Day 27 - 29
Trip Start
May 22, 2006
1
16
22
Trip End
Jul 03, 2006
Berlin, Germany
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Got up and trekked across town for the train. Got there quick, and grabbed a seat. The train ride was rather uneventful, although there was a very thorough inspection by the passport lady. Other than that cabin to ourselves the whole way. Got to Berlin and waited on a very long line for information. Well worth it though. The public transport system here is very confusing. Rode out to the hostel, the Generator, a large, large hostel. Watched some football on TV whilst eating sausage and fries and then retired for the evening.
Places: Prague, Czech Republic ; Berlin, Germany
Day 28
Went down for breakfast after a not so good night of sleep, and on the way back up with a free walking tour. Took the tour to see the sights as the Berlin Wall, which is now fenced off so that people can't chip pieces off. The streets are lined with double cobblestone lines where the wall once stood. Saw the old Air Force headquarters of the Luftwaffe. The building has since become the Tax office. Before that the Soviets housed the KGB there, evil building. Site of a worker's uprising in 1953. Stood on top of Hitler's grave, which is now a parking lot. After 60 years they just put up a plaque that stated that was where his bunker was. Saw the Jewish memorial, which is confusing at best. 2711 concrete blocks sunk to different depths left to one's interpretation. Went to Checkpoint Charlie where WW III almost sated in 1953, shortly after the first wall was erected. Continued to walk around the city trying to find a place to eat. Aimlessly wandered and eventually returned to the hostel. Went out later for dinner where many police had surrounded an old lady trying to help her, but it was comical as it was the only activity I saw the police do that day besides eat some ice cream.
Day 29
Headed back into the city centre after a good nights sleep. Waited on a long line for the Richstag were we went to the top. Had a great view of the city up there and also the Tiergarten. Went to the Olympics Stadium replica where they had the grass in front of the Richstag setup with some football stuff. Went into the Tiergarten for one of the games and walked down "Fan Mile" where there were towns of souvenirs and food stands. It was very similar to a music festival, except more cultural diversity. Walked to a large gold statue celebrating some Prussian Wars that had been shot up pretty bad in WW II. Returned early after dinner because of an early train to Amsterdam.
