The Thing About Berlin: Tech Open Air 2012

This post is long overdue. And yes, I'm twenty two. I do feel old with some occasional back pain and soreness here and there - or maybe it's just because I'm working 8-10 hours a day in front of a computer (yay online marketing job!).

Fifteen days. Roughly 2 weeks is the amount of time I have left in Berlin; in Europe. Honestly, I'm not too excited about going back to Seattle. I will miss this unique, wacky, out-of-the box, hipster, techno environment - that is Berlin!

The thing about Berlin is, the city is hip, modern, urban; but at the same time it has a very heavy history. As we walk around the city, we are always reminded by monuments, museums or even a small signs about the history of the place.

But the thing about Berlin that I love the most is their wackiness; as if their level of creativity is beyond measure. Where else can you find an abandoned building turned into a labyrinth? Or a technology conference hosted in a night club (yes, an actual night club)! Even better, a music festival in an airport. Pictures or it didn't happen, right? Well, here they are.

Here's Tech Open Air Berlin on August 23rd-24th at Kater Holzig, the craziest night club in town. I volunteered and met many brilliant European start-up founders. Guest speakers line-up includes Podio CEO,  Tommy Ahlers; YouTube co-founder, Jawed Karim; TechCrunch Europe Editor, Mike Butcher, and many, many more.

The club itself is kinda open and by the river. So attendees can chill outside and sit by the river while tweeting and chatting with others. And this is only what the outside looks like. Wait until you see the inside.

There's circus room, graffiti room, and other wacky room. Odd, but good odd. There are plenty of places to charge your electronics and WiFi is available all day long.

There were music performances and start-up idea pitch during lunch break. After 6PM, the conference officially ended and we party. That's right - we party at the coolest club in town! 

Food were overflowing. We were definitely well fed. Free frozen yogurt! And don't forget about the free beer, thanks to the fine guys at KPMG and Careers 2.0.

Pictures and it did happen. Next post, I'll tell you about the Berlin Festival in a freaking airport, no kidding.

Cheers!

PS: My fundraising is still on. One week left! Hat's on everyone!