Oh, Flip

Amazing night, rough morning. Although when its self inflicted I suppose theres not much room for complaining. Today, us girls, Erin and Rob headed out for a touristy day in Prague. Rob had the grand idea to go to the Castle. There was a tour through New Europe for the castle so we all agreed to go. When its through New Europe they also accept my fake student Id card so I get a discount. Cha Ching!

Now, today we had the pleasure of meeting Flip the tour guide. Ill never forget this guy, and its not because he was a specutular tour guide. He was awful. While he was knowledgable and passionate about he was speaking about...he was boring. That, and he tired to tell jokes. Jokes that were painful to listen to....because they werent funny...I literally heard the crickets cripp.Not even enough for a pity laugh. He would even try to redeem himself...."Sorry, new joke...im working on it." However, when your hungover and bored....other things are hiralrous.

We quickly lost interest in the Castle tour and found enjoyment in the people around us. Especially Rob. Rob is new at the tour thing and made the classic mistake. When a tour guide is speaking, everyone huddles around in front of the tour guide to listen. Rob, unfortunatly stood right beside the tour guide in front of the group to listen. Me and Christie almost peed ourselves in laughter. We were waiting for Rob to assit in the tour.

The Castle was not what we expected. It was more of a grounds then a classic castle. And the history to be honest was lacking. Expect, Mick Jagger paid to light one of the buildings. And Flip like St. George cause he fights dragons. (went on for a half hour with that one.) Nothing much was taken from the tour...it was a real disappointment.

However, there was one building I found of interest. It was the headquarters for the communist regime informants. Here, they would take anyone they felt like and torture them and imprison them. For nothing. At the height of communism in Prague 1 in 5 people were informants. They were expected relay information about their family, neighbors, and friends. Anything, if they laughed at a joke or read something of interest....even if they look at someone the wrong way.

After time, people in Prague were very distrustful and frightened of everything and everyone. They learned to not laugh, talk loud, learned to huddle together, and be very careful of their every move. Flip explained that allow communism is gone, the nature of these people stays the same. While the younger generations are more open and have a sense of humor.....the older generation that lived through it hasnt learned to let it go. Thats why Czech people dont laugh, smile, or show much expersion at all. We have noticed this...now however...it makes sense. Its sad that this is what communism has left behind. That, and now I understand why Flip doesnt know how to tell a joke.

That night we went back to our hostel and had a bit of a party. Evan, Erin, Rob, the Swedes and us girls chilled in our room and played drinking games. It was a blast. We even learned a couple new games from the Swedes. After the Swedes took us to a place called Criss Cross. These guys def know where their going. This place was neat. Had all this metal art work of moving pieces. It was pretty trippy.

There was even a place in the basement that was pitch black expect for the odd light. Strange.
After awhile, we were itching to dance so we headed back to the five story club. Its so huge that we found even more places inside. Incredable...I dont even know how they staff the place. Its THAT big.

After a successful night of fun we enjoyed a quite beautiful walk home along the river side.

Rob, The Ninja King

Today is a special day. Compairable to Christmas day or your 18th birthday. Today is the day Rob arrives. Now, Rob deserves a seperate introduction...so here it is folks.

Rob, The Ninja King

Christie met Rob at Big Valley a couple of years back. They became friends and stayed in touch. While Christie was living in Edmonton Rob was a freguent vistor. A couple of weeks back, Christie told us her friend Rob would be coming for a 17 day vacation to Europe, and he was meeting us in Prague. She gave a GLOWING review and said we would love him.

Well, turns out she was right.

Rob joined us just in time for breakie. Already we knew this guy would spice up our lives. No offense, but you get tired of each other when you've spent some odd 700 hours together.

After breakie, we walk around Prague with some baileys and coffee. We found the infamous square where most of the action in Prague is. Getting to know Rob is easy, he is enegeritic and hiralrous. An infectious guy to be around. He kept us laughing for hours.

Eventually, we found this Irish pub. Amazingly cheap drinks and food. Plus the football match was on so we got to cheer along with the Irish vistiors to Prague. Still not crazy about football, but I enjoy the excitment.

Then we headed back to the hostel. The hostel provides a pub crawl to go to the best local pubs in Prague and ends up at the biggest club in central Europe. Five Stories! I dont think I need to explain again just how much we enjoy pub crawls.

