Living History

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The morning got off to a stellar start with me waking up at noon, thus missing the 11am bike tour, as well as being forced to do some fashion experimentation (details reserved for friends).

I did get quite a bit done though, visiting Brandenburg Tor and the Reichstag before rushing back for the 4pm bike tour. The tour was well worth the money, as history lessons in the classroom never quite impressed upon me as much as when I'm literally staring right at it. Berlin really is living history in so many ways. Some of the buildings in the Jewish corner still have their original (bullet-hole ridden) facades preserved, while an incredible amount of building is at the same time still ongoing. It actually took a moment of reflection for me to realize that where I'm sleeping, not to mention most of the major sights, is in what used to be East Berlin. Yet, standing in Potsdamer Platz, surrounded by a dazzling display of steel and glass, an ignorant observer would be hard pressed to believe that all this is not too much more than a decade old.

I was especially impressed on the tour by the incredible effort made by the new government to be transparent. The parliamentarian's lounge/cafe area is separated from the public concourse by just slabs of glass (with the first 19 clauses of the German Constitution etched in them for good measure). Moreover, all German politicans apparently enter and leave the Reichstag in full public view through what's now the back door. Ironically though, tours of the Reichstag interior (not the dome) are conducted only by scheduled appointment.

The day rounded out on a much more social note. Had dinner with a large contingent, and left stuffed thanks to the rather...generous serving sizes here. I was thinking of turning in until I ran into an Australian quartet (Christina, Tammy, Mary and Katrina). Gave in to temptation and went out with them. I'm goign to pay with another very painful day on the bus tomorrow.

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Photos

Brandenburg Tor
Apparently, Berlin's symbol used to have a practical function as well...a gate for taxation purposes.

Reichstag
Due to the massive line, I didn't go up to the glass dome. From what I could see though, I think the building actually looks really good, and fitting as the seat of German government.

Jewish Memorial
The intended effect was to disorientate, and the memorial does a good job. I'm not sure what I think of the anti-graffiti coating though. Public expression issues aside, I think sourcing the stuff from the company that made its base capital supplying the Nazi's with gas to exterminate Jews was very much deserving of the uproar that ensued.

Ouch
The gold decorations on this victory tower in Tiergarten happen to be guilded French cannons. Talk about adding insult to injury...

The Berlin Wall
Or what's left of it. They've had to put up fences because people were taking pieces at a rather decimating pace.

Transparency
They took "transparency" to a new level. The politician's coffee breaks are literally open to public view. Oh yeah, the first 19 clauses of their Constitution are stamped on the glass for good measure. I definitely got the message.

Beer!
I'm becoming quite partial to the sizes Deustch beer comes in, and that's just the one litre glass. There's actually a two litre glass available, but we were advised against it on account of the weight.

Comments

[offtoberlin]

nice pictures
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