After saying ciao bella to Italy, I head out for the Autobahn. However, why not make a stop over in Switzerland first?
Zurich, Switzerland
We decide to take a personal walking tour through the city. The streets are narrow and often on hills, but views are well worth it. Naturally, we visit the main points such as the bridge and the main church of the city. We spend some time in the train station before leaving and decide student budgets and Switzerland are not synonymous with one another. Though, one day when I'm on a Bill Gates budget, this is where I'll have my vacation home.
Cologne, Germany
After an eternal bus ride with one stop in Stuttgart we arrive in Cologne, Germany. We arrive at the hostel where we partake in breakfast and wait for the walking tour. I should also mention that this walking tour advertises itself as an "alternative walking tour". It's free, so why not?
Our tour continues and tells us the story of it's history including the infamous church. The church sort of creeps upon oneself without notice. As always in Europe, there is construction going on. Never the less, it is overwhelming and tends to make one feel small.
After the tour, we pay a visit to the chocolate museum. It is more designed for either the young or young at heart. The museum tells of how chocolate is made and makes me feel slightly guilty for eating it as it shows pictures of child workers and explains the concept of workers rights. However, I still eat my free Lindt chocolate. I'm a student. The struggle is real.
Hamburg, Germany
The first day is quite a relaxing one. I venture through the city where I treat myself to a coffee and a muffin. I also make a trip to a grocery store because student budget. Once I am back at the hostel I have an interesting conversation with two other backpackers and end the night with Big Bang Theory.
Our second day in Hamburg is one of
meaning. There is something that can be said for such a city. A city that has been ravaged by history, but yet continually comes back to continue today. The story begins century ago with nobility and wealth. Though, perhaps the most somber, are the remnants of WWII. The most striking memorial is the rubble left over from a bombing of a church. It is left today as a reminder to future generations to what violence and war can cause. An important reminder indeed.
On a happier note, we visit another chocolate factory. This time, we create our own chocolate bars. I fill mine and design it. It serves as a reminder why I'm not in art school. Safe to say, I've knocked chocolate maker/designer off of my future career list.
Berlin, Germany
The first point is the Brandenburg Gate. A symbol that represents all of its major historical turns. Napoleon, Hitler, and the ending of separation occurred here. I imagine what the people who once walked here and those who have lived through all historical times.
We continue on the tour, but I was not emotionally prepared for our next memorial; the Jewish holocaust memorial. It is hard to describe, but it begins with low level aisles and nothing too overwhelming. However, continuing through the divisions become higher and the air colder. It is very frightening when unable to turn back around and there is an intense feeling of being alone. Though, the architect designed it in such a way that one will be left with thought.
people had to leave a life behind in order to be reunited with their families and special ones. I was personally reminded to be grateful of things I take for granted every single day and make a promise to myself to anything I can to make a better place.
We then make our way through Berlin stopping at all major points. It is difficult to fully absorb what this city has gone through. I have a new love for the city and could write pages about it alone, but I will leave this post with the most important "come back" to tragedy. We stop at the place where the Nazi book burning occurred. A small memorial is left. It is easy to miss as it is a small window into a cellar like room. This room is full of pure white, empty bookshelves; enough for the amount of books destroyed. Looking across the street, a book sale is going on. Our guide tells us this happens every single day in order to remember what happened during that time and celebrate the today of life.