As well, Erin and Evan were also coming to Prague for the weekend and were meeting up for the Pub crawl as well. We met Erin and Evan in Barcelona. We kept in touch, and now we have friends to come and meet up with us. Amazing feeling! On top of that, the Swedes decided to come as well. Tonight was a full house.....big group of us.

The pub crawl was epic. Took us to the strangest places....including a cave....yep pretty sure it was an underground cave. After 3 or 4 pubs we went to the famous five story club. They were not lieing when they said it was huge. Every floor plays something different. Oldies, techno, top hits, 80's etc. And every floor is decorated completely different. You honestly would think you are in a new club.

The place had an amazing energy to it. It was especially fun because instead of it just being us three girls....here we had a huge group of us to party and dance with. It was nice to have friends surronding us. Especially Rob, who has some pretty sweet dance moves.

It was quite the experience and as you could imagine and amazing one. Best part? It was a quite 5 min walk from our hostel.

Silly Swedes

Now, let me just say the hostel we are staying in is not a hostel at all. It is a magnificent hotel. Gorgous, stunning bathroom complete with a heated drying rack and waterfall shower. Thats right, its like your showering in the rainforest. There is a bar and resturant in the hostel...which serves cheap amazing food. As well, the rooms are nicely spaced out, with comfy beds and duvets! St. Christophers is offical the nicest hostel we have stayed in.

So we have heard that shopping in Prague is cheap and unbeatable. Well the universe did not want us to buy fabulous new outfits and look hot apparently. We ask at reception where to go. They tell us about this outlet store just on the outskirts of town. Took us a good hour and half to get there by metro and bus. And its outlet for all those fancy name brands we cant afford....like Hugo Boss. Which we would never buy anyways....Nazis helper!

So, we headed back. Once back into town we headed to the square in search of something to our liking. Nothing. By this point, none of us were in the mood to shop. Disheartened we sat down on a bench to figure out the next game plan. Then as if the univerise had sent us a sign, a Thai massage place appeared before us. Suddenly, the body aches and pains of the past two months went rushing through us. Maybe we will just see a price list.

Like all of Prauge....it was pretty cheap. So we all decided to treat ourselves to a massage. Now these were authentic thai women and we were in Prague. They lead you up and command you to undress and go on the table. I went under the wrong sheet so when she came in she yelled at me to get up. (half naked) Then fixed it and told me to get under. Terrifying.

The massage was really good. And they do the whole body...right down to the toes. After the massage we were all on cloud nine. I could literally feel the blood circulating again. Just amazing. When we headed back to our hostel we met our new roomates. The Swedes.

Bjoin, David, and Joel were all from Sweden and here for a weekend holiday. David and Bjoin were studying medicine and Joel was a journalist. More doctors.....popular job over here. They were incredibly friendly and funny. Swedish accents are just adorable and funny sounding. Almost like their singing. Strange. They were going out for the night to some pubs in the area and invited us to come. I love when other people show us around.

We walked around for quite awhile trying to find the pub they were looking for. Swedes we discovered are kinda like the French. They love to stroll....the place could be around the cornor but it will take them a half hour to get there. It was fun though....these guys were a hoot. They have drinking songs. So in beautiful, rich harmony they would strol arm in arm singing songs. It really was a sight to see.

And these guys were close. No homophoia with these guys. It was refreshing though, they were just close friends and loved each other. We never did find the pub they were talking about. However, the stroll around Prague was worth it. We walked along the river, across it was gorgous lite up building including the Castle. And seagulls everywhere. On one pier there must have been over a hundred of them just chilling out.

Eventually, we gave up and decided to just go to the next pub. Coyote Ugly. Nah, it cant be like the one in the states. Sure enough, we walk in and there are the girls dressed in their cowboy gear doing a line dance to Shania, " Man I feel like a Woman." Now, we havent heard country since we left Canada. So we got REALLY excited. Maybe they play all country music! Nope. One song, then back to techno.
Either way, it was a pretty cool bar. That and hanging out with the Swedes is the most entertainment Ive had in weeks. Love meeting new friends.

