Stop Number 2 of Spring Break: Berlin, Germany
Berlin was absolutely incredible. Being in the city that has seen more war and turmoil than any other place in the world, was like being a part of history. To be honest, I wasn’t too excited about visiting Germany before now. I figured it was going to be boring and full of museums. Little did I know, that it was about to become one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had.
Having only a day and a half, we took the New Berlin City Tour that covered all the landmarks in the city. We first started by visiting the Brandenburg Gate and learning all about Germany prior to WWI. Then we made our way towards WWII, and visited the Nazi bunkers and then the memorials, specifically the Jewish Memorial. Here are a few pictures of everything I saw!
Berlin Wall
Since the falling of the Berlin Wall in 1991, artists and locals have painted on the east side of the wall to bring back life and color to the east side of Berlin.
Checkpoint Charlie
This used to be the checkpoint that prevented escape from East Berlin to West Berlin.
Jewish Holocaust Memorial
The memorial is full of concrete blocks that are all different sizes. It was designed to produce an uneasy, confusing atmosphere, and the whole sculpture aims to represent a supposedly ordered system that has lost touch with human reason.
I’ve learned about the Holocaust countless times, but there was something about being in the exact spot where Hitler ruled and where millions of lives were affected, that really impacted me. As I walked through the Jewish Holocaust Memorial, I was just as confused, scared, and lonely as all those victims were.
Came for the past. Impacted by the present.