Belgium and Berlin

On my list original plan for today’s blog post was going to be one for both of the France trips I was supposed to take in the last couple of weeks. I’ve also scoured through past posts to see if I mentioned them last year, and I’m ashamed to say I did not. For two of my favourite trips of all time, I cannot believe I missed a chance at writing about them. While I’m disappointed that I won’t get to partake again this year, I’m glad to have those memories forever.

Instead of my original planned post, I figured I’ll go back to February when I went to Belgium and Berlin. I mentioned it in my monthly favourites in February (and even mentioned I would write a future post about it) but I never actually wrote it. So, here we go! Belgium and Berlin!

Belgium

        I went to Belgium on a school trip. The purpose was to see all of the WWI sites from a book we read with the Year 7s called “Private Peaceful.” Belgium itself has some really nice buildings. One of my favourite videos on my phone is the bells from this church going off on a gorgeous blue-skied morning.

        Like I said, the real purpose was to see war sites. One of the things we got to do was see where a series of trenches were built. The thing is, Canada doesn’t really have the history like this. This was a very interesting place for me to see since we learn about it in school but never get to see it up close.

        This building was a site where men found guilty for desertion were put to death by firing squad. We saw some of the death cells where they awaited their trials and where the names etched in the walls could still be seen. It was quite eerie. Some of my fellow colleagues found the real spot they were shot and pointed out where the bullet holes were.

        One of the most interesting things we did was get involved with the laying of the wreaths at the tomb of the unknown soldier. It was a beautiful ceremony. Our kids made us proud with being so solemn and respectful.

        We went to the German gravesite as well. It was small and they were all mass burials. I felt so uncomfortable there. I didn’t feel like I could walk around and look at the tombstones. It felt cold and uninviting. I can’t explain how different it feels compared to the British grave sites.

        I feel so proud and blessed to be from a country that was respected and fought for the freedoms we have today. I also noticed that the Maple Leaf on the tombstones was the same on my mitten. It was a cool moment for me, so I had to take a picture.

        The most striking moment for me was visiting Tyne Cot grave site. It’s the biggest in Belgium with more than 11,900 servicemen buried there. It was so humbling.

        I feel like saying I enjoyed this trip is not the right thing to say. I liked it a lot because it contextualised a lot of what I learned in history classes. It was humbling and moving and it is not something I will easily forget. I’m so grateful to have been able to go on this trip.

        Berlin

        This was another amazing friend trip I took. Although Claire could sadly not make it, we absolutely made the most of this time. My friend Raven is a history teacher, so we got to know all of the history of Berlin inside and out. It was wonderful. Our first stop, of course, was the East Side Gallery on the remnants of the Berlin Wall. Graffiti has such a big cultural important in Berlin. It’s a form of expression and because it was taken away for so long, Berlin is full of it now. Where we see it as a mess, they see it as expressing freedom.

        A trip to Berlin is not complete without seeing the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. It is a striking memorial specifically meant to make you feel the enormous impact of the effects of Nazi Germany. As you move further in, you forget that you’re surrounded by a bustling city. It’s overwhelming and beautiful.

        We also stopped by Checkpoint Charlie for a wander around. It is in this place where I couldn’t imagine how different things were at that time. Everyone is meandering their way along the sidewalk passing to and from what used to be a border, and it’s incredible to think about how it used to be.

        A lot of the buildings in Berlin were re-built after the war, but there is still some amazing architecture – not to mention a few PINK buildings! Before we left, a friend mentioned to us that you can see that a lot of the streets were specifically made for the Nazis to march down. When we passed through those streets, it is so difficult to not imagine that. Berlin is a city built around some of this history, and there are memories of that everywhere.

        I love a cathedral, and we paid to walk to the top of it. The trek was hard, but worth it. We had some absolutely stunning views of Berlin from the top. We got an up close look at the statues on the roof of the ceiling, and we spent a long time just taking it all in.

        One of the last things we did was a river cruise where we curled up under some blankets and had a couple glasses of mulled wine. From there, we got to see a lot of the more modern side of Berlin. It was completely different to where we were staying and where we had been in the past couple of days.

 

        I have to include this picture because it’s one of my favourites of all time. Overall, I love Berlin. We did have a night where we went to the best ever cocktail bar where they matched your tastes for a bespoke cocktail. It’s a city of culture and excitement and history and I am grateful to have gone while I’m still here.

        Have you been to Belgium or Berlin? How was your experience? Tag in your pictures of it on Instagram and don’t forget to follow me here: @real_not_ideal

-Daniella