Just a couple quick random thoughts I had on the train to Berlin yesterday that I thought I'd jot down.

I wasn't sure what to expect as far of German culture goes, but I've been very suprised by it. I've always thought of Germans as being a little mean and harsh and very exact but it's so different. Learning about the holocaust through their culture versus through a textbook is so different. In Germany they recognize it as a miserable part of their history, but it was part of it, and for that reason shouldn't be forgotten. A lot of the memorials set up aren't meant to commemorate the holocaust, but are moreso meant to remind us what "people can do to other people." This also reflects in their schools now as children are taught to question everything they learn. If they question the world, maybe this won't happen ever again.

Still not sure where I'm going after Budapest. I think I'm gonna need a few days at the beach to unwind towards the end of this trip. Torn between Croatia, Greece, and Spain. Still have a little while to figure it out. Hope everyone is doing well and safe back home.