Berlin

Now comes Berlin. This. City. Is. Huge. I spent all day walking around and only saw a bit of it. I started by the Bahnof Zoo, headed through the Tiergarten, up past the Victory column, to the Reichstag (currently under high alert for fears of terrorism), Brandenburg Gate, Unter den Linden, and the Dom. The Museum for the German people was crazy. The annex by IM Pei was well done and simple in contrast to the old building. The museum and all the sights provided for a lot of time and reflection on how people treat eachother. I don't think I will ever understand. Tomorrow will include a trip up to the Philharmonie (orchestra hall) and some of the museums that are typically closed on Mondays.

I think Wednesday, however, merits a day off. Going to find a beach and bring my 'book' and relax before hopping the train to Prague. There is still a portion of the wall that is up on my way to the beach, so it will not be a totally mindless day.

By the way, for those of you considering travel where several guidebooks will be necessary, my Kindle has been essential in saving space and weight.

For those of you who know me well, and most of you do, the language barrier has provided A LOT of time for silent reflection, completely out of character to be quiet so long in a daz. It has been really nice though. Hopefully if I feel the need to burst out and start talking, there is someone around to make conversation with.

By and large, people in all cities have been nice. Whether they understand or not. I don't typically need to ask for to much, so I suppose that helps. The hostels have been not at all like the scary movie that half of my so-called friends said I should watch prior to the trip. Jerks. ;) They have been clean and secure and in really great locations.

I am about to run out of time on the internet, so until next time.

P.S. I think there was a typo in the previous post. Should have been Kolumba in cologne.