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!
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