Tourists visiting the famous Brandenburg Gate
On Tuesday afternoon, our group visited the Brandenburg Gate, an 18th century monumental arch that has become Germany’s symbol of peace and one of the most recognizable landmarks in Europe.
The sun struggled to shine over Berlin. It was windy and cold, but it did not deter us from enjoying the historical site.
The Brandenburg Gate has witnessed some of the remarkable moments of modern history. Four U.S. presidents — from John F. Kennedy to Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton to Barack Obama — delivered a speech under the Brandenburg Gate.
And, in January 1933, when Adolf Hitler rose to power, it was at the Gate where the Nazis held their first large-scale propaganda as they took control over Germany.
Now, like Times Square in New York City, the Brandenburg Gate has become a major hub for tourists. Teemed with restaurants, souvenir shops and street performers, we were told that the area has become a place where Berliners would try to avoid.
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We had lunch at a charming restaurant with Ali Aslan, a television anchor for Deutsche Welle, and head of the media work group at the Federal German Islam Conference.
The restaurant was next to the Brandenburg Gate. The first thing that came to my mind: “This is über fancy.”
RIAS fellows meet with Ali Aslan (fourth from left)
A German of Turkish descent, Ali shared his experience as a prominent journalist with “a migrant background” and his insight into the German and Islam issues. He told us about what makes Berlin unique, socially and economically, as compared to other German cities.
It was one of the best sessions that we had.
18 Days and a Wonder 