12 images of Berlin

I was in Berlin couple of months back.Typical of me,  I chose to walk in  Berlin too. I feel walking can bring us closer to the soul  of any city. I couldn’t walk around as much as I wanted  though. I walked with  NewBerlinTour. You can try this out to get a glimpse of Berlin in 3-4 hours.I had only a day to explore the city. My first impressions of Berlin are here ...

1. Friendly People 
Contrary to my biased view of ‘Germans are not so friendly’, I experienced  very friendly approach from everyone I met. They were going out of the way to help. When we lost our way on the first day in Berlin, this gentlemen walked along with his cycle to show us the right direction until we are close to our hotel and even he showed us a piece of wall next to his office which was not dismantled due to art work on it.  When I was waiting for a  taxi to airport and whole city was running short of taxis due to train strike, a lady who was waiting along with me tried from her phone to several taxis to book for us.

2. Cycles Cycles everywhere 
Berlin looked like a cyclist’s paradise. Whether geared cycle or ordinary cycle, it was there everywhere. People riding cycle to office in their formals was very common. Similarly mothers  were carrying their kids in the front bar of the cycle. I even saw a lady riding the cycle having an extension of pram to her cycle with an infant in it.

3.Construction across the city
Construction work in progress and cranes in the skyscape was another  common sight across the city. I saw Berliners cribbing about this never ending construction work  ever since the day of unification.  

Construction work in progress

4. Berliners like theater

There are many theaters across the city. I don’t remember the names but I saw quite a lot during my walk. In one of the streets near Checkpoint Charlie found this theater properties for sale.   

5. Hitler’s bunker(Furerbunker)

Can you see anything special about this parking lot. It is as ordinary as any parking. In fact it is a nondescript location without any pavements or planned parking layout. Exactly few feet below was Hitler’s bunker and this was the place where he killed himself in 1945. Apparently, post Hitler’s death, Soviet didn’t even want to retain his bunker and they filled the land to cover it. Then few constructions came up around to make this place insignificant and not to have any memories of Hitler. Recently they have placed an information board at one corner of the parking with layout showing Hitler’s bunker.

6. Buddy bear 

Buddy bear what they call them are part of the cityscape and can be seen everywhere in different posture and colors. I was told buddy bears were installed from 2001 as a public art and representing Berlin. It is the symbol of Berlin. Buddy bear souvenirs are available. How can I miss taking couple of pictures with buddy bear ?!

7. Memorial to the murdered jews of Europe ( Holocaust memorial)

Holocaust memorial is very close to Brandenburg gate, This was built as a memorial to the jewish victims after 60 years of world war II in 2005. There are about 2000 concrete blocks varying in heights. There is an information centre where all the names of the victims are available. I believe it is an artwork. For my poor taste, it looked like a cemetery than an art.

8. Brandenburg gate

The landmark of Germany, Brandenberg gate is an 18^th century monument. My guide told that it was built to symbolize peace. Bronze Quadriga placed on top of the gate is driven by goddess  of peace.  But later when Berlin was under France, Quadriga turned into a symbol of victory. Now it is called as Victoria, roman goddess of Victory. Being right at the border between East and West Berlin during the wall period it was a major gate between East and west. During the  fall of wall in 1989 it was the place where people gathered and celebrated. I could see a lot of activists and tourists crowding around the open place in front of the gate.

9. The Berlin wall

Every Berliner I met were passionate talking about the wall. Whole Berlin was celebrating 25 anniversary of fall of the wall during my time of the visit. Hence there was naturally more importance in the air for the wall. I watched a video about the wall in the wall memorial.  It was very interesting to know how they built think wall. Not one but two walls separated by no man’s land. Legacy Berlin wall remainings are serving as a  canvas for  graffiti arts.

10. Historic Monuments and Museums

Every hundred meters we can find a museum and monuments. Cityscape is full of huge heritage buildings

                                                                                           
11. Vegetarian food

All the meals I had there for a week were all very good vegetarian food. Wide variety of Vegan food is available across the city

12. Graffiti art

I couldn't  go around for Graffitti walk. I am definitely not going to miss this in my next visit to Berlin. This city encourages urban art and has plenty of street arts, mural art and graffiti.During my walk I also came cross many art studios. It is home for many art galleries and museums



Other related post which might interest you 
25 anniversary of Berlin wall


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Asakusa and kimono wearing experience in Tokyo

Asakusa is an oldest part of  Tokyo amidst skyscrapers. It lies in the lap of the most modern part of Tokyo and probably that contributes to the charm of Asakusa. Located on the bank of Sumida river this place is still breathing traditional Japanese air.

