Travel: BERLIN

Berlin - a city synonymous with World War II, the "wall" and center for the reunification of Germany.  And that was exactly what I saw in a day trip several years ago while on a cruise.  One day: one view of Berlin, one view of Germany.  Fast forward several years later and I have the opportunity to revisit Berlin - this time with a friends, over a long weekend and with a renewed interest in this capital city.  Having visited several other cities, towns and villages throughout Germany, this would be the city with the greatest intrigue: history and politics (old and new).  It did not disappoint - in fact, it left me wanting to learn more.  Berlin will be on the short list of places to return.
Arrived to Schonefeld Airport, the smaller of the two airports serving Berlin - this was the East German airport serving East Berlin.  A friendly taxi driver greeted us and off we went to the Hilton at the city center.

We started our first full day with a delightful walk past monuments, landmarks and churches.  We came upon St. Nicholas Church, destroyed in WW2, rebuilt by East Germany in the mid 1980s and the center of passionate Sunday sermons calling for a unified Germany...imagine standing room only to hear these "sermons".  Afterwards, a stroll to Museum Island and a visit to the Pergamon Museum to see the exquisite reconstruction of the Gates of Ishtar (about 575 BC by order of King Nebuchadnezzar II).  Spectacular.

A lunch, another walk listening to our friends explain as we went along. (One of our friends lived in West Berlin for many years before the wall came down.)  The time passed quickly not realizing we must have covered several miles!  Later than evening, dinner at Chicago Williams BBQ.  (You can assume correctly there is a huge American influence in Berlin!)  Next day was an even more exciting day:  a walk to Checkpoint Charlie (where East met West).  We went through the museum there - that was an education.  Every child should learn about the history of Berlin post WW2, including the building of the wall and it's eventual tear down.  The photographs, the accompanying stories and artifacts really brought a "face" to the history lessons we learned in school.

That evening, 4th of July, we are attending an open air concert.  The host of the show is half American, half Canadian and sings a lovely rendition of God Bless America - it brought tears to my eyes.  The show went on and it was fabulous - all female entertainers from opera to samba to contemporary pop.  The US Embassy was holding a huge party at park elsewhere in Berlin...by invitation only???

Following day a trip to Potsdam...a drive over the Glienicke Bridge aka "The Bridge of Spies" used by the Americans and Soviets during the Cold War for the exchange of spies.  The real destination of the day was the Sanssouci Palace, summer residence of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia.  The tour was amazing and the acres of landscaped gardens were fantastic.  Pictures cannot do it justice, but I tried (see video).

Our last day started very early; we had a scheduled tour of the Reichstag (Parliament Building).  The glass sphere over the chambers, with its inclined walkway provided a fabulous 360 degree view of Berlin.  Panoramic vistas of the city included large open green spaces, looking over rooftops to the winding river below, architectural marvels both old and new and building cranes everywhere - a testament to the ever changing face that is Berlin.

Enjoy the (long) video!
Fifi