Berlin

My program recently took all of us on an overnight trip to Berlin, Germany.  We started off with a walking tour of West Berlin and a bus tour of East Berlin.  In many ways Berlin reminded me of a metropolis in the United States with large city streets and business.  But the history was also abundantly apparent.  We were able to see pieces of the Berlin wall that are still standing, memorials to those who suffered during WWII, and museums dedicated to the history of Germany.  Free time was dedicated to exploring the city, hanging out in a large park, and eating the wonderful Doner kebab and currywurst.  My favorite part was the East Side Gallery, a huge stretch of the wall that spans many blocks of East Germany and is now a public art space along the river.  Graffiti artists are commissioned from around the world to create images on the wall.  Some are political, some are random, and some commemorate the falling of the wall and what it stood for.  One night in Berlin was much too short; I hope to go back someday and explore more of what the city has to offer.