Like most places that have lived or are living under left-wing Communist/Socialist rule, East Berlin has a certain affinity with cost-effective past times. The Russian’s have chess, the North Koreans have synchronized gymnastics; the Chinese, Tai Chi, and the East Berliners have well…table tennis. Scattered throughout the East, mostly in public parks but also in some strange, secret locations, are large concrete blocks topped with a small iron girder that’s meant to resemble a net – Berliners call these things Table Tennis Tables.

All you need to bring are the bats and balls and you’re set for hours of fun, no booking fee necessary, although you may have to fight off hordes of eager young Germans to play. The magic word here is ‘Rundlauf,’ known to the rest of the world by a multitude of other names; you might know it as Round Robin. Grab a cheap beer in one hand, a table tennis bat in the other, and ask a local to explain the rules. You’ll pick it up in no time.

Why should I go
Because you probably need the exercise; and fresh air is good for you.

Where
Check the nearest piece of grassland; chances are you’ll find a table. Otherwise just wave your bat at the first person you see and chances are they’ll point you in the right direction. Unless of course they think you’re trying to rob them.