The First Few Days

Orientation Week

We went on a boat tour across the Spree, the main river that runs through

Berlin. The river was once a natural border between East and West Germany.

It was interesting to visibly see the difference between the two sides at once.

From the river, we were able to see the capital building, and other landmarks.

The east side was much newer and extremely modern.  A large amount of

taxes were used in order to help rebuild the east side after the Berlin Wall was

taken down, so the entire area is completely new with interesting shaped

buildings and new technology. I took some pictures of the buildings on the

east side that stood out to me.                                                                                 

This building is completely covered in solar panels.  Each dark rectangle is actually a combination of six photovoltaic pieces sectioned together.  It is unique because it is 100% self-sustained, even collecting its own rainwater!

My tourguide says that he always thinks that every time he sees this building, that it will be the last time. It looks like it successfully defies the rules of physics.  Many of the buildings in East Berlin are extremely modern and unique since it has all been rebuilt since the wall was torn down in 1989.

It has been raining almost every day.  

We went on a three-hour walking tour, and I barely stayed dray in my rain jacket and an umbrella.  We walked around the capital, stood in the bunker where Hitler committed suicide, saw the markings of where the Berlin Wall used to stand, and visited the Soviet War Memorial. Every time a Russian leader like Putin visits, they bring a wreath to the memorial. There was an agreement after World War II stating that both countries must keep their respective memorials no matter what

This statue stands at the top of the Soviet War Memorial (Treptower Park). The statue statue is of a Soviet soldier with a sword holding a German child, standing over a broken swastika. The statue is said to be created in honor of a sergeant said to have risked his life under German fire in order to rescue a three-year-old German girl whose mother had disappeared.

Map of the Soviet War Memorial

I'm posting this picture later because I hadn't realized the significance of this gate.  It's called the Brandenburg Gate and was the formal city gate into Berlin.  It was given by King Frederick William II of Prussia as a sign of peace- it was then built during 1788 to 1791. It has since been restored after considerable damage was caused during World War II. 
The green hotel in the distance is one of the most expensive places to stay in Berlin- it was the very place where Michael Jackson famously held his baby over a balcony.  Obama has since stayed there as well.