Berlin ... One of a Kind

On our way to Berlin, we stopped in Dresden. Dresden is such an interesting city because it was bombed during the war and completely destroyed but the town residents cared so much about the city that they decided to fund a complete reconstruction of it. So although the buildings look like they date back to 1800s they have all only recently been built back up again only twenty years ago. After a few hours in Dresden we were on the road to Berlin. Berlin is definitely one of a kind. I cannot think of any other city that has been through as much as it has and is still striving. A city that has been forcibly split up, asked its residents to redefine their identities and culture, relocate their jobs, schools and favorite stores and caused famalies and friends to have to wave to each other across a wall from balcony to balcony. Due to the split of the East and the West, Berlin is unique in that although it is one again it still has at least two of everything, most notably two city centers. The presence of the wall, though no longer physically there, is still noticable mostly in the real estate closest to it. Most of the area surrounding the border has either become a memorial or prime space for the next new exciting building. A few of the buildings we saw in Berlin include: the Nordic Embassies, the university library, and the crematorium ... in addition of course to everything else we did. Although I wasn't terribly excited about Berlin, the history behind the city alone is worth the visit.

FROM BERLIN (GERMANY), WITH LOVE GRACE

CZECK ME OUTTTT

On our way to Prague, we stopped at the Loisium Hotel & Winery for lunch. It was a fabulous hotel, definitely a must revisit. A few AWESOME things concerning the hotel and winery: it was designed by STEVEN HOLL, they had the most awesome chairs and swings, and of course the WINE. The one thing I have taken up on while in Europe is the WINEEE, in the last three weeks I have probably consumed more wine than in my entire twenty-one years of life ... just saying. Unfortuneately we had to leave after only 4 hours but we were lucky enough to get one day in Prague. Prague is full of hills and everything is layered so no matter where you are in the city you have a view of a lot. There is a main river dividing the old town and the new town with bridges spanning between the two points. The old town is pretty much completely at the top of the biggest, steepest hill I have ever climbed in 80 degree weather wearing jeans, a blazer and a scarf (obviously I didn't check the forecast that day) but it was totally worth it, it provided the most amazing view of the city and had one of the most beautiful cathedrals I have ever seen. I wish I had more to say about Prague, but being there for only one day I didn't get to experience as much as I would have liked. Guess that means I will have to go back soon. Up next Berlin!

FROM PRAGUE (CZECH REPBULIC), WITH LOVE GRACE

P.S. To give you an idea of how much we do in one day: In Prague a kid decided to run his pedometer, we walked a little over twelve miles in about seven hours.