Berlin in a day!
13/June/2009 11:17 AM Filed in: Tourist
I really never thought I’d ever have the opportunity to go to Berlin, Germany, but I did today! It’s an overcast day as we arrive in Rostock, Germany and the rains are sure to come. And, once again, I forgot my umbrella! Nevertheless, we are headed out of our tour bus for the 3 hour drive into Berlin to take in this city full of history. My head is already spinning with the number of things I have taken in so far by the time this day ended my brain was on complete overload. After a while you can’t even hear what the tour guide in saying anymore because you just can’t get your brain to squeeze in any more information. But, I think I got the main things and it was quite a day. if any city bears the marks of death, war, sin sickness, and cruelty to humankind, it is this one. It is hard to bear these marks, but those who live here know their history well, and are determined to not repeat it.
Bob and I were on two different tours, with slightly different itineraries, but we mostly covered the same things. He took in a few more museums than I did, and I went on a canal cruise that he did not, so they evened out. We both took in the Berlin Wall (now covered with art in most places), the Freedom Arch that stood in the middle of the wall between East and West Berlin (the only thing left standing after the city was bombed), one of the Holocost Memorials, Checkpoint Charlie; the crossing between the Soviet and American ruled part of Berlin, the Parliament Buildings, the cobblestones remembrances of the Berlin Wall, KaDeWe (the largest department store in Berlin) and many other city highlights. It’s hard to imagine doing all of this in one day, but we did it. After a very full day, we headed back to the ship on another 3 hour journey through terrible weather with high winds and pouring rain. We left at 7:55 am, and returned to the ship at 9:45 pm. A long day, to be sure, but then again, when will we ever have a chance to get to Berlin again? Perhaps the best way to see the city is through pictures, so here goes.
The Holocost Memorial
The Berlin Wall
The cobblestone lines that mark the wall that was built around the city with the Freedom arch in the background
Remembering the wall on the streets of Berlin
...and those who lost their lives trying to cross it
The Freedom Arch (and our Tour Guide, Jenz, holding the Bus #1 sign)
The 5 Star Hotel where Michael Jackson “dangled” his son from the balcony
The largest department store in Berlin from the outside...
...and the inside...Loralyn, if you’re reading this, I took this for you...it’s all TEA!
Bob and I were on two different tours, with slightly different itineraries, but we mostly covered the same things. He took in a few more museums than I did, and I went on a canal cruise that he did not, so they evened out. We both took in the Berlin Wall (now covered with art in most places), the Freedom Arch that stood in the middle of the wall between East and West Berlin (the only thing left standing after the city was bombed), one of the Holocost Memorials, Checkpoint Charlie; the crossing between the Soviet and American ruled part of Berlin, the Parliament Buildings, the cobblestones remembrances of the Berlin Wall, KaDeWe (the largest department store in Berlin) and many other city highlights. It’s hard to imagine doing all of this in one day, but we did it. After a very full day, we headed back to the ship on another 3 hour journey through terrible weather with high winds and pouring rain. We left at 7:55 am, and returned to the ship at 9:45 pm. A long day, to be sure, but then again, when will we ever have a chance to get to Berlin again? Perhaps the best way to see the city is through pictures, so here goes.
The Holocost Memorial
The Berlin Wall
The cobblestone lines that mark the wall that was built around the city with the Freedom arch in the background
Remembering the wall on the streets of Berlin
...and those who lost their lives trying to cross it
The Freedom Arch (and our Tour Guide, Jenz, holding the Bus #1 sign)
The 5 Star Hotel where Michael Jackson “dangled” his son from the balcony
The largest department store in Berlin from the outside...
...and the inside...Loralyn, if you’re reading this, I took this for you...it’s all TEA!