The trip started out with three us of. We were heading to Berlin on a 2:01 train Friday morning. When we arrived to Stuggart we changed trains to an InterCity Express (ICE) train. We found a free compartment and tried to get some rest before arriving in Berlin. When we arrived at the Zoologischer Garden train station we went to find a place to stay for 2 nights. When we were trying to find a youth hostel we came across the tourist information office. We asked where the hostel was and they replied that it was full. We then asked where another specific hostel was, and it was full. So then we asked what wasn't full and she reached over and gave us the map and directions to get there.

The hostel was across town in East Berlin, so we took the Metro. When we arrived on that side of town it definitely looked different from West Berlin where we arrived. We walked down the drearier looking streets and then came across the hostel that appeared to have just renovated. They only had 2 floors of a 5-floor building finished, but the place was very clean and nice looking. We registered and were given our key. We locked our stuff up in our lockers and went out to see the city for the rest of the day.

We headed to Alexanderplatz where the Soviets had built a TV tower to show their technological advancements. From there we walked through East Berlin to West Berlin through the Brandeburger Gate. We went up the Victory Column and looked around. Through the Tear Garden and back to the Zoo entrance and train station. We found Hard Rock Café and had dinner. After that we saw a movie theater. So we went over and saw that Mission Impossible 2 was playing in 20 minutes so we bought a ticket. Right before we got the tickets she asked us if we knew that the theater was showing it in German. Oops, forgot to ask. So she gave us a map to a theater showing it in 20 minutes in English 10 blocks away. So we hurried over there and got in the seats just as the previews started. After the movie was over it was late so we headed back to the room.

When we arrived and went in our room there were only 2 vacant beds. This was very strange since there were 3 of us. So I went to the office and the guy didn't speak English who was working that night. But after a lot of hand gesturing he gave me a key to a different room so I could stay there. Turns out the next morning that 2 of the people staying in our room were in the computer system and showed up after us. But they were also staying another night so I decided to stay in the other room with strangers. I left my stuff locked up in our original room.

The next morning we got up and ate breakfast that we had packed in Metz. We headed over to the train station by Metro to catch a walking tour in the early afternoon that some friends had recommended. We started the tour and it turns out that it took practically the same route we had the day before in reverse with a few slight variations. It was a very good tour with a bunch of information and stories. I thought it was the best "attraction" of the trip. It took the entire afternoon into the early evening so we went to eat. After eating we tried to make it to the Reichstag, or their version of the US Capitol building. It was an architectural work. We were about 10 minutes from the front of the line when it closed at 22:00. We decided to come back in the morning.

When we got up we left our keys and headed to the train station to lock up our bags. After that we headed back to the Reichstag building. We got in after a 20-minute wait and it was worth coming back. As you can see in the pictures there is a glass dome on the top. This dome and mirrors are used to funnel natural light into the chamber below. It really is a nice place to visit. Can you see me in the picture of the mirrors?

After that Sang split off to visit some old friends in town and Jonathan Stella and I headed back to Metz. Turned out to be a very slow trip. The ICE train we took from Berlin to Frankfurt made us miss our connection so we were rerouted through many other cities before finally arrive home Sunday evening after a 10-hour train ride. Luckily I had a dozen Dunkin Doughnuts to keep me busy. Sang on the other hand turned out to have a 23-hour trip home.

I have finals at the end of this week, and then GTL is done. I will travel to Austria (for some possible skiing) and Venice, Italy this weekend. On the way back, I meet Jonathan at a train station in Switzerland on the morning of August 1st and then he and I travel back to Metz to meet Mom and Dad. Then we get to have a family trip together, or at least as close as we can get to the entire family. We won't have Karl and Leane with us.