Stadt in Überblick: Düsseldorf

Although I left Germany over a year ago - and I've never lived here - I really want to talk about this city because it's one of my favourite places on earth. Well, at least in Germany. Since Firu moved to Nordrhein-Westfalen in 2012, we've been going back and forth to this city, be it just to pass by on our way elsewhere or to actually spend our time there together. Every year we came here at least twice, and it's always been such a pleasure to witness the changing of the seasons in this city. Although, of course, since I left the country, I had to say goodbye to this lovely place as well. I'd be lying if I say I don't miss it.

What attracted me to Düsseldorf was this fact: it is the Japanese community central in Germany! As you should notice, I am a Japanese culture enthusiast. And, having to live far away from the Country of the Sun, a place like this became a sort of haven for me. The place itself is divided into around 3 areas: the metropolitan district, the old town and the Japanese/East Asian quarters. When you walk through the Oststraße, you can see dozens of Japanese stores/restaurants/café lining the street, packed with Japanese workers, housewives and students - even cosplayers on a daily basis! The history dates back to the 1950s, due to some business collaboration between Japan and Germany in the field of ores and machinery. Over the years, the number of the Japanese population grew, turning Düsseldorf into the biggest Japanese haven in Germany, replacing Hamburg after World War II. Every year in May, the city holds a Japanese festival called Japantag, located by the Rhine riverbank, which celebrates the Japanese community throughout the city.

Unlike Karlsruhe, Halle or Kassel, Düsseldorf - or Düssi for short - is a big city. However, it 's a city which lives side by side with culture. It has tons of museums, art gallery and theatres with immaculate architectures. Saku-chan once introduced me to K21 Ständehaus - which is huge and incredibly awe-inspiring - and Kunstpalast Museum - which has an amazing collection of Japanese artefacts. There was a time when I was going to apply to the Kunstakademie here but, since they focus more on fine art than design, I hesitated. The old town is also quite remarkable - and packed with people -with local restaurants and stores. The best view in town is overlooking the River Rhine, especially during sunset. Like I said, I've never actually lived here but I have a fondness for the city. Here are the few places I've become accustomed to in Düssi:

Location: across the street from Hotel Nikko

The one thing that attracted me to this café is the amount of gorgeous cakes and pastries displayed on the store window. Just look at them! They're marvellously appetising! They also have some more cakes in the fridge. Incredibly tasty, I must say. Aside from dessert, they also provide savoury meals, such as curry rice, pasta and other family restaurant-type dishes. The drinks are also quite delicious. My favourite is the matcha latte. It's so rich in taste and also a treat for the eyes. Although, I must warn you: it can get quite pricey. But the ambience makes up for it. The interior actually reminds me of antique cafés I've seen in Japanese dramas, complete with one hunk of a waiter/master. It is also a favourite spot for young women to hang out and chat.

Location: right next to Relax Café & Bar

One of the most popular restaurants in Düsseldorf, especially among businessmen - Japanese and otherwise. Takumi has the best ramen in Germany! Their noodles come straight from Sapporo, Hokkaido, which is also known to have the best ramen noodles in Japan. Mostly, their most popular menus have meat. But, if you're a vegetarian, they also offer vegetarian options. The interior is exactly like a run-of-the-mill ramen place in Japan, complete with free refillable ocha per table. They don't take cards of any kind, so make sure you come with cash handy - and a full group - in order to get seated right away. Otherwise, you'd have to wait by the door or outside. It gets pretty packed around lunchtime. Also a little pricey, to be frank.

Location: one traffic light after Hotel Nikko in the opposite direction from the Hauptbahnhof

When I was living in Germany, one of the biggest heartbreaks I had to go through was not being able to cook takoyaki. Luckily, Shochiku sells frozen octopus balls. Firu and I loved buying their takoyaki whenever we were in town. We could just pop them in the oven and eat them while they're hot - for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The place is packed with tons of Japanese products, including Ramune. We tried it out for the first time here and it was super delish! We kept coming back for more Japanese goodness. It felt almost as if we were actually doing groceries in Japan whenever we were inside. It felt almost like home.

