Berlin, October 2010 *Warning, this is a VERY long one

Where to start!! Berlin was amazing, especially going there as a history student... and being from Canada (having been so far away from the actual war). We have seen just about everything about Berlin I saw throughout school, at every level. So that part was the craziest. And! I must apologize for the delay in my writing this. Everything is sort of going haywire right now!
Anyways, my story of Berlin.
We left Poznan around... what was it? One... two? Something-a-rather. Anyways. It was my first time on a train in Europe, and I was abnormally excited, and then I fell asleep... (Just like I always have do on trips... my ability to sleep anywhere comes in handy while travelling). When we arrived in Berlin it was surreal. I was on a train for 3 1/2 hours and suddenly I am in Germany... I know you can do that back home, but what's exciting about Montana? Nothing. Anyways. Group pictures with the "Berlin Hauptbahnhof" train station sign... at least I think that's how you spell it. But I didn't have a clue of what to do after that (learned my lesson... flying by the seat of your pants whilst travelling is exciting, but not in a group of 30 students, half of which were... er... a few beer deep) But we made it to the train station, caught an inner city train and eventually found the hostel... in west Berlin. And when I say west... I mean... WEST Berlin. The only thing close to us was Charlottenburg (I don't know if I spelt it right, but it's a castle... which is my favvvve thing about Europe... So I am ok with that). The hostel was actually really, really nice (better than I expected, after hearing hostel horror stories) and there were 15 of us in the room... all in bunks. It was awesome... lol, until Roberto and Amaury decided to waltz in at like.. 6:30 am, turning the lights on and singing... but we still love them :). Once everyone had their bed made and was ready to roll we went in search of food. By this time it was dark outside, and I personally had no idea where we were going. All was well until the first restaurant didn't have room for us... of course, setting out on this trek, we didn't foresee this issue, so we set off for another one. Still no room. FINALLY we found an old school diner willing to take us all... after we persuaded them, of course. So we went in to eat. Now, I must bring to your attention that we hadn't eaten since Poznan, at around 11 ... and it was now... what? 20/21? So starvation was setting in. Kinga and I decided to order a drink, thinking that food would be out shortly. Well our drinking beat the food. And 1 drink it we were certifiably drunk. Round two came about and so did our burgers. My first burger since arriving in Europe, and OH MY GOD, don't get me started on how amazing it was. Jalapenos, cheese, ketchup, bacon... what more could an Albertan girl want right? Dinner was done, and so was my energy. After catching another tram to the pub district... type thing... and once again having troubles in finding a space for everyone... the majority of the group headed for home, promptly passing out upon reaching our destination. That is until the guys came home... but Adam told them to shut up. And peace was once restored. And that is my first hours in Berlin.
The next day, in my excitment (get this) I was the first one awake... crazy, I know. But it happened. Everyone soon followed, and soon enough, we had eaten some breakfast (hello chocolate pastry) and were off. I had my heart set on a segway tour (I am in love) but settled for a bike tour. Kalle, Dan, Torsten, Kinga and I, in our hurry to catch a train and make it in time, separated from the group. Do you think we made the tour? Of course not... but not to worry, a few hours of aimlessly wandering and trying to decipher German signs, we settled for a free walking tour, and I certainly wasn't disappointed. Our guide was spectacular.
While wandering, we got off the train at Alexanderplatz station and boom, there is the Berlin TV tower. 368 meters makes it the tallest building in Germany. There was a church next to the tower, and it really demonstrates how Europe embraces the new, but holds on to the old. That was somewhat off topic.ANYways. We took photos on the fountain with... Poseidon, I would guess, chillin in the middle, then went off in search of adventure.
