Ich bin ein Berliner...NICHT!!!

So, Berlin has been interesting. Let's start with what we've liked. To be fair, we have learned a lot. Our public school education seriously failed us when it came to the saga surrounding the Berlin Wall. The Checkpoint Charlie museum that we visited yesterday, while poorly organized, was incredibly interesting and informative. They actually had the modified cars that people used to smuggle their loved ones out of East Berlin! Today we visited Sachsenhausen, one of the first concentration camps built in Germany that was in operation until the 50's ( it was used by the Soviets as an internment camp after the war). It was depressing, but incredibly moving. In addition to learning a lot, this city is incredibly cheap compared to Paris and Amsterdam. Our hostel costs about $15 a night, compared with our $40 per night hotel in Paris.


Now, Berlin, here comes the hard truth...we hate you. While your train system is relatively efficient, it is difficult to figure out your "shades of gray" zones. One would think that accidentally underpaying by $.40 for a train ticket wouldn't warrant a 40 Euro fine, but apparently you disagree. I guess we can't blame you, Berlin. After all, you've got almost nothing else going on. Thanks for the memories, but peace out.

Mandi and Bekky