Ich bin ein Berliner (or something like that)

Ah Berlin. You promised me sun and then proceeded to rain/snow for most of the day. As I foolishly believed your forecast, I left my umbrella at home, and suffered for that. But like any good traveller,  I didn't let inclement weather deter me from my adventures.

Being in Berlin reminds you that it is one of the most historically significant places in the 20th century. From the Brandenburg Gate to Checkpoint Charlie to Bebelplatz, it's incredible to reflect on the history that this city holds. Admittedly, it is quite sobering (especially if you do Topography of Terror tour), but the insight you gain is worth being depressed for a while (Although I am avoiding concentration camps because I am not a masochist.).

Architecture-wise, Berlin is nothing special, but l knew that going in. There are beautiful buildings scattered about, like those on Museum Island and the Gendarmenmarkt. And there is the Tiergarten, a huge park that has a zoo and several lakes, among other things. It is decent in winter, and probably amazing in the spring/summer.

Coming from Prague, I'm having culture shock with Berlin prices. Imagine when I return to London! Prague has ruined me for Western Europe. I paid almost 3 euro for a cappuccino and wept.

I could see myself living in Berlin though. This comment is based on minimal observation, but I like cities with good transport links and an array of attractions. But I dunno if the constant presence of the past would just depress me all the time. And there's that tricky me not speaking a word of German thing to consider.

Also, why are Germans so tall? In buses, on the metro, in bathrooms - the thing to hold onto/hang your bag on is ridiculously high. Do they not realise the rest of us aren't as evolved as they are?

I'm supposed to go on a tour of Potsdam tomorrow, but I'm wavering, as there are still many things I want to do and that would leave me with only one more day in Berlin. And just in case anyone wants to know, I still have not tried German beer or sausage. I will, eventually, for the former, but the latter is a lost cause.

I ended my day with an evening tour of the German Parliament. I got to go up to the dome and see a panorama of Berlin at night,  though I have no photos because my electronics failed me. It's a bitch when that happens. 

We'll see how tomorrow goes. Hopefully my success at jaywalking in different countries doesn't come to an end.