Last Saturday I headed to Europe for a short break – namely a weekend in Berlin followed by a few days in Krakow, which incidentally was my first visit to Poland (and will be documented in a subsequent blog post).
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Berlin 5/5
After walking around the Bundestag several times, and up to the Reichstag Dome, I really wish we had as cool government buildings over in the UK.
Westminster Palace? Blergh
Whitehall? Bleh
London City Council? Pfffpht
10 Downing Street? Meh
Reichstag? Dayum
Bundestag cluster? Cooooooolllllllll. Its set in a park. A *park*, along the Spree.
Yes, I am fully aware that London is cramped & most major European capitals have far more space available to them. Still though.
Pfffppfht.
Berlin 4/5
I’m conflicted. The architecture student in me was rather in awe of the design of the park, but… I did feel a little unsettled setting foot in the park.
Berlin 3/5
The Jewish History Museum was fascinating in an enlightening yet sombre way. As well as the permanent exhibition on Jewish History, they had a temporary exhibition on Women & the Veil (running until 27th August). I felt that it was a brilliant exhitibion pointing out the current societal tugs between religions, secularism, sexism, politics and no shortage of double-standards in those fights. If you’re in Berlin, take a look.
I also popped into the Berlin Modern Art Gallery/Museum (Berlinische Galerie), which had a significant collection of photography that was interesting to see.
Berlin 2/5
I ended up having a thoroughly enjoyable Korean meal the 2nd night I was there, at Seoul Kitchen, near Warschauer Strasse. Afterwards, I walked back to Rosenthaler Platz (a good 5km), walking along the old wall (which has since been taken over by some stunning murals, and now known as the East Side Gallery).
Berlin 1/5
Last week, I took a break to Berlin - thoroughly amazing city. It felt like I had both gotten nothing done, and yet an also seen an awful lot. Having just tried to list everything I had seen & done, I’m going to go with “done a lot, seen a lot”. However, there is still a lot more to see and do - one day I’d like to go back.
Berlin’s infrastructural development was also fascinating. Trams, Buses, Taxis, Overground, Underground, bicycle lanes, multiple local, regional & international airports. To get to Berlin I took the international trains - Eurostar, then DB’s ICE link from Brussels via Frankfurt. Next time I do a trip to the European mainland, I think I’ll do the train again.
A selection of photos from the trip will be uploaded over the next few days. I didn’t actually get much photography in as I would have liked - combination of the hot & humid weather, and simply not being in the mood.