I had some hard choices to make on my last full day in Berlin. I ended up going to the Air Raid Shelter tour which involved us going deep down into a real shelter from the '40's. It still had fluorescent paint on the walls that worked when the lights went out. Couldn't touch it though due to the radioactivity I think. Our guide gave us a good explanation with a few jokes here and there so as not to make things too dark! Ha! Ha! Could not resist. Learned that women at home bore the brunt of the war and that people only had a few hours of safety when sealed in due to the air circulation. Non-Germans were not allowed in. Hmm...
Also got to see old materials dug up in Berlin from both sides. Soviet soldiers were not allowed to wear any ID on them to avoid info getting back home. In the end, kids were being armed with grenades to fight tanks. Our guide actually met two old men who fought as kids in Berlin. They said they were proud to finally have a chance to fight but I'm guessing their the exception.
Later, I went to see one of the remaining flak towers. It is in a park and covered with graffetti but gives a good view of the city. In the last days of the war, thousands of civilians and troops took shelter inside. Due to my sandals, I couldn't take the tour. Some predjudices still exist here.
I decided to head over near museum island and took in the German History Museum. I think I enjoy interactive history rather than just looking at things. It was a good general overview but a little too much info to take in. Met a guy who did the Reich tour with me and we laughed to see each other again. The WW1 and WWII exhibits were interesting and chilling to see the actual uniforms and weapons involved. The Fall of the Wall was also a good exhibit. Mentally tiring spot though.
Chilled out at Starbucks for a while before taking the Musical Instrument Tour. On the last tour they actually play some instruments. I couldn't believe I was the only one to show up so I got a private tour from Yadok. He played an organ, harpsichord, old horns, flutes, and the Wurlitzer organ which was spectacular. It reminded me of a 747 cockpit. He was playing the bass notes with his foot. Impressive to watch and the sound was filled the room! Midway through the 18 th century, piano keys changed from black to white. Semitones went from white to black. Strange. He also played this tiny violin which looked a bit like a small fish. It was a baroque violin.
I saw a few odd shaped violins and guitar like instruments that had upward of 20 tuning heads. And I thought banjo was bad! The museum was a nice way to lighten up the visit.
As I walked home, I stumbled upon the T4 Acktion site which we saw on the Reich tour. It was the first spot where the Nazis decide to start murdering their own citizens starting with the mentally disabled. The memorial chronicled the life of a lady named Anna who had stresses and such. The Nazi idea was those who could not work were not needed. My tour guide mentioned that they stopped the program in 1942 after public outcry but then started to work on the Jews. Stuff like this is around every corner in Berlin. I guess it's important to not forget it.
Came home late and checked in at the hostel and then went to the bar and had a beer. I met Louis who biked from Coppenhagen in 3 days. She had an ultralight bike but did no training for this. It was to help her friend promote a Coppenhagen to Berlin Cycle Tour. We talked bikes and travelling before saying goodbye. In my room, I met a guy from Victoria who worked in Fort McMurray and we had a laugh about working in that town. He preferred Berlin to Fort McMoney.
A little bit of noise but I've been walking a tonne so it's not too bad to sleep at night. Another nice, sunny day.