Oops...Now Don't We Feel Silly

Another travel day. Argh, you never get used to them. They all kinda suck...expect for the train ride. Seriously, you have to get up before 10 am check out, pack up all the crap sprawled around the room and carry that backpack that magically keeps getting heavier. However, on this day I reached my limit. My backpack was so heavy that the metal support beam bended down. I was using a towel to keep it from jabbing into my back. I made it to the train station before I broke down in tears from the weight of it. Heavy, Heavy, Heavy. I had to take the laundry bag out of my clothes and carry it infront of me. Yes, I looked ridiculous and No, I did not take a picture.

It was a short ride to Prague, and a lovely one. We were pretty hungry and forgot to get snacks for the train so we went to the dinning cart. Now, the dinning cart attendant was not super friendly. Just kinda looked at us....no emotion....barely acknowledged us. However, it wasnt like he was being rude....it was more of a persona. Hard to explain. For example, I asked if I could still get breakfast...he says" Ya..tomm morning" Like he was making a joke, so I laughed and he just stared at me. Awkward. We learned later on.....these are Czech people.

Anyways, me and Christie decided to try the goulash. Sour cream, tomato sauce stuff and ALOT of cabbage. It wasnt so bad, kinda tasty....popular dish in the Czech Republic. However, later it was bad.....very very bad......lets just say were never having that painful dish again. Once we got to Prague we knew we had to take out money because the currency is in Kourons not Euros. However, we were excitied for 300 euros is 8000 kourons.

Now, we have proven through our backpacking that we can take the metro and find our hostel. But were tired....we got 8000 Kourons....so we figured we would take a cab. So we go to the taxi stand, ask how much, he says 980 kourons so we hop in. It was a quite cab ride, but much nicer then carrying a heavy backpack. We get to the receptionist and ask her about the currency and what its comparible to in Euros. 1 Euro = 23 Kourons. Shit.

Receptionist: You didnt take a cab did you?

Us: Ya we did

Receptionist: How much did you pay?

Us: 980 Kourons

Receptionist: You paid like 50 Euros for that cab ride.

Wow. Dont we feel stupid. Apparently, Prague cab drivers are famous for this. Because people (like us), get off the plane or train, have no sense of what the money is worth, and expect cabs to just give us a good rate. There is literally a police force dedicated to these guys. Sometimes, the cab drivers give different currency back....like Hungarian or Polish. Some Germans who checked in earlier were given 60 euros worth of change in Hungarian money....which equals about 5 euros. Anyways, live and learn I guess.

After all that, we decided to take a look around Prauge. However, the majority of our conversation was focused on getting the currency straight in our heads. Okay...so if those shoes are 450 Kourons what is that in Euros....well 230 is ten euros....so like 21 euros? Thats literaly what we did....until we just started bringing a calculator with us.

We found this nice cafe, which we were pretty sure was cheap and headed in. To our calculations, this was a CHEAP resturant. So, we went all out. However, soon we realized it was fancy fancy fancy. I ordered vegatable soup....they put down the bowl with just veggies in it, then the fancy waiter man pours the broth in. Our bill was 613.00. Which was only like 12 euros each. But MAN. Your heart skips a beat when thats the grand total on the bill. Takes a bit to get used to.

After walking around a bit more, we knew we were going to have an amazing time in Prague. Things are cheap....beer 1 euro, food dishes all under 10 euros..plus the scerny is to die for. Cobble stone roads, grandous buildings and alot of charm. However, that night we were exhausted. Berlin was rough on us, add on a travel day and we needed time to recoup. So we decided to take the opportunity to get a good nights rest, because Im sure we wouldnt be getting much sleep the rest of our stay.

How Blessed We Are

Today we went to Sachsenhausen concentration camp. Like Danchu in Munich, it was outside of Berlin in a small town. Its sad that these small towns claim to fame is a large concentration camp. Especially because the majority of the houses there were built by concentration camp prisoners for SS guards. These houses are still in use today. I cant say I would want to be living in one of those homes with a concentration camp as my front porch view.

Again, we did this tour through New Europe. These tour guide however are different from the free tour guides. Solemn and knowledgable, and have a passion for educationing others on the horrors that lie inside the walls of these camps.

