Where East meets West--Berlin, Germany

Germany--did I really want to go? Biergartens, Volkswagens, Birkenstocks...I knew so little about this country beyond its WWII history, and I felt little attraction to explore it. I think I had a very real bias against it, due to Nazi history. But what I did find was delightful and encouraging! Germany was actually one of my favorite places to visit!
First, I was touched by the beautiful hilly terrain I encountered on the train from France. It was sweeping and green, with darling hamlets nestled under green mountains. As well, I was suprised to find people looking like the people I had grown up with in the Midwest. The area where I had grown up in Missouri was settled predominantly by Germans. Many of the last names I saw in Germany were the same as my neighbors back in Cape Girardeau, MO!
Not to be left out, their bread is amazing. It is actually a real food group, unlike the refined white stuff so typically consumed in the United States. It was hearty, rich and brown. They have 300 kinds of bread in Germany, and I wanted to try all of them!

And lastly, most critically, I feel an openness in Germany; as if they have dealt with the past and are coming out better on the other side! It seems there are good things for this next generation! I am excited!

In Berlin, I was met by a smiling face I knew! Lea, who had been a student in my second period class this past year on Kaua'i, was there to greet me. She is from Berlin, and had been an exchange student on Kaua'i her junior year. Seeing her was so refreshing; I was overjoyed! From that point on, I experienced complete happiness.
We went out to eat in an Italian restaurant on the corner from where I was staying. The pasta was homemade, and oh so ono(delicious!) We split a dinner, and to my suprise, she ordered an alcoholic beverage for herself! Apparently, the drinking age in Germany is 16, and it is no problem for kids her age to order a beer. Her drink was beer mixed with raspberry juice, some drink peculiar to Berlin itself.

the symbol on the pedestrian crossing lights

The next day we started early. She planned our route to maximize our time in the only day I had in this great city.

at the Wall

Compared to London and Paris, the streets and public transportation are relatively uncrowded. The s-bahn and u-bahn (above and below ground trains) were easy to use, and were never standing room only. For 6 euros, we could ride the public transit all day. She took me to the Berlin Wall, the Brandenburg Gate, the Parliament Building, the Great Synangogue, and to the Holocaust Museum and Memorial. It was 100 degrees but we had so much fun!
Then we relaxed by the river, in an area where locals cruise in the afternoons under shade trees.  For dinner, she took me to a popular square where kids her age like to hang out, and we tried real German fare for our last meal together.

the Great Synagogue

By evening, I had worn my young tour guide out! We said our goodbyes, and she returned to east Berlin, and me to my little hotel on the west.
I so look forward to seeing my sweet hostess again, and enjoy the wonderful food and beautiful vistas of this progressive country. Auf Wiedersehen! :) Shaloha, Heather

real German fare, beef rouladen

Memorial to Europe's Murdered Jews