupings of these castles depending on their locations.

The town of Potsdam an hour outside of Berlin by train is the subject of today's travel review. The town is famous for Sanssuci Park and Palace which were ordered to be constructed by King Fredrick the Great. I discuss this and more of the town, and its palaces history in this episode as well as share a few fun facts about the city. I also talk about my experience visiting Potsdam, how to get there from Berlin, and wether or not I think it is worth visiting.

A long weekend in Budapest and a reunion with a new friend are some of whats covered in todays #patchat for 12/10/19. In addition I discuss my frustration with having to make plans to leave Berlin, and my maiden voyage with the delight beverage gluhwein. I also share some of my favorite parts of Budapest (hint I might give it away in the title) and what drew me to this beautiful city.

Sandemans New Europe walking tours is the subject of todays travel review. Pioneers of the free walking tour model, Sandemans is one of the best companies to help you explore a city on foot. I talk about my tour experience in Berlin, why I think doing a walking tour is an important way to provide some historical context to your travel, and how the tour guides help bring the history to life. You can visit them at https://www.neweuropetours.eu/

The strain of navigating visa's in a relationship, embarrassing myself speaking German, and feeling creatively inspired are some of the subjects of this weeks Patchat for 12/4/19. In addition I give some friendly shout outs, share some Spanish new years eve traditions I learned about, and recommend some new media youtube shows I have been enjoying. So get into this weeks highs, lows, and Johnny Karate top five!

In this hybrid Ask a Tour Guide/Cultural Exchange episode I sit down with Stephanie Taylor-Carrillo who is the Chief Partnerships & Communications Officer for Sandemans New Europe walking tours. Stephanie, who was once a guide herself, talks about what you can expect from a Sandemans tour and why they were the first to pioneer the model of a free tour. We also dive into her experience emigrating from New Zealand to Berlin, and what she loves about the city.

A 30th birthday party and my experience wading into the Berlin stand up comedy open mic scene are a few of the highs from the #Patchat from today 11/27/19. I talk about an awkward moment from my first open mic, and how Berlin's international population makes it such an engaging city. I also discuss my visit to the Neukolln history museum, and missing turkey day back in the states.

My favorite park in Berlin, Treptower park, is the subject of this travel review. I talk about why it's the place to be when spring finally comes to Berlin, why Germany's laws help make all parks great including Treptower, and why I think its one of the best places to go for a run in the city. I also discuss some of the places you can visit in the park, like the Soviet War Memorial, and some the activities you can enjoy in the park as well.

One of Berlin's most famous historical sites and most touristed destinations, the Berlin Wall is the subject of this travel review. In the episode I talk about the best and cheapest way to experience the wall, why its important to get some historical context, and all the reasons to love the artwork of the East Side Gallery. I also talk about one of the most impactful art pieces I have visited, the Die Mauer 360 Wall experience.