Before Easter, I had never visited Berlin. I know, a Leatherman, who has not been to Berlin, I hear you cry...but a Leatherman has to start somewhere. Nevertheless, I have had an affinity with Berlin for many reasons - from chatting with other leathermen; admiring Recon profiles of leathermen from Berlin for many years; and, having several conversations with my partner (BLUF2329) before going for the BLF ("Berlin Leder and Fetisch e.V.") gathering in Berlin at Easter.
Well, what a weekend! Where to start? The excitement grew in the days leading up to our departure, on the Thursday before Easter weekend, deciding what gear to bring, how many pairs of boots can one leatherman bring, keeping in mind - like all proper leathermen do - an airline's baggage allowance.
Sure, it would be 'wrong' not to have a pint and some nibbles before it was time to board our flight. Walking to the departure gate, we bumped into two other Irish guys, involved in organising the GEAR Ireland nights in Dublin, and got some GEAR flyers and merchandise to distribute to other fetishists we met during our visit to Berlin. Well, it appears the leather/fetish scene is growing, so it's time to put Dublin on the European fetish map; well, at the very least, let other European gay guys know that GEAR Ireland exists if they plan to visit the 'Emerald Isle'!
After a good flight and short taxi ride to our accommodation near Fuggerstrasse, it was time for a quick change into our leathers. Now, we were good to hit Prinzknecht to grab a pint, catch up with friends, and chat about the weekend ahead.
Day Two started out as expected, not rising too early, both of us getting refreshed for day ahead, enjoying the complementary Nespresso in our room. However, two leathermen cannot live on coffee alone - it was time to visit MORE, a must visit my partner informed me, and I have to agree with him - it's a great eatery for breakfast (lunch, or dinner), among many good eateries in the Schöneberg area of Berlin. Fed and watered, we made our way to the fetish shops in the neighbourhood. First, Mr.B, where my partner and I spotted several items on the 'potentially buy' list, but we agreed we should check out the other nearby stores, to see what else was on offer. Well, that's the best decision we made! Walking around the corner to go to the Gear store we revisited an earlier conversation we had back home about the possibility of getting a good quality secondhand Langlitz jacket at Gear, thinking if there was one there that fitted well, it would be a sign from the 'leather gods' to just buy it! After trying on several new jackets, not getting the perfect fit, my partner spotted a secondhand Langlitz jacket, in excellent condition, with fantastic quality leather that was worn in just exquisitely. I tried it on... Yowsers! It fit perfectly! My partner's eyes lit up - as did mine! The feeling was amazing. Nothing feels and behaves like a proper Langlitz jacket when wearing one. It was a simple decision - I had to buy it. I did!
That was the highlight of my visit to Berlin at Easter - addition to meeting some new fetish friends and having my first ever 'leather dinner' with a group a wonderful leathermen.
Roll on next year. Berlin at Easter will be in my social calendar every year!
