Olympiastadion

Welcome back, one and all.

I have survived my first full weekend in Berlin. I can't say that I did a whole, whole lot, but I got to sleep in, see some sights, and do a little bit of my homework. It was a bit touristy, but it was enjoyable all the same.

Two things:

1. I was extremely excited this weekend because I planned on going to the Olympiastadion this weekend. I wasn't going to see any kind of sporting event; from what I knew, there wasn't anything planned. I really just wanted to see it. Historically, it represents so much. It is one of the last remnants of Nazi architecture in Berlin. It was the site of the 1936 Olympics, the supposed showcase of the German master race. Instead, Jesse Owens won 4 gold medals. It was one of many venues of the 2006 World Cup held in Germany. While one might not think that is too significant, many mark the sporting event as one of the first times Germans could be excited about being German and celebrate their nationality in decades. So this combination of sport and history is naturally appealing to a strapping young man like myself. Unfortunately when I arrived, I found this--

Looks perfect, right? I apologize for the resolution, for at the time, I failed to recognize the appeal of what I had found. You might notice right next to one of the giant columns, a sign:

I will translate. "Welcome to the congress of the Jehovah's Witnesses." Of all the days I could have chosen to visit the Olympiastadion, I managed to choose the day that the Jehovah's Witnesses were hosting an international congress there. I could tell it was packed, I could hear people speaking over the loud speaker, and droves and droves of people in suits and dresses were flocking to the stadium. I was not allowed in. As I walked away frustrated, I could see other hopeful tourists with their leisure gear and cameras ready to see the stadium. I wanted to say, "Just turn around, amigos." But on the Ubahn ride back into Berlin, I thought about this. The Jehovah's Witnesses were one of the first groups to openly resist National Socialism and were severely persecuted by Hitler and the Nazis. Now, they're hosting an international congress in one of the last remaining examples of Nazi architecture. It's becoming more and more fascinating the more and more I think about it. Not such a loss after all.

2. And this only a short gripe. I continue to use German when I'm out at restaurants and the grocery, etc, etc. But increasingly, people will speak English back to me! For example, I had a nice dinner of bratwurst and sauerkraut yesterday. I ordered in German, and all seemed fine. Then, my waitress came by and said, "Finished?" Come on! I replied, "Ja, ich bin fertig" (Yes, I'm finished). This has happened a couple of times. Come on, Germany! Give me a chance. The only way I'm going to get better at this is if you let me practice.

Alright, I hope this makes your Monday a bit easier. Take care, America, and I will see you tomorrow.

Deutsches Wort des Tages:

die Überraschung -- surprise