The playgrounds here in Berlin are so much better than American playgrounds it is categorically unfair. They are all huge with massive wooden structures for kids to climb; they have really long and steep old school metal slides that look scary even to this 26-year-old; and I have yet to see one without a zip line about 5-10 feet (!) off the ground, which would scream lawsuit back in the states. Seriously, American kids don’t even know what they are missing!

Actually, the parks in general here in Berlin are really well done. They are all fairly big, though some are bigger than others and have a multitude of trails, both paved and dirt paths, meandering around trees, gardens and even small ponds. I went for a jog today around the park right near our apartment here in Stieglitz and every time I turned around a bend, the place just kept going. They are really well designed too, so it almost seems as if you aren’t even in a city once you walk a few feet in to a Berliner park. Also, most parks here have restaurants within the park, as in not accessible by car, another something you would never see in the US. The park restaurants seem to do pretty good business too, which probably says more about just how many people live in this city than anything else!

The biggest par in the city is the Tiergarten, which Adrian and I have already posted pictures of and explored briefly. That park is huge… not quite as big as central park, but it really has a lot to look at. I want to get a bicycle eventually here and ride around the Tiergarten, as I think that’s really the only way to make it around the whole thing without getting extremely tired of walking.

It’s the middle of fall here in Berlin, which means it’s turning really cold, but it’s also really beautiful outside. I am going to take advantage today by checking out the Schloss Charlottenburg, which has been described to me as “Berlin’s Versailles”. Should be a good way to spend a wednesday! I have class a six pm tonight though so it will be a brief visit I think.