This part of the DDR museum in particular was really powerful for me. It discussed how children were taught in schools to throw balls and later those balls were traded for grenades, and the image of the teddy bear in the middle of the tin soldiers (which were also used to literally teach them tactical training) was pretty striking.

 Outdoor hallway to the Museumsinsel

 Mummies downstairs. More pretending I was archaeologist "Bones"

 Its a start, Berlin! Love locks on the river.

 Kathe Kollwitz "Woman with Dead Child." Will stop with the more depressing subject matter after this, (and trust me, after today at the Topography of Terror and Wall Memorial, could add so much more) but this one was striking because it stands on its own, in its own building in the middle of Berlin.

 Mitte Holocaust Memorial 

Berlin is a really, really interesting place. It is far from what I expected. I didnt have any expectations from Dublin or London, basically chose them randomly and tried not to learn anything about them before going there because I wanted to be surprised. But after taking German courses in college, and in particular knowing about the arts and culture that comes out of Berlin, I definitely had specific expectations and those were not met. Not that Berlin is not great, it is. But the way I pictured it is not the way it actually is. For instance, it is very green, particularly in the West. You never forget your first impressions of major cities and as soon as I hopped off the plane, miscommunicated with my German taxi driver, and was driving mostly in silence with halting German and English coming from both of us, the sights were immediately trees, trees, trees mixed in with the buildings on the west side neighborhoods. From the pictures I have posted so far you cant really tell, but the area I stayed in for almost two weeks is just covered with trees, park areas, playgrounds for children, and outdoor cafes. You are basically walking in a tree canopy when you walk outside in this neighborhood. Also, unlike other big cities, everything is really spread out. Its not like there is just one central district and you wander through the downtown. Every train station, every part, is a totally different part.

My first impression of London was that I hated it. The first day sucked because I got stuck in traffic on the bus, got sort of lost, didnt find the right places, and found myself wandering with no idea of what to do. But not in the good wandering kind of way. When I picture my first impression I smell smog and pollution, see the crazy rush hour traffic, see the obnoxious tourists paying no mind on the walkways, and seeing kind of boring, semi-historical sites. But the second day that all changed. I delighted in the fact that my second hostel was right across the street from Shakespeares family cathedral, and nearby to the Thames River and many of the major historical spots. The streets were cleaner in the second area and everyone was in a hurry but mostly very polite. I loved the multiculturalism of it, how there were Sikhs and Africans and English, and Irish and Chinese all on the same block, and mostly speaking with British accents which lets face it are fun. I loved the major markets where the produce looked so fresh, and the clean lines and mix of historic and modern with the tourist attractions like the Palace, and the Tower, and the Eye. I loved the rich history and learning about Jack the Ripper, and popular sports like cricket and tennis, and the history of the government (if you are into politics and havent see the film "The Queen" yet, you definitely should). I loved how concerned with other people Londoners were, but yet private and non-busybody like at the same time. It was a good overall vibe. Oh, and the theatre and just a smidge of romanticism without being over the top or gushy. It was lovely.

Berlin is nothing like it. I dont mean to compare them but I do sort of have to in my reflections seeing as how I traveled and spent longer than the average time in both places. Berlin is not at all pretentious, very aware of its own history, and definitely filled with its own brand of culture--techno, house, nightlife that literally lasts until the wee hours of the morning, clubs, long rambling streets, stark buildings, parks. People are very laid back and in general pretty respectful and quiet. Thats what strikes me about Berlin, its quiet. You almost never hear people yell or even speak loudly.