Day 4- Berlin Again!!

Hi Guys, just had another very busy and exciting day in Berlin! We started off the day with a walk to the train station in Werder, about ten minutes from the school. Surprisingly it wasn't too cold, a welcome change from the usually chilly mornings! We got on the train that takes us directly into Berlin, only to make it to Potsdam before the train *shock horror* broke down! Luckily Frau Zimmer found another route on the slower S-Bahn, which took a lot longer, but we still managed to get into Berlin before our tour at the Berliner Dom (cathedral) started. How's that for German efficiency? :D So we got to the beautiful cathedral and the guide showed us the amazing mosaics at the entrance and then took us inside, where we saw a few very ornate marble staircases and angel ornaments. He then took us into the main prayer hall, a huge room covered in amazing mosaics and of course, we could see the inside of the huge dome, which has a large mosaic of a dove at the very apex. The guide also talked about what the mosaics signified, and who all the marble statues were of, it was all very interesting and we mostly just gazed up at the decorations while we listened. After we broke the world record for the most photos taken in one room, we left the hall and explored the crypt, which was built in order to avoid the Royal coffins being flooded when the Spree River used to overflow twice a year, back in the time of the emperors. We all then climbed a staircase (the number we counted was 197 stairs), and reached the observation ring around the dome, where we could look out over Berlin, it was a fantastic view, but those who suffered from heights or claustrophobia may not have enjoyed it as much! After that we descended and browsed through the gift shop and cafe, having a break before setting off again. Our next destination was a stark contrast from the ornate, christian cathedral design of the Berliner Dom, we took the U-Bahn to the Jewish Museum on the other side of town. The most striking difference was the architecture of the Museum compared with the cathedral, it was a stark geometric building, with minimal decorations, it looked cold and hard like concrete, but the real effect was in the inside of the museum. While there were many areas with artefacts from the time of the persecution of the Jews, and many other videos and photos shown, the real emotion was felt, not seen. One of the highlights of the museum was definately the Holocaust Tower, a 24 metre high, triangular room, which is completely closed off from the outside except for a small slit high on the wall which lets in a tiny amount of light. With the door disappearing into the blackness, the only visible way out was metal ladder on the wall leading into the blackness above, but it would be too high for us to reach. The audio guide told us that the architect of this room intended for each perception of the room to be a personal one, everyone may interpret the room in a different way. One thing is for sure, noone stayed in that cold, dark room for too long. We also had plenty of time to walk around the exhibits and contemplate the history that the Jewish people have had over the past centuries, it was certainly an experience we will not forget in a hurry! After the museum we travelled by train to Potsdamer Platz, another great shopping location, but at this stage everyone was so exhausted from walking around all day that we mostly just stayed at the Eiscafe and tried the many flavours that were on offer. Some even bought some Spaghetti Eis, icecream that is shaped like spaghetti! After an hour and a half we left and took the proper train back to Werder to be picked up by our host families, all in all a busy day, but a very eventful and fun day. But we can all give our legs a rest tomorrow, kayaking in Brandenburg an der Havel, where we will all be followed around by a tv crew. Let's hope nobody flips the kayak on camera! Tschuss! (PS I just realised I wrote a little bit too much, if you are reading this congratulations on finishing!)