We had breakfast in the hotel in the morning. The spread was different than Otzenhausen - there was more food but I didn't like it as much. They did have waffles though!
After breakfast we all headed out together. The morning was supposed to be an introduction to the subway system, but we ended up traveling in a group and seeing certain landmarks first. We went to a little market first, which was cool. Then we saw an old church that was bombed in WWII along with its modern counterpart next to it - some people bought tickets to an orchestra concert there.
After breakfast we all headed out together. The morning was supposed to be an introduction to the subway system, but we ended up traveling in a group and seeing certain landmarks first. We went to a little market first, which was cool. Then we saw an old church that was bombed in WWII along with its modern counterpart next to it - some people bought tickets to an orchestra concert there.
We saw the Reichstag building and the Brandeburg Gate too.
Finally we ended up separating. Our task for the rest of the day was to go to either the DDR museum or a museum about the Third Reich. I went with a group to the DDR museum, and we saw some cool sights on the way.
The DDR museum was about life in East Germany in the Cold War. It was an interesting museum, with a lot of cool little facts to learn while interacting with the exhibits, but it was extremely crowded. There was more than one French school group there, and they were all loud and obnoxious. Two French girls crowded the foosball table for the entire time we were there with the excuse that they didn't need to look at the museum because they already knew the lesson: the DDR was bad. Pretty annoying kids.
Anyways our homework was also to find something in the museum that surprised us and take a picture.
Anyways our homework was also to find something in the museum that surprised us and take a picture.
One of the things that surprised me was how the GDR got away with selling radioactive fruits and vegetables to their own population.
After the DDR museum we still had some time left in the day so we went to the Natural History museum. I always try to do Natural History museums in the cities I go to, they're usually quite good.
After the DDR museum we still had some time left in the day so we went to the Natural History museum. I always try to do Natural History museums in the cities I go to, they're usually quite good.
They had the tallest mounted dinosaur in the world, along with the Guiness World Record certificate to prove it. They also had the most complete of the kind of dinosaur up there to the right (forgot its name, but its apparently famous). You can even see imprints of the feathers still.
Their collection was pretty impressive. Definitely in the tops (if not the best) of the Natural History Museums I've been to.
Their collection was pretty impressive. Definitely in the tops (if not the best) of the Natural History Museums I've been to.
They had a live lungfish on display, which was awesome. They also had a bunch of cryptic signs with just a picture of a claw and the name "Tristan." It was a bit of mystery, but it was fun to finally figure out Tristan was their T-Rex. I find it hilarious that they named it and set up signs to build suspense.
Anyways, the Natural History Museum was great. 10/10, definitely recommend.
Anyways, the Natural History Museum was great. 10/10, definitely recommend.