A City of War
Berlin
Berlin
'You girdled sorrow, you clung to desire;
sadness stunned you, in you everything sank.'
The Song of Despair
Pablo Neruda
There is something about Berlin that strikes a stray chord in the hearts of all who visit. The political and historical air emanating from every street corner is almost overpowering; the city's attractions, though numerous, hover around the notion of war & death. After four days, the air of suppression inevitably starts to sink in, for it's hard to walk fifty feet without stumbling into some sort of war memorial or monument. From the holocaust memorial (Part 3) to the crumbling facade of the Berlin Wall, everything about that place screams of Germany's dark past.
That's not say we didn't have an ounce of fun in Berlin though! A couple of currywursts and hot tea are wonderful accompaniments as you walk the streets, soaking in the sights and sounds of the metropolis. The gaps between the roads of concrete will open up into beautiful scenes if you let it. The museum island, for one, is rich in modern art culture with its absolutely resplendent large, open plains. The massive squares of the opera house, universities and Brandenburg Gate are alive with its locals and German youth decked out from head-to-toe in slightly ill-fitting military garb, taking snapshots with eager tourists.
Another thing that was a real bonus was our wonderful NewEuropeTour guide, Eva, who lead us through the city with much passion and charisma. Besides that, Eva also showed us that despite the (sometimes) horrific history of Berlin, it is what millions of people call home and a place she loves deeply. Although the urban sprawl of Berlin may take some getting used to, its rich history and culture is not something to be missed.
Pablo Neruda
There is something about Berlin that strikes a stray chord in the hearts of all who visit. The political and historical air emanating from every street corner is almost overpowering; the city's attractions, though numerous, hover around the notion of war & death. After four days, the air of suppression inevitably starts to sink in, for it's hard to walk fifty feet without stumbling into some sort of war memorial or monument. From the holocaust memorial (Part 3) to the crumbling facade of the Berlin Wall, everything about that place screams of Germany's dark past.
That's not say we didn't have an ounce of fun in Berlin though! A couple of currywursts and hot tea are wonderful accompaniments as you walk the streets, soaking in the sights and sounds of the metropolis. The gaps between the roads of concrete will open up into beautiful scenes if you let it. The museum island, for one, is rich in modern art culture with its absolutely resplendent large, open plains. The massive squares of the opera house, universities and Brandenburg Gate are alive with its locals and German youth decked out from head-to-toe in slightly ill-fitting military garb, taking snapshots with eager tourists.
Another thing that was a real bonus was our wonderful NewEuropeTour guide, Eva, who lead us through the city with much passion and charisma. Besides that, Eva also showed us that despite the (sometimes) horrific history of Berlin, it is what millions of people call home and a place she loves deeply. Although the urban sprawl of Berlin may take some getting used to, its rich history and culture is not something to be missed.
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