In Berlin

Berlin, Germany

26 Aug-7 Sept 2007

The combined group consisted of students coming from 29 different countries and comprising 29 Erasmus Mundus, 14 tropEd and 3 DAAD students, including the facilitators of the International Health Summer School. We had our classes at the Humboldt University, Berlin and it was an exciting and interesting experience.

The TV Tower is an impressive structure standing 368.03 metres tall and situated in the centre of the city near the Alexanderplatz train station. The lift took us up to a height of 203.78 metres which gave us a bird's eye view of the city. It was great being up there and surveying the beautiful city. Towers around the world has always been associated with pride and achievement and this will always remain so.

Albert Einstein's house is located in a quite and serene hill overlooking the pretty town of Caputh. Simple in design and perfect as a getaway resort for the great man of science.

In front of the Studentendorf Schlachtensee, the student hostel where some of the Erasmus Mundus students were accommodated during the Summer School period. It was pretty far from the city centre but has its own charm. I remember the breakfast time before rushing to catch the bus to Wansee and then the train to Freidrichstrasse station which is near the Humboldt University. I also remember Sebastian and I taking a 15 minutes walk to Schlachtensee station and then taking another train to Freidrichstrasse. Good moments well spent.

My dear friend Sebastian, a medical doctor from Chile with a good sense of humour, seen here reading a Spanish novel on our was to Freidrichstrasse. He's pretty good with his Nikon camera and some of his shots are worth putting on display. I wish him the best in his track (health policy and management).

The Argentinian beverage Mate. Sebastian offered me a drink and I like it instantly. The shapely carved wooded cup and ornamental steel straw added to the charm. It tasted like herbal tea and is actually an infusion based on the herb Yerba Mate. Mate is usually taken with hot water. The drink is also common in other parts of South America.

This is a Turkish meal and it was definitely one of the most fulfilling meals I had in berlin. Each item on the plate has a distinctive flavour that tickles the taste buds resulting in an expression "Hmmmm,ummmmm.." each time the food is chewed upon.

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And finally after a hard day's work, time for bliss.