Ich bin ein Berliner

Laura navigated expertly right into the very centre of Berlin, where thankfully Easter Monday meant that the traffic was light. We met Scott and Amanda who had flown in to spend a few days in the German capital - and we all had a great time.

What is immediately apparent about Berlin is just how close modern world history seems - from the massive rebuilding going on in East Berlin and the remaining portions of the Berlin Wall, to the bullet riddled surviving buildings from the last world war, it is obvious straight away that this is a place where the history of conflict in the twentieth century has left a devastating mark. There are quite a few museums (at Checkpoint Charlie and the multimedia Story of Berlin) but really you can effectively see the history just by wandering about. It really makes you step back and think about how the further integration of Europe into one whole is a very good idea!


On a lighter note, Laura met her new idol Goleo - the world cup mascot. We also drank large quantites of very tasty Berlin Beer, including some rather strange red and green concoctions. It was interesting to note that, contrary to all of our expectations, the East Berlin central area was, along with being a bit prettier (although dilapidated in places), a much better going out area than anywhere in the Western side!