An experience in Berlin, Oct 2009

After successfully completing the theoretical part of my masters in Uppsala and just before starting the degree project in Stockholm, I planned to travel some where. While doing research for the vacation, I found a great offer of Ryanair from Stockholm to Berlin. And that was it, I quickly called up my friend Siddharth to ask if he was interested and he said yes. We booked the flights and youth hostel named Generator Hostel.

We flew from Stockholm on 23 Oct 2009 early morning and reached Berlin in almost 2 hours. We knew which train to take from the airport to reach our hostel. We took the S9 line of S-bahn and got off at Landsberger Allee station. The hostel was nearby so we walked and checked-in, but soon we came to know that the room we have booked was getting cleaned up and we could only get it after 2 pm. We were very excited to wait, so without wasting time we kept our bags in the luggage room, got fresh and went out to see "The City".

Walking around the city

Canal through the city

Ruins of the Berlin wall

The Parliament

The Court

The Brandenburg gate

We had a map of Berlin from the airport, following it we started walking towards the city but soon we realized that the city is too big to cover on foot. We decided to continue walking as its the best way to see a city. We got very tired by the evening and decided to return back to our hostel. It was 8 pm when we reached back to the hostel and saw Burger King just across the road. We were tired and hungry enough to think of anything else than hopping in it and having dinner. Returned back to the hostel, went to our room and collapsed.

Humboldt University

Cathedral

Shopping center

Graffiti 

 Next day started early for us, we decided to use the S-bahn (metro) and bought a day ticket. Now the city was small enough for us to cover. We saw the famous Berlin wall and its ruins dividing the east and west Berlin, Graffiti, the Opera house, Parliament house, Court, Brandenburger tor,  Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche (in a ruined state), Siegessäule, Spree river, Cathedral, Humboldt University, Alexander platz, Castle and parks. The castle was very big and beautiful. Being in academics, I always have an attraction towards  the University of the place (didn't dare to go inside.. saw it only from outside) and since my dad works in a court in India, I tried to see and capture the court in my camera.

The Castle in Berlin

Technical University

Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche

Siegessäule

 The city was celebrating "Festival of Lights" at that time and it was decorated with lights that made it more beautiful. I loved the hot dogs from the local vendors at Alexander platz and the walk from Alexander platz to Brandenburger tor, which I think is a must-do. I think it is surprising to still see the difference between the east and west Berlin. The west part of Berlin has comparatively new buildings and east Berlin has ruins and dilapidated buildings. The city looked very liberal as we witnessed lots of gay couples of different age groups showing affection (just like straight couples). I always like liberal places like Stockholm, and Berlin was one !

Spree river

river Havel Potsdam

Town hall Potsdam

 After seeing Berlin for 3 days we were left with one more day before we leave for Stockholm. We got the suggestion of visiting Potsdam which is in the outskirts of Berlin and is the last stop of C-zone of S-bahn. We took the train early morning and we were there in an hour. Potsdam is situated near river Havel and is a very beautiful place. We walked around the city and saw the St. Nicholas church, town hall, the palace, Sanssouci (the summer Palace of Prussian king) , the University of Potsdam and the gardens of Sanssouci. It is a beautiful place with many things to see, especially the palaces, they are enormous and beautiful. We returned back to Berlin late at night and called it a day as we had to leave next day.

St. Nicholas church

Old market Potsdam

the gardens of Sanssouci

University of Potsdam

The Palace

 Next day, 27 Oct, we boarded the flight and were back to Stockholm from a great fun-filled vacation. It was an awesome experience and I would love to go there again !

Sanssouci