Berlin Blog #4

This week on Monday, after realizing we have a photo essay due in one week, our group once again separated. After feeling guilty about having not lived my weekend to the fullest, I decided to experience as much stuff as possible that day. I left around ten, and after grabbing an iced coffee from a chain that shall not be named, I was off. I took the train to a new stop that I had not previously been to, and got off and began exploring.
One of the most satisfying things that I have experienced while I was here is the moment that you find the place you've been looking for. I had another one of those moments when I saw the shining outside of the New Synagogue. The entire street and neighborhood around Oranienburger Strasse was beautiful. It was far less crowded, and much less touristy than other places we have gone. I was able to focus on the feeling of the neighborhood, and the little details of small artwork and shops more so than previous excursions.
The experience of going into the New Synagogue was really surreal. Although we had been in several rebuilt buildings, and even churches, I felt devastated just knowing that this beautiful, peaceful building had such a tragic past. Learning about the Synagogue and taking in the artifacts inside felt important to me, and as much as I feel this is some place everyone should have visited, I was glad I was there alone. I was able to reflect and really respect the place better.
I spent the rest of the day wandering around new neighborhoods, and getting lost with myself. I was unable to find a sculpture that I was looking for, and for the first time on the trip I was annoyed with not being able to speak German. In this little neighborhood, I almost didn't want to disrupt the feeling by asking for directions, as I would felt perfectly comfortable doing in a more touristy area. Although I was always grateful to be with someone who spoke German, the language barrier never bothered me and it would not persuade me from traveling to other countries.