Travel to Germany, Berlin.

Berlin was the most fitting place to conclude our trip to Eastern Europe. The seat of power for Adolph Hitler and the democratically elected National Socialist party that conducted a campaign of terror and extermination between 1933 and 1945, Berlin was also the epicentre of the cold war that saw West Berlin encircled by a wall constructed by the Soviets to isolate the democratic influences within the soviet controlled Eastern Germany.

The Berlin wall was not constructed until 1961. During the period from the end of WWII in 1945 when the administration of Berlin was divided between the Soviets, the Americans, the British and the French and 1961, travel between East and West Berlin was open. In fact in the early years, many westerners fled the capitalist west to Stalin’s socialist paradise.

Read more at http://www.travelblog.org/

Travel to Germany, Berlin.

We left Warsaw for Berlin on Wed 24th, on a train this time. It took about 5.5 hours, stopping at a few main towns on the way. Straight through the border....scenery the same all the way - mainly cropping. The new main railway station in Berlin (finished 2006 - took 10 years to build) is just something to behold. It's nearly all glass, including the roof, so very light and bright inside. It's about 6 stories high.....trains going north & south are on the lowest level, then there's a couple of levels of shops (all sorts, including fashion shops), including the street level, and the east/west trains leave from the level above. No doubt there's a level for the metro/underground trains too, but we didn't use those, so don't know which one. We walked 10mins to our hotel in the 30 degree heat, which lasted all the time we were there. No air con in our room and after the first night (cooled down to 24) I asked for a fan, so that we could sleep !!! Couldn't leave the windows open as too much traffic noise.

Read more at http://www.travelblog.org/

Travel to Germany, Berlin.

I am not one to sterotype an entire people, but these Germans ... hold on a second ... that's not right ... I am going to start that sentence again...

If you will allow me to sterotype an entire people, these Germans are a very rule-abiding bunch. Seriously, you have never seen anything like it. Among the best examples is their obedience to cross walk signals. I was out for a walk early on Sunday morning and unsurprisingly, there was virtually no traffic. I arrived at a cross walk and the signal indicated "don't walk," but there is not a car in sight. So ... being an American, I proceeded into the cross walk and crossed the street without incident. My fellow pedestrians? They admonished me with their disapproving looks, and they continued to stand, waiting patiently for the "walk sign" to appear. I was astonished. I felt like yelling "People, the nearest moving vehicle is in Dresden, its time to consider looking both ways and crossing the street."

Read more at http://www.travelblog.org

Travel to Germany, Berlin.

The catatonic running around like a headless chicken to the university and back, the thrills and chills of living in the new strange environment you were obsessing about the last couple of months, the idea of being completely alone and free for once in your life doesn't really leave room for complaining. Well, not really…

Once things fall into place and the rush hour is gone, you look around and realize it’s been ages since your last interaction with a human being. All the new responsibilities that come with changing states have kept yourself busy, new apartment, new school, new rules however what about new friends?

Saying goodbye to everything you have loved and cherished back at your home ain't easy however the excitement of this radical change you've signed up for keeps you overwhelmed with joy. Facing it, on the other hand might not be as cheerful as one might think.

Read more at http://www.travelblog.org/

Travel to Berlin, Germany.

Country/Town visited: Berlin, Germany 
Date of stay: 4 times between 2006-2010 
Where you stayed: With family & Hostels 
Tour or pre planned: Pre Planned

Berlin is an amazing city with so much history. I’ve visited Berlin a number of times and each time I’ve seen or experienced something new. 

Berlin was once separated by the Berlin wall, erected in 1961 and separated the city into two parts for more then 28 years. The wall separated East Germany from West Berlin and became a symbol of the cold war. Berlin was completely divided and it was not until 9th November 1989 that the wall was pulled down. Parts of the wall are still on display around the city (see image below). You can cross the road near Brandenburg Gate and still see where the wall used to stand (marked on the road) it’s quite scary thinking you could not pass to the other side just a few years earlier.

Berlin has so much to offer and so much history. From the sites to the museums you won’t be short of something to do. Visiting Checkpoint Charlie museum is a must and you can spend a day or more reading and learning about the history, Checkpoint Charlie was the crossing point between East & West Berlin during the cold war. You can also have your passport stamped at Checkpoint Charlie but bare in mind this may be seen as defacing your passport, I’ve never had an issue with mine. (see image Checkpoint Charlie image below) 

During one of my visits we did a Berlin hop on hop off bus tour and we’d recommend doing this. It will take you around the city and to all the main sites. You can purchase tickets from the information desk before departing the Airport or from a pick up point around the city. They run every 15-30 minutes between 10am & 5pm daily (times may vary during winter)

Read more at http://www.oetravelblogs.com