Off to Berlin!

Potsdamer Platz all lite up at night.
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Berlin is a fascinating city. And, I'm really glad I came here because I learned a great deal about its history and hardships. I took in quite a few sights in Berlin - including the famous Checkpoint Charlie Museum (had stories of people that escaped from East Berlin to West Berlin, as well as various contraptions they used!). I had a walking tour where we walked through the famous Brandenburg Gate and by the Reichstag (Germany's Parliament), as well as by a new Jewish memorial and where Hitler's bunker was. I also had a chance to check out the remaining part of the Berlin Wall as there is very little still standing.

Inside the museum - one of the contraptions created to get over the wall.
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I also had the chance to take in a German soccer match at the Berlin Olympic Stadium (1932)- that was commissioned by Hitler himself and where the 2006 World Cup Soccer Final was played. It was pretty cool to check out the stadium and it was huge - apparently it holds 80,000 people. It was not full for the game I attended - but I swear half the stadium was in continuous chants and cheers for the ENTIRE game. It was quite entertaining.

Feel the effects of the Cold War!

A pic of me at the Olympic Stadium after I enjoyed a 'football' match. It was rainy that day in Berlin - but they have the stands covered...but it was still chilly out.
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My hostel was pretty good - it was right near a train station - so it was easy for me to get around the city. But, I have a few complaints...it was the first time I had to deal with a symphony of snorers! Oh my! And, I was awoken to what I thought was someone drilling (perhaps putting up a shelf in the next room I thought!) - well it turned out the hostel was doing some 'minor' renovations that required using a jack hammer only a mere 10 steps away from my door (I counted!) first thing in the morning.

View of the stadium. Less than 6 months ago was the World Cup Final!
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But, I would recommend Berlin to anyone - it was a super friendly place and people were extremely helpful. If I had a map out - random people would come up to me and ask me if I knew where I was going.