Location: four doors down from Hotel Nikko

This is the first and only bubble tea café I've ever been to. Yes, I like bubble tea and I purchase them practically by the carton, but the places I've been to are nothing in comparison. Sphere Bay has an amazing customer service and immaculate plating. The warm bubble tea is served in a jug almost the size of a beer jug, on a Japanese wooden plate. The place is actually rather small but put to use in such an efficient way. They provide the customers with papers and coloured pencils, in case they want to draw something and let it get hung on the walls. They also serve snacks, such as onigiri or cupcakes, as a side dish to your bubble tea. Needless to say, the taste is also top-notch!

It's not often that a town gets a special place in my heart, without having to be a hometown for me or my loved one(s) for some period of time. Düsseldorf has become just that. It's introduced me to a lot of culture I wouldn't've otherwise known. It's become the location for some of my dearest memories. And I just couldn't stay away...until now. I think a part of me will always long for this town, even after I've gone to Japan someday. We have a weird relationship, where I always come back but I never stay for good - and don't think I ever will. But distance works best for our relationship. Alas, I must bid you farewell, old friend. Maybe one day I'll come back to Germany, just for you. But, until then, I wish you well!

Stadt in Überblick: Kassel

After almost 2 years of living in this town, today I must bid it adieu. Well, I'm actually all moved out by now. It has been real but it's time for new adventures. Kassel was the in-between of Karlsruhe and Halle. It's not as run-down as Halle and has the classical charm of Karlsruhe. Living cost-wise, it's also somewhere in the middle, which was why I decided to dwell here in the first place. I can't say it's always been filled with happy memories but that's mostly because I have a habit of looking at the grass on the other side. But it's been real and you've been rather good to me. And I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I was glad I came here.

My favourite local store ever! Sadly, uhh, way too pricey for me...

The best part about Kassel is its geographical aspect: it is located right in the middle of the country! It takes about the same time from here to reach each corner of Germany. It definitely doesn't qualify to be a big city but it is very rich in culture. There are many people from all over the world coming to visit or eventually call this place home. One of the reasons they come to visit is the documenta exhibition - one of the biggest art exhibitions in the whole world - which is held every 5 years. Two years ago the town was packed with hundreds of tourists from all over the world to visit the exhibition. It was pure madness! Another reason why people might want to visit Kassel would be the Brothers Grimm Museum. Although Kassel wasn't their place of birth, they once lived in Kassel for a very long time. In fact, Kassel's long-distance trams each have a name based on their fairy tale characters, with a little passage from the story pasted on the window. Their annual christmas market is also lined with the Brothers Grimm theme.

The best looking building in the modern world ♥

Due to the huge damage from the second World War, most of the town was destroyed. There are only very few old buildings left in Kassel, which are pretty much restricted to the Vorderer Westen. And this is my favourite part of town! The streets are lined with old buildings, local stores and various cafés as well as florists. One of the stores being Wild Wood. Not just that, Kassel is adorned with secondhand stores, which have such immaculate selections. Also, the uni students hold a clothing flea market twice a year. It has been such a blessing shopping in this town. Another fact that I love about this town is how it's so close to nature. You can practically walk a few metres and constantly find greeneries around you. Such a pleasant place to take pictures. And the uni is incredibly welcoming to foreigners. They hold amazing events, such as international orientation and international dinner. Really, a good way to make loads of friends...and try out other country's food. Speaking of which, here are my favourite hangout spots in town:

Location: tram stop Mittelring, you'll see it on the way down

Despite the number of Asian grocery store spread all around Kassel, this one is my favourite. It's the most complete one, the environment is well-tended and the service is always adorned with smiles. They have everything, starting from instant seasonings and frozen goods to asian plants and cooking utensils. This is by far the most well-stocked grocery store that I've ever been accustomed to. What's more, they also take deliveries from their website! I don't really know how much it costs but I think it will take up to no time to get your order delivered to your home, if the items are in stock. All kinds of people also work there, not just Asians like in most cases. Granted, various kinds of people also shop there - again, not just Asians - so they might have seen the "Help Wanted" sign.

Location: right by the Ständeplatz tram stop

One of the hardest things to find in small towns in Germany is cute cafés, especially one that serves crêpes and the like. Crêpes are normally for sale in stands in festivals or in an almost beaten down place by the street. Really unglamorous. Which is why I was over the moon when I found this place. The crêpes are incredibly tasty, the prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is rather nice. And they deliver! Not that I've ever used their delivery service. They also sell macarons, muffins and other delicacies which will make your mouth water. In case you're curious what the insides look like, I've written about it here.

