The City Rising from the Ashes: BERLIN from Onur Türk's blog

At the end of the Second World War, which lasted from 1939 to the mid-40s, Berlin, which was the capital of Germany in those years, was devastated and turned into a pile of rubble. To build the city, it was inevitable for citizens to unite and help each other. The people took to the streets and worked hard to find the appropriate materials to repair their houses and bring the city back to its feet. Over time, as the support of professors, engineers and architects joined the city project, Berlin began to rise from its ashes. Berlin, which is now considered an example in terms of city planning, has transformed from a baby into a huge individual. 

It was as if the city had never experienced the destruction of that terrible war. It was as if, with a magical touch, all the ruins had settled back into place. Since then, Berlin has been going smoothly like clockwork.

Come on, now imagine having virtual glasses on your eyes. Let's visit Berlin together. First, we go to Charlottenburg Palace, which was built by King Wilhelm I for his wife Charlot. This is the largest palace in Berlin and has been converted into a museum today. Charlottenburg Palace, an opulent palace behind iron bars, dates back to 1713. Inside the palace, you will see a large green area, a large park and a mausoleum. Then see the statue of King Friedrich I. After your visit to the palace, you can stop by the cafe. The name of the cafe is Orangery Café; Their cheese sandwiches are delicious along with their bergamot flavored black tea. Bon appetit. 

Let's continue our trip... Now we are in Berlin's famous square, Potsdamer Platz. Here is the Berlin Cinema, where Berlin movies are shown. The city is famous for its models as well as its films, festivals, actors. Heidi Klum is a German who worked for the American lingerie brand Victoria's Secret for many years. So is Calvin Klein model Alisa Ahhman, who worked in America for many years. Jill Asemota, whose mother is German and father is Nigerian, is also a famous model… 

If you wish, let's take a look at the Film Museum, where films and posters are exhibited. Marlene Dietrich, The Blonde Venus movie posters, photos of the actors and special items are here. II. Movie posters made for the German National Socialist Party, which brought horror to both the world and its own people during World War II, are also exhibited in this museum. 

Since there are a lot of people who immigrated from Germany to the USA and became top models and actors there, Hollywood movies are also included in the Film Museum. In the Transatlantic corner, there are letters, memories and souvenirs belonging to German actors of Hollywood cinema. In the pioneers and divas section, information about the 'silent era of cinema' and the famous people of that era are included. 

Which of us hasn't wondered who lived in this world before us? Many civilizations that have disappeared but whose traces we can find in history are exhibited in Berlin museums. The most important among them is the Pergamon Museum. In addition to the name Bergama, which is very familiar to us, you can find works of many ancient cities in the Bergama Museum. 

While viewing the ruins of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Ishtar's Gate, tablets from the Sumerian civilization and Pergamon artifacts from the Ionian civilization founded in Western Anatolia, you can witness history along with the sadness of being torn away from its source and exhibited thousands of kilometers away. 

The antique and second-hand market held every week in Berlin is really worth seeing. The second-hand goods market in Mauerpark is always the center of people's attention. At the flea market, almost everything you can think of, from stone plaques to stools, from porcelain tea sets to African accessories, is sold at affordable prices.

In this country with a population of more than 80 million, it is possible to come across people from every imaginable continent, in every color and speaking various languages. Berlin, which has a population of more than 6 million together with its surroundings, is the city that receives the most immigrants in the country. Since quality education is accessible to everyone, both local and foreign, the number of young people coming to Berlin to study is considerable. 

Thanks to the contribution of the immigrant population, it is possible to come across all flavors in the rainbow, from Arabic cuisine to Mexican cuisine, from Chinese restaurants to Italian restaurants, in this city. When you come to Berlin, I recommend you to try one of the world cuisines. I also highly recommend the Turkish döner. Please do not forget to stop by one of the immigrant restaurants. My favorites include Turkish döner, Italian pizza, Mexican cuisine and German cake.

Not only German cake, but also Italian cake, trileçe, baklava, fortune cookies, Indian dessert, Far Eastern cakes and any other world dessert you can think of have now become a part of German city culture. Among the most sought-after beverages, beer deserves the crown. Beer is one of the indispensable elements for a German. It is a must for Germany. 

Just like everywhere else, the reality of concreting has taken over Berlin. On the other hand, there are majestic trees rising to the sky in the city's parks. Even in the center, it is immediately obvious that the trees are preserved. Berlin local administrators have managed to preserve greenery and forests very close to the concrete.

Being able to be an individual in German society is considered one of the most important principles. People learn to be individuals and to be self-sufficient from childhood. These little ladies and little gentlemen live the same way when they grow up. Parents encourage their children to “Study. Earn your own money. He raises people by saying, "Don't depend on anyone." 

How can young people socialize in a society that attaches such importance to work? When it comes to standing on two feet, young people, starting from the age of 18, first struggle to find a house. In Germany, most young people rent a house with either their peers or their girlfriends. Both are common. In fact, buying a caravan to avoid paying rent and becoming a traveler has become a favorite among some German young people in recent years. 

Going to youth camps or becoming an exchange student through various organizations is also very common in Germany. I also attended a three-week youth camp in Berlin. Based on my observations there, I can say that German youth are in solidarity and that there are sincere and close relations between young people. The youth of Berlin left a friendly, friendly impression on me. 

After dark in Berlin, a different life begins outside. While nightlife is a fun time for some, it is tiring and tiring for others. Berlin youth love nightlife. There are many entertainment venues in the city to suit every budget. If you go out at night on the weekends, you will see many people and young people arm in arm. They are the ones having fun. 

Those who are tired are those who sell ready meals to those who have fun and are hungry, those who sell inside and outside the subway, and those who make their living in nightlife. Some are in the legal world, some are in the illegal world. So, entertainment theater also has a behind-the-scenes aspect. They follow you just like our shadow follows us. As long as you know that they are shadows and that you are the one who shapes your life, they will not touch you. 

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Berlin means bear in German and is written as bär. The city took its name from the bear. The coat of arms of the State of Berlin features a black bear. When I came across bear statues with their claws raised in the air in Berlin, I couldn't help but think: “I'm in a city named after a bear. Here in front of me is a bear statue greeting people. "I felt a deep warmth for the city identified with the bear." 

I wonder if the expressions big bear and little bear, which consist of constellations, wanted to tell us this: “The bear has now become a bright group of stars. He went up into the sky so everyone could see. He watches humanity from there.” 

I think I'll think twice about saying "bear" from now on. I think it is best to forget the negative characteristics attached to the word bear. On the other hand, one should not waste some words wastefully. Famous saxophonist Ray Charles says: “Don't say you love out of place. “Love is too valuable to be distributed generously.”

I salute Berlin, with its bear symbol, where I learned to be independent, where I made sincere friendships, who pushed me to question, and who helped me to write down what was on my mind, and I wish prosperity and peace to it and all humanity. Goodbye beautiful Berlin with its cute bear…