First Impressions of Berlin

Based on my first week here in Berlin, I would say that I very much enjoy it here. The city consists of laid-back spots to relax while also having fast-paced, dependable transportation.

While it was a little strange to have to adapt to using transit maps to get places, I have found traveling to be very fun. I was a little surprised at the difference in English-speaking skills from person to person. Almost all the people that we interacted with to buy food and other things seemed like they had a grasp of the language, but most other people seem to have no understanding of the language.

Living in Berlin allows me to see ways that American society can improve. I wish that the public transit system in America was better because I could see lots more people using it if it was more reliable and structured, as it is here. There are nice schedules at every bus stop that detail when the next bus will arrive, and you can get nearly anywhere if you use varied methods of transportation. In terms of food, I wish that America had more bakeries because they are wonderful. Besides the fact that they smell great, they provide delicious food for a very reasonable price.

Despite how much I enjoy living here, there are certain things that I miss from back home. I miss the free water that comes from water fountains and restaurants alike. It is hard to stay hydrated when we are walking around all day when we must pay to fill up our water bottles. In addition, I do not care for the increased amount of smoking that takes place here. While I have gotten more used to it during the week that I’ve been here, I think that I would appreciate the city more if I didn’t have to smell cigarette smoke all the time.

Overall, I think that Berlin is a wonderful place to stay. Although it is a bit of a hassle to pretty much always be ready for rain, it is truly a joy to spend time here. Even though I feel like we stick out as the American tourists, most people are still very nice to us. As far as foreign countries go, I think that staying in Germany is a great option for people who want to get away.

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