Asakusa is a district in Tokyo famous for Sensoji Buddhist temple. It is one of the oldest and most famous temples of Tokyo. Its history dates back to 7^th century A.D. I believe even now some Geisha houses are there in Asakusa. It was an entertainment district in Tokyo before Shinjuku and other new districts took over this fame from Asakusa in the later years.

Asakusa street

I decided to spend half a day in Asakusa and went by train. When you are in older part of the town, it's an experience to be cladded in their traditional dress. I wanted to experience Kimono. My guide took me to a place in one of the lanes of Asakusa for hiring the dress. There were plenty of options and she asked me to choose my favorite color. I picked up pink. Then for the next 15 minutes  the lady in the shop was busy in wrapping the Kimono and tieing the ribbons. Before wrapping me in   Kimono, she  checked  with me if i want to use  the toilet as it is not easy to go to toilet  after wearing. She wrapped me in the Kimono and tied me with many  pieces of sash one after the other, making me feel difficult to breath. Wondering the number of layers I ask her for the count. She says ‘there are 27 pieces ‘ !!

I loved the way they make butterfly design in the back with a sash which I guess was about 3-4 meters. They call it as Obi

Obi of my Kimono

Do you know ? One can’t wear Kimono without someone’s support and lot of tying  is required.

I was told there are many varieties of Kimono and it will be different for different ceremonies.  It reminded of my  Indian saree heritage, where one wears different varieties of Sarees for different events. Mine was a simple version. But it is a lengthy process having multiple accessories. Kimono doesn't flaunt the figure but it gives elegant look me thinks.

Then there is hairdo. She couldn’t do much with my short hair. But placed a nice clip with matching flowers on one side. Can I go now ? No.. Kimono  is complete only after white socks and traditional footwear. It was  served. Now I am ready to explore  Asakusa in  Kimono.

Ready to explore Asakusa in Kimono

As we enter through the big gate,  Kaminarimon(thunder gate) with a big red lantern, we can see  the sensoji temple. It is hardly 200 mts away from the first gate. How much time do you think it will take to walk across 200 mts ? 

5 minutes maximum ?!

But I bet you can’t reach. Shops around will not allow you to move. I took more than an hour. As we moved through the gate it opened upto  the temple shopping street, Nakamise Dory shopping arcade. 

Nakamise shopping street is always crowded

There are about 200 shops lined up in couple of rows. Time flies away just like that. You can find souvenirs of all kinds here: T shirts , dolls, trinkets, Kimonos, masks and many more things lure the tourists to stop a while before reaching Sensoji temple. It is very colorful and crowded. I was in Asakusa twice in different time of the day. It was always crowded. I did window shopping. Didn’t buy anything. I generally don’t buy any souvenirs from anywhere.

Incense pot in Sensoji temple

After crossing the shopping street there is a gate which takes us to Sensoji temple courtyard. There is an incense pot. People burn incense here. Smoke of that is supposed to be good for good health.

Sensoji temple entrance with big red lantern

Then I enter into the temple. The legend has it that in 7^th century few fisherman found the statue of Bodhisattva Kannon and temple was  built in reverence to Bodhisattva. However, another priest after him had a dream and got revelation that the statue should be hidden. Even today the statue is not open for public. What I saw in the altar is two statues and a red curtain. I was told that the Bodhisatva statue is behind the curtain and these two statues are guarding that.

Sensoji temple altar

There is a five storied pagoda next to the temple and similar to any other place in Tokyo  the entire temple complex was crowded.

Sensoji temple and pagoda

I then walked around the less crowded roads of Asakusa for some time before I returned my kimono. It was a nice when the locals were stopping by and complimenting my dress. Though there were many other foreigners mainly Chinese  wearing Kimono, my brown Indian skin  drew their attention i guess. Nevertheless I enjoyed every bit of the kind words grinning ear to ear. 

Useful info - 

- Sensoji temple is open from morning till evening
- Asakusa can be reached by subway Ginza line exit
- It can also be reached by Sumida river cruise
- Public toilet available in the temple complex
- No dress code to enter the temple. Photography is allowed
- I hired the kimono from Sakura.They have good collection . Cloths were clean and  in good condition. They have kimono for men as well.

  Have you been to Asakusa ? Pls share your experience