When I think of Berlin, I think of its contrasts. Of course, East and West Germany, now all in one spot. The remembrance of the horrors of WWII alongside a crazy hip cultural scene and colorful graffiti. World-class museums and exhibitions with an almost-Mall of America down the street.

Berlin perfectly reflects the contrasts we have seen throughout our time here – so many rules followed so strictly, yet people drive 150mph on the Autobahn and meet neighbors at mixed and clothing-free saunas. Fanatical home cleanliness with shoes always left at the door, but almost everyone seems to have a dog that presumably doesn’t wipe their feet, and in addition, dogs are welcome in every restaurant and on public transport. Mountains of paperwork and bureaucracy, yet everyone we meet is incredibly patient and kind, constantly reassuring us and telling us not to worry.

It is a wonderful and eye-opening experience to get to see how another country manages things – giving people as good a life as possible while navigating the intricacies of human nature. Nowhere is this tension better on display than in Berlin – a colorful, vibrant, exciting city where a feeling of energy and hope outweighs the burden of its past.

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20 Days, 20 German Towns: Bad Nauheim – Rüdesheim – Königstein – Travemünde – Cologne – Garmisch-Partenkirchen – Bad Soden – Mainz – Wiesbaden – Berlin