It was extremely hot today, and we did a lot.
After breakfast we headed over to the main Zoo Station for the start of our tour. On the way we stopped for post cards. We got to the station and our tour began. It was a 4 hour walking tour that totally exhausted us by the end. We started in West Berlin, where we only stayed for about 5 minutes. Most of what we saw here we had seen before: the zoo, the main station. There's not much more to this area of Berlin.
Then, we took the train to Hackeshermarkt, where later we went to dinner. The guide showed us the East Berlin cable cars and the beautiful dome of the Berlin cathedral. We were herded across the river Spree, to museum island, Berlin's island of 5 world class museum's. On the bridge we saw Berlin's great golden domed synagouge that had been protected in WWII.
We saw the facades of famous museums and left the island. On our way out, we saw a really beautiful monument. It was in an old Prussian artilleries room. Origionally it was a monument for victims of Napoleons War. Then it was changed to a monument of WWI victims, then a monument to WWII victims. The government decided then to change it to a memorial to victims of War. The monument is one empty room. An unknown victim from a concentration camp is buried in the soil from 5 different concentration camps. Above the body is a statue of a mother with her dying son. The artist lost her grandfather, father, and a son from war. The monument really touched me.
We walked to Bableplatz where we saw the site of the first book burning. Hitler and his army raided for any of their unnaproved books in Humboldt University's Library. There is a little window through which you can see empty book shelves. Although I didn't really understand, we were supposed to see our reflection in the window, and think about what we would have done if we were there.
Also, we saw another beautiful church in the square.
We left this area to visit a "ghost station." This is a station that was not used during the cold war because it brought East Berliners to West Berlin.
After seeing lots of Embassies, we took a pastry break. They were all buttery and delicious.
After our break, we saw the Brandenburg gate and then went for a second time to the Murdered Jews Memorial, which even a second time is breathtaking to walk through. The guide brought us to the site where Hitler died. It is in a big dusty parking lot. There we stood over his supposed grave and learned how exactly he died. I was kind of confused, so I still am not sure how it happened.
We saw the Finance Building, a stark collasal block of offices. There was a non-violent protest here in 1953. The protesters were all killed.
We walked to a section of the Berlin wall which was cool to see. I touched it... I don't think I was supposed to.
I next saw Checkpoint Charlie, which was totally unimpressive, but we got to hear an escape story.
This was basically the end of the tour, but from there we walked to Reichstag. Very high security, but the views were great! We could see the whole city. It was cool to learn what the Reichstag meant to the German people.
After this, we were all totally shot on energy. However, there was a museum I really wanted to see so Bridget, my Dad and I walked to the Pergamon Museum, while my Mom and Nora walked home to rest. Of course the museum-goers were tired too, so we got some french fries on the way.
I was so glad we made it to the Pergamon. There are some great famous exhibits: The Greek Temple of Pergamon, the Gateway of Miletus, the Ishtar Gate. It was so fun for me to see because I have learned a lot about these things.
Before heading home we got some European mc flurry called the Magnum Brownie. We ate at a small place in Hackesher market for dinner.
After this, we split up. The girls went to the artificial indoor plaza Potsdamerplatz, while Dad went home. We are all very tired, so that's all.
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