Venturing beyond Prenzlauerberg

The day began at an outdoor Cafe. Karin had two eggs on bread with muesli and Brötchen and fruit with ice mocca. I had two eggs Turkish style with onions, peppers, olives,and feta with an ice latte. That was a lot.

We finished Rick Steves Prenzlauerberg walk at the wall park where we saw a wall erected in 1951 by a sport stadium. It's purpose was to prevent the residents of East Berlin from seeing the West. Additionally, in order to impress the residents of East Berlin, the Soviets installed very, very tall lights to light the stadium. We watched a woman and a group of men paint over what was already painted on this stadium wall and we saw another person pull off what looked like a small block of paint several layers thick. We understand that wall painting continues also at the large section of the wall. I wonder how thick the layers of paint must be. 

We followed Rick Steves suggestion and took the tram to the wall visitors center and watched several films with footage of events leading up to the building of the wall, the building from the 1961 until 1989. First there was a painted white, then barbed wire. Later cement blocks, electrified wires, mines and an inside wall, guard towers and German Shepherd. I am probably forgetting additional fortifications. Its purpose was to keep the Westerners and their values away, and to keep the Easterners focused on their industrial and agricultural brigades. This was a very sobering experience. 

We then took the tram to the Hauptbahnhof to connect with the U Bahn to the Dom, the Evangelish, i.e. Lutheran, cathedral at the River Spree in order to find a boat for a river cruise. This was our first U Bahn experience since arriving, and we we learned quickly. Signs were abundant and very helpful. At the river we found a delightful couple with a boat which holds around 30 people and we boarded. The ride commentary was in German and English and loud enough to be heard. I was happy that other passengers didn't talk during the commentary. It was mainly overcast and breezy; we were glad that the sun showed for a short time. That was enough. On the cruise we viewed the valuable museums island, the Dom, theaters, bridges old and new, 40 in fact, the complex of government buildings, and the contemporary architecture along with buildings from centuries ago. It was a good introduction to the major sites of the city.

With personal needs in mind, we took the UBahn back to the Hauptbahnhof. The restroom line was long and the price 1 Euro each. We also visited the food court for a snack and cold water. A gentleman must have overheard us discussing where to locate the U Bahn back to the Dom. He sounded as if he were scolding us. His direction was nevertheless helpful. Back at the Museumsinsel U Bahn station we walked to the bus stop for bus #100 which I remember as traveling by many important sites. We took the bus to the zoo station, exited, and then we took it back to Alexander Platz, closer to our hotel.  Walking around construction we entered the station, and 2001 memories began to return. I had rented an apartment nearby in the summer and visited the U and S Bahn station frequently.  With our experience figuring which U Bahn to take we located the correct U Bahn to bring us closer to the hotel. We quickly learned that knowing the train's destination is important in locating  the correct platform.  Arriving within a short walking distance from our hotel was good news. Karin needed to transact some business, and I Whatsapped with Anja and Irma.

Supper was off Kastanienalle. Karin wanted to explore an area we visited yesterday.  We found a small Asian Imbiss, a simple small shop or Cafe for a snack or small meal. We had a familiar and tasty and satisfying meal. Enroute back to the hotel we explored more and found a Russian and Ukranian restaurant for tomorrow.  We also stopped at the little shop next door to the hotel for ice cream bars and a bottle of Berliner Weisse, one each day so far.

Our venture outside our part of town was a very happy one.

It is 1120 PM. GUTE NACHT, Susan 

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