This tour, while similar to Danchu told a different story. The bunkers and cell blocks were very similar, as well as the victums who were sent to these camps. This tour went into more detail on what excatly were expected of the prisoners. One work detail was to test German army boots. They were given boots, usually to small for their feet, then sent to run back and forth on a stretch of broken rocks while carrying a ten pound bag. Usually this would last for around 12 hours or till they dropped dead of exhaustion.

Other work details were working in factorys, such as Hugo Boss factorys. Hugo Boss also designed the SS guard uniforms. Makes you rethink buying a Hugo Boss suit. Women were usually prostitues and many other men did back breaking labour in fields. All this work however was imperative to the German war machine. It is the hard labour of these people that kept it runnning.

There was also a roll call every morning and every night. This was when every prisoner was lined up and accounted for. However, this could go on for hours. There were alot of prisoners. So you would have to stand erect and still, in the burning heat or the frezzing cold till everyone was accounted for. As well, if someone was not there...roll call would start from the beginning. Everyone was accounted for....everyone. That means, if someone died in the night or while working....another prisoner had to drag the dead body with them to roll call.

There was also a public exucation stand in the middle of the camp. For anyone who disobeyed or did not do a job properly. They were killed in front of everyone, and left hanging there for the day for everyone to see.

There was also a seperate hidden area of the camp. In this area was the Station Z. This was to kill prisoners of war. At the time, mostly soviet prisoners or people of interest from Germany and prisioners from the camp needed to be killed. There is a trench were they would pile in tons of men....they line them up in fives and shot them. The SS guards were having problems with this. Not only was it hard to get all the piled up bodies out of the trench, the SS guards were having a hard time looking the person in the eye....the person begging for mercy, scared, and speaking of their families. They were still human, and they knew what they were doing was wrong. So the Nazis built a seperate building to deal with this.

This building was Station Z. You would be sent in, thinking your going to have a medical examination. Then you wait in a room listening to loud classical music. (to muffle the noise) Then your sent into a room and lined up against a wall (thinking they are to take measurements) then from behind the wall a rifle is placed in a small hole that lines up with your neck, and your shot dead. This way, the SS guard did not have to see the person. They just pull the trigger. From there the body would be dragged to the Krematirum to be burned to ash. Near the end they had to bring in more mobile Krematirums to keep up with all the bodies. A total of 15 at the end.

There was also a medical examination building. This was mostly for the public. To show the world that they were providing medical attention to the prisoners. However, the tortured prisoners were only patched up enough to keep working. They also did experiments on the prisoners. Such as giving them dieases to see how it affects humans to find a cure. However, they would always let them die from it.
We also the old SS guard meeting hall and housing units as well as their training camp. This training camp is now being used to train German police. Hmmmm........

Interestingly, when the camp first opened they were having problems with the SS guards. Many were depressed, not working sadistically enough, and many were committing suicide. Just goes to show, many people knew this was wrong and against human nature. However, the Nazi's always came up with solutions to these problems. They made a meeting hall, were after a shift they could drink and be merry. The Nazis provided alot of alchol to them. Keep them drunk was the plan. It also worked to torture the prisoners. For they could hear the merriment over the camp walls.

After a tour like this, there is not much to say. Only that if you ever get the chance to go, you should.

That night, we were looking for something to keep our minds off the tour. So we went on a pub crawl. Again, we were ID......it was really getting kinda ridiculous. But we had an amazing time. Berlin has AWESOME clubs and pubs. Every place had a completely different feel. We even went to a place where in the middle of the table is a beer tap. You just pour your beer and on the computer screen it tells you how much beer your getting and what you own. Then at the end you pay your tab. To cool! And dangerous! Either way....great way to end a fantastic stay in Berlin.

VRRROOM VRRRRROOM

Warning: This is not for the faint of heart. It would be better for you to attempt this at home then in Berlin. This is only for idiots such as ourselves who clearly have wonderful gurdian angels watching over us.

We got this crazy idea. We saw this sign, CITY SCOOTERS! DRIVE AROUND IN STYLE! ONLY 40 EUROS FOR THE DAY!! We thought to ourselves....those must be easy to drive around, why not!
We went to the place all excited and ready for a lovely drive around Berlin. Once there, the scooter guy was disbelieved that we were actually over 18. We were used to that by now. All we showed was our drivers license and paid for the bike and insurance. Then we went to the bikes.

