BERLIN.

Everybody I have spoken to who has travelled to germany always talk how amazing Berlin is...that was defintaley not my opinion after a visit in january this year, i was leaning more towards cold baron wasteland after being greeting with -15 temps and the smell of a homeless dude which i can only imagine being replicated by satan's crotch after a game of squash. So I took it upon myself to change my opinion and give Berlin another chance....and I'm glad I did!
The joy of living in europe means amazing cities and sights are within a few hours drive from most other locations,so lena and I set out to re-discover Berlin in a day.
This time instead of being welcomed by a noseful of death the lady at the shell service station where we asked for directions offered us a place to park our car for free and to show us to the subway which will take us downtown.From here we discovered the 'tacheles' art house,a series of personal studios and galleries spread over 4 levels of a shabby warhouse block...the brandenburg gate for a mandatory tourist shot..the holocaust memorial site,the sony center,sumer by the river and the remaining section of the berlin wall(east side gallery) which is now a openair exibition with each section painted by various artists.
Berlin this time around was a completely different experience. From the bars and parks down by the river where you can have a drink and soak in the afternoon sun to the historical sites and streets of the inner city, Berlin really is an amazing city.
The day was perfect except that when we got off the subway heading home we walked 30min in the wrong direction to get back to the car and then when we finally got moving we got stuck in crawling traffic for over an hour with nothing but really bad german radio...im talking 'Enya' bad!!!

So as a travelling lesson: Sightseeing in the european winter blows!! go back in summer for the real experience!