Berlin, Part III

Sarah and I started our Wednesday early with a trip to the Reichstag, the Parliament building. A week before leaving for Fall Break, I registered online for us to visit the Dome since you can't just walk in (it's a free visit). I received a confirmation email for Wednesday at 9:15am.

We woke up around 7:30am and got ready for the day. We grabbed a bite to eat at a bakery a few blocks away from the Reichstag (I bought a fruit cup and a pretzel, which was really good!).

The steps leading up to our visit to the Dome were extensive. Our passports were checked at a bungalow next to the Reichstag and then we had to go through security. Afterwards, a large group of us were escorted to the building by a security guard.  We entered through one set of automatic doors and then were stuck in between that set and another set...the doors trapped us in. After a minute or so, the second pair of doors opened and we were led into a huge elevator that took us up to the Dome. Everything from getting our badges at the bungalow to riding the elevator was well-thought and meticulous, all for security purposes.

We all got audio guides and then started on up the spiral ramp of the Dome. The audio guides were very high-tech, instead of having to press a number and then 'play' like you would normally, this one would move to the next section when you were at a specific place on the ramp. It knew exactly where you were because it would tell you to 'turn left' or ' now look at' a certain building or landmark. It was pretty incredible (although mine did mess up a few times).

Walking up the ramp

A view of Berlin

From this audio tour, I learned a lot about Germany's government, the different buildings in Berlin, and about the architecture of Reichstag building (including the construction and energy efficiency of the Dome itself).

We made it to the top!

The Reichstag doesn't have a roof, so this cone captures the rain and snow

After walking back down the ramp, Sarah and I took a look at the photograph exhibit that circled the cone. There were pictures and descriptions of significant events in the Government's history. Afterwards, we returned our audio guides and headed back outside (the same process as before took place, except in a reversed order).
 

Heading back down the ramp

You can't see now, but below those windows is the Reichstag Plenary Chamber, represents transparency

Sarah and I in front of the Reichstag

After our visit to the Reichstag, Sarah and I headed to Bradenburger Tor for our Free Walking Tour which began at 11am. Our guide's name was Kim and she was a young woman from Australia who's obsessed with Berlin. She was so enthusiastic, informative, and a terrific tour guide. Sarah and I gave her a nice tip at the end, since this is how she makes her living and did an amazing job.

An impostor 'Leia' Minnie Mouse in Pariser Platz

Does that building look familiar? Well, it's the hotel where Michael Jackson infamously dangled his baby.

Random 7 person cycling contraption

I'll give you a run-down of the sites Kim took us to because writing and describing everything would take far too long:

• Bradenburger Gate

It was not an accident that the statue of 'Victory' is placed above Pariser Platz (thus, victory over Paris). Victory is also a keeping an eye on the French Embassy that is in the square.

• The divide between East and West Berlin 

The line in the street represents where the Berlin Wall once stood

• The Jewish Memorial 

Everyone has their own understanding of what this memorial is, there is no 'real' meaning.

The concrete slabs are different heights, have no writing and are separated from one another. When you walk through it, it is as though there are blinders separating you from everyone else.

• Hitler's Bunker

Kim standing above Hitler's bunker, where he spent his last days. It is now a car parking lot, there are no signs that tell people what this site represents.

• Part of the Berlin Wall

• Nazi-style Building (that now houses the Department of Taxation)

Communist mural on the wall of the building

• Topography of Terror

On the other side of the wall is the Topography of Terror Museum

• Checkpoint Charlie

• Gendarmenmarkt Square, considered one of the most beautiful in Europe has two nearly identical French and German Cathedrals (although the German cathedral is a few meters higher, typical)

•  Humboldt University, this is where the Nazi book burning took place in 1933

Plaque in front of Humboldt commemorating the book burning

• 'Mother and Her Dead Son' statue in Neue Wache (New Guard House)

• Berliner Dom

When we got to the Berliner Dom, we sat on the steps as Kim told us the story of how and why the Berlin Wall fell...turns out it was unintended and an act of miscommunication that led to the event. 

By this time, Sarah and I were freezing and hungry (it was about 2:30pm now). It was a very cold day and we wanted to get a bite to eat and something warm to drink before we continued to our next stop.

We ate at this little restaurant across from the Pergamon. Sarah got soup and beer, I ordered a salad and tea. After our brief lunch, we headed to the German Historical Museum. The place was huge, with memorabilia and information about Germany from the beginning of its history. We only had a few hours to look around since it closes at 6pm. So we spent the entire time on the floor dedicated to the years 1933 to the present.

There was so much to see, even two hours was not enough. But I learned and saw a lot, from vast amounts of information about the Nazis to German culture.

Sarah and I left when the Museum was officially closed. We headed to a Mexican restaurant called Santa Maria in Kreuzberg (I was reluctant to eat another faux quesadilla after the incident in Tallinn. Long story short, what I ordered was NOT a quesadilla and it came with a side of ranch. Upon asking for salsa, I got the "we don't have salsa" response. WHAT?!). We met up with a couch surfer who Sarah had been corresponding with over the past week. She was there with her boyfriend and two other couch surfers from Israel also showed up. Sarah and I started with margaritas and we shared a plate of chips with guacamole and salsa, which were pretty good. But honestly, how can you mess that up? I ordered a burrito, risky I know. It wasn't even wrapped up like a proper burrito, the ends weren't tucked in, it looked more like a taquito. Sorry for my complaining, let's just say I can't wait to come home to some good Mexican food (along with a whole laundry list of other cuisines that I've been missing while away).

Dinner ended around 11pm and Sarah and I bought some snacks at the Kaiser's grocery store near the metro station. Regretfully, I bought a 2 kg bag of shelled peanuts, Sarah convinced me to upgrade from the smaller bag. Let's just say, I had more than enough of that snack after a few days.

Me and my giant bag of peanuts...more than enough for an elephant!

We then decided to call it a night. We were pretty exhausted after such a long and eventful day. I immediately fell asleep upon putting my head on the pillow.