Germany, with its diverse landscapes and captivating cities, has left an indelible mark on my travel experience. The awe-inspiring architectural wonders of Dresden, the vibrant energy of Berlin, and the bustling port city of Hamburg have each offered unique and unforgettable moments. From exploring historical landmarks to immersing myself in local traditions, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for Germany’s rich history and culture. This journey has revealed the enduring allure of a country that seamlessly blends its past with a modern and dynamic present, leaving me with cherished memories and a desire to explore further.

Having taken the bus from Prague to Dresden, Anna and I arrived at the unassuming Dresden station, only a 15-minute walk from center city.

The architecture of the city was breath-taking. It felt like we were transported into the 20th century, as the charcoal black sandstone emanated a serene yet tense feeling that arose from within.

After a hearty lunch, we made our way to the Old Master’s Gallery. The collection displayed around 750 paintings from the 15th to the 18th centuries and included major Italian Renaissance paintings as well as Dutch and Flemish painters. It even displayed paintings of Dresden as its buildings were being constructed.

Our day trip to Dresden came to an end as we hopped on a FlixBus headed to Berlin. It was in Berlin where we would meet up with our high school friend, Caio, and undergo a grueling half-marathon through its crowded streets. However, before all that, we made sure to make the most of what the city had to offer.

We started off the next day by picking up our bibs at Tempelhof Airport, a decommissioned airport made famous during the Berlin airlift of 1948. Having learned about this event in my high school history class, I would have never imagined myself on the tarmac where hundreds of planes delivered food and fuel to Allied-controlled areas of Berlin. In fact, it felt unnatural for me to walk next to the control tower, but I was later reassured as the rest of the airfield and surrounding greenery have all been transformed into a makeshift park for locals. We soon took the U-Bahn towards another Cold War attraction: Checkpoint Charlie. This was one of three crossing points between East and West Berlin, and also the site where many were brutally murdered trying to escape from one end to the other. Standing in between the plaque that demarcated the city, I began to gain an appreciation of Berlin’s well-preserved historic landmarks as a pathway to acknowledge the past and guide its future.

To me, this was the feeling that Berlin emanated. The brutalist architecture exemplifies defiance and simplicity. Its convoluted history exposed for the whole world to see. Its people, having freed themselves from the shackles of self-consciousness, were allowed to express themselves in any manner imaginable. This, in my opinion, was the beauty of Berlin. It isn’t like any other metropolis with storied skyscrapers and orderly infrastructure. Berlin represents a shifting identity that cannot be confined into segments of time. From Wilhelm to Weimar to the Nazi’s and ultimately the Cold War, the people have adapted their lives across this uneasy continuum and thrived as a result of it. It is in this state of mind that Berlin architect David Chipperfield comments, “Every city has history, but Berlin has too much.”

Berlin’s history was even evident throughout our half-marathon. We started our run at Brandenburg Gate, through Victory Column, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, and finally looping around towards Museum Island. The weather was perfect for running – clear, blue skies with temperatures hovering around 15 degree Celsius.

As I had little to no training before the race, I went in with no expectation on my finishing time. However, motivated by the cheering crowd, I crossed the finish line in an hour and 57 minutes, my first sub-2 hour half marathon!

After a quick shower, Anna and I checked out of our hotel and made our way to the train station for our next city, Hamburg.

What initially was intended to be a relaxing day turned into another twenty thousand steps through the city of Hamburg. In all honesty, we did not know what to expect. We found ourselves in Hamburg not because it was a destination we had been eyeing to visit, but simply because the flight back to London happened to be cheaper out of Hamburg. Yet, even with our legs sore and feet aching, we kept wandering through this new city, exploring the local neighborhoods and modern architecture.

It was a stark contrast from the war and conflict ridden streets of Berlin and historical architecture of Dresden. Hamburg offered a far more modern and lively feel, revealed through its sleek architecture, vibrant neighborhoods, and general atmosphere in the streets surrounded by locals. It is so hard to describe the feeling in words, but the atmosphere in Hamburg simply felt more alive, somehow making us feel more energized as we strolled through the waterfronts.

Overall, each city we visited had its own distinct character, almost as if we were transported to a different country all together. Dresden was littered with marvelous baroque architecture as we were content just wandering through the streets aimlessly, simply appreciating the view. In Berlin, you can feel the weight of its tumultuous history still floating in the air, while Hamburg offered a glimpse into the future of Germany, an environment ideal for young professionals to pursue new careers and families to settle down. Nevertheless, a brief few days in Germany covering only three cities merely scratches the surface of truly understanding German culture and its complexities. As a result, my brief impressions of the country has left me itching to explore new places such as Frankfurt, Munich and Dortmund in the future. Whether it be for work, football or Oktoberfest, I hope I can visit this beautiful country once again.