Walking down the street you reach, I believe, the Berlin Cathedral.Which I have... WAY too many pictures of. Apparently it looks like architectural vomit, but I enjoyed looking at it. I couldn't persuade anyone to come inside with me (it cost like, €6 so I didn't go, but I don't doubt that I will be back to Berlin one day). Anyway, we saw that... and I will just remind you that we are still wandering aimlessly until the free tour starts. The found the statue of Marx and Engels in the park... that was pretty cool, after learning so much about them during school. Passed by the Altes Museum (hope I am spelling things right here) and on to a bratwurst stall. Ohhhhh my goodness. Talk about yummy. Hunger being satisfied we were off to what we thought was the meeting point for the tour. Oh when Kinga and I have blonde moments, we take them seriously. We were in the wrong spot and set off RUNNING (almost, come on, Taylor? Running? Nah) towards Brandenburg Gate (or Tor in German). After what felt like a century we reached our destination even though we were 10/15 minutes late, luck was on our side and the tour was still there.
So our tour began at the infamous Brandenburg Gate. The same gate that Napoleon marched through, the same one that lost the horses on top to the French and once they were back where they belonged the square (or Plaz) was name Pariser Platz. (Lady..I think) Victory is on top, so it demonstrated how they had "Victory over the French", and IRONICALLY, the head of the woman is turned towards the French embassy (thank you mr. amazing tour guide for that tidbit). ALSO in the same square is Hotel Adlon, and for those up-to-date on your 21st century celebrity facts, you know that that hotel has the King of Pop himself hung his baby out the window. It is also a STUPIDLY expensive hotel that I can only dream of one day spending a night at.
On we went, through the Brandenburg gate and from where we stood for the next bit of information, you could see the Reichstag, or the German Parliament buildings. After a wee walk we ended up at the Holocaust Memorial. I personally thought it was amazing. All these stone columns ranging in height from a few inches tall to towering over our heads. Flowing in a sort of wave, short ones on the outside, taller towards the middle. The man who designed the memorial never disclosed how one is to interpret it. There are numerous theories. It could represent the rise and fall of Hitler and the Nazi party. How cold and small you could have felt when the party was in it's prime. Although it is near the heart of the city, when you walk through it everything kind of gets cut off.... it's one of those things that you almost have to see to really understand.
Following that somber experience we were off to the site of the Fuhrerbunker, which is the site that Hitler himself committed suicide. There is now a car park on top. The German government didn't want to attach any... emotion (? right word?) to the site, and it went unmarked for sometime. Now there is a sign marking the spot, but nothing more. The bunker itself is apparently still intact, below ground, but closed off. It was a somewhat chilling experience knowing that one of the most notorious, and at the end, crazy, murderer died somewhere below my feet, but something that everyone visiting Berlin must experience.
We then saw a building that was built while the Nazi's were in power. It is a cold and heartless building, and that was the intention while building it. It was to be impose fear upon the people. Later when the communists got there, they also used the building, and now that the Germans have it back, its the tax... place (collecting agency... extension of government... I don't know the right word). That building has been hated by everyone the whole of it's existence, and you can't blame anyone for doing so. There was actually communist artwork on the side (lets not remember that the wall fell 20 some odd years ago) and it depicts everything exactly how you learn it in school. Everything happy, everyone working and looking healthy. Crazy how much social actual teaches you without you realizing it ;).
We then saw a portion of the Berlin wall. Our guide seriously must have millions of stories about brave escapes from the East to the West, many of them having failed. We learn about the "Cold War" and the "Iron Curtain" so much in school, it almost becomes a myth. Then you see it, really understand what it was, and what it did to people, and it becomes real. Shockingly real, actually. Knowing that so many people were cut off from everything. They cut a CITY in half, they cut peoples lives... in half. I just don't understand what possesses people to do something like that. Enough of my ranting, on with my attempt at a typed tour of Berlin... HA
