Berlin

Visiting Berlin was not like we expected at all. I knew Berlin was a modern city, but I expected it to feel more German, with more beer gardens and lederhosen, and quaint traditional timbered homes. That’s not it at all. What we saw was a modern, eclectic, sprawling city that aims to be on the cutting edge with comtempory architecture and art, along side examples of its Gothic past.

Carrie and I were happy to visit my nephew Brian, his wife Liz and their two children, who we haven’t seen in several years. It was great to catch up with them again, and they were great tour guides for us, even though they have just moved to Berlin. Brian is the Air Attache to the US Ambassador, so he works at the US Embassy, which is located in the center of the city, near the Brandenburg Gate. We were excited to stay with them at their home in a typical Berlin suburb so we could really feel how the average Berlin resident lives. The house was provided to them by the embassy and it was huge and lovely! We toured much of the city and also enjoyed a boat ride down the Spree River through the center of the city. On that boat ride, we were entertained by typical American music, but were surprised to hear Dolly Parton belting our “Jolene” from the sound system. That’s not what we expected in Berlin.

Everywhere we went we were reminded of some of the major historical events that Berlin was central to. Mainly, WWII and the Holocaust, and the Soviet control of East Berlin, along with the Wall crumbling down. We were deeply moved by the exihibition at the “Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe” museum. We were enthralled at the artifacts and history we viewed at the museum at Checkpoint Charlie, a compilation of articles and facts of the Berlin Wall and its fall.

Placques placed at some homes, where Jews once lived.

Many of the sections of concrete that formed the Berlin Wall have been turned into art canvases for artists from around the world, creating an interesting collection of artistic styles and messages, called the East Side Gallery.