July 2011

This was the Summer before I did an exchange program with my university and lived a year in Berlin (interchangeably between Hannover and a few months in Potsdam). Just walking through Berlin, I can feel that history is so prevalent in this city. Every turn and sign is a reminder of the past. The architecture is so beautiful, and the people seem so free. It was here that I witnessed certain people walking around barefoot, while rocking dreadlocks, not giving a care in the world. The people held anti-facist protests and made stickers and clothing against the system (AKA The Man). People smoked like chimneys and even in the house. They usually rolled their own cigarettes to save money. Weed isn’t uncommon either. They have döners, and if you are in the city, do not miss out on this fantastic find. Mustafa’s Gemüse Kebap is not in the center of anything, so you do have to go out of your way to get it, but it is worth the 30min – 2 hour line, depending on when you go. There is a line any time of the day, and it really is just a little kebap stand.

The beautiful world clock at Alexanderplatz.

Yes, I had to. It was the only gold part on her.

Roads are made of these little stones put together, so rolling your luggage through this will probably break the wheels of your suitcase, or even your hand (just kidding).

The Germans are also very environmentally conscious. These are bins to separate the green colored glass from the clear ones. There is a trash bin for every single type of trash that it takes me a second to determine what trash goes to waste, plastic, paper, or glass.

This beer had a stopper for me to save my beer as I take a swig and put it away in my purse. How thoughtful!

Political stickers are everywhere

Entering the DDR museum. This is the permit one would get to cross from East to West Berlin.

Jeans of the West (Levi’s – Capitalism)

Pants of the East

Watched Harry Potter in German

Movie theatre where many movie premiers are held. They held a Twilight event when I lived there about a year later.

The East Side Gallery

Loose translation: Now that you have tasted freedom, you will never forget it.

We snuck into a club by licking the stamps they stamp on your wrist, and transferring it to each other. We didn’t do a very good job, but told the bouncers that we had sweat it off, and we got in. They had painters that painted our faces, and this was the aftermath. We were off to go bar hopping, and my hosts didn’t want me to lose my way since I didn’t have a cellphone, so they drew a map on my forearm just in case.

Humboldt University

I went to Freie University, which was more out of the center of the city.

This is the Rotes Rathaus, where I eventually worked for a project they had for the governors and mayors of Asia and Europe. Yay, political science and international relations major!

Lastly, here is a picture to entice you in regards to the kebaps. This is unlike any other kebap, and is probably the best food of Berlin. This is coming from a person who doesn’t really enjoy eating her veggies, and still think this is completely magical.