Germany

Germany was a powerful blend of history, remembrance, and vibrant culture. I visited back in 2017 and my journey began in Berlin, a city that wears its past on its sleeve, from the remnants of the Berlin Wall to the sobering Topography of Terror Museum. In Nuremberg, I walked through history, standing in Courtroom 600 where justice was served after World War II.

Munich offered a mix of solemn reflection at Dachau and lively city life in Marienplatz. Finally, Berchtesgaden took me high into the Bavarian Alps to the infamous Eagle’s Nest, a stark contrast between breathtaking scenery and dark history. Every city told a story, each one deepening my understanding of Germany’s past and present.

Holocaust Memorial

Visiting the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin was one of the most moving and thought-provoking parts of my trip. Located in the heart of the city, the memorial stands as a stark reminder of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. It consists of 2,711 concrete slabs of varying heights, arranged in a grid-like pattern that seems to undulate as you walk through it. The vastness and design of the memorial create an eerie, almost disorienting feeling, symbolizing the enormity and horror of the lives lost.