Hello readers,
I just wanted to take a second to let you know that I'm still alive. The wifi in our hostel in Prague isn't that great and I don't feel much like taking the effort to somehow get the pictures to upload and everything.
Once I get back to Rennes I'll catch up!
Hope the weather wherever you are is actually summer weather, cause it surely isn't here. But hey, I'm in Europe. I'm not complaining!
Best,
Holly
PS, Prague is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. Be ready for some great entries.
4/30/2013
4/28/2013
Walking Tour Berlin
Yesterday we took a walking tour of Berlin and I began to realize why, at first, I didn't like this city. It's not what you expect to find in the capital city of Germany with all of the construction construction, lack of a noticeable style of architecture, and ample graffiti. If I hadn't seen the few centuries-old buildings that we saw yesterday, I might even have said Berlin could easily be any city in America.
And that's true, it kind of could...except for the reasons the way Berlin is nothing like Paris: it was completely destroyed during the World Wars. That's what makes Berlin so different from any place I've ever been.
This city has such a rich, powerful history. Just imagine what a city ravaged by war and then half-ruled be the Soviet Union less than 30 years ago. The result is obviously not going to be the prettiest thing.
But Berlin's a beautiful city in its own way and there definitely are more traditionally beautiful sections.
Our tour stated yesterday at the Brandenburg Gate which, among other things, served as one of the checkpoints between East and West Berlin. Up until 1997 (I think?), the square all around it was barren...and if you we're caught there, you'd be shot (to kill) immediately by Soviet border guards. Located there now is the most luxurious hotel in Berlin out of which Michael Jackson famously dangled his baby.
Then we went to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. It's the picture of the concrete blocks. There are no names, no dates, no writing at all. You're meant to just walk thought the lines of blocks that begin to tower over you and block your vision of just about anything except for what's in a straight line directly in front of and behind you. The architect didn't assign any direct interpretation so you're allowed to take it as you will.
We then saw sections of the wall (that have been removed from the original site) that have been painted more recently on our way to Hitler's bunker where he and his wife committed suicide, putting an end to the war. Now there's a parking lot there. Usually I'd be disappointed that a part of history was just buried, but I think it was definitely the appropriate move for this particular place.
Then we got into the section of the city where the older buildings are as you can see, there's construction literally everywhere. Berlin's still rebuilding and restoring from all of the destruction, especially in East Berlin because the Soviet's didn't exactly care about spending money on old German buildings.
Museum Island, which is really is an island, is super beautiful. There are tons of old (partially rebuilt---no area was spared in the bombings) buildings and museums. Sadly the palace of the former royal family was demolished instead of restored by the Soviets after World War II.
After the tour we go Vietnamese food for lunch at a restaurant called Miss Saigon. So delicious and so cheap, I even got an avocado shake. It's definitely a must-visit if you're ever in Berlin.
The next thing we saw was the East Side Gallery, over a mile of the wall and the most famous section. It's a lot the riverfront and the government has talked about moving sections to build luxury apartments. On one hand I think that's a terrible move but on the other, it might bring some much-needed revenue to the city.
Just one last thing I want to mention: notice the postcards with the little red and green men. Those are actually the traffic men (you know on lights, that tell you when to walk) in East Berlin. We noticed them and thought they were really weird when we got here hit yesterday our tour guide explained to us that they're supposed to be little communist men wearing work hats. I guess the German government chose to keep them in Easy Berlin for the sake of history!
And finally after our long day we went to a hookah bar. I don't have any pictures because it was really dark, but it was lots of fun.
Oh and also yesterday we learned that the fall of the Berlin Wall was a complete accident. A politician accidentally read aloud a top-secret document which was actually about be fact that some people would be allowed to apply for visas to leave East Berlin. Instead he told journalists that literally anyone could leave East Berlin, effective immediately...not exactly what his bosses had detailed. Anyway, that's how it happened.
Since I have a lot of pictures to post I have to put them in separate entries, the blogger app on my phone can't handle it.
Here are the links to the entries with photos.
East Side Gallery:
http://labelleviehmg.blogspot.de/2013/04/pictures-east-side-gallery.html?m=1
All the rest:
http://labelleviehmg.blogspot.de/2013/04/pictures-walking-tour-berlin.html?m=1
And that's true, it kind of could...except for the reasons the way Berlin is nothing like Paris: it was completely destroyed during the World Wars. That's what makes Berlin so different from any place I've ever been.
This city has such a rich, powerful history. Just imagine what a city ravaged by war and then half-ruled be the Soviet Union less than 30 years ago. The result is obviously not going to be the prettiest thing.
But Berlin's a beautiful city in its own way and there definitely are more traditionally beautiful sections.
