Berlin

Arriving

Transportation is a breeze from the airport and we got to our hotel really easily. We stayed in East Berlin and were really surprised at how quiet it is. The past 24 years have been spent rehabilitating this area and only a portion of the buildings have been renovated. So much room for growth and yet they have done such a great job already… of course, we are really impressed with the architecture!

We were tired but Jay was dying for some currywurst so we ventured out. We were close to the Brandenburg gate so Pat had the idea that we walk and go see it. An impressive and triumphant structure that serves as an important symbol for many things throughout Germany’s history. We got our first look at where the wall was and ventured over to the Reichstag where we caught a random documentary on 20^th century German history that was being projected onto the side of a building; the decent into madness and rise out of darkness. Random and cool to sit on the steps of government and learn as we watched this thing projected onto the side of the building of the Senate.

Jay got his currywurst. Nothing to write home about but we mixed it with German beer and an authentic stube atmosphere. Best thing I have tasted in a long time.

Finally… sleep!

Day 2

Sandwich shops are how people eat here. Our breakfast meat and cheese on a bun and milchkafee are what Jay will be eating this entire trip… just… better!

Off to the zoo. Our favorite part of that experience was the hippos. They’re actually kinda cute. Saw some monkeys and polar bears and skipped around like kids. It was a super hot day. Who knew that Berlin got to +36.  After this we wandered Kufuerstendamm Strasse, a main shopping boulevard modeled after the Champs Elysees in Paris after the division of the two cities. Pat finally got his pair of Berlin Adidas shoes he’s been waiting for.

Weiner Schnitzel for lunch… Pat wasn’t impressed J Pat continued in the search of Frikadeller…..

We spent the afternoon learning the story of Berlin, from the Brandenburg kingdom, the Prussian unification, and right up to the Nazi period. The pictures of Hitler in the exhibits have obviously been spat on.

Our walk along the river Spree took us to the Nicholai Viertel…. A super authentic cobblestone neighborhood with pubs and restaurants. We stopped at a kitchy potato themed restaurant and Jay finally got some real currywurst. Pat had their famous “kartoffelnsalat”. Ran across the street a couple beers at a pub that looked like it should be full of hobbits; the type of place where the brothers Grimm probably wrote Hansel and Gretel.

We sat here anxiously and waited out flash thunderstorm and devised our plan of escape back to the hotel. We found out the closest bus stop really easily but it wasn’t without getting soaked on the way. Pat rediscovered his love of European grocery stores with their 1Euro cheese and bread selection.

Day 3

The Bunderstag/Reichstag is brilliant, the line up for reservations, however is totally ridiculous. It is such an iconic symbol for Germany’s past and present and entrance is free.  The country has had the chance to learn from many things in it’s history and it has all brought them to their current Bundestag and Federal system which seems to be the perfect system of governance. Germany, and Berlin in particular, are continually rising and innovating because they have found the right balance. Apparently it takes a while to make a decision here, but when one is made it is the right one.

Took a trip out of town on the express train to the Spandau fortress. The Deutschebahn Hauptbahnhof station in Berlin (the largest in Europe) is impressive… as was the fortress!

Took in the Topography of Terrors on the site of the Nazi administration building right by the Wall. More history of Berlin; the decent into madness and it’s climb out. This city will never forget.

Returned to take in our tour of the Reichstag dome and got some great pictures of the sunset. Stopped by the Memorial to the murdered Jews on the grounds of the Brandenburg gate. Found it very touching; a sensory experience invoking confusion and disorientation and a statement as a piece of art. Also a reflection of contemporary north German design and expression.

Stopped by Kaisers again (grocery store) and Pat found his Frikadeller, albeit cold in a container. We spend the evening on the roof of our hotel over looking the city, dreaming of what it would be like to live in a city like this.

Tomorrow we head to Prague

Ps – Writing this on the train… I want to retire in the German countryside