This morning we tried to catch a free walking tour that left from Brandenburg Gate, but we were a little late and by the time we got there all the tours had filled up. We then realized how BIG the tour groups were! Totally unlike any of the other walking tours we had done. So even though they had more tours leaving 2 hours later, we decided to just skip it because it didn't seem personal enough. Instead, we headed over to the Lost & Found for the train station in an attempt to find my ipod that Steph left on the train, but no luck there. >.< Stephanie was pretty sad, and I guess wanted alone time, so we ended up splitting up, and I went to do my own thing for the day.
I walked through the Tiergarten (Berlin's central park) back to Brandenburg Gate, and then went to the Holocaust Memorial. I actually spent a lot more time there than I expected, just reading through the exhibit, and all the personal stories about Holocaust victims. It was super sad, and also really reminded me of how huge a genocide it was (Over 6 million murdered! And not only Jews, but gypsies, homosexuals, disabled, and political prisoners as well). Afterwards, I walked over to the Topography of Terrors exhibit, situated where the previous SS capital was. This was more background about how the Nazis came to power and the kinds of mindsets, policies, and machinations that supported their terrible reign. Finally, I visited Checkpoint Charlie, which actually wasn't even that impressive. I actually preferred the Berlin Wall Memorial on the North end which was the last stop of my Berlin history tour.
For dinner, we were missing American food so we went to this cute little burrito place called Dolores. (Actually named after Dolores Park in SF!) Their burritos actually reminded me of Chipotle, in the sense that you could build your own, and choose to have it as a burrito or a bowl. The meat was good, but otherwise they weren't that special. But the best part was ordering a side of guacamole. It tasted SO GOOD to have guac again! Mmmmmm.
Then after dinner, we walked over to a nearby park to meet up with Irene again. She was having a farewell picnic with her study abroad friends since she's also leaving Berlin tomorrow! While there, we were able to watch them play a game of "Flunkyball", which actually looks like a lot of fun and I totally want to try playing it some time! Basically, you have 2 teams, and each member has a bottle of beer. Each member takes turns throwing a plastic bottle at a bottle in the middle, trying to knock it down. If they succeed, their team tries to chug their beer while the members of the other team must run to right the bottle again. The first team who's members finish their beers wins! Essentially, you win by drinking more hahaha. (Although this game was totally taking place in the park because of Germany's lax alcohol laws, whereas in the US we'd have to find someone with a big enough back yard....)
I walked through the Tiergarten (Berlin's central park) back to Brandenburg Gate, and then went to the Holocaust Memorial. I actually spent a lot more time there than I expected, just reading through the exhibit, and all the personal stories about Holocaust victims. It was super sad, and also really reminded me of how huge a genocide it was (Over 6 million murdered! And not only Jews, but gypsies, homosexuals, disabled, and political prisoners as well). Afterwards, I walked over to the Topography of Terrors exhibit, situated where the previous SS capital was. This was more background about how the Nazis came to power and the kinds of mindsets, policies, and machinations that supported their terrible reign. Finally, I visited Checkpoint Charlie, which actually wasn't even that impressive. I actually preferred the Berlin Wall Memorial on the North end which was the last stop of my Berlin history tour.
Holocaust Memorial (Exhibit is underground)
Berlin Wall Memorial: One of the only parts of the Berlin Wall left intact
While at the Berlin Wall Memorial store, I actually bought a super cute postcard! It's of the Ampelmann, which are the pedestrian stoplight signs in former East Berlin. They have cute little hats! (The West Berlin ones don't)
Postcard of these super cute Ampelmann!
Then after dinner, we walked over to a nearby park to meet up with Irene again. She was having a farewell picnic with her study abroad friends since she's also leaving Berlin tomorrow! While there, we were able to watch them play a game of "Flunkyball", which actually looks like a lot of fun and I totally want to try playing it some time! Basically, you have 2 teams, and each member has a bottle of beer. Each member takes turns throwing a plastic bottle at a bottle in the middle, trying to knock it down. If they succeed, their team tries to chug their beer while the members of the other team must run to right the bottle again. The first team who's members finish their beers wins! Essentially, you win by drinking more hahaha. (Although this game was totally taking place in the park because of Germany's lax alcohol laws, whereas in the US we'd have to find someone with a big enough back yard....)
Totally unrelated, but this morning while crossing the Spree I saw a mama duck with a line of ducklings swimming across! SO ADORABLE! I love ducklings!!
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