Nathan's Insights

Saturday 13 May 2006
Highlights: Learning the history of Checkpoint Charlie

I visited Checkpoint Charlie and learned about all the escape attempts and the 100+ people who died.   You have to remember that West Berlin was surrounded by East Berlin.   East Berlin trains went through the West, but didn’t stop.   During the blockade it would have been very difficult to live in West Berlin.

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Friday 12 May 2006
Highlights: Berlin Wall, Hilters Bunker, CheckPoint Charlie, Bebelplatz (infamous book burning site), Reichstag Dome

I’m staying in a hostel in the old East Berlin which is actually were the best sightseeing for Berlin actually is, including the giant TV tower the communist created to stop Western broadcasts.

I did a great walking tour; in short we visited or saw: the Berlin Wall, what’s left of it, the Deathstrip, Hitler’s Bunker, Checkpoint Charlie, Memorial for murdered Jews, Bebelplatz – site of booking burning, and the Reichstag Dome – Government headquarters.

There is currently 20% unemployment in Germany and it shows.   Tourist help out a lot but the linking of East & West is causing some problems.

Seeing things I had read about, like the Bebelplatz book burning is very moving as is seeing the Berlin wall and reading the stories of those who tried to cross is inspiring but it makes you think about the barriers we put up now in our country.

I finished the day with a Pub Crawl.   Beer is actually very cheap in Berlin.   I made it to the last pub, number 4, but decided to stop before the club while I could still walk.   Beer is usually given to you in 0.5 litres and is about 8% strong.   It doesn’t that long until you can barely walk.   I met some great Canadians who have all of a sudden started appearing on backpacker circuit to counter balance all the Australians.