This week, I had the wonderful chance to spend a few days in Berlin, a city rich in history that beautifully mixes the old with the new. Here are some of my impressions of Berlin.
Our hotel was near Gendarmenmarkt, a charming square in Berlin. We couldn’t walk through it though, because an outdoor classical concert was taking place. The area was fenced off and required tickets, but many people had gathered around the square to listen and enjoy the music.
Berlin is a city always under development, and construction is evident everywhere. The city seamlessly blends old and new architecture. A great example of this can be seen in the developments around the Gendarmenmarkt.
The concert attracted people of all ages. Fashion in Berlin is generally casual—most people wear t-shirts and jeans. However, I did notice a lady who stood out with a more unique style.
An important part of Berlin’s history is the Berlin Wall, built in 1961 to divide the city. Checkpoint Charlie was one of the crossing points, now represented by a small checkpoint. Nearby, there is an outdoor exhibit detailing the events leading up to the construction of the wall and its demolition in 1989. I saw how this area looked during the 1960s and took a picture from the American side looking towards the Russian side.
While walking around, we encountered some old Trabants and even an old section of the wall, now used as a backdrop for an exhibition on the rise of the Hitler regime.
Potsdamer Platz is another significant location, marking where the old road from Potsdam passed through the Berlin city wall at the Potsdam Gate. This area was destroyed during World War II and remained empty during the Cold War, as the Berlin Wall split its previous location. Since Germany’s reunification, Potsdamer Platz has undergone major redevelopment, including the Sony Center.
On our first day, I had a very casual look with wild hair, as I’ve given up on styling it properly this holiday. My travel companion, Saskia, looked fantastic in her white jeans.
I’ll share more impressions in a few days.
