In Germany most of the stores are closed, it’s a designated rest day. It’s good that workers get a day off to spend with their families and friends. Tough if your a tourist.
Read the link to learn more: Why-does-germany-have-such-strict-opening-hours-on-sundays
Its quite eerie walking along the quiet streets - I think everybody sleeps in, because more people emerge after 10am. I did manage to find a cafe open in my neighbourhood for my coffee fix.
The beggars were out working/begging on a Sunday. I forgot to mention about the beggars in Berlin - they walk around usually with a small takeaway coffee cup asking for money. Two came yesterday through the cafe, always at least one comes through the train, and you will usually be approached at least once a day, whilst your here. They are not the usual Roma or gypsies you see around tourist sites in Europe.
Having said that I am living in Neukolln, which is on the eastern side of Berlin. Apparently, the more affluent suburbs are on the western side, because the prevailing winds are from the west and blow the bad smells that way!
In any case, I've read the old money lives in the green leafy suburbs of Dahlem, Zehlendorf and Kleinmachnow towards Potsdam, which is where Sun Soucci is, the old palace of the Prussian kings.
If you were alive during the Cold War you will definitely recognise Checkpoint Charlie at the border of West Berlin and East Berlin.
This is the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe located near the Brandenburg gate, so they may never be forgotten. There are still Holocaust deniers in the world, so this memorial is a permanent reminder about the murder of 6 million Jews during WW2.
One can't but feel emotional walking between the concrete pillars representing all the dead. Please don't sit or recline on top of the pillars as I saw some people do as its highly disrespectful.
Nearby is the Bundestag, the old Reichstag, or the German parliament. This is where the big decisions concerning Germany, which affect of course Europe as a whole.
