<♔Brittany♔>
The Brandenburg Gate is a symbol of everlasting peace and strength for the people of Germany and as for me as well. It was not until I arrived in Germany did I hear and learn about the Brandenburg Gate. After I did learn about this fantastic monument did I truly appreciate German strength and ethics.
The first time I went to the Gate I was amazed by its beauty and height, I had almost felt like I had traveled back in time to when the gate was actually in use. I was not surprised when I first arrived at the Brandenburg Gate that it was a central point for the city and a lot of businesses were surrounding it. I feel that this gate is still a central point still for Berliners and the city as a whole. I have also had the opportunity of seeing this historic monument at night and the area surrounding it was still active and moving even at night. I believe that since coming to Berlin, Germany and witnessing for myself the beauty and knowing the history of this landmark helps me to better understand the significance of the Brandenburg Gate. I feel like a true Berliner when I am at this monument.
The significance of the Brandenburg Gate is that it is a representation of all the strength that the people of Berlin have. I am starting to realize now that the Gate is helping to describe the people as well. The people are strong for what they are having to go through throughout the history of Germany: World War I, World War II, the Berlin Wall, etc. The German people are also represented through this monument with the symbol of peace. The Brandenburg Gate was a sign of peace when it was first created and I believe that that same symbol can be applied to its people as well. The German people are nice and peaceful especially in today’s society. The country of Germany is, currently, taking in numerous refugees with their open door policy and keeping them safe. Also, in my opinion, Germany seems like a very expressive and accepting country since I see people of different races, jobs, and hair colors come together in Berlin and coexist peacefully.
I am forever grateful for the opportunity to study abroad in Berlin and learn and see its history and culture. The Brandenburg Gate is a beautiful symbol of Germany and now whenever I see pictures of the Gate I will remember the wonderful times I had in the magical city of Berlin. ♡
05/19/2016 PC: Brittany
<♕The Travel Journey of Tower♕>
☁05/10/2016
It was my first time visiting the Brandenburg Gate. During this night, my German friend and one of my Chinese friends who has studied in Berlin for two years took me there. We walked all the way from Museum Island through the Unter den Linden to the Gate. As soon as we arrived there, I felt extremely shocked by witnessing this masterpiece in the real life. Even though it was 9:30PM, there were a great number of people hanging out over there while appreciating the lighting gradually covered this beautiful architecture while gentlly brightening the dark night. I was totally amazed by its beauty. Prior to this visit, I always felt a strong sense of desire of seeing Brandenburg Gate because it is one of the best-known and most significant landmarks in Berlin and every tourist is supposed to see it when paying a visit to Germany.
☀05/11/2016
After being impressed by the Gate, I decided to come back during the day-time and wanted to find out if it would bring me a different visualizations and feelings. Therefore, I went there again with our eleven-people OSU group. This time, I was shocked by its strength. We made an O-H-I-O over there; another funny story came up right after the O-H-I-O. Some South Korean tourists copied our gestures and eventually took a picture with us while making the Buckeye tradition O-H-I-O. In addition, to my surprise, I used my Korean to talk with them for several minutes and learnt about their side of stories of visiting this Gate and Berlin. That was the time when I felt strong connected with the world in Berlin since countless individuals from all over the world have come to this same place to embrace the historical and the peace. Somehow, this Gate has progressively united individuals and opened up a new page of story for its single visitor.
☀05/18/2016
After two-week studying the culture and history of Berlin, I seemed to have better understanding in Brandenburg Gate and also in a series of historical events that have occurred there. On this day, I took my friend who studied in Cologne and recently were visiting Berlin to this landmark, which was my third time touring the same site. However, this time was way different; this time, I felt that I was more like a citizen living in the city for a long time, and I started to explain to her how important this gate was then and now.
I would say Brandenburg Gate has witnessed my growth in Berlin. There used to be no difference at all between common tourist and me, and I was appreciating this Gate simply on account of its fame without knowing the real stories. As I came back again and again, I have discovered more and even built up my own feelings and meanings towards this Gate and this city. Brandenburg Gate is so significant that each generation can pass along different messages to the next generation, but the meaning of peace and reunion will never fade off.