July 27 Day 44 Fly to Berlin

Today the four of us (Patti, Dick, Lars and Julie) were up early…maybe a bit TOO early, but we had to catch the train to the airport.  We were flying to Berlin.  The train, the airport and the one hour flight all went very easily.

When we arrived in Berlin, there was an information desk that helped us to buy transportation cards that would be good for the bus, train and metros in Berlin.  We bought them and then used them throughout the next 4 days.

With one slight misstep, we found our way to our AirBnB in the former East Berlin area.  We were very pleased when we were able to have a very early check in, and then headed down the street for a delicious lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant where we ate at a sidewalk table.

We decided to head into the downtown historical area to get oriented.  We found it to be so interesting to be based in the former East Berlin with so many sights from pre-WWII and the post-war times.

We wandered the long busy streets and soaked in the sites.  As we walked we saw both very modern buildings and lots of museums and old historical buildings.  What a fascinating city. We knew we were going to really enjoy our time in Berlin.

We were so familiar with images of the Brandenberg Gate but it was still quite amazing to be standing before it and then walk under it.  It was a dramatic sense that we were really in Berlin.

Patti found online information that today was the Gay Pride Festival. As we rode on the metro, we started seeing all kinds of rainbow flags and people dressed up in their fancy parade wear. We saw rainbow flags everywhere.  Including, once we got to the area by the famous Brandenberg Gate, The U.S .Embassy had rainbow banners and signs. Go, Embassy staff!

We were struck by the cultural phenomenon of the Greenman.  This was the figure on the "walk-don't walk" signals at corners. Other countries had figures on these signs but the Germans have adopted the figure as an opportunity for amusement.

Another fun discovery were the Berlin Buddy Bears.  These were the result of an effort nearly 20 years ago where these bears were painted by various companies and individuals.  Many have traveled around the world and are now scattered in Berlin. Patti could not resist them!

The Brandenberg Gate is near where The Berlin Wall stood until it was largely torn down in 1991.  We got our first glimpses of the remnants of the Wall, which were very striking.  We would see The Wall in many other places throughout the weekend.

We walked and walked, and finally cut through a large park.  The crowds of people were a bit overwhelming, although the crowds were very friendly.

We were quite tired from our traveling and walking, and so went back to our apartment, found a place for dinner, Julie and Lars had a beer at the pub next door, and then headed to bed.  We were in Berlin!  Much to see tomorrow.