Buses, Berlin, Bratwurst

Deutschland 

      After saying ciao bella to Italy, I head out for the Autobahn. However, why not make a stop over in Switzerland first?

Zurich, Switzerland

   
  When one thinks of Switzerland, they think of yodelers and cheese. We pass through the alps as we journey from Milan to Zurich. It is only a four hour bus ride until we arrive at a random parking lot across from a Starbucks. Naturally, we walk in because Wi-Fi and no one knows where we're at. This is where we have our first encounters with the magic that is the exchange rate between the world and the Swiss Franc (i.e, an 9 USD grande coffee) .
        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?
         The beginning of the tour takes us through certain neighborhoods. One of interest being the student neighborhood where they fought for their right to party. Almost literally. By day the church served as a center for children and by night a center for partying university students.
          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
           After another bus, we arrive in Hamburg. We purchase our tram tickets and journey to the Reeperbahn where our hostel in located. The Reeperbahn is also where The Beatles made their first international appearance and where the city red light district is located. Our hostel is quite nice; just ignore the ladies of the night.
          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
       Our final stop on the spring break journey is Berlin, Germany. When most children dreamed of Disneyland, I dreamed of Berlin. Why you ask? Why not?! It is a city filled with stories of history and heartache and coming together again. Being the huge city it is we take a free walking tour. Our guide was English with an odd hatred for capitalism.
      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.
       Next, the tour goes to the Berlin Wall. A wall that separated what once was two separate nations. It is , again, a somber feeling. It is also important to fully comprehend the desire and desperation




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.