By JANE NEPOMUCENO
Manila Bulletin
September 5, 2010
If you’re one to enjoy being out of your comfort zone and likes adventure, traveling may be one of your most favorite hobbies. You’re used to seeing new places and roaming different cities. You’ve seen it all – from parks to beaches, museums to churches, as well as political and historical landmarks.
But for tourists who are tired of traditional sightseeing tours, Berlin has something new to offer. One Berlin tour guide is offering something altogether different: a tour of Berlin's public conveniences.
Tour guide Anna Haase wanted to take visitors to Berlin off the beaten track and came up with the novel idea of showing them some of the German capital's most famous toilets.
She takes groups around the city's lavatories, telling them about the history of the toilet's development from biblical times to the present day and showing them toilets ranging from the oldest and most primitive to the newest and most technical.
"I thought my colleagues would probably all do tours of parks and churches, but I wanted to break a taboo and explain the history of Berlin's hygiene and toilet culture," she told Reuters.
Highlights of the tour include a visit to a toilet block dating from the late 19th century and a trip to the Kaiser's fully restored bathroom at the Potsdamer Platz square.
"At first people tend to turn their nose up, but then they are generally surprised at the interesting facts that they learn about on the tour," she said.
However, if you want to have a traditional Berlin holiday and want to tour the German capital the way most vacationers do, here are the most traditional spots to see in Berlin:
Visit the Berlin Zoo
It is Europe’s biggest and oldest zoo and one of the most popular zoos in the world. The zoo houses 1,500 different species and around 16,000 animals. One of them is Knut, the first polar bear to be born in the animal park in over 30 years.
It is Europe’s biggest and oldest zoo and one of the most popular zoos in the world. The zoo houses 1,500 different species and around 16,000 animals. One of them is Knut, the first polar bear to be born in the animal park in over 30 years.
See what’s left of the Berlin Wall
Though it fell in 1989 and is now completely removed, there are only a few parts which can still be found. Though we can’t see the famous wall anymore, just being close to it can make anyone have bragging rights about being near one of the world’s most famous historical landmarks.
Though it fell in 1989 and is now completely removed, there are only a few parts which can still be found. Though we can’t see the famous wall anymore, just being close to it can make anyone have bragging rights about being near one of the world’s most famous historical landmarks.
Marvel at Jewish history at the Jewish Museum
This museum officially opened in 2001 and covers two millennia of Jewish history. The Jewish Museum's exhibits chronicle the history of the Jewish community in Germany from the Middle Ages to this day. A general overview of Judaism is provided in the third floor.
This museum officially opened in 2001 and covers two millennia of Jewish history. The Jewish Museum's exhibits chronicle the history of the Jewish community in Germany from the Middle Ages to this day. A general overview of Judaism is provided in the third floor.
(With a report from Reuters)
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