Berlin

The land of beer and brats!!  This was the first thing we did when we arrived.

Berlin Walking Tour:  The first day we had a walking tour set up for that morning. However, we couldn't figure out the train in time to make it, so we went on the afternoon tour.  Our guide, Nikolai,  was pretty interesting to say the least.  His Russian name and English speaking did not fit in Berlin.  He was a little awkward but did a great job with the tour.

Berlin Wall:  I have always been fascinated with the wall.  I remember, vividly, watching the wall come down on TV as a child.

Memorial to the murdered Jews:  By the end of WWII, 6 million Jews had been murdered.  Hearing and seeing the things that they went through has lasting effect.

The Brandenburg Gate:  This symbolizes a unified Germany after the revolutions of 1989 and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Hotel Adlon:  This is where Michael Jackson dangled his baby over the balcony.  It was the 3rd window above the hotel sign.

Currywurst & Schnitzel:  This was the best food we had in Berlin.  I could eat this every meal.

Beer Garden:  Germany is famous for its beer gardens.  The one that we went to was Prater Garten, which is the same one that Anthony Bourdain went to on his show.  This was my favorite place in Berlin.  If I lived there, this is where I would be every day after work.

Nina & Ben:  Joha's friend, Nina, owns a chocolate shop in Berlin, so we stopped by unannounced.  Nina was not there, but her co-worker tried to get her on the phone to tell her we were there.  She wasn't able to reach Nina, so she called Ben.  Although they had only met Beth briefly at Tosh and Joha's wedding, they asked us to meet them for dinner.  We met them at this cool pizza place on their side of town.  After dinner, they took us to their favorite local bars.  They were so nice to us and stayed out real late even though they had to get up an go to work the next day.  Ben even explained to us how the European Championship Football (soccer) scoring works.  They also showed us where Joha lived in Berlin and the bar that they frequented.  We really enjoyed our time with them and their hospitality.

We also went to the Jewish Museum.  Joha was right...it's not for light entertainment.  It was very educational, though.
Thanks to Joha for all the good suggestions!


- WN