Another gorgeous day in Berlin. It feels like Summer here. Clear, blue skies and burning sun. Not at all what I had thought Berlin would be like at the end of September. Our guide on the fat bike tour told us it gets to -20 in Winter. I had thought the -8 that we can (sometimes) experience in Canberra was hard to endure. Not sure how I would cope with -20. The snow would however be a benefit. Also the clothes shops here have the most divine Winter clothing. I saw a fashion parade at a big shopping centre at Alexanderplatz and the Winter wear was amazing. Lots of layering. The scarves are warn in a donut shape around the neck as opposed to hanging down with fringes showing. There are no fringes showing here! If only I had more room in my luggage!
Our first stop this morning was the Berliner Mauer Eastside Gallery. The Berlin Wall East Side Gallery is a 1.3km long section of the wall near the centre of Berlin. Approximately 106 paintings by artists from all over the world cover this memorial for freedom and make it the largest open air gallery in the world. We walk alongside the wall admiring the artworks and trying to interpret their messages. Some more obvious than others. [see separate post]
We then took the U-bahn to explore The Kurfürstendamm, known locally as the Ku’damm, is one of the most famous avenues in Berlin. The street takes its name from the former Kurfürsten (prince-electors) of Brandeburg. This very broad, long Boulevard is considered by some the Champs-Elysees of Berlin — full of shops, houses, hotels and restaurants. In particular, many fashion designers have their shops here, as well as several car manufacturers’ show rooms. Being a francophile, I can say with confidence that its no Champs-Elysees. Having said that it was dripping with money. Too tired to shop at Cartier or Chanel, we make our to Potsdammerplatz. Mark and the kids visit Legoland. They said it was amazing and contained a full scale model of Berlin in lego. I sat that one out and took in the amazing architecture that is the rebuilt Potsdammerplatz. Then we head for a fantastic local cafe for dinner. Food is so cheap here in Berlin and we an amazing dinner, ate like king’s for a pauper’s price.
Reichstag Lego Style
thetravelcrew 