Checkpoint Charlie was next of course. ANOTHER one of those things you always hear about but never understand (I am an admitted history buff, I love this stuff... sorry, but I will continue with this until the end). It was REALLY cool to see the SITE the checkpoint was on, because, lets admit it. It was a realllll tourist show. You could get your passport stamped with an "East/West" Berlin stamp, take pictures with American and Communist soldiers... I had a bit of a laugh because I know I am one of those "f***ing tourists" but I don't think I am THAT bad. Seeing the "tourist show" wasn't my favorite bit, it was the write-ups and information everywhere. Photos of the REAL checkpoint, and stories of people that escaped, and stories of those that didn't make it. I know we hear it all the time, but we are and were really, REALLY lucky to be Canadian. (On a side note, I have never been so proud of where I am from, other that my time spent abroad).Next we went to a square... I wish I could remember the name... I think it may have been Gendarmenmarkt...? There was a French Cathedral with a copied German Cathedral opposite it...the French Huguenots came to Berlin following the reinstating of the Edict of Nantes in 1680 something (5 or 6 maybe). They came because the crafty German King: Friedrich something encouraged them so that he could use the skilled workers that came along for the ride. Of course (according to mr. amazing tour guide) the King handpicked the majority of these workers (SEE crafty, like I said), and gave them a Dom (Catherdral) and the Germans got jealous and got one too, directly across from it. They are identical, but the German one is slightly taller. In the middle you can find the Concert house, I think.
Next we went to the intellectual center of Berlin. Standing across the street from the Humboldt University where the likes of Albert Einstein and Theodor Mommsen have worked/studied/ect.I would name more but none of them stayed in my brain. The square was also the sight of the Book Burnings... the memorial for this is underground. There is a window looking down, into a room. The room is all white and lined with empty book cases... kinda cool eh?
We then saw the memorial to the Victims of War and Tyranny... it was a beautiful statue of a mother holding her dying son. In the grave underneath there are the bodies of a victim of a concentration camp and a German soldier (I believe).
Back to museum island we went, seeing the Berlin Dom... Cathedral, apparently ugly...building, and the Altes museum and 5 million other things, heard a few more stories, and that was our tour.
SORRY that took so long, the rest should be brief, I hope, it's 2:30 am.
OH the football protest, don't know anything about it (everything was German) but there was aaaaaa lot of chanting, singing, groups in matching shirts, ect. And it was all about football.
We went to the National Art Gallery. I like art and all, but I was tired and bee-lined for my favorite Monet, saw a few others, and a Van Gogh, and was done.
We went and found food (REALLY good food, like, REALLY REALLY good). Went up the TV tower (FOR €10 GAHHH) and saw Berlin at night. That was kinda neat...
THEN we met up with a few of the French ladies and grabbed a beer and a shot of Jager at one of my favorite pubs since I got here. Records and the sleeves were the wall paper, and reallll rock and roll was being played. RHCP, the stones, the who, pink floyd, you name it.
Then we packed it in early and headed for home, exhausted.
The next day, following 3.5/4 hours of sleep I dragged Kinga out of bed at around 8 so we could see the castle before heading to meet the girls at the wall/flea/vintage market.Unfortunately it didn't open until 10, so we were too early, but that's ok, all the more reason to go back.
We then set off for Bernauer Strasse and took the TRAIN, then the METRO, then a TRAM, to get there. Missed the girls. Ran out of cellphone minutes... and got lost. THAT was an adventure. But we found the market, and wandered. If you know me well, you'll know that I LOVE markets, of any sort! I don't normally buy stuff... but I found a men XL old yellow Lacoste sweater and got it for like... €2 and then an 80's sequined t-shirt for another €2, don't know if I'll ever wear it... but whatever. Oh, and 2 necklaces.. but there's no surprise there. AND then something... pita/pizza type deal with a cream sauce and cheese and peppers on top... don't know what I ordered, but it was amazing. AH my blogs allllways come back to food!
We took all three forms of transportation back to city center, grabbed an ice cream and Berliner Weiss (pronounced vise, a flavoured German beer) and headed back to the train station. When we got on the train and started moving, everyone was passed RIGHT out in... give or take 5 minutes. I think the weekend was a success! J
THAT was Berlin, in a longwinded... nutshell... I need to sleep!
xoxo From Poland
Oh, and I don't know how to do this blog thing well yet, and can't get rid of the white bit, sorry!

