Berlin Germany....is it really what you think it is?

Germany.....What the first thing that comes to one's mind when they hear this word?

a) World war 2 and nazis

b) beer

c) cars

When I told my parents that I will be going to germany for further studies...what did they say? "Oooo!! no no germany is a racist country, why do you do this always? why cant u be normal like other kids and go to the US?" Well, fast forward one year later and here I am in Berlin, the site where 3rd world war almost broke out. The place so rich with modern history, the place which has seen so many pitched battles fought, the place which was the final battle site of one of the most deadliest wars the world has ever seen. The place which was carpet bombed by the allies to break the nazi back, the place which at one point of time was the cultural melting pot of Europe (still is). The place which was a crucial for the soviet union and the US during cold war. The place which housed the Gestapo, SS and later Statsi headquarters and not to forget the one and only "the wall". What a crazy place!! and I fuckin love it!!

This is the place where you can reach any part of the city using public transport 24/7, something I never used in India and was very skeptical about. This is the place where nightclubs are actually nightclubs and not some seedy illegal dancebar and not some place which closes down at 11 in the "night". If you not into night life, there is amazing spread of cultural activities one can indulge in. Right from Berliner Philharmonie to ever running painting exhibitions right from Rembrandt to Dali. Beautiful but contrasting architechture right from something which looks right out of the red square built by "komraden" to one of most post modern mind bending styles all round the city. Admist all this nestles a huge huge park which i am sure has seen action of all sorts. Combine this with a life which sees students from all over the world living together in a huge student residence complex. A right concotion for the craziest parties one can see!! Trust me on this.

From a personal point of view, this has been one the most amazing years of my life, where I have had the chance to meet people from countries such as Greenland!!! What are the odds?!?!

It is always said that Berlin doesnt represent the true German stereotypical city. It is said that it more or less the New York of Europe. Well, I dont know, as I have never stayed for so long in other German cities. But all I will say is Berlin >>>>> Paris!!!