Berlin: Day 3

It was another day with me and the city. I went on my very own historical walking tour, starting off with the  most symbolic location: the Brandenburg Gate. I noticed a considerable number of people and media by the gate - at the time, jaded me figured there's always media lurking around in historical tourist sites in big cosmopolitan cities like Berlin. Little did I know at that time was that I just happened to go to Berlin one week before the commemoration of the 25th anniversary since the Berlin Wall came down. So naturally,  media all over the world were flocking over to catch a glimpse of the historical sites just before the ceremonial events.

Brandenburg Gate
Address: Pariser Platz, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Station:

I then walked over to the Memorial of Murdered Jews in Europe which was just behind the Brandenburg Gate. The various sizes of stone figures are impressive - it's magnificent and solemn at the same time. Under the memorial is a free museum. It was notable that a bunch of young Polish students were on field trip. It was interest to see them engaging in the multimedia and reading the photos of the young Polish Jews that were killed just merely a little more than half century ago. Just note of caution that although it is free, there is a comprehensive security process so may line up for a while before getting in so go early.

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
Address: Cora-Berliner-Straße 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany
Station: Brandenburg 
Entrace Fee: Free

The historical tour continues to Charlie Checkpoint in which was the gate point between American and Russian occupied areas of the city. Most interesting is that this area is now filtered with German and American franchise chains and nothing resonated of the old Soviet occupation of the area. One more thing to note that the intersection by the checkpoint doesn't have any stoplight, needless to say because none was needed as no cars or people could pass over it. Now being a bustling city, it makes it harder for pedestrians and cars to crossover as it still remains bare on the intersection.

Whew, made myself to dinner. We had a group dinner and as per request of Laura, Indian food :) As I'm usually deprived of eating out (Geneva is notoriously expensive and not good quality when it comes to eating out) this was a great treat. Bonus: local Indian level spiciness of Paneer Makhani! Heaven.