Scooter guy asks us if we've ever riden a scooter before.

No...but we have riden a quad!

Scooter guy looks up at the three of us, then says....do you need an introduction then?

Um....ya! That would be nice.

Well that 5 min introduction turned into an hour lesson. Complete with him running behind the scooter holding onto the back of our bikes. They are alot heavier then we thought, and alot more difficult then we thought. At the end of our lesson, Stef was scarly driving around....to fast in my opnion. Christie had the permant "Terrified Look" on her face. And Scooter guy was quickly regretting his desicion to rent us the scooters. Scooter guy kept repeating " No accidents, No accidents, Do not get into Accidents...I will charge you money if you get in an accident"

After an hour, Scooter guy was looking for an out. Christie was clinging to him for emotional support and someone to hold onto her bike while she drove. She even kindly asked him to come along. He just told her, "Before picture...you have legs, After picture....you have no legs". When Christie was taking a spin down the sidewalk (yes the sidewalk was our pratice route) he made his exit....quickly saying to me" Call this if bike is destoryed...if you break your limbs and bike is fine, dont call." Then, we were on our own.

Now, remeber. We dont know anything about Berlin traffic laws or speed limits. We also do not know our way around Berlin. But for some reason we decided to just go for it. We started down some side streets going slow and getting honks left right and centre. Then all of a sudden we were on a huge busy road. But, after white knuckles, repeating Our Fathers, and on the verge of throwing up.......we got the hang of it. It was FUN!

Here we were. So europeans....crusing along with the other Germans. It was fabulous!! Once we got the hang of it, there was no stopping us. We went everywhere. And, with a map...we were able to find things quickly and easily. This is WAY better then walking.

However, once night hit it was dark. We were having trouble seeing where we were going. Then a gust of wind came up....it caught my jacket and I stumbled to catch my balance. I almost tipped the bike. Behind me, Christie and Stef were having the same issues. Wind and scooters do not mix. By that point, we were kinda lost and trying to find the scooter place to drop off the bikes. It was scary. The gust of winds were getting stronger...but we knew we had to get the bikes back. It was a long ride, terrifying. We finally found the place. All of us were ok and so where the bikes....however only by the grace of God.

Once there, the Scotter guy comes up to us.

Me:Look! Were alive and we didnt crash the bikes!

Scooter guy: I can't believe it.

Me: You thought we were going to crash the bikes, didnt you?

Scooter guy: Yes. I did. Im surpirsed. Its hard to surprise German man.

He loved us...especially because we brought the bikes back in one piece. Renting the bikes, was foolish...but we got away with it. However, after all the excitement of the day...we had a quiet evening. Still, putting Scooter on my Christmas wish list.

Berlin is Forever Changing

I apoligize again for no pictures....This SD is not working....Sorry.

Today we did the free walking tour. We were all pretty stoked consider Berlin is a mass of history. Of course, we did it through the New Europe company, who has always provided consistently great tours. We met at the Berlinger Tor, this is a famous monument in Berlin...they put this symbol on everything.

Now on our way to finding the Berlingtor monument, we found a bit of home. Out of the cornor of our eye, there it was. Red, White and Beautiful. A CANADIAN FLAG!! When your overseas, you notice anything and anyone Canadian. And here was two large Canadian flags on a large building! We ran hard and fast towards this bit of home. Once there...we realized it was the Canadian Embassy!!! It took everything we had to go in. Cause, lets face it...the only reason we would be visiting the Canadian embassy is if we lost our passports. So we didnt want to jinx it. However....wonder if Canadians work there?

We got there and there was our tour group. We lucked out this tour with a guide named David. From the UK and hiralrous. His jokes and enthusiam were throughly entertaining. I especially apperciated the fact that he singled out the French couple and mockingly trashed their country....to the point they left the tour. Im sensing some countries have issues with the French.

Now we learned ALOT in this tour....by far the most fasinating tour ive ever been on. Berlin has a long and incredibly rough history. This city has been through so much, although walking around its hard to believe Berlin was ever anything but the greatest city in Europe to live.Berlin has come along way. So marks the saying "London will always be London, Paris will always be Paris, Berlin will never be Berlin, for the only constant in Berlin is that it is forever changing." So let me give you some highlights.

