Berlin Pix

Yeah – there are a lot of pix from the Netherlands I still haven’t posted, but I didn’t want to get even further behind. So I’ll post those (as well as all the missing pix from India) once I get back home. Or if I get bored later on the trip. But here you have my first full day of touring Berlin. (BTW – I scored a second theatre ticket for Berlin!)

First Full Day in Berlin

After sleeping most of the day I arrived - I did NOT sleep well on the overnight bus - I was refreshed enough to spend nearly 9 hours walking about. First I took transit to to Grosse Tiergarten (a park) and walked through the fall foliage. Then I took a bus to the Lustgarden where, after grabbing some breakfast at a Starbucks clone, I went on a fantastic "free" (pay what you want) walking tour. I will definitely be doing more of these. Then I walked back past the Maxim Gorki theatre where I bought a ticket to another show. Yay! Then I fortunately came across a Vietnamese restaurant on my way back to the train. Except for bread items, German food is not tempting me at all.

On the way to the train. Setting up for the (seemingly) daily market.
On the way to the train. Setting up for the (seemingly) daily market.
A fake decorative windmill. It looked like they were setting up an Oktoberfest thing, but who knows - it is Germany.
A fake decorative windmill. It looked like they were setting up an Oktoberfest thing, but who knows - it is Germany.
TV Tower, which I learned later in my tour was a Cold War dick waving thing as much as a technological endeavor. It is the tallest structure in Germany and the second tallest in the EU, according to Wikipedia
TV Tower, which I learned later in my tour was a Cold War dick waving thing as much as a technological endeavor. It is the tallest structure in Germany and the second tallest in the EU, according to Wikipedia
Palace, under construction. See description.
Palace, under construction. See description.
Looking out the top front of the double decker bus.
Looking out the top front of the double decker bus.
At the time I was just taking a photo of a random statue, but later was told it was Frederick the Great, who seems like a pretty interesting dude. Must research him further.
At the time I was just taking a photo of a random statue, but later was told it was Frederick the Great, who seems like a pretty interesting dude. Must research him further.
Another place I saw later, the Brandenburg Gate.
Another place I saw later, the Brandenburg Gate.
More random places on my unguided bus ride.
More random places on my unguided bus ride.
More random places on my unguided bus ride.
More random places on my unguided bus ride.
More random places on my unguided bus ride. There appear to be bells in this very modern looking tower.
More random places on my unguided bus ride. There appear to be bells in this very modern looking tower.
There appear to be bells in this very modern looking tower.
There appear to be bells in this very modern looking tower.
Grosse Tiergarten
Grosse Tiergarten
Grosse Tiergarten
Grosse Tiergarten
Grosse Tiergarten
Grosse Tiergarten
Grosse Tiergarten
Grosse Tiergarten
Grosse Tiergarten
Grosse Tiergarten
Grosse Tiergarten
Grosse Tiergarten
Grosse Tiergarten
Grosse Tiergarten
Grosse Tiergarten
Grosse Tiergarten
Grosse Tiergarten
Grosse Tiergarten
Grosse Tiergarten
Grosse Tiergarten
On the way back from the park. Later found out this was Berliner Dom.
On the way back from the park. Later found out this was Berliner Dom.
On the way back from the park.
On the way back from the park.
On the way back from the park. Later found out this was Berliner Dom.
On the way back from the park. Later found out this was Berliner Dom.
A Starbucks clone with one huge exception. They asked everyone if it was "for here or to go" and if it was for there everything was served on non disposable ceramic plates/cups.
A Starbucks clone with one huge exception. They asked everyone if it was "for here or to go" and if it was for there everything was served on non disposable ceramic plates/cups.
Interesting place
Interesting place
Moving in on the signs by the doors.
Moving in on the signs by the doors.
Altes Museum
Altes Museum
Altes Museum column closeup
Altes Museum column closeup
Pretty flowers.
Pretty flowers.
Again, the Berliner Dom. But now I know what it is.
Again, the Berliner Dom. But now I know what it is.
Berliner Dom with the TV Tower in the background.
Berliner Dom with the TV Tower in the background.
Altes Museum
Altes Museum
Top of Altes Museum
Top of Altes Museum
Mentioned before. The rebuilding of the city palace.
Mentioned before. The rebuilding of the city palace.
Frederick the Great, again. I guess he was upset that he was named "the Great" and not "the Philosopher King" (according to our tour guide). He wanted to be known for his support of the humanities rather than his war stuff.
Frederick the Great, again. I guess he was upset that he was named "the Great" and not "the Philosopher King" (according to our tour guide). He wanted to be known for his support of the humanities rather than his war stuff.
Cool statue
Cool statue
The Opera House. Thanks to Frederick the Great.
The Opera House. Thanks to Frederick the Great.
Currently houses the Humboldt University Law School, this was originally built by you know who to be a library.
Currently houses the Humboldt University Law School, this was originally built by you know who to be a library.
I think this was maybe the top of the facade.
I think this was maybe the top of the facade.
Top of the former library
Top of the former library
Catholic church built by Frederick the Great to show how accepting he was of others beliefs (he, and Germany was/is? a Protestant nation)
Catholic church built by Frederick the Great to show how accepting he was of others beliefs (he, and Germany was/is? a Protestant nation)
A monument in the square by the library commemorating the Nazi book burnings that took place there. If you look through the glass you will see a bunch of empty shelves.
A monument in the square by the library commemorating the Nazi book burnings that took place there. If you look through the glass you will see a bunch of empty shelves.
 
Our lovely tour guide, Lioba
Our lovely tour guide, Lioba
Konzerthaus Berlin
Konzerthaus Berlin
 
 
They pipe water (runoff water, I think) above the ground in Berlin
They pipe water (runoff water, I think) above the ground in Berlin
Where tourguide stopped to show us the divided post-war Germany. On the map it looks like the US got to control Bremen, which is in the British area. Need to check out what was up with that.
Where tourguide stopped to show us the divided post-war Germany. On the map it looks like the US got to control Bremen, which is in the British area. Need to check out what was up with that.

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