war Keyword
USS Arizona
One of the more sobering experiences I’ve had in Hawaii (apart from losing my thongs) was visiting the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbour.
The memorial, situated above the rusting body of the Arizona stands as a headstone to the shipwreck and the 1,177 sailors that were killed on her during the December 7th 1941 surprise attack by Japanese forces on the US forces stationed here in Oahu. Many of the men killed that day still lay inside the Arizona, and the site is an active military cemetery.
The white platform built above the site offers visitors a place to remember the sailors killed that day and to look over the hull of the Arizona that lays just below the surface. The prominent gun turret that rises above the surface and the hatches nearby leak “the tears of Arizona”, oil that still seeps from the hold. It pools below the monument, seeping out from the wreck and staining the posts.
The memorial was very interesting to see, and really does make one think about not only the men killed on the boat that day, but the fact that on that day the lives of an entire nation of people changed with the US entering the war. I could not help but wonder how I would feel if I was the radar operator that day who dismissed the incoming blips as “nothing to worry about”.
This is my last post from the US, because I right now I am sitting looking over Honolulu airport, waiting for my boarding call. I’ll be travelling into the future by crossing the International Date Line soon and landing in Sydney before heading to Perth. Hawaii has been amazing and a fitting end to a pretty amazing adventure. I’m sure there will be a couple more debriefing posts from Sydney and Perth but, for now at least, I say farewell and thank you to the United States.
Ich bin ein Berliner
Berlin is a wonderful place. It is a place full of history. Of sadness. Of reconciliation, tolerance and acceptance. Its redevelopment and reunification has lead to the creation of one of the most beautiful, open and modern cities on the planet.
From the moment I walked into Berlin I felt welcome and relaxed. I spent pretty much the entire of my time in Germany wandering Berlin on foot, discovering something new to see around every corner. Everything has been created or redeveloped with the past in heart and with the future in mind. It is unfortunate then that Berlin has one of the highest rates of unemployment in Germany (almost 15%) and the city feels almost empty. For such a wonderful place to go so unpopulated and be struggling seems a tragedy.
WWII is of course a major focus of many of the attractions on offer in Berlin. All highlight the horror of the events that occured leading up to 1945, and many of the museums and exhibitions can be confronting. I am very into my WWII history, however I found the history of Berlin since the war, the formation of east and west Berlin, and the Wall just as interesting.
If you get a chance to visit Berlin you can’t miss the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, probably the most striking piece of architecture in the city. A visit to Check Point Charlie is an obvious shouldn’t miss although evidence of the Wall that divided the city into West (Allied) and East (Soviet) Berlin can be seen all over the city. In fact: I have a small souvenir piece in my bag right now. The city by night is beautiful and as always I suggest taking one of the free (or cheap) walking tours on offer to get a good feel of the place.
Last but definitely not least, take some time and visit the Reichstag Building and check out the “Transparent Goverment” at sunset. Wonderful. For all you history buffs out there, Berlin is not to be missed.
Enjoy the photos, taken during my two days of constant walking of the streets.