Berlin Germany

Just returned from a marathon day: 13 hour tour to Berlin. It was a 3 hour bus ride just to get to Berlin, and of course, 3 hours home. In between, we saw so much that my mind was doing cartwheels just trying to keep up with the guide. Berlin is a mixture of old and new as much of the city was bombed out during WWII. A lot of old buildings were rebuilt to look old, and then there are the contemporary buildings that were built right next door to the old, causing a wild mixture of architectural styles. The countryside was beautiful farmland and woods.

Places of note that we visited were the Brandenburg Gate, which was part of the Berlin Wall; Checkpoint Charlie, the American crossing point between East and West Berlin; the Reichstag, which houses Germany’s parliament; the Berlin Wall, a section about a mile long that has been preserved; and numerous other memorials.

We also had a short shopping stop at Europe’s largest department store. Oh boy oh boy!!! Only had ½ hour and you couldn’t walk through one floor in that time. I went to the sixth floor, which had the food – whole sections just for teas, candies, pastries, olives, pasta, meat, bread, etc. It was HUGE. In the clothes departments, every high end name was represented.

Michael and I took different tours, but saw virtually the same things. While standing outside the department store waiting for the bus, who comes up to me but Michael! Here I am in Berlin, a huge city, and I actually run into someone I know.

Upon our return to the ship, we were welcomed by the entire crew and officers who formed 2 lines and sang and handed out drinks while we walked between them from the bus to the gangplank. It was a sight to behold. As our ship pulled away from the dock, we were serenaded with music.

Tomorrow we are off to Gdansk Poland and we have scored escort duty again. I’m going to Solidarity City while Michael goes to see the village water smithy.