Ahh, Berlin

 

Our first full day in Berlin left us in admiration for this city.  The people, the cleanliness, the diversity... all things that a lot of U.S. cities are beginning to lose.  We started our day by visiting the Brandenburg Gate which is the symbol of Berlin.  It is difficult to see some of these sites and not be reminded of the photos from the worst times in German history.  But just like when we went to the Dacchau concentration camp many years ago, you feel compelled to reflect and admire how this country has restored itself in the last half century.

Passing under the gate, we headed to the Reichstag.  This is the seat of the German government.  The building was badly destroyed during WWII and they rebuilt it about 30 years ago.  When they did, a glass dome was built over the building.  From inside this dome is a pathway that circles around the outer glass plus a glass ceiling over the hall where their parliament conducts business.  This was done to promote transparency.  To get in, we had to apply about a month ago so they could do security checks on us and the entrance was pretty well protected.  

  Zoom in on this pic and look at those two smiling faces in the reflection.

Now that we had our legs warmed up, it was time to start the first of our really, really, really long walks around the city.  I must admit that when I laid this out, my eyes were bigger than my legs could handle.  Thank goodness, we had purchased those public transportation passes.  Even still, my watch told me I'd gotten over 17k steps in!  

Tiergarten Park

Berlin's answer to New York's Central Park.  And of course, my brilliant planning had us walking it length wise.  Ugh.    But the park was beautiful.

 

And, it also included a well deserved break at a Biergarten.  (They have amazing non-alcohol beer here).

Thai Park

Fully refreshed...  time for some fun.  And for Sonja, what's more fun than a flea market?  Little did she know that Berlin is famous for its flea markets and there are many around the city.  Today we went to the original Berlin flea market which is also in the same park as "Thai Park".  A gathering of Thai folks every Saturday to create some amazing food.

 

Yorkschlosshen

Saturday's walk was winding down but the day wasn't over yet.  A quick trip to the hotel for a shower and a change of clothes and we were off to Yorkschlosshen Jazz & Blues Club for dinner and live music from a quintet that specialized in New Orleans style jazz.  To add to the fun, we were seated with a couple from Denmark, Sven & Lone, who were a blast.  He's a retired journalist and she's the headmaster at an elementary school.  No wonder she liked to drink.

We had a wonderful schnitzel dinner, wonderful music, wonderful conversation and about 11pm we finally crawled into bed and were out like lights.

Berlin's Sunday itinerary laid out a longer walk, more flea markets, museums and dinner at a restaurant that served nothing but french fries.  I'll write that up tomorrow.  Good night all.