Okay, readers. We know that we made big promises for our 4 part series, the last of which was supposed to be about our two trips back stateside for weddings; however, we’ve been lazy, so instead of a full post, here’s one paragraph to give you the gist:
Sarah spent some precious time with her family (especially her niece and nephew), we witnessed two beautiful weddings, we danced and laughed a lot, we caught up with old friends, and we moved all of our belongings from one storage unit to another. It was all great fun. Except for that last thing. That sucked a lot.
Now that part IV is covered, let’s move on to our more recent trip to Berlin.
Chris had to attend a conference in Berlin on Monday and Tuesday of last week, and because we hadn’t visited the city since 2010 (when we had all the time but none of the money), we decided to go a few days early to experience the city from a new perspective.
Food and Drink: Any improvement over Swiss quality or price is always a welcome change, and Berlin certainly didn’t disappoint. We found our first proper bloody mary in Europe (excluding, of course, Chris’s excellent at-home variety), indulged in a (too) big Ruben sandwich, and were spoiled by a tasty (and relatively affordable) 3-course tasting menu. The weather was quite chilly while we were there, so we were also happy to find reprieve in the extensive network of adorable coffee shops and craft brewery bars.
Culture: Being the capital of Germany, it’s easy to assume that the culture of Berlin would go hand in hand with everything you think of as stereotypically German (lederhosen, beers, sausages, finely tuned automobiles, and the like). But you know what they say about assumptions …
The city certainly has its own vibrant culture, but because it has become such a melting pot of people, languages, and cultures, Berlin’s identity is not as obviously linked to Germany as one might think. This is not to say that the city is without a rich history. From Nazi headquarters which planned and executed the many horrors of the Holocaust, to the Berlin Wall which both physically and ideologically divided the city, to the more recent influx of refugees which continues to fuel political debate – the city and its people have seen a lot. But despite its tumultuous past (or perhaps because of it), Berlin is now a progressive, international city. We both felt that the city did an appropriate job of recognizing its history and crimes (The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe and the East Gallery were both especially moving), but much of the city can be characterized by a slightly bohemian and distinctly cool vibe. It’s a city where English is seemingly more widely spoken than German, a city that appears to welcome all people, a city that embraces the arts, and a city that provides ample Hygge opportunities (full explanation of this Danish concept here). Walking around Berlin for four days honestly felt a lot like walking around DC. Even with its lack of mountains, we’d say that Berlin has earned a ranking among our favorite European cities.
SASgoesSwiss 