Berlin, Germany

I admit, I was not a huge fan of Berlin when I arrived yesterday.  Maybe it was the rain, but I felt like I was walking into the ghetto – I felt anxious to move on and be done.  I knew though, that I would probably find things I love – and that even if I end up not liking Berlin, I really wanted to see it anyway.  As a history person, this city really is a must.

So this morning, after a bout of rain finished pouring, I set out on a walking adventure of Berlin, as advised by the attendant at the front desk.  I’ve made it half way through and will finish up tomorrow.  And wouldn’t ya know it – I do like Berlin.  Some of the architecture is beautiful.

I made my way to  Checkpoint Charlie, the checkpoint for the American Sector during the Cold War and then down to the Topography of Terrors, a museum dedicated to the history of the SS and Nazi regime.  The day ended a little heavier.  Thinking about the history of this place and our world.  The following picture depicts 2 walls. The top wall is the West Berlin Wall, the bottom is the basement wall for what was the headquarters for the “Inspectorate of concentration Camps” and later for the Gestapo.

The city is full of history.  Much of it terrible and saddening.

My hostel is just east of the East Side Gallery Berlin where artists have tagged the Eastern Berlin Wall with art. It is an archetype and snapshot of the rest of Berlin.  This is a weird city and the juxtaposition of rubble and circus colors is off-putting.

More in store for tomorrow – weather permitting of course.