Day 4- Around Berlin – Wind, Museums, History and Michael Jackson

Here it is!

Holocaust Memorial

The Berlin Wall

With my fanny pack of valuables (yes, I did say fanny pack) and a map, I started my day in Berlin on a jog around one of the parks near my hostel. After my run, a shower and some time planning my day, I walked to the city center to go on a tour of the city. As opposed to Munich’s tour guide, this one was very good. He spoke of the history in great detail and didn’t have to try hard to be entertaining. With the exception of the 30 minute story at the end of the 4 hour tour, sitting in the cold wind on the steps of the Berlin Dome, about ready to pee my pants, the tour was quite enjoyable. It started at the Brandenburg Gate, the entrance to Berlin. This is one of the many cool pieces of architecture Berlin has to offer. In that square called Pariser Platz, the tour guide pointed out many interesting places. You may have wondered why I have Michael Jackson in the title of this post. Well, I thought you might find it as amusing as I did that the tour guide pointed out the hotel window of the Hotel Adlon, the most expensive hotel in Europe, where the Michael Jackson baby dangling incident took place. One of the most important history facts of the day, right? I did a little photo shop on the pic so you could experience the viewing as well. After that little piece of history, we proceeded to the parliament building. This was followed by the Holocaust Memorial, paying respects the many Jews that were killed. I’m not sure that it is ok to say that the memorial was pretty cool. I think many people could see it in all different ways but my emotions were that it was a little eerie and quiet but actually quite peaceful. The Holocaust Memorial picture is the one with all the big gray square stones. There is nothing written on them, it is just many many large stone rectangles of all sizes. I also took one from the middle while walking through that I thought was pretty cool and quite symbolic with the light shining in. After the Memorial we walked over the top of the location of the bunker where Hitler spent his last days and of course the Berlin Wall. I must say it wasn’t much to look at and not what some of you may think should look like. More walking took me passed Museums, Market Squares, Cathedrals, and we finally ended at the Berlin Dome. I must say that my legs are a bit tired but the tour was definitely worthwhile. Berlin has soo much to see. Good thing I have another day or two to check some of the things out in more detail. Until then!