Standing on the infamous Unter Den Linden, I pause to soak in the grandeur, magnificence, and history of the Brandenburg Gate. Falling in love with the piece even before my departure, nothing more was needed for the design of this very website. But the view from just a couple hundred feet is breathtaking as the golden colors are magnified against the dark, night sky. This gate captures the essence of a Berliner: strong, assertive, stern, bold, prideful, and triumphant as they have endured through many hardships in war and political battle. Today, the surrounding area is tickled with fancy hotels, French cuisine, luxury stores, and executive conference rooms. Berlin has come a long way since the rubble that once overwhelmed its locality.
The Brandenburg Gate benignly shares its stage with the Reichstag just a street away. The newly remodeled Parliament building boasts of a glass dome that attracts every wandering eye. This transparent dome is greeted by lines of people stretching over 5 times its own length.
These tourist attractions are found in Mitte (Middle) Berlin, and three subway stops away is our apartment in Kreuzberg. This region is concentrated with a large Turkish population. The chicken doner kababs with a little bit of garlic sauce are AMAZING! Although they appear to look similar to a gyro, the small differences make the experience completely different. The crunch of the outer pita meets the steaming hot and chewy inner layer lathered with a buttery garlic sauce. Chicken marinated in a unique sauce of heavy asian flavors makes a perfect combination with the unusual abundance of fresh vegetables. The stores on either side of the doner kabobs are no competition with their stale bread and shriveling vegetables which attempt to pose as a sandwich.
As of Day 3 in Berlin, the most exquisite dessert is a slice of german Marzipan cake. The outer appearance was deceiving as the german chocolate cake absorbed all of my attention. However, upon a classmate's advice, I decided to try something new. I won't attempt to describe the intricate textures, flavor, and overall saliva-forming experience. You will have to discover that for yourself someday ;)
The Brandenburg Gate benignly shares its stage with the Reichstag just a street away. The newly remodeled Parliament building boasts of a glass dome that attracts every wandering eye. This transparent dome is greeted by lines of people stretching over 5 times its own length.
These tourist attractions are found in Mitte (Middle) Berlin, and three subway stops away is our apartment in Kreuzberg. This region is concentrated with a large Turkish population. The chicken doner kababs with a little bit of garlic sauce are AMAZING! Although they appear to look similar to a gyro, the small differences make the experience completely different. The crunch of the outer pita meets the steaming hot and chewy inner layer lathered with a buttery garlic sauce. Chicken marinated in a unique sauce of heavy asian flavors makes a perfect combination with the unusual abundance of fresh vegetables. The stores on either side of the doner kabobs are no competition with their stale bread and shriveling vegetables which attempt to pose as a sandwich.
As of Day 3 in Berlin, the most exquisite dessert is a slice of german Marzipan cake. The outer appearance was deceiving as the german chocolate cake absorbed all of my attention. However, upon a classmate's advice, I decided to try something new. I won't attempt to describe the intricate textures, flavor, and overall saliva-forming experience. You will have to discover that for yourself someday ;)
Brandenburg Gate
Near the apartment
Marzipan cake!
