Solitary Sanctuary

When Germany and the rest of Europe (and a big part of the world) are celebrating the 20th year since the Berlin Wall fell, I'm writing my own German experience.

So I went to two German cities in a week, Hamburg and Berlin. They're of course two of the many BIG cities in Europe as well as the world, but it wasn't my plan to visit them first among the many other places in the country. I just did.

Arrived in Hamburg on a very foggy Saturday and the first impression wasn't great. Most of it was because the gloom reminded me of where I left to go on a vacation, so no, just wasn't ideal to see the same grey sky plus the even colder chill! Had a hard time looking for place to eat, cos everywhere we went, we see WURST! Sausages and MORE sausageesssss!!

Wurssttttttttt

Don't get me wrong, German sausages are as good as they're known to be BUT how can you eat sausages ALL day?? So we came to a conclusion that high rise cities as such just tend to be more cosmo, i.e. you get all sorts BUT local delicacies...we still had a good dinner after all and it's Italian *rolled eyes*

Italian in Germany

We were very lucky to be in Hamburg on a Sunday as it's the day where one of their biggest Fishmarkt (yes, fishmarket...which sells fish AND everything else!) took place at the port. I wish I could understand German when loud auctions were heard all over the place! Be it veges or fruits or fish, they were selling them in an auction manner. It was definitely an eye opener! The even bigger surprise came when we stepped into the old auction hall at the end of the market where bands were jammin' to rock and pop! Yes, live music at a fishmarket o.O So yea, it changed our thoughts of Hamburg, right there right then. If you ever visit the city, make sure you include a Sunday and go early to feel the crowd while smelling the coffee and fish ;)

Hamburg-on a good day ;)

Hamburg's a port city. So its port does make up a huge part of its sceneries (as much as I'm concerned). It was beautiful on a sunny day (we were lucky to have one out of our 3 days' stay). Went to a yacht/boat sale and pretend to know..LOL..and ended up eating...yup, you guess it right...WURST! :D Took a ferry and went along the coast on a rainy day wasn't a good idea but always worth the experience!

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Tiergarten, Berlin

Berlin came next after a 3-hour-slept-throughout bus ride (Tip 1: Get your tickets online to save the fuss! Applies to most European countries I suppose. Best advice comes from tourist forum, e.g. Trip Advisor etc). Even colder. Not happy. But the hotel made our day. 4-star service at a hostel bunk bed price, we had every reason to be jolly! (Tip 2: www.priceline.co.uk, recommended based on my own very pleasant experience) Both cities offer very good public transportation at a reasonable price (Tip 3: If you're travelling in a group of more than two, do look out for Group Fare which would save you quite a bit!) Found the hotel in no time, which is a relief!

Nh West Berlin

If you've not heard of Berlin, you might have heard of the Wall instead? That's how famous it is! First glimpse of it came right after we reached the city centre. And I thought...so this is it? (as of many of those who've been to Berlin would say the same...) BUT I must say I was wrong. Lunch was Italian AGAIN >.< I guess that's how much Germans like Italian? It was at Vapiona at Potsdamer Platz, food was brilliant for a good price! Everything was cooked right in front of your eyes and almost everything's self serviced, not much to complain for such a location AND atmosphere :) Walked through the city and ended up at the Holocaust Memorial site. You might have seen it in pics and not realise it, but a visit is definitely worth the time. It's disturbingly sad but at the same time a reminder...of the past...and for Berlin, it's merely 20 years ago. The city was divided then, today it's reunited. It's difficult to acknowledge what human have once done to their own kind, for no reason, but because you were of a certain heritage. And today, it is for us to think and to decide whether to forgive or not to...it is hard but we shall. Just because history told us to.

A bit of a reminder

Faces of the Past

I didnt expect a trip to be so educational. Yea, I've no better word for it. Might sound like a put off to many, but I think history makes Berlin a city of unique characteristics today. It's just intriguing to see what human can do to their own kind, for no reason at many times. Went on a FREE guided tour the next day (Tip 4: Many European cities have this sorta tour and it IS totally free. Guides work on a tip-basis and I assure you, after my few trips, you'd find it worth giving a token of appreciation after) I quote our guide, Nickolai (a Bulgarian): " Seeing Berlin today and thinking how it was 20 years ago, you can't help but to think what would happen in the next 20? Scary thought..." It is so true. The skyscrappers represent worldclass architectectures and massive development, but when you turn around and see the remains of the wall...you just wonder...how much human can do and at the same time destroy. Berlin represents freedom to the Germans and many of the European countries. As an Asian, I'm just glad I understand better now.

Fall in Germany is definitely the most beautiful I've seen so far. The colours of the leaves are just amazing.The prettiest palette of red, yellow and orange. The air was crisp and chilly. The kinda autumn I've always imagined :)

Gendarmenmarkt

In front of Reichstag

Nope, the German language still doesnt appeal much to me. I survived the week with 'Danke! Danke!' and that's bout it ;p I STILL managed to find my way to the best of Germany...

Pork knuckle, mash and sauerkraut

and of course...

The best brew in town!

That's 500ml of good German beer, which I managed to drink til the last drop...but not the meat. It was HUGE!! Pork knuckle is not much of a Berlin-thing anyway...hehe

Thus ends my German story. For now :)

Berlin wall never looks the same to me again.