My host picked me up from the bus station and we drove through some historic parts of town on our way to his house. We enjoyed a nice dinner talking about my travel experiences, difficulties of mission work in Germany, and about their experiences living in Germany for almost 30 years. I joined a free walking tour the next day and went through the Brandenburg Gate, Hitler’s bunker, Gendarmenmrkt, the memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe, and Checkpoint Charlie. Afterward, I enjoyed lunch with a guy who helped plant a church in Berlin. The next day I had lunch with my host’s son who started a tech business. Berlin is the hub for startups in Germany!
I explored the Berlin Wall Memorial, Topography of Terror museum, Eastside gallery, and other parts of the city by foot. I watched an English version of Dunkirk in IMAX (I thought it was interesting how I, from America, first heard about Dunkirk while in England, am currently in Germany, and am going to France next week). I also helped with an English/German speaking ministry help refugees learn the language. Berlin is a tremendous city with a unique past.
Duration
4 days
Accommodation
Missionary’s home (3 nights)
Favorite Food
Currywurst
Favorite Site
Eastside Gallery
Cool Person I Met
Shakir. Shakir is a 20-year-old refugee (1 of 1.5 million refugees Germany welcomed) originally from Iran. I met him at an English/German speaking class and we went for a doner kebab afterward. He is such a smart and friendly guy. Shakir told us that he (and his family) is nice to everyone but not everyone returns the kindness.
Highlight
Going on a free walking tour starting from the Brandenburg Gate and throughout the city center. This is the first free walking tour I’ve done (Sandeman’s Euro Tours) and think every traveler should do one in each city!
Big Takeaway
Unfortunately, Spanish and History were my least favorite subjects in school. I barely retained any Spanish speaking ability, world history, and US history. Now, I’m passionate about these subjects and want to learn so much more! My advice to high school and college students is to make learning and understanding your highest priority in a class, not necessarily getting an A. The good grades will come, but retained knowledge has much more future value.
I learned much about modern history from 1933 to 1989, while in Berlin. Berlin influenced the world tremendously throughout these 60 years and it’s important to understand. Memorials and museums are now all over Berlin to remind visitors that painful history should not repeat itself. It’s a powerfully different experience to walk past remnants of the Berlin wall and look at Checkpoint Charlie than to read about World War 2 in a history textbook. Travel has helped give me a far greater appreciation, soberness, and interest in history.
Your Turn
Have you interacted with any refugees? What did you learn from the interaction?
What travel experience gave you a much greater interest in history?
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