Youth culture thaws my frozen soul.

When I first came to the Czech Republic I had a list in my head of all the cities in Central/Eastern Europe that I wanted to visit. Surprisingly, Berlin was not one of them. Aside from a unit in World History I never took much interest in the city. I think that's part of the reason why I absolutely loved it when I did visit over a weekend; I entered in with no expectations.

Berlin was much different than any other city I've seen in Europe. Since most of it had been destroyed numerous times most of the infrastructure is quite modern. But it is not the layout or architecture of this city that makes it so impressive. There is an intangible quality that this city holds: It's just fun. Prague is often hailed as an international city, but really it seems to be more of a foreign invasion. Many Czechs are very bitter about the tourism in their city, not that I blame them after seeing the British Stags running through the streets acting like Prague is there own personal playground. But I digress. Berlin is a much more accepting place for foreign culture. On my first day in the city I sat in the grass in a large park in the Kreuzburg district (pictured above) surrounded by people speaking all sorts of European languages, playing frisbee, drinking, or being way to public with their girlfriends. And this was no holiday, it was simply a sunny day. I think it is really quite striking because in places like Czech Republic and Hungary, the so-called former Communist nations, you encounter a standoff-ish attitude, especially among the service industry. Getting a server to so much as look at you in a pub is a chore in Prague. What I find interesting is that even though Berlin was at the epicenter of the Cold War, the Germans are some of the friendliest people I have met so far in Europe. I'm guessing this was not always the case, but today the younger generations have really set themselves apart as being both Worldly and progressive in their ways. The Prague youth is unique, certainly, but there is still a lingering inclination towards quiet reservation. At least when I'm trying to get them to speak in class, that is.

Typically when I'm visiting a new city, I tend to run around like a crazy person trying to see as much as I can. But for whatever reason, I felt no rush, no hurry in Berlin. In the second picture you see the Victory Column. I spent at least an half hour looking up the tower, content to nap in the grass. The trip was a much needed break after the long, cold winter in the Czech Republic. So to sum it up, Berlin is home to an active youth culture, a vibrant night-life, and friendly locals. Then again four euros for a beer is torture, compared to Prague. So I'm not moving just yet.