Berlin Part Deux

Next morning, I attended the optional trip to Potsdam. The trip was powerful, but enlightening. Most of the group is younger and very American, and decided to stay out late, and sleep through the morning, instead of choosing to see things that you can only see in Europe. The group that went was rather small but the trip was enlightening but again a bit saddening. Our first stop was the lake house where the Nazis planned the holocaust. The contrast between natural architectural beauty and the dark history of the location was chilling. We then continued on to the location where the post world war II Potsdam conference took place. The villa was made to look like a cross between an English castle and Bavarian country house. Inside we saw the studies of all of the delegates of the conference, as well as the famous ‘round table’ were Europe was carved up into the Easter and western blocs after the war. Our final stop was an baroque palace. The was the most lighthearted stop of our trip. The grounds were striking, and included a Chinese tea house, which bears no resemblance to Chinese architecture, but is quite beautiful. We headed back to the city for a free afternoon.Our afternoon started with an amazing Lunch near the river. We enjoyed freshly made bushetta, and the Spargel Ravioli I had went well with the world cup match that was on the television. After lunch, the Pamailion Museum, which is composed of entire buildings and fortresses that the Germans dismantled and brought from the Middle East? The displays were striking, both in scale and detail. I have heard that some of the home countries of these edifices want them back. However I question the wisdom of this. It seems to me that they are much better off in a climate controlled German museum, then disintegrating in the desert of the present day, unstable Middle East. Much of the group met up In order to see a cabaret which RIAS paid for. The show itself was rather mindless. Afterword I got to spend time the other members of the group. It was rater interesting to discuss with them their views on international foreign policy towards Russia, among other things.