Photo Journal: The Towering Style of Berlin, Germany
Berlin, like the 8-foot tall giants residents that towered over tiny Lilia and I during our visit, is a city full of beautifully uncompromising structures.
And it’s no wonder because the city staged a revolution, was dominated by the Nazi party, bombed to smithereens, divided in two and then reunited again — all in the 20th century alone.
Every corner we turned, Berlin showed us more and more of its multi-faceted history mixed with its colorful today’s. During the day, we saw silent gardens dedicated to millions of Holocaust victims, graffiti art expressing the city’s hope for freedom and unification and peaceful streets full of sleek modern style.
And when the sun set, we entered the dark glittering underground of Berlin’s nightlife. The fact that we stood an average of 2-feet shorter than most of German men only gave us a nondescript vantage point to observe. Known as the techno capital of the world, the intensity of the city’s clubbing scene seemed to give Berliners looking for a new identity just that.
In a city that has redefined itself inside and out, day and night, Berlin is a city forged with hope and a formidable style that soars above its struggles.
Michael Knouse
All of your posts make me want to immediately book a plane ticket! :-) Seriously, something about the way you write + your photographs just inspires me to get out and see the world. Please keep traveling, writing and taking photos so that I can live vicariously through you. Maybe one day I will visit Berlin. You have certainly inspired me to consider it.
Angela
I love Berlin! I’ve been there three times now, and I’d love to go again. It has everything I like as a traveller, including green and quiet places – and that for such a big city. Did you get to see the derelict airport? Next time I want to visit Berlin Underground (literally I mean, not the club scene).
Enjoy your travels!
Kendra
Absolutely beautifully written and such gorgeous photos.
Jane Manthorpe
I visited Berlin when I did the marathon, and it was the year the wall came down. The marathon was full of German runners who sang peace songs, it was an amazing experience. I loved Berlin for its nightlife and like you mentioned still has the remembrance of the war days, so full of history. I loved your pictures as they reminded me of Berlin, found memories