Myfest - 1st of May - International Worker's Day

1st of May - International Worker's Day - or "Tag der Arbeit" is a traditional day for demonstrations in Berlin, which may end in becoming rather riots.
In order to promote peaceful 1. May celebrations the "Myfest" was established in Kreuzberg over 10 years ago.
We thought we would have a look and left in the afternoon (after a long lie in) for Kreuzberg 36. 
The two U-Bahn Stations in the middle of the fest and where the demonstrations were expected, were closed.
We had a fair bit to walk back in order to get to the heart of the festival in Kreuzberg 36.
To be honest I did not expect that many people, that many bottles of beer and surely not such a huge police force on the streets!
We walked through the festival but it was far to packed to be really enjoyed. Especially at the stages where the music of our taste was played. The roads were all closed for traffic and the local residents were allowed to have stalls to sell food and drink.
It was a huge variety of everything. 
The huge police force in the heart of the area did not seem too relaxed. They seriously expected attacks and I did feel for them, especially the police girls.
We did not stay and surely did not want to wait until the demonstration started and made our way towards home. 
At the Maybach Ufer it was much calmer and we visited Kaffepur for a cup of black medicine.
Neil was not too well. Her is suffering from toothache since a couple of days and it does not seem to get better.
We were home before 7 and went out locally toe a quick drink and seeing friends later. It was a reasonably early night and no booze involved.

The demonstrations seem to have gone ok although media documented a quite aggressive attitude towards the police and that a few people have been arrested during the course of the marches.
They estimated that about 200,000 people had been at the Myfest today!! No wonder it was full!!

Blip:
Main blip was on the way to the Myfest. The guy and his dog were sitting peacefully in the midst of thousands of people walking to and from the Myfest area, having food. Well he had, not sure about the we doggie :)

Extras:
1. The guy in the trolley was not the best mooded person we saw. He was collecting empty bottles to bring them back to the shops and get the deposit. He was in the process of emptying his personal litre bottle of vodka!
 2. Turkish Street Barbecue