berlin, germany
went and walked along the wall today, it was really amazing. they have turned parts of it into a graffiti gallery. it is really interesting because they have given sections to different artists from around the world. the place is pretty heavy because even now, fifteen years later, the difference in development is pretty distinct
reynnie, jason and i are heading to sweden tonight. we have been in budapest, prague and berlin the last three nights. its been fun to go back to the cities with them because i get a new perspective, especially in terms of the nightlife. we usually knock a few back and wander around the city at night. we have been finding that as easy as it is to meet people you always find that you never meet local people. i think that is a little disconcerting. the traveling, hostel crew kinda sticks together. not that there is anything bad with that because we are meeting people from all over the world but we are definitely not seeing the cities in full. i feel like the local people dont try to do the traditional stuff. they just do what is convenient. they dont eat traditional dishes often, or go see the sights, they see a whole different scene. a much more eclectic mixture of the world influence on their own culture. they eat kebaps and chinese food, see american movies and listen to american music, and they dress in the latest in fashion. i think to really see a city you have live there. the tourist stuff sets up the basis, but to really understand a culture you have to spend time in it. i realize that this is entirely redundant, but to anybody who has traveled, there is definitely an instant in which you realize this.