A Delicious Adventure

Photo credit: David Joseph

Hello again! I'm still alive, happily. Life has been pretty crazy, and it's already been over a month since I got here to Latvia! I can hardly believe it. As each day goes by, I want more and more to get everything I can out of this experience, and I feel like I'm still just starting to figure it out.

Photo credit: Tiffany Harris

Last weekend, as you may know if you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, I went on a trip to Berlin with my fellow students! Travel is one of the perks of this trip that I didn't even consider coming out here, but I'm so glad these other students are gung-ho about it, because Berlin was a DREAM.

Photo credit: David Joseph

We got in to Berlin Saturday evening and went right to our Airbnb to meet our host and put our things down. The host's daughter greeted us and showed us to the home, which was situated in their backyard, and which had a cabin feel to it that I absolutely loved. She told us the water was good enough to drink - even better than what you buy in the stores - and I have to agree. It was heavenly, which is not something I can say about Latvian water. (And the growing mountain of plastic 5L water jugs in our apartment can attest to that.)

The next few days, we were on our feet, going non-stop. We had less than 3 full days in Berlin, and we were not planning on missing a second. We went to museum after museum, learning and experiencing and just loving every moment. Each night we came home exhausted, but more than happy to be so, considering the great adventure we were on.

Photo credit: David Joseph

We visited Charlottenburg Palace, Checkpoint Charlie, the German Bundestag (Parliament), and of course the Brandenburg Gate. David was our trusty photographer and navigator. (Really, I don't know how we could have survived the trip without him.) We were immersed in the history and beauty of Germany, and each moment was new and exciting.

Photo credit: David Joseph

As far as Jewish/holocaust history, we visited the Jewish Museum, the Topography of Terror, and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. My one regret is that we never got the chance to explore below the Holocaust Memorial - where, I was told, names of around 3 million Jewish holocaust victims have constantly been sounded over a loudspeaker since construction in 2004, and the list won't end until 2025. I guess that will be a reason drawing me back to Berlin on future adventures (which certainly must come). While the underground portion must wait, I did get the experience of walking among the cement blocks and pillars above ground, which provoke thoughts and images of those victims and how they suffered and was deeply impressing.

Photo credit: David Joseph

Photo credit: David Joseph

Another strong impression came at the Jewish Museum, in an exhibition called the Memory Void. This museum is unique in its architecture, with large empty spaces intentionally constructed in. The floor of the Memory Void is littered with thousands of faces, made of metal, and guests are invited to walk across them. The faces represent victims of war, and as we walked across them, they clanged against each other, recalling sounds of chains or clanging weapons. It was as discomforting as it was impactful.

Photo credit: David Joseph

Of course, in between all of that walking and museum-visiting, we had to get food. And man, let me tell you. That food. Wow. Sauerkraut, bread, curry-wurst, sugar waffles (bread) and regular waffles (bread bread), mashed potatoes, and jelly-filled donuts (aka bread). Tiffany pointed out my distinct love for all things bread. I'm not even ashamed. I loved every bite.

Photo credit: David Joseph

Photo credit: Tiffany Harris

Photo credit: Tiffany Harris

The entire experience was unforgettable, and I miss it already. We even got to take off our coats for a bit as we explored - long enough to snap some photos in something other than winter clothing. The sun was shining, and although we knew we couldn't survive the city in just one layer of clothing, once we realized we could go without - even for a few minutes - we happily seized the moment.

Photo credit: David Joseph

I hardly slept while we were gone, and I've been battling a cold since getting home, but I'd say it was pretty worth it. Thanks for the adventure, Berlin.