Berlin

We spent two and a half days in Berlin. At first I was not sure of the place, especially as I could not orientate myself. I know it does not matter anymore but I still wanted to know which part was ‘west’ and which part was ‘east’. But after two and a half days here, I think it is a fantastic place to visit, lots of interesting buildings and places and plenty of action. The people are much friendlier here, except if you bump into them or get in their way when they are cycling. They really know how to glower at you!
We stayed in a stellplatz, which is an area where motorhomes can park, as well as fill up with water and empty the grey water and toilet. Often they are free but as this one is in the centre of Berlin there is a charge of €17 per night but this includes electrical hook-ups, toilets and showers. The stellplatz is in the suburb of Wedding, and the old Berlin wall would have run right beside us, if it was still up. Although the stellplatz is technically in the old west part of Berlin, Wedding is a relatively poor area. We found out that the first tenement building for poor families was built in Wedding in 1870. And I think they still exist!

The stellplatz is on the Chaussee Strasse, which runs into Fredrichstrasse and then into the main part of the old East Berlin, which is now an exclusive shopping street. Chaussee Strasse still has some old post war tenement buildings, so characteristic of the old East Berlin. However, I don’t think they will last much longer, as many of them are derelict.

The first afternoon we bought two Berlin Cards which enabled us to travel by public transport, anywhere in Berlin. A lot of money but good value we thought at the time. However, one afternoon of using public transport (four short trips on the U Bahn) and doing a lot of walking convinced us that we would be better off on our bikes. Financially, the Berlin Cards were not a good investment for us!

Berlin is a marvellous city for cycling around, although you have to watch out for fast cyclists, especially during peak hour. One elderly lady told Walter to get out of her way, so that she could take off immediately the lights changed! Anyway we have seen so much more, while cycling around and enjoyed it as well. And we did not suffer from sore feet! There are many, many museums here but we chose The Story of Berlin Museum, which provided a marvellous display of historical events, and it gave you an understanding of the circumstances leading up to the WW2 and the wall being erected to keep in the East Berliners. People did not have an easy time here. So it is no wonder that many older people look a bit grim. We also went to the Willy Brandt exhibition; he was definitely a man with a vision and lots of determination. We visited the STASI (Old East German Secret Police) Documentation Centre where they have stored all the old files. People can look at their old files as everyone in the old East Berlin has a file. There is also a display area where they showed some of the tactics they used to spy on people as well as pictures and information on some people who were obviously agitators. Not very friendly!

We rode along the main shopping street (Kurfurstendamm) without being tempted to have a big spending spree. We then walked back along the street as the traffic was a bit daunting by late afternoon.
We visited the Brandenburg Gate (pictured above) which of course is a must and gazed in wonder at the impressive new buildings inside the gate, which turned out to the American and French Embassies. We could not fail to notice the high level of security surrounding the British Embassy. Paranoia or what?
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is a field of stelae near the Brandenburg Gate with over 2700 concrete stelae. There is also an exhibition under the stelae which tells the stories of the extermination of Jewish people and other minority groups. It was very chilling experience and I felt relieved to go outside again into the sunshine. The field of stelae is very impressive

At Checkpoint Charlie there is a substitute sentry stop and €2 will allow you to have your picture taken with the ‘soldiers’. There is piece of wall still standing, with yet another excellent display of photographs and information relating to the era between 1934 and 1945. The wall is beside the site of the SS and Gestapo buildings, (the buildings were pulled down after 1945). There is now a very modern building which houses an exhibition on ‘Nazi terror and crimes of the Third Reich’. Not for the faint hearted! We have had two great budget lunches in Berlin, the first was pizza bread with toppings and the second was roasted pork knuckle with finely sliced white cabbage which had a dressing on it. The crackling and sauce were superb. I have decided to change to beer because it is so much cheaper and is the most popular German drink! At the moment I drink the beer with lemonade. I not ready for the strong stuff yet!
It rained today so we had to take shelter. No raincoats of course! Walter looks happy and dry under the large umbrella. This is the first rain we have seen since the beginning of March!