Croissants and Crampons: Ich bin ein Berliner!

Berlin feels cold compared to Paris. Not just the frigid air, but there is a harshness to the city's lines. It's as if the honeymoon stage were over, and you can see all of Berlin's scars; all of its shortcomings and its strengths. Its façade is marked with the signs of history to the point of being patch worked, where buildings and public spaces have been stitched back together. They are given new life through an architectural ingenuity that has a magnetic appeal; it speaks to the ability of humans to destroy in such a devastating way that it can only be counterbalanced by our capacity for creation and beauty. What makes Berlin such a startling place is that these two extremes are visually manifested in the fabric of the city.

As an introduction to Germany, Berlin was a fascinating place to start. It was edgy and in-your-face (graffiti and a big Underground scene) but also ready to share its secrets; the city is incredibly well marked with information on both World War II and the Cold War. Our historical touring was punctuated with nothing less than a sampling of amazing German beer, a melt-in-your-mouth visit to a Rittersport factory, and Berlin style "street meat" in the form of currywürst (traditional German sausage with a curry sauce).