Germany Part 3: Berlin

Berlin

Berlin was probable my favorite experience of this trip (the castle comes in close 2nd). There is not really anything that I have experienced that comes close to this city in terms of its history. Also, there was a lot of cool Architecture. But what made the city come alive for us was our tour guide (Sam) who took us around the city and explained the history of the city in a rally engaging way. During this tour we saw things like the memorial the murdered jews of Europe, the Reichstag, the place where Hitler killed himself, the remainder of the Berlin wall, checkpoint Charlie, the Brandenborg gate and much more. Here are some pictures from the significant sites:

Outside the Riechstag, the first thing that we saw

At the top of the Reichstag

The engineering is really cool here. The mirrors catch the sunlight and use it to light and heat the rest of the building. The shade on the right eliminates the glare. 

These glass windows allow people to peer into the main government chamber symbolizing the transparency Germany wants as a characteristic of their officials. 

One of four towers at the top

The highest building in Berlin in the Background, the radio tower

Having a good laugh after finishing off our first German sausages

This is our tour guide Sam. Easily the most talented tour guide I have ever known. 

Made a 3 hour tour seem like it took minutes. Ton's and ton's of history clearly 

and persuasively presented.

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. 

(There were 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust)

Inside the memorial

This is right overtop of the bunker where Hitler spent his last days. 

He killed himself here by shooting himself in the head after drinking poison with his wife of one day. 

This is the last standing Nazi building in Berlin. Later this building was inhabbited by 

leaders in the communist party. Now it is a office for the Berlin tax service. 

This picture describes the ideal communist state, everyone happy. 

This is the Berlin wall. This is significant because Berlin was the only place that people from the East where allowed to go to the west during the reign of the communist party. This wall (initially constructed in one night) officially closed off east Europe (and by default east Germany) from West Germany. The wall only came down in 1989 after being up since 1961. 

A marker for the wall

Famous checkpoint Charlie, the place where WWIII almost started. 

The site of the famous book burning

At the end of a very satisfying day. Behind us is the famous Brandenburg 

gate probably the number one symbol of unity between East and West Berlin.