Location: demolished (formerly in the Kürfursten Galerie, behind City Point)

Ever since I moved to Germany, hunting for the cheapest and highest quality buffets has become a habit of mine. This one was informed to me by my friend Rezy, who once lived here too. This is definitely the cheapest and most delish buffet I've ever stumbled upon! For 4,99€ you can eat a meal of salad and main course. You can get seconds all you want. And they serve rice! If you're Asian living in Germany, you'll tell me that this is a rarity in non-Asian places. Drinks are not included within the buffet, obviously, but it was still a bargain. The buffet was open from noon until late at night - which is probably why they went out of business. But, seriously, I wish I could eat there just one last time. I've also written about this place before.

Location: tram stop Bebelplatz then go uphill to an intersection

During my portfolio-making time - and actually once before, I went back and forth here to get everything printed. I love the quality of their papers and colours! They also helped me print my first ever book. They accept various kinds of printing, up to DIN A0 paper. I would totally recommend this place to get your stuff printed, if you're a designer. The quality is just unmistakable! The process is also rather quick since you can just send your data online and they will tell you when you can pick it up. They don't only do printing, they also sell cute and witty stationery next door. I always stop by to check out their adorable collection. They never fail to make me swoon.

Location: go downhill from the main train station, it's on the left side

This one is located so close to home that I often came out here just to have a meal. It doesn't matter whether or not someone is willing to come out with me because their food is just so good. My friend Rezy liked this place so much that every time he came to town, we had to eat there. And he came almost every week! The atmosphere is rather nice. I mean, it's nothing fancy but it's clean and quaint. With or without company, I always really enjoy eating here. They also have the vegan choice, although not quite written on the menu card. But you can trade your normal tzatziki sauce with hummus. They used to serve free glasses of tea too but somewhere along the way they stopped. Still would recommend to everyone who hasn't tried it, though.

Unlike Karlsruhe and Halle, where I ended up there without a choice, Kassel was purely my choice from the beginning. I can't say it was the best choice of my life but I sure don't regret it. I met many people and learnt a lot here. But I wouldn't go so far as to say that this town describes me. It certainly has a mix of aesthetics spread all over, some of which are to my liking and some others I couldn't care less for. But it has been very real. The last 2 years made me do things I'd never done before and stumble upon troubles I never thought I would ever have to witness. Though premature, I've always known this farewell was daunting. I was always sitting at the edge of my seat in this town, ready to flee. It's not your fault, Kassel, that you contain none of my loved ones, making our relationship almost unbearable. May we be better friends in the future. For now, I bid ye adieu!

Stadt in Überblick: Karlsruhe

There are places in this world, no matter how much time has passed and no matter the absence of the tie between you and that place, it will remain a home to you forever. Or maybe I'm just being overly sensitive. For kids with migration backgrounds, home probably varies or has no actual place at all. But I was never a kid with such a background, so I get emotionally attached to things and places. The place I got attached to the most, despite the fact that not many of my loved ones live there anymore, is Karlsruhe. Our first destination. Our home. Way back when.

These are, by far, the comfiest trams in Germany

Geographically, Karlsruhe is located in the middle of Baden-Württemberg in Germany. It somewhat borders not too far from Straßbourg, France. By chance - and probably fate - did I end up in this town. It is rather small and simple with a comfortable transport system - that is, until they started the whole construction to make subway railways in town. In my memory, this town is always sunny and warm, always filled with joy and laughter. My summer town. It was also featured in They Draw and Travel, where I learnt that it's also known as the fan city due to the way "the streets go out like rays through the houses and the huge forest." I am very much smitten with its classic architecture, spread all across town, especially around Durlach, its old town - where Firu and I used to reside. Durlach felt like a whole town all by itself. It was always so beautiful and I always enjoy taking a relaxed stroll around that part of town. To me, this was forever the town where inside jokes were made, obstacles were overcome and laughter was shared. Oh, me and my sentimentality.

