Berlin

Our vacation begins in Berlin. We flew from Dulles to Munich and then to Berlin, arriving about 3 pm local time. By the time we got our rental car and navigated our way through Berlin, checked into our hotel, and got to our room, it was getting close to 6!

First thing to say: driving in Berlin in nuts! Between new street signs, construction, and just as many bikes on the road as cars, it was harrowing getting through town! So it took us a while, but we got here. 

No time to rest, though, as we had a reservation to see the Bundestag building at 7. So we dropped off our stuff and hoofed it downtown. 

At the top of the building is a dome to climb up and get views of the city.

After that, we began walking back to the hotel. On the way we stopped and saw the Brandenburg Gate and stopped for dinner at the Alt Berliner restaurant.

We got back to the hotel about 10 - exhausted! And fell asleep pretty quick. I didn’t post last night because I was just too tired.

This morning we had a very nice breakfast at the hotel and headed out to “Museum Island.” And yup, it is! Right in the middle of Berlin. We went to the Pergamon Museum first, which has lots of artifacts from BC Assyria! I took some pictures to use in Bible Class. Then we went to the Pergamon Diorama, which shows what life was like in Pergamum in the first century AD. Again, Bible Class fodder!

This is the gate to one of the old pagan temples in Pergamum! This is what Paul had to deal with in bringing the Gospel to the people there. We then also stopped at the Bode Museum, which had a lot of Medieval artifacts from Germany and France. 

Side note: street performers here are really talented! When we were driving to the hotel, there was a man who was juggling in the street for donations! Then today, we saw a man doing another really talented thing. Fun to watch!

OK, so after “Museum Island” we started back to the hotel for a little rest. But along the way we stopped to see Marienkirche - an old Roman church. Some cool stuff inside, but also Luther on the outside!

After a brief rest, it was off to see the Berlin Wall memorial. That was very interesting, to see the pieces that are still there, how it changed over the years, and the big security zone. 

After seeing that it was time to walk back to the hotel, and on the way we stopped for dinner at the Berlin Hofbrauhaus. Really good food, and live music!

Wiener schnitzel!

Tomorrow it’s off to Wittenberg. We may try to see a little more of Berlin in the morning. We’ll see. But a very full day and a little in Berlin! We’re off to a good start.