![\"IMG_20170310_161343_026\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/malaysiacampus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/88\/2017\/04\/IMG_20170310_161343_026.jpg\")
<\/a>![\"18235819_10158796189365314_1151178254_o\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/generic.wordpress.soton.ac.uk\/malaysiacampus\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/88\/2017\/04\/18235819_10158796189365314_1151178254_o.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nBerlin, in essence is a very cool and hipsterish city. The city’s colour scheme is very different from London with a lot more usage of neutral colours and understated architecture styles.<\/p>\n
We first stopped by Mauerpark, a huge park that has a market packed with food and assorted items; and also\u00a0a vast green area where people can have picnics and listen to street musicians.<\/p>\n
We also visited Reichstag, the German parliament, where prior to entry, we had to go through a series of security checks, as strict as when in an airport.<\/p>\n We also tried out the famous kebab in Berlin – Mustafa’s Gem\u00fcse Kebap, often touted as the best in Germany. I must say, the kebab was well worth 45 minutes wait in the cold.<\/p>\n I have always been intrigued by everything about the Holocaust and anti-semitism issues. So I made sure we visited the the Holocaust Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the Jewish Museum Berlin and\u00a0Topography of Terror. The images of the Holocaust and stories told by and about the individuals who have experienced it were very depressing and haunting and I have learnt a lot through these visits. No photos to document those\u00a0visits because I feel taking photos inside those memorials is disrespectful.<\/p>\n Another interesting history is the division of Germany into East and West Berlin during the Cold War. The Berlin Wall, although now knocked down in 1989, still has a remaining stretch here and there that can give visitors a glimpse of what it was like way back then.\u00a0The barrier was built to stop citizens immigration\u00a0from the eastern\u00a0communism to western democracy. However, many tried escaping by crossing the Berlin wall to seek better economic opportunities and freedom, which resulted in high death toll due to shootings carried out by the border guards.<\/p>\n The problem with my limited German is that I’m perfectly capable of ordering food and drinks in German, but I am unable to understand their replies. A typical conversation that will ensue\u00a0is:<\/p>\n (At an ice cream shop)<\/p>\n Me: Eine schokolade, bitte<\/em> (One chocolate, please)<\/p>\n Cashier: Ein euro und f\u00fcnfzig cent<\/em> (\u20ac1.50)<\/p>\n Me: (hands over cash)<\/p>\n Cashier: blah blah blah blah blah?<\/p>\n Me: (stares back blankly)<\/p>\n Cashier: (stares back at me for a good few seconds) Will you like to have it here or take away?<\/p>\n LOL. The conversation always ends up with them speaking to me in english because I obviously am just a clueless tourist. My friend did however mention that the Germans will appreciate your meagre attempt at german and will be less hostile towards you than when you speak only in English.<\/p>\n I will now end Part 1 of my Germany trip and will continue my Dresden and Liepzig visit in Part 2. Ending the post with the iconic Brandenburg gate!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0<\/a> <\/a><\/a><\/p>\n