"Emotional city with many faces" a Berlin Travel Page by Sjalen

I must have been the only one in my huge family who had never been to Berlin when I finally got there in 2005. It feels a bit frustrating not to have experienced the city divided to understand its history even more, but better late than never and at least I saw the horrible wall from West Germany throughout childhood in Wolfsburg just along the former border. There are also still plenty of remains from the GDR days in the eastern parts of Berlin around Alexanderplatz and beyond. All this whilst the Ku'damm area around Zoo station feels as western as anything with its shopping malls.

Berlin is a very emotional city. Wherever you go, if you are in the slightest emotional yourself, you will be moved by history and people. The Coventry Cross of Nails in the Kaiser Wilhelm Church, the Wall pictures in the Reichstag Dome, the East Side Gallery...A city with this much traumatic history has developed into a place with a tolerant vibe. No matter who you are, you will find somewhere to fit in. I love it.

Berlin's symbol from a long time back is the bear and you will find it everywhere in the city, both as old ornaments and as these cheerful and artistic versions scattered throughout the city with their different themes. This particular one is in preparation of the 2006 football championships and found outside the Olympic stadium.

One of the best things about Berlin is that wherever your mood takes you, there is something to see or do. It is a city for everyone no matter what interest or age, and it is a city where I experienced a pulse like in no other city. London and Paris might be huge and buzzing but they still live on old reputations and traditions. Berlin, on the other hand, is a city that breathes constantly and you can go wherever the flow takes you or seek out fun yourself - nowhere will disappoint you. All the time something happens and I am 100% sure that the city will not look the same next time I visit. Don't go here if you are looking for that recognisable "comfy old armchair" feeling when you travel, in which case cosy, reliable Munich is better. Go to Berlin if you are interested in life, people, the world!