Ich Bin Ein Berliner (or however it´s spelt!)

...so onto Berlin.

The curse of bad weather hit us again. We got here at about noon yesterday, dropped our bags at the incredibly cheaply priced Hostel (9 Euros) and headed for the sights.

First stop was Checkpoint Charlie. Oh dear. Oh very, very, dear. What have they done to this place? You´ll be familiar that this was the checkpoint between the US and Soviet sectors of Berlin during the Cold War. It has some special meaning to anyone who studied or followed politics following the second world war, especially those over the age of 30. I was really looking forward to seeing this sight. And what did I find when I arrived? Some dumb ass American actor dressed up in uniform selling photos to tourists for one Euro each regailed in uniform and holding the Stars and Stripes (the American flag to those who are unsure). This was subtely offset with the snack bar across the road named ´Snack Point Charlie´! I KNOW that the tenticles of commercialism stretch far and wide but come on! People lost their lives trying to escape from behind the Iron Curtain. How about the memories of the familes who were seperated from their loved ones for decades. Grrrrr, not happy at all.

So off we went, moods to match the cold rain beating down on us. Next was a memorial to the Jewish dead of WW2. What a contrast. It´s an incredible museum / memorial. I went to Auschwitz last year and any of you that have been will know that nothing can surpass that experience for reflection and realisation of the evil humankind is capable of...but this place was moving all the same.

We took in the Reichstag and then conceded defeat to the elements. We headed home. The evening was spent scoffing a feast of a half roast chicken and fries, washed down with smuggled in 70 cent a bottle beer. Far more sensible than purchasing the 3 Euro offerings from the Hostel. Met an interesting guy from Toronto in Canada, Danny is his name. I´ve lost count of all the people we´ve met on this trip. Hostelling is SO sociable. It´s definately the future!

And so the final major destination will be reached today...Amsterdam. Good way to finish I think you´ll agree!

Will post again when I can. Oh, and I know it´s an early post but the Chinese guy in the dorm is snoring like a trooper, lol. Yes, that´s a drawback to the Hostelling lark! ;-) x