Berlin: The Canadians are invading...

Okay, first let me say that our government needs to get on that whole 'Canadian secret handshake' thing that I mentioned earlier. There are so many of us trekking around Europe that it seems only appropriate. Today we were on an 8 hour (yes, I did say 8 hour...that is not a typo) walking tour of Berlin, East and West, and our tour guide was even Canadian! Sylvia was originially from Quebec, grew up around Ottawa and is on a work permit for three years in Germany. She really knew her stuff, so we weren't at a disadvantage not having a native Berliner. The rest of the group was 75% Canadian, representing the True North from coast to coast. See why a handshake would be so cool?!?! I can definitely see myself writing to the Prime Minister with the idea, including a prototype of the handshake involving moose ears at the end.

Anyway, back to Berlin. We had the most amazing day, walking all over Berlin. Some of the streets we saw haven't even been rebuilt since WWII. Some of the other buildings have just recently been fixed or renovated. Visiting these sites, witnessing the destruction, really put things into perspective for me. I was standing in some of the very places that had been demolished at such a sad juncture in world history. We saw Brandenburg Tor, a symbol of victory in Berlin as well as one of the original gates to the city, last night at dusk, and I was sure the city couldn't get any more significant or beautiful than that site. I was wrong. Today we saw the city inside out, with many many more incredible sites. We saw everything from the site of Hitler's bunker, the Holocaust memorial, and the Reichstag to the Topography of Terror (an exhibit dedicated to the horrors of the SS and the Gestapo), Checkpoint Charlie (where American and Soviet troops had a stand off over rights at the Berlin Wall), and of course pieces of the Berlin Wall itself with the Death Strip marked out between the inner and outer walls. There is also a cobblestone path on many of the streets showing where the wall used to stand, illustrating the total division of East and West Berlin. It was all very moving and somewhat disturbing.

The City itself is in a state of rebirth, as far as I'm concerned. There is construction everywhere, getting ready for the World Cup finals this summer, but it appears that with so many monuments and museums commemorating both good and bad moments in German history the city is trying to come to terms with the horrors survived here. It really is incredible.

We did learn a few things today, outside of the obvious historical significances:

1. Pepperoni is a German word for sweet chili peppers. I think the guy was definitely lying, but whatever works.

2. Feet swell and hurt after 8 hours of walking, even in the best shoes.

3. German chocolate is fabulous, AND we saw the Titanic, the Reichstag, and Brandenburg Tor CARVED OUT OF MILK CHOCOLATE. The Titanic almost hit a Katie's teeth-berg this time (I know, not funny...but kind of funny).

4. Don't ever mention graffiti to the owner of the tour guide company. He'll stop in front of every painted wall and exclaim "Why? Why?!"

5. It's a great time to be a Canuck.

That's about all for us...going to bed, as we are up early to see the Pergamon Museum and Potsdamer Platz before heading to London. We love and miss you all!

Guten nacht,
Katie and Leigh-Anne (proud to be Canuck Chicks)