Student-friendly copyshop: every town needs one

Mountain railway in Durlach (near where I used to live)

Though I'd only lived here for 8 months - less than my time in Halle - I came to love the town in a heartbeat and knew more of Karlsruhe than of Halle. For instance, Karlsruhe was apparently the birthplace of Carl Benz. Yes, it's that gentleman who manufactured the Mercedes-Benz cars. Every year, on Karlsruhe's anniversary cars of his creation from every period are paraded down the Adenauering - the street  circling the Schlosspark. I actually once saw a steam-engine car still running on the street. I wanted to hop on it pronto! This town also houses one of the most prestigious technical university in Germany (KIT), at one time or another. Aside from the usual tourist landmarks you definitely should visit (i.e. the Karlsruhe Castle, Kunsthalle, Orangerie, the Botanical Garden and Städtische Galerie), here are some of my favourite places in town to be. I used to hang out here with Firu, Iva, Wilson and Edwin or just stumbled upon these places by myself. 

Location: Ritterstraße (two junctions before Herrenstraße from Marktplatz)

This is one of Firu's favourite places in Karlsruhe. We used to go here all the time - even when we didn't purchase a thing. It is divided into 4 floors - including a basement, whereas each floor houses different kinds of toys. Our favourite corner would have to be the board games and cards corner. I love how the interior structure of this place and how many types of dices they have (yes, I have a mild dice obsession, so sue me). Plus, the exterior is also very enticing. This has got to be the most complete toy store downtown. Of course, it's probably nothing in comparison to the Toys'R'Us on Starckstraße. I've never been there myself but Firu said it was rather big, despite its absence of Gundam plastic models.

Location: one junction over from Europaplatz (before Vapiano)

One of the most annoying thing about Germany is, so many places don't have actual names. Granted, places I can actually afford to eat are no franchise so there really doesn't seem to be the need to have a name. But still. There are several phô places in Karlsruhe but this one is Indonesian students' personal favourite - including myself. Not only is it cheap, it also provides delicious bubble tea! The people are also so friendly and the food so delish! Plus, the atmosphere feels like a noodle place somewhere back home. I never say no to mentally flying back home for a small price of delicious food.

Location: Europaplatz (take a turn towards the Bayer building)

When I lived in Karlsruhe, I haven't figured out the art of thrifting just yet - heck, I wasn't even into figuring out my personal style just yet. All that being said, being environmentally conscious and helping the less fortunate is always something I try to do. I'm sure, if you're living in Europe, you've heard of Oxfam already. They're a non-profit organisation, whose sole goal is to help reduce poverty. They set up store almost everywhere across the continent. They sell not only clothes, but also books, cutleries, chinas, CDs, vinyls, you name it. Every Wednesday, this store here holds an auction of the items they put on display. I also wanted to volunteer here once but seeing as I only lived there for another 2 months, they rejected my offer. They appreciated it, though, and had the situation been a little different, they'd love to have me.

Location: Europaplatz (take a turn towards the Bayer building, turn left at the intersection)

Is it any surprise to any of you that this one should land into my favourites? I happened upon this place by chance, of course, when I was roaming town on my own. It looks pretty small from the outside but it's actually a three-story art-supplies store, each floor houses different branches of art. The ground level is filled with jewellery materials such as sequins, pearls, etc. The first level houses all sorts of paints, starting from acrylic, water colour, oil even markers of all kinds for all materials. This was my favourite floor. The topmost level has all kinds of items for handmade crafts such as wood, various papers, etc. The customer service is top notch. I love the ladies who work there, they always engage me in the friendliest manner. Sometimes I go there just to look at the art materials. They bring me such simple bliss nothing else can.

There are actually plenty more places that I want to share with you guys but I haven't had the pictures and I'm not sure when I'll go back there. Maybe some other time? Though instagram hadn't been made available to me when I lived there, I took some old pictures to be put on there because I love the town and memories so much. Karlsruhe was a dear town to me for so long, even long after I moved out, long after Firu did. Now my feelings for Karlsruhe are less strong, though when I go there and am able to reminisce about all these things we used to do, I would be hit with a pang of nostalgia. I love how Karlsruhe has a mixture of antiquity and modern. It gives you as much modern facility as you need without taking the old-school aspects. I know it's futile but how I wish you will never change. Let me just tell you, these pictures don't do the town justice and I regret not taking as many pictures as I probably should. Until we meet again, my friend.