BERLIN

It is not a typical European city, it is big and occupies a large area, a car is necessary to get around or the excellent public transport. As many European cities Berlin was totally destroyed after the war, so even though many of the builings were reconstructed to be like the previous ones, the city doesn't feel old. Also, after the Wall came down and with the reunification of Germany, Berlin is going through amazing growth and redesign. There are dozens and dozens of new buildings, some really spectacular super modern constructions. Many Berliners are not that happy about it as they say that it just doesn't feel like "their" city, that foreigners might appreciate it but they don't.


Just some of the buildings! 

Right in the middle of "downtown" there is a bombed church, it was left there as a reminder of the horrors of war. It is a real downer and boy does it help to remind you of the brutality that man is capable of. Most of my trip I have been amazed and touched about the great capacity that mankind has to create, produce and live surrounded by beauty so seeing the other side, the great capability of brutality and hate, completes the picture, it's the good and bad the light and the dark, the ying and yang. I prefer to think about the good, I think most people are good.


The bombed church 

I went to Charlie's Point and went into the Wall Museum. The exhibit from the design perspective is crap, but the content is amazing, it is hard not to cry, those were really insane times and as a person that has always lived in peaceful countries is is very hard to comprehend what people went through. But, it is great to have the photographic records as well as anecdotes and documentation.


Signage. Me infront of a piece of the Wall. 


I met a few people that escaped Eastern Berlin and some people that were the "helpers" on the W.Berlin side, the stories are fantastic and at this time they sound so intersting and entertaining but the reality of that time was brutal. There is also an exhibit called "The Topography of Terror", it's an open exhibit (it hasn'b been finishe, started being designed by a swiss architect but the project has gone to tender again). The exhibit is in the underground SS quarters, it is creepy, the vibe there is strong and unpleasant. I also went to see the Jewish monument of 1000 steps.


The Wall