Berlin - 19 years later

It hit me as I was walking to dinner that I was on ground I could not have set foot on less than 20 years ago. I am in Berlin and staying on the Eastern side of the city. Major events have occured in several of the locations I have already been on this trip and some of them within my lifetime. There is a disctinct difference about being in Berlin. The first major world event I have any recollection of, albiet vague, is when the wall came down in 1989. I was six.

Tomorrow I will tour the city, see the wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the Brandeburg Gate, Reichstag, Hitlers former bunker (which I hear is now covered with a parking lot) and more.

I've taken in a lot over the last 39 days and honestly find it difficult to take in much more. I feel saturated with information, images, and experiences. Museums are nearly lost on me at this point. Fortunately, Berlin has a lot of structures to see and some museums that I will enjoy, but none of the museums are must sees for me.

I find it comforting that a city with so much terrible history has become a thriving place of commerce, government, and of course, tourism. As any big city does, I am sure it has problems, but a place like this gives me hope for other cities and countries in turmoil around the world.