Berlin

It didn't take long for us to know we liked Berlin. As soon as we arrived everything just felt easy and familiar, and the more we walked around the city the more at home I felt. We found the hostel really easily and were able to grab dinner close by the hostel. The streets felt safe and clean and we were excited to explore the city. 

After our first night we headed out to join a walking tour. For €10 each the tour guide walked us around the main sites giving us all the insider info he knew. We saw museum island, the location of the famous burning of the books, checkpoint Charlie, the remains of the Berlin Wall, the location of Hitlers bunker and his death, the Holocaust memorial, and the Brandenburg gate. I learned more about Germany's history in those 4 hours than in my 23 years of life. It was awesome, and I especially appreciated how so many buildings still had bullet holes from WWII. It was a true nerdy experience for us both and that would only continue. 

After learning so much about Hitler's regime we went over to the 1936 Olympic stadium. Now was my chance to actually apply my Masters knowledge and my newly learned German history. The stadium was such a great example of the merger of sport and politics, and Hitlers regime truly left its mark. The grounds felt like a prison with its large uniform concrete architecture, and intimidating towers and statues. It was so awesome to really experience the feel of the place after our tour (and my sport-politics education). 

We went back into town to spend more time at a few of the museums and locations from the tour, and to visit the East Gallery where some of the Berlin Wall still remains, decorated by talented artists. 

After we headed to a bar for food and drinks before the USA game. We only made it through the first half though because we were so tired from the day.

We concluded our visit knowing we'd loved Berlin, and we really wished we could have stayed longer. There were still so many things we could have seen and done, and so we're definitely hoping to go back. 

- Evie

1) Graffiti in Berlin is actually art and the people who do it are really talented. However, the people who try to write or draw over it are not very creative and pretty much have the same mentality as the people who write/draw in high school textbooks. 

2) German efficiency is a real thing. Their public transport system is phenomenal, everything is on time, and they give you more information than you really need (in a good way).

3) Tours are worth the money, especially when they are only €10, last 5 hours, and are lead by academics who can answer any question you may have. I was kind of sad we could only fit in one tour, but I guess that just means we'll have to come back.

4) The Cold War made no sense and the fact that is was only 25 years ago blows my mind.

5) Everyone remembers the London air raids, but no one talks about how the Allies absolutely destroyed Berlin. 

6) Seeing the relics of the Second World War in person and standing where Hitler and the  Nazis would have stood is seriously chilling. Nothing can really prepare you for it.

7) Berlin is the closest we've come to a good sports bar. Now just add some cheap food and drinks and we'll be golden.

8) Berlin is also the closest I have had to decent salsa. I'm kind of worried salsa addiction might be a real problem.

9) People should talk more about the 1936 Olympics and all of the "traditions" of the Olympics that Hitler created. Actually, people should talk more about all traditions that Hitler created that we still use today, like the feminization of the colour pink -that was his doing.

10) Berlin is both trying to forget its past and making sure no one ever forgets the lessons it can teach. It's a very strange mix.

- Megs