Hi everyone

Berlin has come to a close. Its sad - this city is such an amazing place. If i were to ever move to europe to live it would probably be here. At the same time it is an ugly and beautiful city, a city with two sides of everything. Its a city of memories and a city trying to forget. And evertime you come it changes. It was only 5 years ago that i was here last and it is amzing to see how much has changed. And when I come back in another 5 years i could bet it would change just as much again.

Enough of me drabbling, what have i been doing...

Well as you know Berlin throws this massive new-years eve party - THIS WAS AMAZING. Over 1 million people turned out to celebrate under the Brandenburg gate. I have visited the 3 remaining sites of the Berlin wall, very interesting. One has been set up to look like the old death strip, one is just a lingering tribute museum and another is called the 'East-Side-Gallery' where artists have come and painted a murale about 1.5 km long. Very moving

Today I did a walking tour of where a guide discussed what it was like to live in former East Germany. I also visited the DDR Museum and old STAASI headquaters.

Yesterday went to Berlin Wall museum, jewish museum, topography of terror (Nazi museum), Jewish Memorial and Reichstag.

Ive been so busy, i wish i had more time to talk about each place. If anyone were to come i some of the jewish memorials and museums are very moving.

Also looked into the history of the Ampelmännchen, these little men who are the trafic signals in the former east. Have a look on wikipedia no doubt it talks about them there ... very funny but also a highlight as it shows how much tradition of the old DDR is being whiped clean.

Internet is running out but will wrap it up hear - - -

I Love You all, Miss you heaps and cya in less than 6 weeks - B!