PHOTOS:::::: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=559623&id=561800211&saved

Music and Classes

Everything is always different here, if that makes sense. I am not always that good in actually putting what I mean in words, obviously. Classes are STILL being decided! Polish is impossible, and although I actually DID want to learn it, I can't learn it... in the teaching style, without textbooks to study... and moving THAT fast all the time. Last class was unbelievably frustrating, so I have decided, I will drop Polish (sorry mom). Kinga is an amazing teacher, so I will pick up in no time :). Most of my other classes are alright... number-wise they aren't over about 20-30 people, one class today only had ten people in it... so I think that will be a good introduction to Management for me, we will see. Kinga and I did laundry today. My socks are drying on the radiator, ghetto, eh? No midterms for me! Everyone back home is stressing, and I don't even have a schedule yet, haha! I am stuck on which classes to take, thinking I will take French, so I can keep up on it (having taken French 1000, last year). Oh! And big news! First trip! To Berlin, this weekend! We bought tickets yesterday! I still don't know where I will be sleeping... don't worry, parents, I will be ok... there's like 30 people going! Music has, without a doubt, stepped in as a life saver since I have been here! It always has been important to me, but so have my friends, dance, family, ect. Now that most of that is missing, or far away, music has stepped in. New music discoveries/old favourites:
-Can't Go Back Now -The Weepies
-I and Love and You -The Avett Brothers
-Damien Rice
-Awake My Soul -Mumford & Sons
-Answering Bell -Ryan Adams
-The Shins
-OF COURSE!!!!!--> Red Hot Chili Peppers **
     Specifically: Strip My Mind, By The Way, Especially in Michigan, Fight Like a Brave, Tell Me Baby, Parallel Universe, you get the idea
-Lupe Fiasco
 -5 Years Time-Noah and the Whale
-Dondante-My Morning Jacket
-No Ones Gonna Love You- Band of Horses
-Three Wishes-The Pierces
-John Butler Trio
-Ego Trippin -De La Soul
-Bob Seger
-Georgia -Ludacris and Field Mob
-Today- Stickboy
-Yesterday-Atmosphere
-Rise Against, Kill Hannah, Metallica, The Cab, Disturbed, ect.

Then there's always the party song side of things:
-Thuderheist (there's some Canada for ya, I think)
-Notorious B.I.G
-Mase
-Sweatshop Union
-The Dream
-YELLE
-The Game
-Far East Movement
-Fabolous (Not a spelling error, I hope)
-Lil' Wayne
(My personal anthem)-Mo Money Mo Problems -Mase, Puff Daddy & The Notorious B.I.G.
-Hilltop Hoods
-Trey Songz
-Nicki Minaj

OH so much more...

You get the idea I hope, I am listening to EVERYTHING right now, and could use suggestions :) Facebook and email work well :) (that's a hint if you missed it).
So far my classes are as follows:
Monday
History and Culture of Poland 11:30-13:00
Electronic Commerce and Business 13:15-16:30
Tuesday
Team Management 11:30-13:00
Wednesday
Cultural Differences in International Marketing 11:30-13:00
Methods and Instruments of... something-a-rather 13:15-14:45
Marketing Strategies -Polish Cases 15:00-16:30
Thursday
EITHER
The Economics of Happiness 13:15-14:45
OR
International Negotiations and Contracting 13:15-14:45
Obvious choice is............
Friday
OFF, NO CLASSSSSS!
Except for the occasional presentation for Electronic Commerce and Business,

Not too shabby, eh? I only need 18 ECTS credits (=3 back home), but this equals, like, 28? I think... So I'm an over-achiever, but that means I wont be living here without a purpose, right? If I wasn't in class I would be spending money, or sleeping, may as well be productive...
But That's it. I don't really have anything to talk about, but everyone asks about my classes, so that is my schedule! Some Polish professors are actually pretty sweet, but the one I had for Polish... arggg, I was getting frustrated and called on every other reading, and I am noooo quiter (I am in freakin Poland) but I don't want to be embarrassed in class, because I can't make my mouth move right, and got lost on the tram and missed last class... soooooo. bu byyyyye Polish. I will tough it out just fine, teach myself even, we will see.
ANYWAY, enough ranting, I am exhausted and it's 230 almost, gooooodnight
xoxo From Poland

