Berlin II June 2009

Ania and Monica Skyped today and inspired me to get the rest of our Berlin sightseeing up!

We were out by ten on Saturday morning. The plan was to go our individual ways and meet back in the hotel at 11:30. Ania and Monica went shopping. I went to the neighborhood post office, packaged, and sent gifts--a microscope for Wyatt and a Pippi Longstocking clock for Poppy. After my errand, I still had time so I headed over to the big department store called KaDeWe. It is a lovely store; I especially enjoyed an interesting exhibit of older dresses in the entrance lobby. I rode up in a glass elevator, noticed red tents that served as dressing rooms,and enjoyed a cappuccino in the lovely rooftop restaurant.

After our shopping spree we headed out to Schloss Charlottenburg, a palace designed to be a summer home for Sophie Charlotte, a lovely young woman who married Friedrich Wilhelm IA. It was begun in 1695 and she died at 36 of pneumonia in 1705. The palace was used by the next two Friedrichs and their families.

We spent the day there marveling at the life of these kings, as seen in the beautiful rooms, funiture, art, and collections. We used our journal to record our visit inside as cameras were not allowed, although Monica, our designated photographer (she is very good), was able to get a few shots.

The Golden Room, following is Ania's version of this magnificent room.

We had a good lunch outside in the beautiful sun.

And then explored the grounds while making entries in our journal.

We then headed for Checkpoint Charlie. On our way, we passed interesting buildings, such as the yellow Berliner Philharmonie Building.

We also passed this impressive billboard that pays tribute to Poland and the part that the strong anti- communist Solidarity Movement played in ending the Communist hold on Eastern Europe.

On to Checkpoint Charlie, a fascinating open air museum detailing that notorious border erected by the Communists during the Cold War.

We had a good walk along this area. We saw lots of Bears--we had seen the whole collection in Krakow last summer, but as the Bear is Berlin's official mascot, many seemed to have ended here.

And dinner at the Octogon, an interesting and most delicious fusion restaurant!

Afterwards we went over to the Sony Center on Potsdamer Strasse, a spectacular night spot where we enjoyed the light show.

This is probably the Kaiseraal, a small part of the Grand Hotel Esplanade moved here after WWII destroyed most of the building.

The boys would certainly enjoy the Monster Alien Billboard

And the delicious ice cream desserts we had!

We were tired and so on to bed. I left early the next morning for London. Ania and Monica had another wonderful day sightseeing in nearby Potsdam. Monica's photographs are testimony to the wonders they found there.