Our tour stated yesterday at the Brandenburg Gate which, among other things, served as one of the checkpoints between East and West Berlin. Up until 1997 (I think?), the square all around it was barren...and if you we're caught there, you'd be shot (to kill) immediately by Soviet border guards. Located there now is the most luxurious hotel in Berlin out of which Michael Jackson famously dangled his baby.
Then we went to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. It's the picture of the concrete blocks. There are no names, no dates, no writing at all. You're meant to just walk thought the lines of blocks that begin to tower over you and block your vision of just about anything except for what's in a straight line directly in front of and behind you. The architect didn't assign any direct interpretation so you're allowed to take it as you will.
We then saw sections of the wall (that have been removed from the original site) that have been painted more recently on our way to Hitler's bunker where he and his wife committed suicide, putting an end to the war. Now there's a parking lot there. Usually I'd be disappointed that a part of history was just buried, but I think it was definitely the appropriate move for this particular place.
Then we got into the section of the city where the older buildings are as you can see, there's construction literally everywhere. Berlin's still rebuilding and restoring from all of the destruction, especially in East Berlin because the Soviet's didn't exactly care about spending money on old German buildings.
Museum Island, which is really is an island, is super beautiful. There are tons of old (partially rebuilt---no area was spared in the bombings) buildings and museums. Sadly the palace of the former royal family was demolished instead of restored by the Soviets after World War II.
After the tour we go Vietnamese food for lunch at a restaurant called Miss Saigon. So delicious and so cheap, I even got an avocado shake. It's definitely a must-visit if you're ever in Berlin.
The next thing we saw was the East Side Gallery, over a mile of the wall and the most famous section. It's a lot the riverfront and the government has talked about moving sections to build luxury apartments. On one hand I think that's a terrible move but on the other, it might bring some much-needed revenue to the city.
Just one last thing I want to mention: notice the postcards with the little red and green men. Those are actually the traffic men (you know on lights, that tell you when to walk) in East Berlin. We noticed them and thought they were really weird when we got here hit yesterday our tour guide explained to us that they're supposed to be little communist men wearing work hats. I guess the German government chose to keep them in Easy Berlin for the sake of history!
And finally after our long day we went to a hookah bar. I don't have any pictures because it was really dark, but it was lots of fun.
Oh and also yesterday we learned that the fall of the Berlin Wall was a complete accident. A politician accidentally read aloud a top-secret document which was actually about be fact that some people would be allowed to apply for visas to leave East Berlin. Instead he told journalists that literally anyone could leave East Berlin, effective immediately...not exactly what his bosses had detailed. Anyway, that's how it happened.
Since I have a lot of pictures to post I have to put them in separate entries, the blogger app on my phone can't handle it.
Here are the links to the entries with photos.
East Side Gallery:
http://labelleviehmg.blogspot.de/2013/04/pictures-east-side-gallery.html?m=1
All the rest:
http://labelleviehmg.blogspot.de/2013/04/pictures-walking-tour-berlin.html?m=1
4/25/2013
Berlin Wall Memorial
Today we got in at 5 and hung out in the bus station for about an hour. Then we found our way to our hostel and finally headed out to see the Berlin Wall Memorial.
It was incredible, as you can see in the pictures.
In one of the photos you can see how the wall would have been back before it was torn down. I'm still in disbelief that so many people were shot (some of the victims are pictured) just for trying to obtain their basic rights.
The fact that East Berlin was even allowed to exist just baffles me, and I know this is just the start of the shock I'm going to experience here in Berlin having to do with Nazi Germany.
We really didn't do much today because we were so exhausted but tomorrow and Saturday we will be doing walking tours of the city.
From what I can tell of Berlin, which truly isn't much, it's not that beautiful of a city, definitely not what one expects from Europe (especially jut having been in Amsterdam). But how could it be when so much of it has been destroyed and rebuilt over the last 100 years?
But we'll see how I feel about it all after the next few days.
Anyway, for lunch we had currywurst at Konnopke's (which is said to be the best in town) and it was pretty good.
I'm exhausted right now and sitting in the hall to get wifi, but the immature group of 15 year olds down the hall is driving me freaking insane. I'll write more tomorrow, the travel fatigue is starting to take a toll on me!
It was incredible, as you can see in the pictures.
In one of the photos you can see how the wall would have been back before it was torn down. I'm still in disbelief that so many people were shot (some of the victims are pictured) just for trying to obtain their basic rights.
The fact that East Berlin was even allowed to exist just baffles me, and I know this is just the start of the shock I'm going to experience here in Berlin having to do with Nazi Germany.
We really didn't do much today because we were so exhausted but tomorrow and Saturday we will be doing walking tours of the city.
