Berlin in Winter |
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I was in Berlin early 2006 for a conference and had some time to explore the city. My first impression of Berlin was not good - could be the weather - cold and cloudy, but it grew on me over time.
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Many of the older East Berliners left behind in the new capitalistic era are said to suffer from Ostalgie (nostalgia for the east), and all the state run support for housing and food allowances. It definitely is a business oriented no nonsense kind of place. Berlin was 4.2 Million People before the war, 2.1 Million after the war and has never reached its pre war population. Current population is 3.4 Million, down slightly since unification. There is tons of to see in an abundance of museums (over 15 sigificant ones), if you are only going to see one, go to the Pergamon. If you have time visit some of the others on Museum Island such as the Altes Museum. There is a thriving art community and a lot of cultural choices for those inclined. I would suspect that most people will spend the most time in former GDR East Berlin where there is a lot of recent history. Easy to visualize this area under Soviet rule...... But it is changing - construction zone. But there is also tons to see in West Berlin as well. To this day many Berliners speak Russian as a second language. Therefore there is much less English spoken here than in a city like Munich
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| Favourite spots: |
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Alexanderplatz - ugly but interesting Friedrichestrasse - upscale street gucci and the likes Galleries Lafayette - gourmet food court good Gendermenmarkt Market - nice square restos etc. Brandenburg Gate. It really is an historical site when the Berlin went up as well when it came down. Reichstag - The Dome that was added recently is stunning from the outside. But it is magnificent once inside. It stream daylight on the sitting politicians but also has a spiraling walkway to the top for a great view of Berlin. On top of all of that it is a stunning work or architecture.
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| What's really great: |
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I generally preffered the sites of East Berlin. In particular I enjoyed visiting the CheckPoint Charlie Museum, staying in Mitte and visiting the Gendermanmarkt and Hachascher Market (Jewish. Quarter)
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| Accommodations: |
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Hotel Under Den Linden - Clean dorm like with what I suppose is a real GDR feel to it. Right on Unter Den Linden and Friedrickestrasse
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| Nightlife: |
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Label205 - nice urban ambience - happy hour - in 205 mall
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Published on Wednesday February 8th, 2006 by murrayskinner
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