Long-overdue Berlin post

I've had this scribbled down for quite some time in a notebook, but I've been lazy and haven't typed this up! Many apologies to those who've been waiting for it!

Berlin was a very large, very industrial sort of city. We were pretty much at the city center and our hostel was relatively close to Unter den Linden, which is basically the heart of Berlin. There were a ton of touristy restaurants, bars, and the like on Unter den Linden and at one end is the Brandenburg Gate and at the other end is the Deutsches Historisches Museum (aka one of the best places ever).

On our first day we went to the Reichstag and then did a walking tour. The Reichstag is very neat, and I have some pretty decent photos of it. My favourite part was the Russian graffiti that they integrated into the room design--it was a very interesting way of preserving history. The dome was also interesting, and the view was pretty good. However, after all this walking the walking tour was torture--my feet hurt so bad. (I have since learned that one does not pack rain boots and expect to not have blisters by the end of the trip).

The second day was spent traipsing around the German Historical Museum. It was so interesting, but unfortunately I don't have many pictures because I'm not sure pictures were allowed? So there's only, like, two or three pictures of that. The museum spanned the early Germanic tribes period shortly after the fall of Rome up to present day German history. Basically, it was a lot of information--too much, really. I think my favorite part was the 1700s-1800s period, aka the I-have-all-the-money-'cause-I'm-royalty-look-at-my-expensive-things period. I've never seen so much silver in my life! (Also, it made me think of the Royal Babylon book, which is always funny.)

I stayed an extra day and went to Potsdam with a few of my classmates. We went to Sanssouci, which was the summer palace of the Prussian king Friedrich II, and is situated in the middle of a huge park. The castle was beautiful, but the effect would have been a lot better if it was spring or summer when the park would be green and not as ugly and sparse. Maybe a return trip should happen? I don't know.

Berlin and Prague photos should be up shortly! =)