4/13-14/13

Hello all, sorry I failed to update the blog yesterday. It was a very fun filled busy day, but I think from now on I'll try harder to post everyday because there is so much to share!

Yesterday was meant to be just a meet up for coffee and work on lessons day. Then life decided to pay a visit and I ended up having a bit more of an adventure than I thought I would have. I met up with Chelsea (for those who may not know, she's the other American student teacher at BBS) at Starbucks at 1:30. We had intended to just spend the time working and talking (just being in someone's company for the states makes life a bit nicer).

While we were starting to work (well sort of), we began talking about places we wanted to go see while we are here in Germany. Chelsea has been here since February and so she was able to mention some places she thought I should go, and some she'd still like to see. We decided that it would be a good idea to head out on some adventures together before she has to leave. I plan on going to Poland over my week long break, but past that I hadn't made any choices on where I wanted to visit. Well turning this long story into a short enough one that you aren't bored, Chelsea mentioned wanting to go to Switzerland and so we have decided over our long weekend to go to Grindelwald Switzerland (just google it to see how beautiful it really is).

Well after we made a snap judgement on the Switzerland trip (we've already reserved our room), we decided to get a better idea on train prices and so headed to the main station. The station is insane! Not only is it a place where you catch local transportation, it is also an insane hub for train travel around Europe! Not only is it a train station, it is like a mall in its own way. There are so many shops around it that you kind of lose your mind trying to figure out everything!

One view of the inside of the train station.

Well after I was totally amazed by the train station and had a bit more information about the train tickets it was time for dinner. Chelsea had mentioned hearing about a very popular burger place near her apartment and so we decided that would be a good place to eat. It was a very good choice! The burgers and fries were great and it was close by a little yogurt shop so we were able to get some dessert.

Drinks to go with dinner. Yup, the call it Coke Light here lol

Almost forgot to take a picture, it was too good!

Anyways, after filling our stomachs we decided we needed to walk it off a bit and so we headed out to find a little park that Chelsea had discovered. Berlin is like that, you will be walking down a main city street and you will suddenly find yourself in a beautiful park area. Now that spring is coming I can only imagine how beautiful this city is going to look. The park had a lake in it and everything. We hit it just at the right time, the sun was out but starting to make its way down, and it was more beautiful than I have words for.

The lake, you can see some of the buildings in the background.

The sun reflecting off the lake.

Swans! I haven't seem them really before!

The parks aren't just beautiful here, they are also practical. As we were making our way through the park and looking around at the play areas and the water I stopped for a minute. Right next to the play areas were, and I kid you not, out door ellipticals and like a stationary bike! I guess exercise is important enough here that anyone can head to the park and workout for free (and not just by running). I was so surprised and may have to make a stop back by this outdoor gym to get my workouts in!

The outdoor gym.

Chelsea and I finished at the park and began to head back to the train station... Well at least we thought we were. We got a bit lost and turned around but we had a chance to look at and appreciate all the beauty that this strange city has to offer. I made it home though after our detour and was able to skype with Dad and Debbie. All in all, a good day.

Now today began a bit earlier, I met Chelsea at 11 am to begin a bit of the more touristy things one must do in Berlin. I've told you before that the shopping is usually closed on Sundays, but what is open are flea markets. Imagine fair booths and garage sales in one place and you have a general idea of what a flea market is. But anyways, Chelsea took me to one of the largest flea markets in Berlin, and it was insane!

It is located by a section of the Berlin Wall that is still standing, and has been turned into a park area. The flea market sits down hill from the wall and it is jammed pack with people. I managed to buy a pretty cool gift for someone but don't want to spill too much of what it is because he may at some point read this! It was an interesting experience, though its not really my cup of tea, as the saying goes.

Just the beginning jammed pack with people!

Looking down from the wall at the market

The actual wall was pretty interesting, it is openly encouraged (or at least not discouraged) for people to add to the graffiti. There was even someone adding to it while we were there. At this point there is so much paint on the wall that you can see giant flakes of the paint coming off showing more layers beneath. Writing on the wall, even today, represents a freedom that the wall kept from many and so it still happens!

Woody poses in front of some new graffiti. 

Me and Chelsea in front of the wall.

Looking up the hill at the wall.

So after we finished at the wall we headed towards a different part of the town. The center section where many historic buildings are located. Today was just a day to look, we didn't have the time to go into the museums but will at a later day. None the less it was a busy time walking around admiring all the sights, and most importantly picking up gifts for the family back home! It turns out, the flea markets aren't the only exception to shopping on Sundays. All the tacky tourist shops are open and I had to go in as many as possible!

We stopped for lunch at a fairly common chain restaurant, and I was brave enough to try a bit of seafood. It doesn't beat back home, but it was pretty good. I had a little fish and chips basket with some shrimp. The cocktail sauce wasn't like ours back home but it was still pretty good. 

Woody approves, though I'm not sure why the picture won't turn lol.

We saw some amazing buildings as we walked around hitting the tourist shops. First off we saw the Berlin Cathedral (I know it's called something else but I can't remember right now). It is breathtaking, for two reasons. Firstly, the church is a beautiful building. I can't even express to you how beautiful. The art and the detail left me so captivated... But secondly, what took my breath away was the war time scars still left upon such an amazing building. Many sculptures are black and parts of the building are as well. It was from when the bombs hit the area during WWII. It breaks my heart, to finally see the damage of war. It is only in a small way, but to realize that this amazing building located in a city that held civilians was hit during a war, makes it real in away I had never experienced before...

Woody Posing in front of the church

Another angle of the Church

You can really see the black on the two smaller towers. So sad, yet so beautiful.

Me in front of the detailed side door (with Woody)

Posing with Chelsea in front of the church.

Many of the buildings have been restored but still show the signs of having been hit by bombs. The famous museum Pergamon, with many beautiful statues outside, still has some blackness to it. We also saw the Brandenburger Gate, and the Humboldt University. All of the buildings are so amazingly beautiful... History has such a way of speaking when you only take the time to listen in a place like this...

The Brandenburger Gate

Not sure about the story behind this fountain but we stopped and posed.

Woody sitting on the lap of a statue.

Posing in front of the fountain..

Well it is getting late and I need to teach tomorrow so I think I'm going to call it a night for this blog. I wish I had the time to share all the details of my days here, but it would be too much to write and probably way more than anyone wants to read. But Anyways, this was by far the best weekend I have had so far while here. The world is so full of adventure, if you are only willing to head out the door.

Oh yes, and to end the post two words of the day for Dad. Mitte, which means center basically. So Mitte Berlin is the center part of Berlin. The other word is Drücken, it basically means to push. So it is written on the doors that you need to push open! Good night all, I will write again after I survive my first lesson!