My evening in Berlin as a tourist this week

I’m american and have made it to Berlin, Germany this week. So far it has been a fascinating trip. It’s a throwback to my times in NYC, with plenty of services to be had but also plenty of shady characters. So much of the city is under construction, so I get the feeling I’m here at a tipping point in the city’s growth. The construction and disrepair of the city are a reminder of the horrors that happened here and that Germany is still building back. <br><br>I’m in theMitte area, which is Berlin’s downtown. I spent the evening walking through the strange streets, taking in the sights. My trip here has been marred by crime, the first being my last bus ride into the city. I struck up a conversation with a fellow passenger, and we ended up having a lengthy conversation about my trip so far. She was very positive and had interesting insights into Berlin, though she admitted she wasn’t a local. <br><br>When we arrived at my stop, I made my way back to my hotel and set out for dinner. I had the idea to try currywurst, which is a Berlin favorite consisting of sausage, ketchup, curry powder, and fries. I found a food cart serving the dish and went to it. The man at the cart was very kind, and helped me get a good serving of the dish. It was fantastic, and I ended up having another serving at a different cart this morning. <br><br>After my first currywurst, I decided to explore. The first thing I noticed was the amount of trash and graffiti in the city. I have a feeling that Berlin is a bit lawless, so I try not to think about it too much and just roll with it. The city seems to be locked in an era of protest, with a large amount of anti-war graffiti and a very hippie attitude. I have seen signs of gentrification, however, and evening concerts seem to be a regular occurrence. <br><br>I endured the chill and wandered the streets, passing the Berlin Cathedral and the State Opera. These are incredible structures that are a testament to the country’s history. They are both under repair, but their beauty shines through. I couldn’t help but imagine what the city must’ve been like a hundred years ago, when the city was the center of world power. <br><br>The final landmark I saw was the Museum Island, which is a complex of five museums. I couldn’t afford to go inside one but I did walk through the campus, and it was beautiful. I imagine the museums are just as nice inside, and I hope I can get one in before I leave. <br><br>So far, Berlin is a real city with real people. It may have its problems, but it’s a place to visit. There’s a lot to see here, and I’m grateful to be here. Thank you for reading. <br><br>Edit: it’s really amazing to see this many responses. Thank you to everyone who has commented and upvoted. I’m glad I can bring Berlin to you all. I’m happy to answer any questions you have about Berlin or my travel experiences. <br><br>Edit #2: more evening pics from Berlin. This is the view from my hotel room, the Humboldt University of Berlin, and the Berliner Dom. I’m planning on staying in tonight to get a good rest, but let me know if you have any more questions about the city. <br><br>Edit #3: I had a good night’s rest last night, and woke up this morning feeling fresh. Today’s agenda was to see the Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin monument, which is a memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe. I set out on this mission after a hearty breakfast, with a coffee and a strudel. The cafe I went to was very cute, and the strudel was delightful. Apparently the strawberries used were from a garden in Berlin. Such a treat. <br><br>I made my way to the Brandenburg Gate, which is a symbol of Berlin. I was surprised to see that there is lots of construction, and that a large part of the area is blocked off by concrete barriers. I had heard that the gate is an extremely popular spot to take pictures, and I was right. I was able to walk through it without incident, but I couldn’t help but feel like I was in a crowded tourist spot, and that’s not my cup of tea. Nonetheless, the gate is beautiful and I took plenty of pictures. <br><br>Next, I made my way to the Berlin monument, where I was bounced by a guard. I didn’t realize it, but my shoes were deemed inappropriate, though I was allowed to wander the grounds. The area is filled with stone pillars and is a very peaceful place. I sat in the monument for a while, taking it all in. It was a lovely time, and a great opportunity to reflect. <br><br>The rest of my day consisted of work and a visit to the Berlin Zoo. I paid the admission fee to get in, which was only €4 because I get a discount for being under 19. Berlin is very affordable in that sense, and I’m taking advantage of it. The zoo was a throwback to when I used to volunteer at a zoo back home. I loved seeing all the animals, and the Berlin Zoo has a wide variety. <br><br>I endured the chill for a while, and eventually realized I needed to get back to the hotel to get warm. Along the way, I passed a street performer who was carrying on an extended magic show. The show was in German, so I couldn’t understand it, but I stayed and watched for a while. It was a nice break from the hustle of traveling. <br><br>When I arrived back at the hotel, I had dinner at a small restaurant. The staff were all very friendly, and I was treated to a delightful veal dish with mashed potatoes and carrots. I couldn’t finish the meal by myself, so I asked the staff if they could box it up for me to eat later. They were understanding, and gave me all of the leftovers. The dish was expensive but delicious, and I’m glad I was able to have it. <br><br>I’m back in my hotel now, and plan on staying here for the night. I’m grateful to have made it this far safely, and I’m excited for tomorrow. <br><br>Thank you all for reading, and I hope you enjoyed hearing about my day in Berlin. <br><br>Edit: I see a lot of you have asked about my age. I am 18, and I’m comfortable traveling alone. I’m American, and I have traveled alone within the country, so I have a good idea of what to expect. I’m not naive, and I’m glad so many of you are looking out for me. <br><br>This afternoon, I took a bus to Potsdam, a UNESCO world heritage site. The city is famous for its palaces, and I was treated to a number of them. The Hortus palace was beautiful and had decorations all over it. The surrounding complex featured a number of beautifully maintained gardens and fountains, and the architecture was reminiscent of Rome. <br><br>The second palace I visited was Sanssouci, the summer home of Frederick the Great. It was an incredible sight that overlooked the city. The grounds were stunning, with elevated walkways and a beautiful vineyard. <br><br>The final palace I visited was the new palace, which was beautiful as well. I got there late, so I couldn’t go inside, but the grounds were beautiful. It was a nice way to end the day.<br><br>I saw plenty of other sights in the city, including the Nikolaikirche, which was a church built in the 18th century. The city itself was lively and full of shops and cafes. Apparently, plenty of rich Berliners used to live in Potsdam, but that has changed in recent years. Nonetheless, it’s worth a visit.<br><br>Thank you all again for your kind comments and for reading my posts. Please let me know if you have any questions about Berlin or if you’d like to hear more about my adventures.