Berlin!

The capital, where it all happens.  So much going on in this amazing city. It's been a great finish to the German leg of the trip so far.  My German language skills are at the top of their game (as good as they'll get without more classes) and my shoes have properly walked in over half of the German states (there's 16 of them). Just fun being out and about in this wonderful country and exploring.

I've been staying in Berlin with Steffi, my foreign exchange sister who almost 10 years ago started her year long stay with my parents.  Very cool to still be in contact, and to have a lot in common.  As someone who has couch surfed around the world, she easily eclipses my records.  We've been having a blast out in the city, from a huge free music festival, to Turkish markets, to the local gym to great food at her apartment.  It's been a grand time, as life should be.  Nice to relax with good people on a trip with no end date.  Good to feel like a normal person as opposed to just a traveler at times.

Berlin is a super funky, alternative city.  Definitely a fun side to the city which is also where the government resides, high fashion exists and numerous museums almost outweigh the amount of Turkish kebab cafes.  It's by far the most international city in Germany.  Pretty diverse around the streets or on the U-Bahn.  I keep hearing all different languages, from Spanish (loads) to English to Italian.  And of course, German. 

The city feels alive with people. A full, vibrant city where people enjoy the cafes, the squares and dont seem to be working all the time.  Makes it fun and easy to strike up a conversation and see if my German passes the test.  Always something fun to do in Berlin, with many adventures all over.  One of the highlights was definitely the Berlin Wall art gallery.  Very impressive 1.5km long stretch of the wall that is still standing and is now covered with amazing art from around the world.  It was first painted in 1990, and then in 2009 the same artists came back to repaint their paintings, so they are pretty fresh right now.  Photos coming soon!

Got to run and catch that train!

Amazing local art in Berlin

Part of the East Side Gallery, the real Berlin Wall

Me with one of the most famous paintings on the wall

Berlin Wall art

Meditating and elevating

Steffi and I at the Brandeberger Gate, just a few days after Obama spoke there

Legit Berlin currywurst!