Flying into Berlin began the European leg of the part duex. I had started out here back in September and it only seemed apropos to end the trip on the same continent. Europe has a sense of familiarity to me unlike the other places I visited. Europe’s culture has so many similarities to that of the states, so I feel pretty comfortable and at home there. The other ideal part, I knew a lot of people around Europe. Isn’t this one of the best parts about traveling? You meet a variety of people along the way, from all walks of life. Julia and I met a ton of Europeans all around the globe.  Starting in Berlin kicked off my unofficial “Who can I visit in Europe? tour.”

The first friend that I visited was a gal named Nora who I had met almost three summers ago while hiking Machu Picchu. Nora and I stayed in contact over the years, and she had always extended the invitation for me to visit her in Berlin. I’d been there before (almost a decade ago) and I was eager to get back. People rave about Berlin. The culture, music scene, night life, history.  I was ready to see it again.

I spent 4 days in Berlin and enjoy my time immensely. At the risk of sounding incredibly basic over here, Berlin has been through so much and it shows. Of course we all know this–World War II, The Berlin Wall, The Iron Curtain, but once you dig a little deeper and see the layers upon layers that have come from these harrowing times, it’s a true testament that the city and people are still functioning let alone being vibrant, cultured and bustling.

I was talking with Nora and some of her friends one night. Everyone was chatting about  Germany and the overall vibe of the country. I had told them about a Norwegian guy I met along my travels who told me “Germans have no sense of humor.” Being nearly 1/2 German I took a bit of offense to the statement, but foolishly let him continue. He proceed to tell me about how he was in the military and had met some German soldiers during his duty. At one point during basic training, the guys were all heading to shower after a day of training and this Norwegian guy turned to the German guys and said “Wait, I gotta go get my gas mask before I go in there with you.” He thought he was hilarious and roared with laughter recounting this memory.

In the midst of talking history, politics and culture, I mentioned this experience to Nora and her friends. Their response was sobering.   “Maybe Germans have no sense of humor but that’s because we don’t think anything about that story is funny. There is nothing funny about the sad times of our nation. What the people went through.  What the country endured.  We still feel it today.  We aren’t allowed to be patriotic of our country. We have to walk a fine line with being proud to be German.  If we are too proud of Germany or too patriotic, then we get label Nazis.”

They then asked me a question. “When do you think we are “allowed” to be patriotic and proud?” My mind ran through a Rolodex of ideas. . .Oktoberfest? German food? Lederhosens? The polka? Finally it dawned on me.  “During the World Cup?” I answered.  “Exactly,” was the response.  “We are allowed to be proud of Germany when it concerns futbol.”

I spent the rest of the week exploring the city by foot and bike (lent to me graciously by my host Nora,) visiting cultural sites both modern and years ago.  I was lucky enough to be there on May 1st, Laborer’s Day , which is a public holiday celebrated by one huge outdoor party.  Prost Berlin.  Thanks for having me.