Learning to See the World in Layers (Street Art in Berlin)

This week I welcome Jacob Fuentes to my blog. He has traveled with us to Vietnam and Germany. Enjoy his thoughts on one of his favorite topics, street art.) Street art has a way of staying with me long after I leave a place. Not because it’s always the most famous or polished work in a city, but because it shows up where you least expect it. On the side of buildings, under bridges, in corners you would normally walk…

Dresden’s Christmas Markets Offer Unique Opportunities

On our final day in Dresden, we visited the Dresden Cathedral, noting its reconstruction after WWII. We explored a Christmas market featuring typical fare and an flea market market. A search for a synagogue led to a concrete menorah instead of the building. We enjoyed a surprise concert at the Church of Our Lady before concluding our day.

Berlin’s Infamous Wall and a Castle in One Day

On our final day in Berlin, we explored the city’s history, focusing on the Berlin Wall and its complexities. We visited the Berlin Wall Memorial, learning about its impact and the lives affected by it. In the evening, we enjoyed our last Christmas Market at Charlottenburg Palace, experiencing its festive atmosphere and unique light projections.

The Painted Berlin Wall and Festive Christmas Markets

On our second day in Berlin, we navigated snow and explored significant sites, including the East Side Gallery, which features themed art from various artists. Then we visited two Christmas markets, first in Spandau, which disappointed with limited non-food stalls, and another near the Berlin Cathedral, offering more variety and festive decorations.

Finding Famous Sites in Cold Berlin, Germany

Two years ago we decided to visit Christmas markets in Europe. We went to Budapest and Prague because they had markets that continued after Christmas. However, we felt like we really needed to go to Germany to truly see Christmas markets. This year we realized we could visit the markets early over Thanksgiving week when travel was less expensive. We started with a visit to Berlin. My daughter and her friend would join us for the first half of our…