Day 3: Berlin
Today we explored Berlin and its history in more depth, and learned a lot about culture and traveling smart along the way! Read more about day 3 from Andy and Emery below.
Today was our second day in Berlin! We started off the day with a city tour, thanks to Gerard, our local tour guide. On the bus, we passed important places like the Bellevue Palace and the beautiful Tiergarten.
When we went out into Berlin, we learned more about the Reichstag and walked down to the magnificent Brandenburg Gate. After exploring Museum Island for lunch, we all went to the DDR, a museum that explains the everyday experiences of those that lived in East Berlin, including a life-size model of an ideal apartment. It was fascinating to see all the differences in simple things, which carried over to the streets. This was especially emphasized by our viewings of the Berlin Wall. We visited a section of the wall that was painted over by artists to reflect their feelings on the Cold War. A few of us also visited a full panorama that depicted the Berlin Wall near Checkpoint Charlie, where we stood in both East and West Berlin at once. These contrasts were incredible, especially when seeing how close the two areas were to each other while still being so separate. The reminders of this period in history are prevalent throughout Berlin. We visited a tranquil lake to honor the Sinti and Roma victims of the Nazi regime in the morning, as well the Holocaust Memorial in central Berlin. One of our last stops of the day was the haunting remnants of the Anhalter Bahnhof train station. Previously, it was a bustling train station that was used to deport Jews during World War II, and was destroyed by the bombing. All that stands of it now is the archways to the fields beyond. These solemn reminders prompted discussions about the consequences of inaction, and the role of everyday citizens in remembering the tragedies of the past.
- Emery
Today we visited Berlin. This was the second day in Berlin and we continued to explore the sights with our tour guide. There are some particularly interesting sites that I have outlined below:
1. Holocaust memorial
At the Holocaust memorial, there are a set of blocks that become increasingly larger as a viewer walks further into the display. Although the author never specifically stated the message of this display, many theorize that it represents the confusion and loss experienced by Jews during the Holocaust.
2. The Reichstag Building
The Reichstag was the German building that housed German Parliament. It is famous for being the last place the Soviets conquered before declaring Germany conquered and happened days before Germany accepted defeat.
3. Berlin Wall
Later in the day, we visited the Berlin Wall. During the Cold War era, it separated East and West berlin, creating two completely separate worlds. While the West modernized under Democracy and Capitalism, the Communist East continually lagged behind. The fall of the Wall in 1989 marked the unification of Berlin.
-Andy
When we went out into Berlin, we learned more about the Reichstag and walked down to the magnificent Brandenburg Gate. After exploring Museum Island for lunch, we all went to the DDR, a museum that explains the everyday experiences of those that lived in East Berlin, including a life-size model of an ideal apartment. It was fascinating to see all the differences in simple things, which carried over to the streets. This was especially emphasized by our viewings of the Berlin Wall. We visited a section of the wall that was painted over by artists to reflect their feelings on the Cold War. A few of us also visited a full panorama that depicted the Berlin Wall near Checkpoint Charlie, where we stood in both East and West Berlin at once. These contrasts were incredible, especially when seeing how close the two areas were to each other while still being so separate. The reminders of this period in history are prevalent throughout Berlin. We visited a tranquil lake to honor the Sinti and Roma victims of the Nazi regime in the morning, as well the Holocaust Memorial in central Berlin. One of our last stops of the day was the haunting remnants of the Anhalter Bahnhof train station. Previously, it was a bustling train station that was used to deport Jews during World War II, and was destroyed by the bombing. All that stands of it now is the archways to the fields beyond. These solemn reminders prompted discussions about the consequences of inaction, and the role of everyday citizens in remembering the tragedies of the past.
- Emery
1. Holocaust memorial
At the Holocaust memorial, there are a set of blocks that become increasingly larger as a viewer walks further into the display. Although the author never specifically stated the message of this display, many theorize that it represents the confusion and loss experienced by Jews during the Holocaust.
2. The Reichstag Building
The Reichstag was the German building that housed German Parliament. It is famous for being the last place the Soviets conquered before declaring Germany conquered and happened days before Germany accepted defeat.
3. Berlin Wall
Later in the day, we visited the Berlin Wall. During the Cold War era, it separated East and West berlin, creating two completely separate worlds. While the West modernized under Democracy and Capitalism, the Communist East continually lagged behind. The fall of the Wall in 1989 marked the unification of Berlin.
-Andy
Hello Emery/Andy, Thanks for the wonderful writing. I am glad you are learning and enjoying!
ReplyDeleteHello, I am so glad you all are experiencing great history. I was in Berlin in 1991, shortly after the wall came down. I too went to check point charlie and visited a small museum nearby. I was surprised by the contrast between East and West Berlin when walking between the two places as well as riding the trains. It was still obvious which side you were on. To my darlin' niece Madeline may your experiences be as enriched. Luv ya!
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