First Berlin Experiences!

            Before we left the Netherlands we checked our trains, and lo and behold our second train was cancelled due to the flooding. We were a little nervous about that change in itinerary but figured out there wouldn’t be an issue getting to Berlin. Unfortunately, the change of trains made it so the trip was about an hour longer but still made it to Berlin!

            Once we finally made it to the place we were going to be staying the next five nights the host was not home, and we had to find an Internet café to contact them. We waited for them inside the building since they said they’d be home in about an hour. The landlord told us we couldn’t wait there and unfortunately he couldn’t speak English so we just walked out. They showed up a couple seconds later and led us up to the room. In hindsight we probably shouldn’t have waited in the building but we were so tired from the trains and waking up early we just wanted to get to the room and our backpacks off our back.

            The first day in Berlin it was heavily raining and wasn’t too much fun being outdoors, but we walked around the city and checked out the Berlin cathedral and museum island. We decided not to go in any of the museums since we’ve been in so many, weren’t in the museum mood and the lines were pretty long to enter.

            We found ourselves near “Checkpoint Charlie”, which dates back to when the Berlin Wall separated east and west (1961-1989). Controlled by the Western Allies it was the American Sector. Anybody who wanted to leave the communist Soviet controlled East Berlin would have to make their way through one of these checkpoints. The Soviets were not so lenient on who they would let through the wall to “freedom” so people would escape in some amazing and creative ways or die trying. There is a museum located at Checkpoint Charlie all about the wall and ways people escaped. I highly recommend checking it out if you find yourself in Berlin. Before your visit though, I would do some research about the wall and the quality of life they had to really understand the severity of a lot of the people’s situations. Just down the street there is a remaining piece of the wall, which is cool to check out as well.

            Our second day we decided to visit Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Just outside of Berlin. Another place we highly recommend visiting if you find yourself traveling to Berlin.  You can take a paid tour from the city, but entrance into the museum/camp is free. I do advise getting an audio guide, located at the main entrance, to help navigate the camp and point out the important areas.

            The feeling of walking through the main entry to the camp where 200,000 innocent prisoners were led through, and where 30,000 people were murdered due to living conditions, humiliation, torture, and other horrific events is life changing. Having that weight on your shoulders while sauntering through the barracks, infirmary and seeing the ruins of the crematorium is something that you’ll never forget. Even though the camp is much smaller than the infamous Auschwitz it’s a powerful experience.