Krista: Summer in Berlin: One of my favorite placings in Berlin....

I think one of the most interesting places to go to in Berlin is the Berlin Wall. For those of you who do not know, the Berlin Wall was a barrier created by East Germany to cut off West Berlin so that their different beliefs (East=Communist and West=Democratic) were not forced on them. This wall stood for 28 years and kept East Germans from fleeing to the West. However, in 1989 when the Communist party finally fell, the checkpoints were opened so that anyone could go from East to West Berlin. This was known as the fall of the wall and most of the wall was destroyed. Not even a year later East and West Germany reunified into a single German State. This was and still is a very significant, historical moment in Berlin, Germany, and the World.

Even though most of the wall was destroyed, there are still three main areas that stand. My favorite part is known as the East Side Gallery and it is located at Warshauer Straße.

This part of the Berlin Wall is a memorial for freedom and host approximately 106 paintings from artist all across the world. I honestly could walk along this section for hours and not become bored of the wall. The paintings are so interesting, intricate, meaningful, etc. Honestly anyone who witnesses them is amazed. Not only are you staring at a wall that once symbolized pain and separation, but you are also looking at a wall that now promises a better future for Germany and the World.