First we walked down along the beautiful boulevard named Unter den Linden, where dozens of happy Berliners and other tourists were bicycling and strolling in the sunshine along with us. We went west to the majestic Brandenburg Gate, and then through it and across the street into the park named Tiergarten. Before the Wall fell in 1989, we wouldn't have been able to do that at all--it ran just west of the Gate. See how peacemaking has benefits both great and small!
Later, we took a boat ride on the Spree River, which flows through the city. We saw more Berliners sunbathing in the parks on the riverbanks and lounging in the cafes on the shore. A cruise on the Spree brings you amazing views of astonishing architecture--from the centuries-old Berliner Dom (oops! It looks centuries old but it was actually built in 1905. The author regrets the error) to the brand-new sparkling white marble National Art Gallery, shown here (I waved at the construction workers).
And of course after our boat ride we had to stop and nourish ourselves at one of the lovely riverside cafes. Hot pretzels (and other treats!) really do taste better in Germany!
Tomorrow we board our buses and we're off to the ELCA center at Wittenberg, and the real heart of our trip -- the historic sites of the beginning of the Reformation.
1 comment:
Hi Aud...I was in Berlin many years ago (When it was still West and East Berlin) and so this is really interesting!! We went to the Brandenburg Gate and to Checkpoint Charlie. Be safe and have fun!! Mary
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