Berlin, Part IV

I wanted to do as much as possible on my last day in Berlin. So, Sarah and I woke up before 8am and took the S-Bahn to the East Side Gallery. This is the part of the Berlin wall with all the different artwork. Since we were there pretty early, we were some of the only ones walking down the street admiring the art. We took a lot of photos, here are just some of my favorites:

After Sarah and I finished the walk along the East Side Gallery, we headed back on the S-Bahn and got off at the Stadtmitte Station. We walked past Checkpoint Charlie and visited the Topography of Terror outdoor exhibit. It was during our walk and standing outside that we realized how cold the weather was. Our fingers were freezing and our bodies just couldn't warm up. We didn't know the exact temperature, but I can tell you that even Copenhagen hasn't felt that cold to me (or maybe, now, I've just become immune to the winter weather).

The outdoor exhibit had lots of pictures and historical information about the Nazis, government, concentration camps, and it highlighted many individuals from the WWII era.

After visiting so many museums and taking tours of the city and Sachsenhausen, I can honestly say that I have learned a great deal about German history (more so than I have from a book or in class). I am really fascinated by it, and I am very interested in learning more when I get home.

Sarah knew I had a list of things I wanted to do and see before I left that afternoon, I felt a little bad having her run around with me while I tried to get as much in as possible. She said she didn't mind though.

After the Topography of Terror, we briskly walk (so not to waste time and also to keep warm) to Berlin's famous chocolate store. The receptionist at the hostel and Kim (our tour guide) told us that they have amazing chocolate creations and they make some good sweets. When we first got off at Stadtmitte, we were planning to go there before visiting Topography of Terror but it opened at 11am (and we got there at 10am). So we opted to go back afterwards.

Sarah and I were looking forward to being inside where we knew it would be much warmer (we had been out in the cold since 8:45am). When we walked through the door, our senses came alive. The scent of chocolate filled our noses and the amazing varieties of sweets were overwhelming. Not to mention those over-the-top chocolate sculptures that were on display throughout the store. It was chocolate heaven and we stayed in there for over an hour trying to decide exactly what we wanted...there was just so much to choose from (way too many options)!

The oh-so-beloved chocolate advent calendar

TV tower replica

massive chocolate volcano that spewed liquid chocolate every few minutes

After our chocolate store adventure

By the time we left, around 12:15pm, it was much later than I had anticipated. Sarah and I headed to the Jewish memorial since we both wanted to go into the visitors' center/museum section. It was a quick walk to get there, about 10 minutes, but there was a line already formedoutside around the stairwell. By the time we got in, if we waited, and gone through security I would not have much time to spend there since I needed to get on the S-Bahn by 2:30pm to catch my bus back to Copenhagen. So sadly, I was not able to visit the memorial. But...when I go back to Berlin (one day I will!), that will be my first stop (Sarah spent a couple of hours in there after I left, and she said it was definitely worthwhile).

We walked towards the Potsdamer Platz station and decided to get lunch before I headed off. There was a Vapiano (remember, it originated in Germany), so of course, we decided to eat there. The restaurant was crowded since it was lunch time. The set-up of the tables and chairs was odd and it was hard to maneuver, but the food was good. Sarah and I both ordered salads and the pumpkin soup (that week's special). We paid at the cashier, took a few gummy bears from the bowl and left. I gave her a hug goodbye and told her to enjoy the next few days in Berlin. Then, I took the train to Kaiserdamm station.

Some guy's backpack on the train

I walked to the bus station, got on the charter bus with all the other families, couples, and individuals, and made my way back to Copenhagen. It was a long 8 hour journey by bus, ferry, and then bus again (with a couple stops along the way). During the bus ride, the driver had the radio on and one of the songs that played was Scott McKenzie's "San Francisco (be sure to wear flowers in your hair)", hearing that made me smile and think of home.

When I got back to my place around 12:30am, I was still soaking in all that I had done, seen, and learned while in Berlin. I had such an amazing fall break trip, I am truly lucky and grateful to have been given the opportunity to study and live in Europe for the semester. The memories I have made traveling here will always stick with me.