The invitation is an expenses-paid trip to Berlin (with side-trip to Dresden) as part of Jewish Life in Germany, a program of reconcilation. I will be writing about the individual events as I attend them. (I will not go to each one, although I am welcome to do so.) I have paid my plane ticket and hotel upgrade.
Yesterday, stunned from being awake more than 25 hours, E. and I walked about Mitte, the middle part of the metropolis that is Berlin. Our charming hotel is in a centrally located street, Auguststrasse. It may be very convenient for reaching the U-bahn (subway) or the trams, and more than a few major sights are in walking distance if you are a walker (we are walkers on good days), but it is quiet and low-key.
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| Hotel Augustinehof, Berlin |
After we crashed, almost literally after arriving at the hotel on Monday morning (thanks, Naomi, for picking us up at the airport!), we went for a walk in the neighborhood. We saw the trademark "odd Berlin" details, such as this cafe, which has interesting food and freaky toys for sale at the back. Some trendy-looking people were eating at tables made from polished logs. One bench was an old leather "horse" from a gym!
Later in the evening, we walked along Friedrichstrasse and saw a bike go by, pedalled by 4 or 5 people! I was so stunned, I stood with my mouth open - a perfect tourist. I saw another one, alas, only with the minimal foot power of one.
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| A bike suitable for 5 (?) people. |
We slept a lot after eating Italian food in a courtyard restaurant (quiet, except for fountain & birds). I was able to use my rusty Italian to order. Contrary to what I was told, English is not widely spoken. I will have to learn Deutsch, whether I like it or not!!
