Today, I've been thinking a lot about this trip compared with my other two trips abroad--to India and Vietnam. People often ask me, "Which trip did you like more? Vietnam or India?" It is a question that is absolutely unanswerable. Sure there were places in Vietnam that I enjoyed more than India, and vice versa. But if asked to make a judgment on which was better, I can't do it. They're almost incomparable. They are both so different from my own life and so different from each other that it is difficult to weigh one against the other. I believe that Germany is going to be exactly the same. So you all might just save yourself the trouble, because I can only say that it is too different to compare.
It is different for a number of reasons. First, German culture resembles American culture much more than any of the other two places I've visited. Vietnamese and Indian culture were both so different and so unique that I can say I experienced a bit of culture shock when visiting. Some of the images I saw (and took) I can be sure I will never ever see again. I can be quite sure I won't see anything that even resembles some of the things I saw in those countries, culturally speaking. But Germany is a little different in that way. Things look familiar. People act in familiar ways. Brands look familiar. Food looks familiar. Buildings look familiar. Culturally, I can't say that I've experienced any kind of "shock" per se. Things have definitely been hard. Navigating German has been difficult. But I can't say it is shocking.
What certainly has been shocking is the history. Maybe I'm a little partial to such themes, but in Berlin, such things are inevitable. To think about what happened within the past 100-150 years in German is remarkable. First--150 years ago, Germany wasn't a country. Second, Germany experienced World War I and was handed the Treaty of Versailles. Third, economic depression and the Weimar Republic. Fourth, National Socialism and World War II. Fifth, division. Sixth, Cold War. Seventh, reunification. In a nutshell, Germany has experienced a lot and has only technically been the Germany we know today for 20 years. To walk around the streets of Berlin and to see a marker running across the street signifying where the Wall used to stand is really remarkable. To think, "20 years ago, I couldn't do this" really makes one think. And think about the people. The people sitting next to me on the subway experienced these things. They all have stories.
Yesterday, I was walking around my school and I came across an antique store. I didn't go in, and I'm ashamed. I'm sure when lots of us think about dusty old tables and cigar boxes from the 40s. But think about the dusty old German tables and cigar boxes from the 40s. I think the proximity and the impact of what happened then is something that is still incredible for me to think about. Maybe that antique shop just has some musty old vases and dishes and junk. But those could be Soviet vases and dishes and junk. I think every little thing in Berlin has got to have a story and has seen something, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around all that.
I know a lot of the same can be said of the other two countries that I have visited. Both Vietnam and India have certainly experienced their fair share of turmoil within the past 60 years. I guess, though, Germany's envelops me so because it is what I study. I think because of its infamy and the global impact makes it different from the other places I visited. It makes it a little more captivating for me.
On a completely different note, Arsenal's preseason starts tomorrow. So get out your calculators, ladies and gentlemen, because the Gunners are looking for a stack of goals v. Barnet. And just in case you are wondering, Arsenal has started selling its allotted tickets for their trip to Hannover. Best believe I'm on it. Have a great weekend, and I'll catch up with you on Monday.
Deutsches Wort des Tages:
die Geschichte -- history
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