We visited Berlin as a business school trip. We traveled to hamburg first and visited the Volkswagen factory and got to tour the many showrooms for their associated companies such as Porsche and Audi. I'm really not into cars, but I still thought the tour was interesting. And I picked out my dream cars as seen below!
The next day we visited the historical and cultural areas in Berlin. The Berlin Wall, parliament, a couple small businesses, and the holocaust memorial. I love history especially from the WWII era. Visiting these monumental sites was extremely interesting. In the holocaust memorial, they have a short remembrance written for each Jew that was identified as having died at the hands of the Nazis. They play them 24/7 for all 6 million Jews murdered and then replay it. The whole cycle takes about 7 years to complete. I was so moved and impressed at this act. Another room was displays of diary entries and letters from persecuted Jews during the holocaust, the real thoughts of those directly involved.
Monuments in Berlin
Such a moving statement by young Jewish girl. This was in the Holocaust Museum
Holocaust Monument. The cement blocks represent the strength of prejudice and
how it can become overwhelming and encompassing, as if there's no way to escape it.
That night we visited a marketplace of food stands from talented chefs.
My chinese meal was only 6 euros, but tasted as if it was from a high scale restaurant.
The next morning we visited in a tourism expo with about every country in the world present. We spent quite a bit of the time speaking with travel agents from places we planned to travel to and about half the time in the American tourist display. It was comforting to speak to some Americans and get a little feel of home. It was also quite interesting to speak to them about how their marketing strategy differs for American and European tourists. Each night, the SPICE group went out for supper in the town and then played games and talked at the hotel, it was a good time getting to know each of them a little better.
Friday night we left for Prague by train. I've found that train rides can be a pretty good time of asking goofy questions like "would you rather.." to discussing theological topics with members of our group. Once we reached Prague five hours later we walked to our apartment and went out for fancy cocktails since things are so inexpensive there, my piña colada was only $4.
The next morning we took a walking tour of the old town. Prague is beautiful and so well preserved. The city is in Eastern Europe and was under nazi control, then communist control, and is finally free. Our tour guide spoke a lot about how these dictatorships influenced the lives of his ancestors...very informative!
That night we went to the one of the biggest clubs in Europe (I think..) it was 6 stories high, each floor having a different dance theme, such as oldies, pop, techno... Dancing with our SPICE group and just people watching too was a great time!
The next morning we took a tour of the newer part of the city where the castle was and did some shopping in the market. We were a bit more pressed for time so I wasn't able to enjoy it as much as I'd have liked, but overall a wonderful trip!
View of the new part or town from the opposite side of the river.
View from a top the castle in Prague
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