Exploring Berlin

Yesterday Clemens gave me a personalized tour of Berlin.  He showed me the bricks in the ground that commemorate the deportation of my relatives by the Nazis.  It is placed in the sidewalk in front of the ground where they lived.  Now there is a big apartment building where their house once stood.  It was very touching, as I guessed it would be.

Next we visited both the Holocaust Memorial and one dedicated to the Russian soldiers:

Holocaust Memorial

The Soviet War Memorial:
a Russian soldier carrying a child and crushing
a swastica with his sword

Next we went to part of the Berlin Wall that is still standing, but now covered in graffiti and art work.  

My favorite art piece

In the evening Clemens took me out with his friends; they are all so friendly!  I really hit it up with his friend Leo, who met my grandma when she visited.

Leo 

I had a great time with Clemens; he is so fun to be around!  He took me to a vintage photo booth that take over-exposed black and white pictures.  We had fun making silly faces.  Today Clemens dropped me off at my hostel, because he has work on Monday.  My hostel is great!  It is very hip, clean and cute! I actually have my own room with a double bed... I have to say it's a bit lonely but also a nice break from all the socializing I have been doing!  So its a double edged sword.  I only have 3 days on my own here in Berlin and I have so much to see!  As ugly as Berlin is, I am excited about my plans.  It is also very weird that I will be home in less than two weeks!  I am so used to my suitcase and the few outfits I have; I am really looking forward to routine again!

Vintage photo booth

I miss you Clemens!