The Zoo and Homesickness

These last few days have just been a mess of school, attempting to cook in the kitchen here... life in general just kicking in. Today we went to the zoo though! It was nice to do something other than... drink, or shop, or look at buildings... although all of that is fun, it is beginning to get old. I am beginning to miss home, I feel so far away sometimes... especially because my family and I can't get skype to work properly, so it is more instant messaging than real life conversation. I miss my friends too... everything here is so different, every single day. I miss working... lol, I guess this is my homesick blog. Even though I am finding myself missing things I wasn't expecting to miss, I still know that stepping onto that plane was one of the best, and most... mature (maybe) decisions I have ever made. Already I know I am growing up, accepting responsibility. I am (almost) supporting myself. Grocery shopping and cleaning are regular occurences now... surprise surprise, eh? Who would have thought! I've always been a big kid... and even though I am not admitting that I have grown up, I am getting there. I hope I am making sense! All I know is that I am meeting amazing people here, with the same ambitions as myself, and although I miss my life back home, I am loving every minute of it. Sometimes it is lonely, being in a strange place, not knowing people, especially having grown up in as small a community as Lethbridge. Back home you know someone everywhere you go. Here I walk for hours and see something new everytime. Not having a phone, I am cut off, which is nice, but an inconvienence at times. I love it here though. The cold is setting it, which still isn't all that deadly, unlike home. I'm used to just going for a drive when I need to calm down, blasting my music and just cruising down Alberta highways... I don't have that here, which is frustrating, but I am learning to find new outlets, if that makes sense. I miss dance too... I can't sleep at night sometimes, because I don't have a method yet to just put everything out there, now it is all swirling around my head all the time. I miss my routine, I miss my home, I miss my family... for so long I would look for an escape from the regular, look for an adventure. Now that I am here, it is still surreal that I have finally made it happen. I made this whole adventure... this opportuinity of a lifetime happen. I hope it doesn't sound wrong, but I am proud of myself. Walking away from my dad, and driving to the airport... Walking away from my mom and my sister for the last time in I don't even know how long, I thought that was nearly impossible, but I did it. I made it. I'm in freaking POLAND. Who would have thought? A small town Alberta girl leaving everything she has ever know. God damnit that sounds cheesy, but that's how I feel. I am actually doing what I have dreamed about for... I don't know how long. I have ended relationships to be here, and even though I miss what I had, I hold no regrets. You can't, not when you are experiencing everything I am. Even though there are parties... a lot of parties, and this is my temporary home, this is my new life. I know a year from now when I look back on these blogs, I will probably think I am insane for missing boring old Lethbridge, but Lethbridge is my home. It may not be where I belong, but it is where my home is... and you know the saying "home is where the heart is", home will always be where my heart is. Where I can walk into my highschool and know people, going to the mall means seeing old friends, and going out means getting rowdy with friends from a farm, where, yes, there are cows. I read a few quotes that I reallllllly, just feel the need to share, they sort of put my experience in words... because I, quite obviously, cannot;
“I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it.”
-Rosalia de Castro
“Adventure must start with running away from home”
-William Bolitho
“A (wo)man practices the art of adventure when (s)he breaks the chain of routine and renews his(/her) life through reading new books, travelling to new place, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints”
-Wilfred Peterson
Life is a journey, the outcomes and the ultimate conclusion depend on the decisions you make, the people you meet and the chances you take advantage of. You cannot sit idle and expect spectacular things to occur on their own. You must first take charge and then make your decisions wisely. It is not everyday someone stumbles onto something like what I have, and I know I'm no genius, or traveller extrodinaire, but seeing new things through travel, and meeting new people simply by saying "Hi my name is ________" is the smartest thing anyone can do. I have had some bad days since I got here, some days are harder than others. But those are the days you push yourself harder. Even to just get out of bed and explore the city alone... you can't ever give up on yourself, or your expectations of yourself. I know that by moving I may have missed out on some... really amazing things, but at the same time, if I hadn't moved I know myself well enough that I would always have wondered "what if". That would be the biggest regret I ever could have forced myself into, and I am so glad I didn't...
Well then, my simple explanation of my day and going to the zoo definately turned into a bit more then, eh? I just want my family and friends to know I love them and miss them, and that sometimes it is too difficult to reply to messages all the time, and although I would love to write eveyone back, and skype constantly, it is rather difficult to do so. I hope everyone understands, and that everyone is doing well, I promise I will be sending replies when I can!
xoxo From Poland