Day 1 (9 June): Arrival at Berlin...

We arrived at around 2pm. There were 30 people in this group. Not surprise to find so many teachers in the group. Our tour manager was Diana. The tour started off with a city tour of Berlin city centre. The local guide was Walter.

To me, the greatest highlight was the Berlin wall at the East Side Gallery. Indeed, my notion of the Berlin wall was a very thick and heavy wall! To my surprise, it was no thicker than any ordinary wall. Even the top was not lined up with thick barred wires like those of the prison. What's left is only that 1 km stretch, which was turned into an art piece. Interesting. Though graffiti is part of the European culture, the wall is still quite well-maintained! In fact it would be nice to have the time to hang around the area, spend more time to appreciate the art. It's also amazing to learn that it was built overnight, but to be precise completed in 3 days. Amazing, isn't it? On the other hand, it tells how cruelty could be like... Imagine, a family could be separated overnight! Of course, the wall has its political significance. Ok, gonna read more about World War II.

Another significant landmark that we visited was the open air art installation that sits on top of the underground Holocaust museum. A very interesting display, where the uneven heights of the blocks represent the people who underwent the disaster! No wonder the guard went around chasing the youngsters off the blocks.

Another place worth mentioning was Charlie checkpoint. It sounded like there was only one (and only one), actually, there are 8 altogether. What's so special about this place? It was a line that separated the land under Russian and American governance. Anyway, it had become very commercialized.

The last stop was the Brandenburg Gate. Not that spectacular, I think. Of course, it had to be one of the main monument in the country as it's where the nation celebrated it's victory!

More Photos at: 1. Berlin, Germany