Train Travel and a Jaw-Dropping Performance

If there's anything I've learned about German public transit, it's that it's both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.

The Leipzig train station was large and beautiful - those in our group who love trains, such as myself, stared wide-eyed at the seemingly endless rows of platforms and shops as we rushed to our Berlin-bound train. Once we boarded our train and departed, I was further excited by the sights outside our window; as a fan of "urban decay" (creepy-looking abandoned buildings - I'm still not certain why this phenomenon fascinates me so much) I really loved watching countless, decaying structures - possibly ruins from the days of the east/west split - whiz right by. Snow-covered fields and quiet towns soon followed, and the peaceful rhythm of the train helped to calm us down as we listened to music the rest of the ride. 

Once at the Berlin train station, we had to huddle together for warmth and safety as we figured out our next course of action. After 45 minutes, we managed to catch a cable car closer to the heart of the city, and then hopped into another subway train to finally take us close to our hostel. Tired, hungry, and unsure of what else to do, my hostel roommates and I thus chose to stay near our hostel, once we had been handed our room keys.

And that leaves me here in the hostel lounge, thinking about last night's Gewandhaus Orchestra performance before we head off to the Berlin Philharmonic tonight. What an absolute pleasure, to be able to hear two world-class orchestras within two days! I had never heard of the Gewandhaus Orchestra until signing up for this study abroad program, so I was absolutely floored when I heard them perform last night - the dynamic, expressive range of the group was incredible, and the communication within instrument sections constantly impressed me. As a harpist, I was thrilled to see two harpists play through most of the program, especially when I realized that they were so in-sync, they sounded like one person. It takes great skill and care to perform so well, and I left the Gewandhaus with newfound respect for its harpists, its other instrumentalists, and its conductor. It was simply, utterly jaw-dropping. 

It will be hard not to compare the Berlin Philharmonic to the Gewandhaus Orchestra, but I really look forward to their performance tonight anyway. Stay tuned, folks - there's many more adventures still to come!