Berlin

Berlin is Germany’s capital and largest city. It is also one of my favorite cities in the world. I come from Pakistan’s largest city, Karachi – population 20 million and counting – and get a small town feeling from most German cities. Berlin, however, is the only city which gives me a big city feeling. It’s a place where new things are happening and life is fast paced.

Berlin. Clockwise (L-R): The Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor), TV Tower (Fernsehturm) and Alexanderplatz, The Reichstag which houses the German parliament, Museum Island (Museuminsel).

Berlin is like a social experiment in Germany. Back when Germany was divided and before The Hoff brought down the Wall, West Berlin was a place for the young escaping conscription in the West German military*. After the fall of the Wall, though, Berlin became a mecca for the young, hip and trendy. This makes it utterly different from any other German city. It’s a place which has something for everyone. And Berlin also has a whole load of attractions for the tourists.

Things which would never happen anywhere else in Germany, happen in Berlin. It is the center of the German art and music scene, has a truly multicultural and international atmosphere and is currently the place to be if you have an idea for a tech start up.

Even though I love the predictability and punctuality of Germans, sometimes I miss the unpredictable and relaxed approach to life back home. Berliners take that approach to life as well. That’s what makes them really different from the majority of their countrymen. Trust me when I say this, if you haven’t seen Berlin, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

Now, listen to this song by Seeed – a German band from Berlin – celebrating their city. The title Dickes B (loosely translated as The Thick B) refers to their city.

*West Berliners were the only ones exempted from conscription in the West German Army.