Day 11 - Mon. June 20, 2011: Berlin

This morning we attended a lecture by Wolf Wagner, a sociologist and author of the book "Cultureshock Germany." Dr. Wagner pointed out some interesting differences in culture between East and West Germany and the challenges these differences created after reunification. He also discussed culture differences between the United States and Germany, which I hadn't really noticed until he pointed them out. For example, Germans say hello to friends and collegues by a handshake, while Americans typically greet co-workers or friends with a wave of the had and a hello.
Next, we went to a lunch hosted by the Federal Foreign Office who is one of our sponsors for this wonderful trip. After lunch, we headed to the Reichstag building, which is the house of the German Parliament. We were led on a guided tour and got to see where the Bundestag, the German equivalent of our House of Representatives, meets. The Reichstag building has a cool glass dome that you can actually go up and walk through. This dome is also a "green" technology as it allows natural light into the Reichstag as well as being used as a ventalation system.
We then walked to several memorials that remembered victims of the Holocaust including a memorial of the gypsies, homosexuals, and ended at the Memorial for the Murdered Jews of Europe.

Above: The outside of the Reichstag.

Above: During WWII, the Reichstag was set on fire. Soldiers signed their names in charcoal on the remaining walls.

Above: This is the room where the Bundestag meets.

Above: The view of the dome from the meeting chambers.

Above: The view of Berlin as seen from the top of the dome atop the Reichstag.

Above: The Brandenburg Gate.

Above: The Memorial for the Murdered Jews of Europe in downtown Berlin. This memorial commemorates all of the Jewish people who lost their lives during the Holocaust.

Above: The hotel that is known for the site where Michael Jackson hung his baby over the balcony of his room.