I don't wear my watch to tell the time. I wear it to remind me of the time I have left. To remind me that time doesn't stop. To remind me of the value of seconds and minutes and hours. It's consistent, rhythmic, ongoing, and fragile. Time slips away and before you know it, you're wishing for another second or minute or hour.
I always think about time. The time I have been here in Germany, the time I have left in Germany, the time I spent preparing for Germany, and the years I spent dreaming of Germany. When I go back and think of the 11 years I dreamt of the exact life I have now, it's amazing. It reminds me that the 211 days here are so special. These days are gifts-- everyday is one that I can only experience once in a lifetime. This year will be something I can never relive, not only because I am on exchange but because every year is one you can never relive.
My exchange has taught me the importance of time. It taught me that everyday life still has a goal, still has value, because these days are the ones making up the 302 days of my exchange. I give myself a goal for everyday at school, and I always work to achieve that. Everyday I should learn a new word, meet a new person, experience a new type of food, and undergo another hardship because that is the point of this year. It has made me realize that there should be pressure on everyday, no matter whether you are on exchange or in the town you have lived in for your entire life. Everyday is important and sometimes it takes getting out of your element to realize that.
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
DAS IST SO BERLIN
Everything they say about Berlin is completely accurate.
Berlin is most definitely not the most aesthetically pleasing city, but is beautiful in an entirely different manner. It's where grunge, rebellion, and hipster-dom breed, where all the kids who want to screw their parents over run away to. Berlin is where colors paint the dirty streets, where there's an art project around every corner. It's a hub of artistic expression, innovation, and movements for change. It has a sort of elegance, where modern movements meet the rich roots of history.
Berlin represents the history of Germany from the 3rd Reich to the DDR, where these world altering events took place. It is the city where Hitler propagated fascist ideas, but the same city where Angela Merkel sits today, proudly governing a modern, moderate, democracy. The city reminds you of the unfortunate history of the nation, but makes you so proud of what Germany has come to be. Berlin is inspirational, elegant, modern, and full of experiences.
My 24-hour trip to Berlin was certainly not enough time to do the city justice, but was enough time to evoke some emotions. From the Reichstag, to the Brandenburger Tor, to the Berliner Mauer, to the Holocaust Memorial, no city better represents the history of Germany like Berlin. As I saw these sites I could imagine the bombing of the city to ashes, the oppressive ruling under communist rule, and the final victory as the wall fell.
Especially moving was the Holocaust Memorial. This memorial recognizes the millions of Jews killed during WWII and reminds people of the reality of genocide. What looks like just a flat field of flat stones, turns out to be a hilly maze of large square masses of rock. It has many rows of these large square rocks, that all increase in height as you go deeper into the maze. You feel lost, confused, unsettled, and in the dark, especially scared. It was a thought- provoking representation of how the Jews felt during this time that made me realize the reality of history. It was unbelievable, but I thought it was especially well done.
After seeing this memorial, our group also saw the government building in Germany called the Reichstag. This was an incredibly interesting building that mixes old exterior architecture with an entirely modern interior. What I find very special is the glass dome on the top of the building. Through this dome, people are able to watch their government in action. I find this to be such an amazing idea because it shows that the government has nothing to hide. I think that is very special and represents a true democracy.
Berlin was an amazing trip, that allowed me to experience history as well as have an amazing time with my exchange friends. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to see the city, and look forward to seeing it again in the future.
The entire group by the Berlin Wall
My favorite quote on the wall
Reichstag
Me by the Berlin Wall
Brandenburger Tor
Berlin is most definitely not the most aesthetically pleasing city, but is beautiful in an entirely different manner. It's where grunge, rebellion, and hipster-dom breed, where all the kids who want to screw their parents over run away to. Berlin is where colors paint the dirty streets, where there's an art project around every corner. It's a hub of artistic expression, innovation, and movements for change. It has a sort of elegance, where modern movements meet the rich roots of history.
Berlin represents the history of Germany from the 3rd Reich to the DDR, where these world altering events took place. It is the city where Hitler propagated fascist ideas, but the same city where Angela Merkel sits today, proudly governing a modern, moderate, democracy. The city reminds you of the unfortunate history of the nation, but makes you so proud of what Germany has come to be. Berlin is inspirational, elegant, modern, and full of experiences.
My 24-hour trip to Berlin was certainly not enough time to do the city justice, but was enough time to evoke some emotions. From the Reichstag, to the Brandenburger Tor, to the Berliner Mauer, to the Holocaust Memorial, no city better represents the history of Germany like Berlin. As I saw these sites I could imagine the bombing of the city to ashes, the oppressive ruling under communist rule, and the final victory as the wall fell.
Especially moving was the Holocaust Memorial. This memorial recognizes the millions of Jews killed during WWII and reminds people of the reality of genocide. What looks like just a flat field of flat stones, turns out to be a hilly maze of large square masses of rock. It has many rows of these large square rocks, that all increase in height as you go deeper into the maze. You feel lost, confused, unsettled, and in the dark, especially scared. It was a thought- provoking representation of how the Jews felt during this time that made me realize the reality of history. It was unbelievable, but I thought it was especially well done.
After seeing this memorial, our group also saw the government building in Germany called the Reichstag. This was an incredibly interesting building that mixes old exterior architecture with an entirely modern interior. What I find very special is the glass dome on the top of the building. Through this dome, people are able to watch their government in action. I find this to be such an amazing idea because it shows that the government has nothing to hide. I think that is very special and represents a true democracy.
Berlin was an amazing trip, that allowed me to experience history as well as have an amazing time with my exchange friends. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to see the city, and look forward to seeing it again in the future.
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