The Berlingner Tor is a famous gateway into Berlin. Its been around FOREVER and through the the Iron Curtain times was completely shut off to the public. As well, the statue ontop has a history of its own. When France conquer Prussia...to which Germany/Berlin was apart of at the time, Napeloen so loved the statue...he toke it for his private collection. When Prussia won back their state...obviously they took it back. Now, the Staute (Lady Victoria, Godess of Victory) looks directly across at the French ambessy across the street. So she can keep a close eye on the french.

Berlin also has the most interesting monuments. Some are large and purposefull to acknowledge the dark history they were apart of. While other sites have nothing to prove anything happened. This has been done to make a loud statement, as if to say we refuse to provide any attention to what happened here. Berlin will not let you have your glory. Let me elaborate.

One of the monument we visited is dedicated to the Jewish victums of the Holocaust. It is estimated that 11 milion people died in the Holocaust. This number is made up of homosexuals, disabled, communists, Germans who spoke up, and gypsys. However, 6 million were Jewish. Making up the largest category. Its this huge square of concrete blocks, all different sizes, all in various rows. When you walk through the the squares that get larger and smaller, you get an eery feeling. The gray concerte surronding you makes you feel small and alone. Then you look to your left and someone is walking by your row. But you only get a fleeting look at them, like a ghost floating by. The artist did a wonderful job. Everyone has a different experience, either way...makes you think.

Of course, there are many other monuments dedicated to the homosexuals and disabled and other who were victums of the Holocaust. This one is obviously the biggest. However, contraversy surronds it. There is an anit-grafitti chemical on the blocks. The company who provided the chemical is the same company who made the synide for the gas chambers in WW2. Hmmm....

The next stop was a parking lot. There we were in a parking lot in front of an apartment building all huddled around David waiting for him to speak. Looking around we were curious as to why this was of importance. The apartment building was pretty plain, the parking lot was just dirt and there was nothing spectular across the street. David, being a clever british man he is made a few jokes about the parking lot and how lovely it was. Then came the truth. Right below us is where Hilter took his last breath.

Looking down at your feet all you see is dirt. Knowing that Hitler killed himself 5 metre below that dirt however, is chilling. David explained that the bunker is still intact, although not due to lack of trying to destory it. Knowing that the Soviet were marching through Berlin and making the final movements to end the war, Hitler cowardly took shelter in the bunker. The day before he married his longtime mistress Eva, and the next day Eva, Hitler and his dog took synaide. Hitler commanded his close allies to destory his body, however due to lack of resources to do so...Hitler remained mostly intact just charred.

After the war, Hitlers body was cremaited and his ashes were sent down the river. The place he died (the bunker), was covered with dirt and made into a parking lot. All SS buildings and Nazi buildings were torn down. Many remain empty lots of dirt, for no one wants to build on anything Nazi material has occupied. Now, the Germans have good reason for this. Some say they are hiding their dirty past, trying to erase it. However, the Germans see it differently.

They have many monuments dedicated to the victums of the war and mueseums dedicated to educating people on the horrors of the war. But, when it comes to sites such as Hitlers death place....they want nothing to draw attention to such an evil man. They dont want Neo-Nazis coming to worship the place he died. As well, they do not want to give Hitler the attention and respect he wanted so badly. Therefore, his bunker is parking spot 34. Nothing special.

Next stop... Berlin Wall. Now there is just a block left of the infamous Berlin Wall. Its gated up, mostly because people kept chipping off part of the wall as a keepsake. Its amazing, you can still see the graffitti, saying tear down the wall etc. Looking at it, you think....well this is just a wall. Im sure you could get over it. However, there was this wall....then a strip called the Death Zone. Then another wall. This went all around the one half of Berlin. Now the Death Zone, was filled with barb wire, bobby traps, sniper towers, ditchs, etc. No one made it out of the death zone.

Now, of course the Berlin wall was an incredible story. But ill just tell of the fun facts. People literally woke up one day to barb wire and soliders defending this all around the city. If you were on the wrong side of the barbed wire you were now in communist territory. Your jobs on the other side? Your out of work. Your family and friends are on the other side? You wont see them for years. You went out with some buddies and stayed at their house? Time to find a new place to live.

