As an organization that sends thousands of students abroad each year, CEA has captured a list of local secrets - a collection of discoveries from our students, resident staff, as well as other locals - that make this city unique. We hope you will find the information helpful and, at the every least, an interesting read.
Mauer-Museum, Haus am Checkpoint Charlie
Located near Potsdamer Platz is the Berlin Wall Museum and Checkpoint Charlie, the former crossing point between East and West Berlin. The museum is a treasure trove of Cold War history and artifacts dealing with Checkpoint Charlie, the wall, the 1948 Airlift and post-war life in the divided city. The artwork is amazing, the stories are unbelievable and there is so much to see that you could easily spend a whole day there. The East German watchtower, one of the most famous symbols of the Cold War at the former crossing point was demolished in December 2000 and has made way for offices and shops. Unfortunately the officials of the city of Berlin could not save it, as it was not classified as a historic landmark. To stand on the exact spot where so much drama and tragedy has taken place is a very moving experience.
Clubbing in Kreuzberg
Germany's capital offers a nocturnal and cultural life to rival anywhere in the world. In the bars and clubs of the trendy Kreuzberg area of Berlin, around Bergmannstrasse and Oranienstrasse, you can dance until the wee hours at affordable prices. In general, there are no dress codes and entrance fees are negligible or non-existent. Some of the city’s best eating places are to be found in this lively and cosmopolitan part of town, with food from around the world on offer.
The Berlin Wall East Side Gallery
The Berlin Wall East Side Gallery is a 1.3km-long section of the wall on Mühlenstrasse near the Ostbahnhof. It is the longest stretch of wall still in existence. More than 100 paintings by artists from all over the world cover this memorial for freedom and make it the largest open air gallery in the world. One of the most well-known images is that of fellow communists Erich Honecker (East German leader) and Leonid Brezhnev (Soviet leader) kissing each other on the mouth. It is known as the “Communist Kiss”.
The Love Parade
The Love Parade is one of the most famous dance celebrations in the world and every year it draws a crowd of over a million to the streets of Berlin. German techno guru Dr. Motte started the rave in 1989 at Berlin's Ku'damm, as a political demonstration for peace and international understanding through music.
Basically everybody gets dressed up and has fun all day dancing together in the streets. Party trucks diffuse house and dance music all day and the procession lasts until about midnight. With the end of the parade the party is far from over. During Love Parade weekend the entire city is transformed into one gigantic club! The Love Parade takes place around the second week of July.
East Of Eden
East of Eden international bookshop is a cutting-edge independent second hand book store located in the heart of Eastern Berlin. It is a regular meeting place for Berlin’s bookworms and important resource center for local residents and students alike. With regular events (readings, exhibitions and live music) and a comfortable browsing atmosphere, it is no wonder the BBC recently recorded a live radio show from this popular hangout. Located in Schreinerstrasse 10, near the underground station Samariterstrasse. (Tel: +49-30/423-9362; www.east-of-eden.de)
The German language has lots of very long words!
As Mark Twain said, "Some German words are so long that they have a perspective." Believe it or not, yearly contests are held in Germany to find the longest words!
Fussballweltmeisterschaftsqualifikationsspiel (qualifying match for the soccer World Cup). If that's not long enough for you, try these for size:
Donaudampfschifffahrtsgesellschaftskapitaenskajuetenschluesselloch (the keyhole in the door of the Danube steamship company’s captain’s cabin!). Check out the triple “f”!
Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübertragungsgesetz (literally, Cattle marking and beef labeling supervision duties delegation law).
