Berlin, punkt.

With Berlin, I don't know where to start. From the beginning I found Berlin a bit overwhelming, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing. But now I know why people refer to Munich as a village. It is much smaller (in area) than Berlin and, at least to me, much easier to navigate. Munich also has a smallish city-center and it is very easy to get around zu Fuß. Whereas, in Berlin there is a lot more space; and, unless you want to spend the entire day walking from point A to point B, you should take public transportation everywhere. Yet, because of Berlin's crazy history and diverse neighborhoods, there is so much to do and see in the city that it is impossible to conquer it in a week, let alone years.

The night Steve and I arrived, we chose to take it easy after our six hour train trek across the country. We stayed with Steve's old roommate, Susann, in Neukölln (a gentrifying area in the outskirts of the city...but really, aren't they all?):

Graffiti in Neukölln
(Graffiti is EVERYWHERE in Germany and especially abundant in Berlin.)

Because we already told you about our experiences celebrating the Mauerfall Anniversary, I will skip that.

The rest of the week, Steve spent most of his time in archives and I (when not sick in bed) spent most of my time in museums. It may sound boring, but museums in Berlin are fantastic! If you ever find yourself in Berlin, please note that on Thursday evenings, entrance to most State art museums is frei. Below are some pictures from the Pergamon Museum, by far my favorite museum in Berlin:

Pergamon Altar
(This structure was orginally built in the 2nd century BC in ancient Greece.)

Me and My New Best Friend, Mr. Ionic Column
(Can you believe this is just the top part of a column? It's huge!)

Ishtar Gate
(This was the eighth gate to the inner city of Babylon, constructed in approximately 575 BC by King Nebuchadnezzar II.)

I also ventured to Checkpoint Charlie, the most famous checkpoint between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. Today, there isn't much there except for a sign declaring that you are either entering or leaving the American Sector and the official booth where real soldiers once stood guard and now an "American Soldier" stands waiting to rip you off. Once you get your picture taken with the soldier, he then declares in a thick German accent, "That will be ein Euro, bitte." Even more expensive is the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie, but on the other hand, much more worth it than a picture with a fake soldier:

You Are Now Leaving the American Sector
(Beware!)

Checkpoint Charlie
(Do you think this picture was worth it?)

Also, Steve took me to Treptower Park, the Soviet War Memorial designed and erected in East Berlin to show that it was, in fact, the Russians who single-handedly defeated the Nazis. The Park is surrounded by several large and looming statues glorifying the Russian defense force. One in particular depicts a Russian soldier smashing the Swastika with his boot, while saving a child with his non-sword-occupied arm:

Treptower Park
(Imposing Statue #1)

Treptower Park
(Imposing Statue #2...and there are plenty more where this comes from.)

Other than that, Steve and I ate a lot of amazingly delicious food and hung out with friends:

Susann and Steve
(On Steve's birthday at the 12 Apostles with a surprise birthday cake.)

Steve and Jacob
(Eating burgers at "The Bird")

The Infamous Rissani Teller
(And, of course, me and Steve)

We plan on visiting Berlin again in March. I hope to have some better stories for you then, instead of just show-and-tell. Bis bald!