Today we went on a four-hour walking tour around Berlin. We learned about Checkpoint Charlie, the Berlin Wall, and the Holocaust Memorial. Two things I found particularly interesting: 1) walking on the grass is for people who don't iron their underwear, and 2) I had always pictured the wall as a line down a map, however, "East" and "West" Berlin do not refer to geographic locations but the political east and west. Since Berlin was in the physical area deemed East Germany, a circle of the capital was sectioned off for West Germany, like an island surrounded by East Germany.
Berliners and tourists love the ampelmann - the iconic little green walking man protecting pedestrians on the streets of communist East Berlin
The Brandenburg Gate is a symbol of the tumultuous history of Europe and Germany
Checkpoint Charlie is famous as the place where the start of World War III was diverted. It was actually a military checkpoint and border crossing for Americans to enter West Berlin. Now sandwiched between McDonalds and souvenir stores, it stages - with actors and props - the checkpoint's appearance before the wall.
Checkpoint Charlie
The standoff that almost started WW III
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe was one of my favorite stops. I think the designer did a brilliant job creating the aspects of the Memorial. It is wide-spread (4.7 acres) and cannot be missed, yet it can be ignored. It doesn't force meaning and emotion on you, yet invites your interest and feelings. Its sloping field and maze pattern gives a sense of aloneness - you can't see visitors until you take the plunge into the Memorial. When we went there were playful people around every turn, making it difficult to evoke a deep sense of sadness and appreciation. If I had time, I'd return here during a quieter part of the day to give it the respect it deserves.
The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (also called The Holocaust Memorial) - 2,711 concrete stelae vary in height from 8 inches to 15 1/2 feet.
The Potsdamer Platz, part of the barren dead zone between East and West Germany, is now new (post-wall) modern buildings.
This "building" is actually just a massive sheet of canvas surrounding a vacant piece of land in Potsdamer Platz.
Following an afternoon rest we went to the area of the city called the zoo district that includes the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial church and upper-end stores.
Walking around Kurfurstendamm - one of the most famous avenues in Berlin
The Protestant Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church was destroyed by a British bomb in World War II; its gaping, ruined tower has been preserved as a reminder of the horrors of war. Its odd modern, cement replacement doesn't appear to be a church on the outside; however inside the glass blocks produce an intense blue light.
The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, also known as "the hollow tooth"
Sitting outside the damaged spire of the old church
Kaufhaus des Westens (nicknamed KaDeWe) is the largest department store in Germany and second largest in Europe, only behind London's Harrods. Out of curiosity, we went straight to the top floor which is entirely gourmet food.
Ka De We department store has almost 15 acres of selling space
