Berlin

15th August – Sunday in Berlin

We landed in Berlin at 6:20 a.m., bleary-eyed but excited. Kapil had always warned us about how slow German officials can be, and we experienced it firsthand at customs. Despite the small crowd, immigration took nearly two hours. The officer asked a few routine questions about our vacation plans and, rather oddly, about the balance in my account. I replied “3,000 euros,” and after that, we were finally cleared. With luggage in hand, we figured out the metro system and headed toward our hostel. Thanks to the DB monthly ticket, we didn’t need to buy anything extra—buses, trains, and trams were all covered.

By 10 a.m., we reached the hostel, but there was no time to rest. We had a four-hour GuruWalk tour booked, focused on Berlin’s history and its connection to the present, led by a Polish Jewish guide. After a long flight, we had barely 20 minutes to freshen up in the washroom before rushing out again. My first impression of Berlin was strange—bizarre and hot, unlike what I had imagined.

The tour began with a protein bar to keep us going. At Checkpoint Charlie, we had a 20-minute break and grabbed a doner kebab. It was delicious—filling, cost-effective, and almost impossible to go wrong with, even in its vegetarian version. Energized, we continued to places like Museum Island and Humboldt University, while our guide shared history, facts, and her interpretations, often connecting them to current global scenarios, especially involving the U.S. I listened quietly, like a clean slate, absorbing perspectives without judgment.

The official last stop was Hitler’s bunker, followed by an optional visit to the Jewish Memorial. By then, the heat had drained me, and just as I thought the tour would end, a heated discussion broke out between the group and the guide. Eventually, everyone agreed that history and trauma are endless topics, best approached with respect for differing opinions. At the memorial, the guide shared personal stories about her great-grandmother’s experiences as a Polish Jew during the Holocaust. It was powerful and sobering. In Berlin, you quickly learn that Hitler is treated like Voldemort—you don’t casually say his name.

After the tour, we walked to the Brandenburg Gate, soaking in its grandeur, before heading back to the hostel. Dinner was simple—burgers and a Radler beer, which turned out surprisingly refreshing. Though tired, we couldn’t resist taking a bus ride for gelato, a sweet ending to a heavy day. Back at the hostel, we sat in the garden for a while, unwinding, before calling it an early night around 8 or 9 p.m. The room was unbearably hot, but once we opened the large windows and turned off the lights, it cooled down. Exhaustion took over, and we drifted into sleep, ready for the adventures ahead.

Must-See in Berlin

Brandenburg Gate – The city’s most iconic landmark, symbolizing unity and history. Beautiful both during the day and lit up at night.
Checkpoint Charlie – Famous Cold War crossing point, now a museum and photo spot.
Museum Island – A UNESCO World Heritage site with five world-class museums, perfect for history and art lovers.
Humboldt University – One of Europe’s oldest universities, with a rich intellectual legacy.
Hitler’s Bunker (site) – Nothing remains above ground, but the location is marked and offers historical context.
Jewish Memorial (Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe) – A powerful and sobering site, with 2,711 concrete slabs symbolizing loss and memory.
Berlin Wall Memorial & East Side Gallery – Not part of your first-day tour, but a must-visit for murals and preserved sections of the wall.
Local Food – Doner kebabs are a Berlin staple—cheap, filling, and delicious. Pair it with a Radler beer for a refreshing combo