Berlin

We finally made the trip to Berlin. Berlin is the capital of Germany with approx 3.5 million people. The city is full of history and culture. We weren't able to see everything but we did see quite a bit. We enjoyed Berlin and it is awesome that the four of us can say we touched the Berlin Wall but if we never go back again that's OK with us. Unlike every other city we have seen in Germany Berlin was dirty. Typically German cities are neat and welcoming, Berlin is a completely different story. The scenery is filled with graffiti and trash lined the streets. It reminded me of NYC before 9-11. We still enjoyed our trip and I'm not trying to discourage anyone from going it's just not one of those places we are itching to go back to any time soon.

Regardless the sights were still amazing!!

Our first stop was the Berlin wall. This picture is of the largest part of the Berlin wall still intact..





The streets are lined with this thin line of cobblestone. This cobblestone is where the Berlin Wall once stood.



Check Point Charlie...

Check Point Charlie was one of many check points during the Cold War seperating East from West Berlin.





Brandenburg Gate...





Kaiser Wilhelm Church...

This church was destroyed in the Berlin bombings but what is left of it was left standing as a reminder of the war.




Victory Column



Reichstag the German Parliament...



The central railway station. This station is significant because during the Cold War when the East and West were divided East Berlin purposely built all railways and such around West Berlin essentially cutting the West off. Since the West was cut off from any sort of land transportation the Berlin Airlift was started to bring in supplies. This railway station united the transportation systems of the East and West. It was opened last year before the World Cup games.


This airport is signifcant because this is where the Berlin airlift took place...



Schloss Bellevue...


KaDeWe is the largest department store in Europe.


Most street lamps are still gas operated here.



A memorial for those who tried to escape from East Berlin into West Berlin...


The Holocaust memorial...



The Berlin Zoo and Aquarium. We had to go check out what all the fuss was about. This is the zoo that is home to the baby polar bear, Knut. This is the polar bear you have probably heard about it in the news since he is a worldwide media sensation.