I have visited Berlin on numerous occassions. It's one of my favorite places around. Since I've already seen all the regular tourist sights several times over, it was a great opportunity during my latest weekend trip to focus more on everyday life in the city and to try and capture the general vibe of summertime.
This first series of photos was taken in the late afternoon at the Mitte district, which is right in the center of town. Both the river Spree and the museum island are primary attractions in this area and locals love to hang out here to soak up the sun.
The Neue NationalGAlerie is an iconic Bauhaus style modern art museum designed by Mies van der Rohe. It was renovated not too long ago and offers up some great photo opportunities in and around the building.
Do not pass up the opportunity to visit the museum itself. They have a great collection of modern art pieces which strongly capture life in Germany during the tumultuous first half of the twentieth century.
The Bahnhof Zoologischer Garten is situated right next to the huge Tiergarten park, which is basically Berlin's equivalent to NYC Central Park. It's a bustling area, however it was a bit shocking to see homeless people living in makeshift tents just around the corner.
It offers up an unfortunate and confronting insight into income inequality when you consider that the Kurfürstdam, full of expensive designer stores and fashion boutiques is only one block further down the street.
If you'd like a good taste of local and expat life in Berlin, then definitely pay a visit to Boxhagener Platz in the middle of the punky, cosmopolitan neighbourhood Friedrichshain. The surrounding streets are filled with hip restaurants and cafes, while in the park itself offers up a weekly flea market.
