Hello from Germany! Berlin

     I arrived in Berlin on June 10th in the afternoon.  At this point, I was incredibly sick.  Stuffy nose and the worst sore throat.  I am deathly afraid of sore throats because for the first time last year, I got strep throat, tonsillitis and strep throat again all in a period of a month or so.  I was in bed for a few days  the first time I got it with a fever and was unable to swallow.  Not to be dramatic, but I felt like I was dying...  Getting that while on this massive traveling the globe trip would not have been ideal in any way shape or form.  So upon arrival in Berlin, I was greeted by Tobias and we spent the evening in, just making dinner and hanging out.

     I had planned on taking a free walking tour in Berlin, but I just couldn't manage to put myself together for it in time.  Fortunately for me, Tobias had a few really nice maps printed out showing the points of interest in Berlin.  When I was ready, I headed off on the train to discover Berlin.  The biggest highlight for me was definitely seeing the "Iron Curtain", the Berlin Wall.  This wall came down on November 9, 1989 which is only 2 days after I was born.  Being here, it really put into perspective for me that even just 23 and a half years ago, the world was a much different place.  I bought a little souvenir that is a piece of the Berlin Wall. 

     The East Side Gallery is a memorial for freedom established in 1990.  It is one of the few parts of the Berlin Wall that is still standing today.  There are 105 paintings from different artists around the world.  This gallery is located on the East side of the Berlin Wall and I believe is a brilliant tribute to all those who suffered during this oppressed time.  Several people died trying to escape the Communist East.  There are some great documentaries on Youtube about the Berlin Wall if anyone is interested!

 The Berlin Wall

 River Spree

 Famous painting of kiss between East German Leader Erich Honecker and his Soviet counterpart Leonid Brezhnev.

Main Square of Berlin

 Weltzeituhr-World Clock

 Interesting hot dog stands.

 Brandenburg Gate

 Victory Column

Reichstag

     I was deeply moved by this memorial.  It was so simple, but so moving at the same time.  They also had music in the background which certainly set the mood.  This part of history has always fascinated me and brought me to tears on several occasions even prior to visiting the sites on this trip.  My father was a Vietnam War Veteran as I have mentioned in a previous post and my grandfather a WWII Veteran, so war has always been an area of interest in my studies.  Anyways, I thought it was wonderful to acknowledge more groups that were affected by the Holocaust because they often get lost due to the overwhelming number of Jews that were murdered.  So many people suffered during this war at the hands of the Socialist Party.  I was crying like a baby... again...  Beautiful memorial!

 The day when Soviet tanks came through Potsdamer Platz.

Tiergarten

 Humboldt University 

 TV tower

Currywurst is super Berlin and very delicious.

     I really enjoyed being in Berlin, but I know I did not accomplish as much as I could of in my ill state.  It is definitely on the list of potentially returning to someday!  Munich is also on my list as well.  Now I am in Amsterdam with some friends and feeling a lot better!  No strep throat, thank God!

 My favorite thing to collect as I travel.

"For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others". 

-Nelson Mandela