From what I can tell of Berlin, which truly isn't much, it's not that beautiful of a city, definitely not what one expects from Europe (especially jut having been in Amsterdam). But how could it be when so much of it has been destroyed and rebuilt over the last 100 years?
But we'll see how I feel about it all after the next few days.
Anyway, for lunch we had currywurst at Konnopke's (which is said to be the best in town) and it was pretty good.
I'm exhausted right now and sitting in the hall to get wifi, but the immature group of 15 year olds down the hall is driving me freaking insane. I'll write more tomorrow, the travel fatigue is starting to take a toll on me!
Sad to leave the City of Diamonds
Amsterdam was great. It's a beautiful, clean, welcoming, incredible city. Don't let the Red Light district or the numerous "coffee shops" dismay you from visiting, I'm going to go back without a doubt and its a wonderful city for anyone visit!
On our last day, we went to Bloemenmarkt (a tulip market), he Albert Cuyp market (an everything market), saw Dam Square, saw the Heineken brewery, got some sunburn in Vondelpark, and tried the haring that's known around here.
I didn't like the haring at all but the rest of the day was wonderful! Then around 9pm we packed up and headed out to Berlin. We got in at 5am (which was as miserable as it sounds, but it was cheap!) but that journey is going to be the next post!
On our last day, we went to Bloemenmarkt (a tulip market), he Albert Cuyp market (an everything market), saw Dam Square, saw the Heineken brewery, got some sunburn in Vondelpark, and tried the haring that's known around here.
I didn't like the haring at all but the rest of the day was wonderful! Then around 9pm we packed up and headed out to Berlin. We got in at 5am (which was as miserable as it sounds, but it was cheap!) but that journey is going to be the next post!
4/23/2013
Days 2 and 3 in Amsterdam
So, I didn't realize how much I was going to not want to blog during the trip.
I'm just gonna make lists and post unedited photos from now on, apologies in advance for the sloppiness!
Yesterday (Monday April 22) we:
Saw the giant tulip fields
Ate these tiny Dutch pancakes
Saw the old Olympic stadium
Had falafel for dinner
Explored the city by getting lost a lt
Today (Tuesday May 23) we:
Went on a canal ride around the whole entire city
Saw the Anne Frank house (in which we couldn't take photos)
Saw the Red Light district (also of which we thought we were unable to take photos)
Stumbled upon a fair
Ate delicious Dutch pastries (of why we forgot to take pictures)
Again with the uncontrollable order of postings, but I'm sure you can figure it out.
I'm just gonna make lists and post unedited photos from now on, apologies in advance for the sloppiness!
Yesterday (Monday April 22) we:
Saw the giant tulip fields
Ate these tiny Dutch pancakes
Saw the old Olympic stadium
Had falafel for dinner
Explored the city by getting lost a lt
Today (Tuesday May 23) we:
Went on a canal ride around the whole entire city
Saw the Anne Frank house (in which we couldn't take photos)
Saw the Red Light district (also of which we thought we were unable to take photos)
Stumbled upon a fair
Ate delicious Dutch pastries (of why we forgot to take pictures)
Again with the uncontrollable order of postings, but I'm sure you can figure it out.
4/21/2013
I amsterdam
Today was our first full day here. We started our day with bagels, something we've REALLY missed, then went to the Rijkmuseum (and saw the I amstersam sign along the way), then we got our first stoopwafels (two warm, thin waffles with caramel inside). We found our way to our second hostel (that we'll be staying in for the next 3 nights), got settled in, and grabbed dinner. We got Thai food, so good! As you can see I had coconut juice for my drink :)
Some general observations: Dutch people are REALLY nice (nicer than Americans! And far friendlier that the French), the Dutch language sounds like a mixture of French, English and Alien, and we all miss America (it's the certain comforts of having stores open on Sundays, waiters who smile at you, and food that actually has lots of flavor that remind you what you're missing). Also, so many people use bicycles as a means of transportation here it's INCREDIBLE.
Oh, and I have to mention that he stairs in our hostel are basically just ladders. The building is tall and skinny (and the people here, too) so the stairs are kiiiinda scary.
Again I'm not sure what order the pictures will post in but hopefully you can piece it all together!
Some general observations: Dutch people are REALLY nice (nicer than Americans! And far friendlier that the French), the Dutch language sounds like a mixture of French, English and Alien, and we all miss America (it's the certain comforts of having stores open on Sundays, waiters who smile at you, and food that actually has lots of flavor that remind you what you're missing). Also, so many people use bicycles as a means of transportation here it's INCREDIBLE.
Oh, and I have to mention that he stairs in our hostel are basically just ladders. The building is tall and skinny (and the people here, too) so the stairs are kiiiinda scary.
Again I'm not sure what order the pictures will post in but hopefully you can piece it all together!
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