Last week I spent three days in Berlin; sent by work for a Movenpick Hotel event. Two days were spent doing strictly business, but on the third we were sent on a tour of the city! This was my first time in Berlin so I was very excited to learn about this fascinating history of the city. Unfortunately as I threw open the curtains of my hotel room in the morning the heavens had opened! It was raining like it was the middle of winter, and didn't stop all day, but in true British style - we went out anyway!
First stop was, unsurprisingly, the Wall.
I was amazed that it wasn't as tall as I expected, and was also curious to know whether the graffiti was pre- or post- fall. We didn't find out...and as we were already rather damp, we moved on!
Next stop was Checkpoint Charlie, so called as it is the third checkpoint along the wall (alpha, bravo, charlie...), through which people could pass by vehicle or on foot from West to East Germany during the Cold War. It is now a famous tourist attraction and museum, and they try to keep it as it was during that time, I suppose minus the umbrellas?
After a bit of wall history, we were then sent to Trabi-World, a museum of sorts where tourists can drive the famous Trabant cars which were common in East Germany during the Cold War. We were allowed to drive the somewhat updated cars around the block which was definitely not safe with me behind the wheel!
After a quick coffee and a shelter in the rain to warm up, we head off to our next stop: the Holocaust memorial. Some 2,700 blocks of all sizes are placed in the huge square to commemorate those who died in the Holocaust. It's even more emotional in the rain, I can tell you that.
Final stop was the Brandenburg Gate; the former city wall located in the West of the city and one of the most famous symbols of Germany and European unity.
Although we did have to see most of the city in the pouring rain, and didn't want to hang around long at each destination for fear of freezing to death I did find the tour of the city hugely interesting. What I loved most was the mix of old and new so clearly shown in the snap below; I didn't even appreciate it properly myself until I looked back at this photo!
By lunchtime we were so cold and wet we couldn't wait for the lunch which was laid on for us at a 'traditional German restaurant'.
Lunch was, predictably, sausage, mash and beers.
With a hunk of strudel to finish!
The restaurant looked nice, and while we had a set dinner and didn't get to see the menu, it looked like it would serve a good hearty selection for the wearied traveller! That said, I probably wouldn't recommend this place as the most outstanding restaurant in Berlin!
Full and finally warm, we headed off for our final activity of the day: a graffiti workshop! Berlin is famed for it's street art, and this place gives workshops and even tours of the street art in Berlin as an opportunity to see the alternative side of the city.
We were introduced to the team and asked to choose a stencil from the many they had available.
We were then asked to don these rather attractive overalls!
With no hesitation we were on with the workshop, being shown how to build up the background textures, choose colour combinations and all the techniques for keeping the paint smooth.
We used our stencils and closely guided by our teacher Rob we unleashed our inner street artist!
After a couple of hours (mostly waiting for our paint to dry!) we admired our creations! Mine is below and I was rather pleased with it; not quite sure where it will go in the new flat though!
We managed to pack a huge amount into one rainy day in Berlin; thanks to a strict schedule set out for us at the beginning of the day! If I were to go again (which I definitely want to!) I would hope for finer weather, and set out to see some of the alternative sides of the city, explore the night life and the shopping, and learn a bit more about what makes Berlin today!