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What can I say about Berlin.....the people are friendly, concerned about the environment, food is cheap, and history that two days of 8 hour tours could not cover the complete city. The city was so damaged by world war two that even today I can see some buildings that STILL have war damage. In Berlin, there is a striking difference between the old buildings, the renovated buildings, and the new buildings. Each street has a history. On our first 8 hour tour, we walked down a street and on one side there was a Jewish school for children. In 1940's the girls were taken away one night to either the gas chamber or to become a hooker. The sad part is that the girls who became hookers for the men were told if they did not do what the man wanted three times in a row, they would be sent to die. Across the street from this building is a Jewish church that was built in the 1700s. One night during the 1940s people came to try to burn it down but the city police officer told them that burning it down would be burning down history. It turned the mob away, but a couple people were able to get in and burn a portion of it down. I have spent 5 days here and feel like I have only begun to enjoy the beauty and history that is Berlin. At the same time, if I come back in one year, I'll see a different Berlin. This city is changing daily and each change adds to the beauty.
The first day of sightseeing was an 8 hour tour with Terry from Brewers Tours. It was incredible the sights and places we viewed. I got a chance to stand where Hitler killed himself (now it's just a parking lot). I stood where the Gestapo building used to be. I stood at Check Point Charlie. I saw where the students had burned the books at Bebelplatz. Since the burning, the students every year go out and read books on the anniversary. They read from the authors that were burned. I only wish I could be there for this event. Next, we saw the Brandenburgor which is spot where every royal/leader walked through. The tour covered so much that trying to remember every detail or spot is useless. The tour guide was hilarious. We drank German beer with him the next night at his favorite/cheapest pub in Berlin. It really was cheap beer!
The second 8 hour tour was of Potsdam which has many palaces and gardens. It has a natural beauty. The gardens are so wild and beautiful. It seemed like each generation of Royal Rulers left a palace at Potsdam. Each palace is unique. Fredrick the great created the most sights at Potsdam. He made a room for his paintings because he had so many. He had a roman bath at Potsdam. He had a Chinese tea room. He had a church on the royal property. Potsdam really was incredible. The later king and queen created a palace which was used after world war two as the only place the big heads of Britain, USA, and Soviet Union could meet. I got a chance to be in a room in which Churchill, Truman, and Stalin were in. It really was AMAZING.
I got a chance to do some shopping and try some real German food from Axe Stur. Pictures of the food shall be up in the future. I went to the Museumisl which contained four different museums. The bode museum had more sculpture and religious art work. It was very interesting to see how the French and German had their statues of religion. The alter museum had many paintings, but I got too close to the paintings and was yelled at by the museum workers.
As for my night life....this Hostel I am staying at actually has girls in the room which means that I got a chance to go out with a bunch of Sweden girls and one Dutch. It was so much fun. We went to this club called the weekenders which is on the 15th floor. It gave me an opportunity to see and a view of Berlin. Then the drinks were cheap (for Europe) and the techno dancing was fun. I think the best part about the club was that the people didn't care how they were dancing. It was very free flowing. One of the Sweden girls kept trying to introduce me to all kinds of men. It was very entertaining. I had so much fun!
As for the other 5 people in my room.....one is an Israeli man who was very upset the first day because he lost a shoe and no one at the airport was concerned about finding it. Then later on he lost his lock to his locker....nick told Taal that the shoe and key are together in the land of lost. The other room sharers are from Texas and work for FEMA.
I have met many people at this Hostel and ran into this guy from Chicago who was in Amsterdam in Berlin. The funny part was that he didn't remember meeting us.
Berlin weather can never make up its mind. In the 5 days I have been here it has been hot, cold, raining, sunny......I never know how to dress but I did buy a pair of pants because I was tired to being looked at like I was crazy for wearing shorts (I thought it'd be hot....how was I supposed to know).
Berlin foods are so cheap yet so good. There is this thing called Doner Kebap which is 2.50 euro. It is like a German taco as Roy would say. I love it! It has lettuce, cabbage, radish, onion, tomato, and gyro meat. It is great! I keep eating it and I probably gained 10 pounds here because I can actually afford the food. Also, there are fruit stands everywhere here....so of course I love it here!!!!
I could spend another 3 weeks here! But next city....Krakow
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