Germany
Recent Articles
Reichstag
There may be no more impressive building in Berlin than the Reichstag. Standing before its massive facade, illuminated against the evening sky, it is impossible not to feel the weight of the history that has unfolded here. More than just a government building, the Reichstag has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, the turmoil of war, […]
Checkpoint Charlies
The photograph captures one of the most powerful symbols of the Cold War and the division of Berlin during the twentieth century. Standing in the middle of the street is a reconstruction of the famous American checkpoint known as Checkpoint Charlie. This was once the best-known crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin during […]
Marx-Engels Forum
In a quiet green space in Berlin, we came upon the Marx-Engels Forum. There is no grand staircase, or towering pedestal. The monument is at ground level, integrated into the park. Karl Max is seated and beside him stands Freidrich Engles. One seated, one standing. One reflective, one present. To understand why they are here, […]
Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp
For me, exploring history means looking at the good, the bad, and the ugly. Traveling to Germany was a challenging choice for Marty. Our first German city was Berlin, a beautiful and vibrant place that embraces music, the arts, and an extraordinary culinary scene. Yet it was also here that we visited our first concentration camp: […]
Holocaust Memorial
There are places that we visit, and then there are places we enter. This memorial in Berlin is one of those places. From a distance, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, appears like a vast field of concrete blocks stretching across the city near the Brandenburg Gate. But as we walk into it, the […]
Brandenburg Gate
While visiting Berlin, the Brandenburg gate quickly becomes more than just a landmark, it becomes a focal point of the city’s history. Standing at Pariser Platz, we faced a structure built between 1788 and 1791 under King Frederick William II of Prussia. Designed by architect Carl Gottheard Langhans, the gate was inspired by classical Greek architecture. Its […]
Trabi Car
When we visited Berlin in 2017, one of our fun adventures was driving a Trabant, known as a Trabi. I have to admit, I had never heard of these cars before. And when Marty suggested the tour, I was curious and so glad we did it. Marty took the wheel as we followed our guide […]
