After about a week in the capital of Germany, I’ve started to feel attached to this diverse and bustling place.
People of all nationalities and cultures can be found here, and there’s always something to do. By now, I’d say I have seen about half of the city (it’s huge, so this is an impressive thing, I promise).
Berlin is beautiful and maintained while also being gloomy and under construction.
Everywhere you go in the city, you see architecture that has been restored and revived since WW2 and the Cold War. Cobblestone streets and buildings that take you back in time can be found on nearly every corner.
At the same time, gentrification and unfinished construction projects run rampant.
By the East Side Gallery, the longest open air gallery in the world and part of the wall that formed the border between East and West Berlin, you can feel this tension and two worlds colliding.
Across from the gallery is the construction site of the Mercedes Platz, which is scheduled to be completed in 2018. There will be two hotels, numerous restaurants, 12 cinema screens, a bowling alley and a concert venue on the property, just to name a few.
Previously, this spot of land between the River Spree and S-Bahn tracks was the site of bombed buildings and squatters.
A social media campaign entitled #FuckMediaSpree has shown the opposition that Berliners feel for these property investment projects. When and what will happen to some parts of this city is hard to tell.
Dogs walking around the city without leashes are just as likely of a sight as the many ongoing construction projects.
Whereas in America people would probably call the police and approach you angrily if you were to let your dog run loose in an urban setting, in Berlin, it’s the norm.
Leashes are not required and rarely used. The dogs obediently follow directly in front of, next to or behind their owners, though. I have yet to have a dog approach me and jump up for love and kisses.
I guess the German dogs have just as calm of a temperament as the people.
Graffiti is yet another thing you’re guaranteed to encounter in Berlin. In other places, this may be looked at as a small subculture or underground thing, but in Berlin, graffiti covers the walls of abandoned buildings and residential apartments.
I want to learn as much about this place as possible before my time is up on the 25th, so I'm really setting my goals on interesting and fun.
People of all nationalities and cultures can be found here, and there’s always something to do. By now, I’d say I have seen about half of the city (it’s huge, so this is an impressive thing, I promise).
Berlin is beautiful and maintained while also being gloomy and under construction.
Everywhere you go in the city, you see architecture that has been restored and revived since WW2 and the Cold War. Cobblestone streets and buildings that take you back in time can be found on nearly every corner.
At the same time, gentrification and unfinished construction projects run rampant.
 |
| Construction next to the Rotes Rathaus, or red city hall. |
By the East Side Gallery, the longest open air gallery in the world and part of the wall that formed the border between East and West Berlin, you can feel this tension and two worlds colliding.
 |
| Close-up of a mural at the East Side Gallery. |
Across from the gallery is the construction site of the Mercedes Platz, which is scheduled to be completed in 2018. There will be two hotels, numerous restaurants, 12 cinema screens, a bowling alley and a concert venue on the property, just to name a few.
 |
| Construction of the Mercedes Platz is underway. It is set to be completed in 2018. |
Previously, this spot of land between the River Spree and S-Bahn tracks was the site of bombed buildings and squatters.
A social media campaign entitled #FuckMediaSpree has shown the opposition that Berliners feel for these property investment projects. When and what will happen to some parts of this city is hard to tell.
 |
| #FuckMediaSpree graffiti across the River Spree, as seen from the East Side Gallery. |
Dogs walking around the city without leashes are just as likely of a sight as the many ongoing construction projects.
 |
| A man rides his bike while his dog loyally follows, no leash required. |
Whereas in America people would probably call the police and approach you angrily if you were to let your dog run loose in an urban setting, in Berlin, it’s the norm.
Leashes are not required and rarely used. The dogs obediently follow directly in front of, next to or behind their owners, though. I have yet to have a dog approach me and jump up for love and kisses.
I guess the German dogs have just as calm of a temperament as the people.
Graffiti is yet another thing you’re guaranteed to encounter in Berlin. In other places, this may be looked at as a small subculture or underground thing, but in Berlin, graffiti covers the walls of abandoned buildings and residential apartments.
I want to learn as much about this place as possible before my time is up on the 25th, so I'm really setting my goals on interesting and fun.
 |
| Dancing Girls, by French artist SOBR, can be found all over the city. He models them after women he sees in the nightlife of Berlin. |
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