Guten tag, readers! I’m writing from across the pond in Germany (Or is that England? Whatever). After my summer in San Francisco, I didn’t have much time before I jetted off to Europe for a semester abroad in Berlin. Though I’ll be here until December, I’ve already tried to knock out some of the more touristy to-do’s while I can still consider myself a tourist.
This mega-post is my snapshots of my adventures so far, but don’t even begin to capture the electricity of this “poor but sexy” city. Berlin has a lot of history to make up for, from multiple world wars to its time as a divided city, but its tumultuous past gives it a fascinating present and a thrilling future.
I’ve loved exploring the history of Berlin, but the German capital also offers a diverse culinary scene, uber-cool shopping, and of course, an unmatched nightlife energy. Don’t worry, Mom and Dad – the drinking age is 18 here! Or maybe that’s more reason to worry…
The most recommended way to see the city for newcomers is to take a boat ride to tour Berlin’s 180 km of canals (the city has more water than any other in the world!). I did a 90-minute tour of Mitte and Tiergarten with friends to get our bearings, and we definitely made a splash! We booked our tour through Reederei Riedel and were rewarded with jaw-dropping views of all the must-sees, from the TV Tower to Museum Island to the Reichstag. I guess you could call it a Spree for all! (Sorry about the pun.)
For an even more in-depth glimpse of the city, we did a historical walking tour during our school orientation. Most of Berlin’s tourist attractions are near each other, so we were able to see the Brandenburg Gate, the Holocaust Memorial, Checkpoint Charlie, and more — plus learn about the meaning of all these spots. It’s been interesting to see how differently Berlin deals with its past than the United States. Not only does the city own up to its history, it teaches its citizens not to let history repeat itself.
Another class excursion was to the Berliner Dom, the city’s largest church. The cathedral is an icon in the middle of Museum Island, which is worth exploring in its own right (I’m embarrassed to admit I still haven’t made my way to any of the museums yet!). Our school instructors gave us a tour of the cathedral, which was first built in 1465.
Besides walking around the inside of the church, the real treat is walking up 270 steps up a tight, muggy spiral staircase. I promise the climb is worth it – it leads to the top of the dome, which offers unrivaled views of the glittering Spree River and bustling German capital.
Be on the lookout for more neighborhood tours of Berlin in the next few days and the rest of the semester! Next up, I’ll be showing you around my area, Kreuzberg. Giddy up!
The Atlantic Ocean, Young Lady, is referred to as “The Pond” because of it’s relatively small size compared to the Pacific. It’s only 3300 (or so) miles from Boston to London. It’s 5100 miles from San Francisco to Tokyo, 6900 miles from San Francisco to Hong Kong, and 7900 miles from San Francisco to Melbourne.
Enjoy Berlin. I understand it is a beautiful city, especially considering the damage wrought by WW II and it’s time as a divided city. I suggest you learn about the Berlin Airlift while you are there.