Its really hard to believe. But this was the communist way to keep people from heading to the USA side of Germany. The Berlin wall started as barbed wire and went through 5 stages to end up the way it was. How it came down was amazing too. Now it wasnt that long ago, so some of you may even remeber the story. But I was far to young to now at the time, so the story fasicanated me.

For some time before the Iron curtain was collasping and communism was falling. But, it was one man making a terrible mistake that led to that night the Berlin wall fell down. One of the government officials was making a state speech to Germany. The plan was to give a few exceptions to who passed through the Berlin wall. The exceptions were still strict and useless, but the government thought it might calm the revolution. However, this state official did not go to the meeting and just winged it on tv. He was handed the speech paper and read it aloud.

A journalist askes
Every Berliner was watching this speech. That means every Berliner would be able to cross over! It was a fatal mistake on Schabowski part, he read the paper wrong. So all the Berliners went to the checkpoint demanding to be let through. Within hours there was such a crowd, there was nothing that could be done to contain them. The rest is history. Fascinating.
Another fasincating monument was located in this square just off of the main road. It was in this square that the book burning took place. 20,000 books by jewish authors, or authors the Nazi's deemed unfit were burned. If you look at the far right of the square there is a clear glass with a light shinning through. Looking down you see a white room with four huge empty bookcases. This room can store 20,000 books....but its empty because of what Hitler did.

Near the end of the tour we also went to a huge temple looking building. Inside was a statue of a mother holding her dead german soilder son. This monument is controversial. This one is dedicated to soilders who had died in battle in WW1 and WW2. Now, its true that the World Wars were started by the Germans. However, many mothers and wives lost their husbands and sons. Mothers that did not ask to have their men taken from them. Plus, many of them were forced to do so through conspriction.

So, really....shouldnt they be acknowledged as well? A place for families to grieve for their love ones? Not all of them were working in concetration camps. However, when you grow up in Canada and all you learn about Germany is Hitler and the NAzis....its hard to open your mind to the other side of things.
However, under neath this temple looking building is the body of an unknown jewish man and unknown german soilder. Hmm....dont even know what to think of that.

By the time the tour was done it was dark and frezzing. The whole way home we discussed the amount of history Berlin has to offer. Berlin is so rich in stories and mystery. You could study this place for ages. Just makes me want to find a German man to marry all the more.

Every Berliner was watching this speech. That means every Berliner would be able to cross over! It was a fatal mistake on Schabowski part, he read the paper wrong. So all the Berliners went to the checkpoint demanding to be let through. Within hours there was such a crowd, there was nothing that could be done to contain them. The rest is history. Fascinating.

Another fasincating monument was located in this square just off of the main road. It was in this square that the book burning took place. 20,000 books by jewish authors, or authors the Nazi's deemed unfit were burned. If you look at the far right of the square there is a clear glass with a light shinning through. Looking down you see a white room with four huge empty bookcases. This room can store 20,000 books....but its empty because of what Hitler did.

Near the end of the tour we also went to a huge temple looking building. Inside was a statue of a mother holding her dead german soilder son. This monument is controversial. This one is dedicated to soilders who had died in battle in WW1 and WW2. Now, its true that the World Wars were started by the Germans. However, many mothers and wives lost their husbands and sons. Mothers that did not ask to have their men taken from them. Plus, many of them were forced to do so through conspriction.

So, really....shouldnt they be acknowledged as well? A place for families to grieve for their love ones? Not all of them were working in concetration camps. However, when you grow up in Canada and all you learn about Germany is Hitler and the NAzis....its hard to open your mind to the other side of things.
However, under neath this temple looking building is the body of an unknown jewish man and unknown german soilder. Hmm....dont even know what to think of that.

By the time the tour was done it was dark and frezzing. The whole way home we discussed the amount of history Berlin has to offer. Berlin is so rich in stories and mystery. You could study this place for ages. Just makes me want to find a German man to marry all the moreabout a new law permitting GDR citizens more freedom of travel would go into effect. Schabowski famously told the journalist: "As far as I know, that goes into effect now, immediately."