We had no real plans at all, as Jen has been unwell for a few days, so this morning was rather slow.
A casual walk up the Main Street where we are staying gave us the chance to soak up and identify some of the atmosphere of Berlin.
It is definitely more modern than Prague and Vienna, and later on when talking about this we both found that we enjoyed the historical buildings and streets of those cities much more.
The streets here are so wide, losing the intimacy that we have enjoyed in places such as Prague, Venice, Rome and Amsterdam.
Be that as it may, we are here to enjoy ourselves, and enjoy ourselves we will!!
After trying, then giving up on trying to use the underground train system ( tomorrow's task!) we walked up to the Brandenburg Gates and the Reichstag, two extremely important historical places in Berlin, and the sites of some of the most famous photos taken during WW2.
But before getting our photos, it was in to Starbucks for a coffee for her and a hot chocolate for me.
And also to get out of the biting wind and rain.
Have I mentioned yet how I have become a bit if a hot chocolate snob since coming here? It must be the cold weather, as I just love a good hot chocolate on a cold day. The last time I have devoured them at this rate was when I was in Canada a few years ago, and they are no strangers to cold weather either.
I'm also becoming quite partial to the pastries here, hence my frequent gym sessions, otherwise I'll need to be packed into the cargo hold for the flight home!
I don't know what's in it, but it is beautiful! Limiting myself to 1 a day!!
The Historic Brandenburg Gates.
The Jewish Holocaust Memorial. I was disgusted to see people walking over the top of the shapes to take photos, total disrespect.
Because it was now so cold, and the pills Jen has been taking were knocking her about, we ducked back to our digs for lunch. Plus, the great new shoes I bought in Prague have given me a huge blister on my heel that has now popped, and I also needed a band-aid. Aren't I a wimp!!
The afternoon weather looked terrible, and Jen was going downhill fast so she decided on afternoon on the couch rugged up while I decided to venture out and visit the things that she probably wouldn't be as interested in.
As soon as I stepped out the door there was a massive clap of thunder, followed by severe wind and rain. But "Stuff it" I thought, and ventured on.
I went and had a look at where Checkpoint Charlie is, sadly it has become spoilt badly by tourism and is a lot of covered up places that one has to buy tickets to see, and just isn't the attraction that I had hoped to see.
When I say it has been spoilt by tourism, I have to accept the blame as well, because that is what I am when I come to see it.
A segment from the Berlin Wall.
By now the heavens were about to open, so I gritted my teeth and unwrapped my crappy brolly that folds inside out every time a butterfly passes wind and prepared myself for the best bad weather that Berlin could offer.
And it didn't disappoint! A Kleenex tissue placed on my head would have been more effective than the brolly that is going to another place tomorrow!!
But I soldiered on.
I was really keen to see the DDR Museum that is a place that shows what it was like in East Germany before reunification in 1989.
One thing I have learnt so much about Germany in the last 24 hours is the impact of that reunification, the events leading up to it, and what it was really like in East Germany during the Cold War years.
The slowest queue anywhere in the entire world. It took me 30 mins to get from the word 'museum' to the letters 'DDR'. Only one person on the ticket desk.
But it was worth it.
While waiting in the queue I just had to take photos of the canal cruises on offer.
The 'limousines' the East Germans had made by Volvo, as the cars they were making weren't considered classy enough for foreign dignitaries. Only about 435 were made.
Now for some quirky moments to end the day.
After I got back I headed for the gym. I've been lucky enough to have it to myself every session...until tonight.
There was another lady in there as well, a fair bit older than me and a lot larger, but at least she was in there.
She was on the exercise bike and I was doing other stuff, but as soon as I started to use the weights benches she jumped onto a treadmill.
But not in the usual way.
As I was laying on a bench doing some exercises, she chose the treadmill directly next to it, but decided to do her walking backwards, which meant she was watching directly over me.
Talk about feeling being watched!!
Anyway, we both continued doing our things, and eventually struck up a conversation. It turns out that she is an art teacher from Amsterdam, so straight away we clicked. ( not because of art, because we are both teachers!)
She was lovely to talk to. We have been very lucky to run into different people from all over the world and share discussions. And then the strange thing is that we all then leave each other's lives forever.
After the workout in the gym I had a quick sauna, and my only advice to the people who run this place is that they should either change the sauna doors from glass to something else, or put up a barrier between the men's and ladies saunas so that vision is not possible.
They are in direct sight of each other, and this means it may not always be a pretty sight!!
Tomorrow is more touring Berlin, based on how well Jen is feeling.
The weather is meant to be even worse than today, so new brollies are on the cards.
Speaking of weather, check out this photo out our window as I type this...
We could hear the sound on the window, and it didn't sound like rain, and, you guessed it, more snow!
What's not to love about Berlin.
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