03.10.08

Berlin, Germany

From Martin Luther to the Berlin wall!I left my favorite German city of Bamberg in high hopes that my love affair with Germany would continue as I headed north on my way to Berlin.My hopes were dashed as I started to notice a significant geography change and the skyline became littered with wind generators and then I arrived in Berlin.

As I left the rolling hills and tree dotted valleys of Southeastern Germany, I was thinking of how much I enjoyed not only my stay in Bamberg, but also just how much I liked Germany.Then, I started to move into a more flat landscape and the horizon was littered with enormous wind generators.Although all the villages I passed through on my way to Berlin were the usual clean and neat and in order villages, I did not get the same tingle of my senses as I drove through that I had in Austria and the south.Lutherstadt Wittenberg was pretty neat.Now when everyone talks about the reformation, I will know exactly where it started!

I can't say that I had any expectations for Berlin, but I think I was expecting the usual general good feeling that I feel when I entered most German cities and towns. However, this was not the case and after an afternoon touring around, I arrived back to the hostel to cancel my second nights stay.It only took a couple of hours walking around Berlin to get a feel for a city that has had a bumpy to say the least past.It is hard to believe that just 18 years ago the city was divided and before that terror was being unleashed on many of its inhabitants with Adolf Hitler in power.

Berlin is a bustling city trying to step out of its bloody past, but everywhere there are reminders of what Germany used to be.From the Topography of Terror display chronicling the atrocities inflicted upon some of its inhabitants to check point Charlie one of seven entry points into the walled off east Berlin.Although Berlin has a tragic past, the future is filled with Starbucks and trendy cafes and bars.Old blocks where SS buildings stood, there are now tall modern sky scrapers.With the rollercoaster past that this city has had it is amazing to see it in the shape it is in and it is no wonder the skyline is crowded by an army of building cranes.It is no wonder the usual pedestrian street and old architecture is not really present here.

With all that has happened to this city I am amazed at how far it has come, but I feel that is has still along way to go.A walk past the new Jewish Synagogue reveals a glimpse into the past and the reality that not so long ago this city was in a different world.The synagogue not only had security guards and the sidewalk chained off, but metal detectors towered over the doorways of both the Synagogue and the Jewish restaurant next door.

Needless to say, Berlin was a powerful reminder of how things can go so wrong. I watched the world news tonight and realized that we still live in a very unstable world.The potential for power misuse and political unrest is as real today as it was in the beginning of World War II; from seemingly stable Spain to turbulent Pakistan world peace is a very tricky balancing act which seems to never be fully achieved.

Germany has come a long way in a short time and I truly think that it has some of the most beautiful country side, villages, and people I have met on this journey.Berlin may be a reminder of the troubled past, but the people and landscape are a constant reminder of a country and a people that are pressing forward and creating something positive out of so much past negative.My type A personality is definitely satisfied being in Germany.

So some random things that I have noticed so far:

When I started riding around I noticed a lot of cars missing hubcaps and not just old ones.I thought maybe there was a theft problem or maybe these crazy autobahns made them fall off or something, but then I learned that Germany requires drivers to use special snow tires during the winter months.Instead of changing tires to rims, Germans just have a whole other set of rims and tires for the winter.So when summer comes the shiny aluminum rims will be put back on and the ruddy black steal ones put back in the garage.Hmmm, so now I wonder why other countries don't require this.

Maybe it was the war, maybe it was just good parenting, but Germans are the most rule following people I have encountered.Standing at a crosswalk this becomes very evident.My usual routine is to arrive at a street, look both ways and then when clear proceed across.Although the sidewalk might be crowded, I have found that I am sometimes the only one crossing the street.Apparently there is a law that says unless the little green man is asking you to cross, stay put!Well you won't find many Germans walking when the little man is red even though there might not be a car anywhere on the road.I am sure that this rule following can be seen in other things.I have noticed it in several and I am sure this could be a good thing and also a not so good thing.All and all I am in favor.The more people that follow the rules, the less I have to push out of my way when I break it!!!

I found another great church and since last Sunday was in an English speaking church, I finally got to hear the Lord's Prayer in German this Sunday.I think now I have worshiped in 7 different languages.Although the language is different, the prayers are all still the same and to the same God.Pretty amazing experience actually and I must say being that I understand a little German it really made for a nice service last night.

So, I am heading north to the Black Sea tomorrow.The water is calling me back.