KBerlin, Germany
October 22 & 23, 2014
Since Berlin is so big, we decided to take a bus tour to get familiar with the town. It was a great idea. After the tour we went to Checkpoint Charlie. Wanted my picture made with some military men that iwere standing out side Checkpoint Charlie. They were dressed in Ametican uniforms, but they wanted Euros? Not real military men, but actors. What a shame, but it worked I got my pic made with them. Then wanted to add a Checkpoint Charlie Stamp to my passport, more euros. Then we went to see where the wall used to stand and read all of the history before and after the wall was torn down. It was not that long ago... Only 25 years ago. Lee was here in 1988 before the wall came down. Him and his family actually got to cross over into East Berlin. He was amazed at the changes and the growth that has taken place in the city since then.
Lee is also a big fan of German food. So off we go to find brats and sauerkraut. We found a great restaurant that was perfect Then we walked around to see some of the new larger complexes and mega shopping areas. Getting late so back to hotel. Needed to do laundry and make more plans for next stop.
The logistics of planning this trip is very time consuming. First you decide where to go next and then find trains to take you there. After you arrive you have to deal with bus/tram/subway maps so you can find your hotel. The Tourist Information Center is always our first stop. If we arrive before they are open, we have coffee and wait. Also, not sure how we could do without Wi-Fi. When Lee and I traveled through Europe by car a year and a half ago, we had no WiFi, no phone and no reservations. We found rooms when we got to our destination. It always worked, but now... WiFi is mandatory.
The next day we head out for some shopping. Getting colder, so I needed a coat. Lee gave in and decided he might need a man purse since someone stole his wallet. He is in charge of our important stuff and euros. Man purse is a good idea.
Outside of DKMaxx, there was a mobile hot dog/brat vendor. It is an open grill fueled by butane. He grills the dogs and warms the buns. He also has a holder for condiments. He keeps his ingredients in an ice chest with wheels and away he goes. Lee thought they were wonderful.
We went to Alexanderplatz. This is now a mega complex that was built on the East German site after the wall came down. Great stores, but expensive. Prices higher than home. Then as we were walking around and spotted a DKMaxx. Wow! It was just like our TJMaxx at home. Great prices too. I found a coat and scarf. Now I will be warm. Lee found him a man purse and replaced his broken glasses.
Then we did Checkpoint Charlie trip again. Next we visited the East Side Gallery. It is known as the longest art gallery and it is almost a mile long. The wall is still standing and artist were commissioned to paint their art on the walls. Great artwork, but then the graffiti artist have taken over. There was only one that was untouched by graffiti? Then we checked out the timeline of the history of the wall And why the East Berlin and West Berlin were separated. I remember Reagan, telling Kruchev to "Tear Down That Wall"... And down it came.
We wanted to do the tower, but there was a two hour wait. No more time. We had to have dinner and then head back to the train station for our next adventure... Amsterdam!
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