Farewell Dresden hello Berlin.

 The ‘long’ days pay havoc with my head. It’s daylight till 10pm so you only start winding down around 9pm, then the blog needs some attention so no early nights is what I’m saying. I’m a 8.30pm girl so the chance for a sleep in was appreciated this morning. Travelling can be tiring, just because the brain never really switches off. Things to see, do, explore, discover, find - it really is amazing.

Breakfast was at the local bakery.

Refuel done - tick.

Time to check out of Hotel Zentrum Dresden. The train station was really close so not far to go to catch the 10.55 to Berlin.

Some sights along the way plus really practical windows - yes I know Peter is not writing this part of the blog, his bit comes later with the military information. Anyway back to cute and unusual.

 Child care outing - mobility trolley. If the child gets tired they rest their head on the middle section.

Push along, come scooter.

 Windows can be really open or partially open. Partially open is great when it rains as a lot of the buildings do not have eaves. 

 Our train 10.55 to Berlin.

Our own ‘cabin’ for awhile. It could be closed off. 

 A 2 hour journey ahead. Mid way through the trip a man joined our cabin and we enjoyed a great conversation about everyday Germany. He was off to play in a tournament with his Dad and brother. He was ex Army, actually had a major role in the development and displays at the Military Museum that Peter had visited yesterday. How amazing is that - what are the chances!!!

He asked lots of questions about Australia and he wants to go but it is a long way away. On our arrival into Berlin we gave him a kangaroo shaped beer opener key ring. He was very happy and in return he took his motorcycle beer opener off his key ring and gave it to us.

Berlin train station - OMG what an amazing place. It was a buzz with sound, movement and 5 levels of train platforms. The place had a huge arched roof that only added to the whole impression. 

 Please note that is a platform at the top. There were trains going in all directions.

We needed to catch a train on platform 15 and get off after 1 stop. Platform 15 !!!!

Got to the hotel checked in and off we went exploring. We, as our new friend on the train had assured us, everything is close. We managed to see Brandenburg Gate, Jewish Memorial, Tiegarten, Russian (we beat you) memorial and Reichstag. The structures are brilliant and the Jewish Memorial was again sobering.

 

We have also managed to be in Berlin for their Mardi Gras which is happening tomorrow evening. Lots of Pride flags on display. I particularly liked the Jewish Memorial as it took on a more personal message.

“In 1999, after lengthy debates, the German parliament decided to establish a central memorial site, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. The competition to design it was won by the New York architect Peter Eisenman. The memorial was ceremonially opened in 2005.

On a site covering 19,000 square metres, Eisenman placed 2711 concrete stelae of different heights. The area is open day and night and from all four sides you can fully immerse yourself in the fully accessible spatial structure. The memorial is on a slight slope and its wave-like form is different wherever you stand. The uneven concrete floor gives many visitor a moment of giddiness or even uncertainty. Its openness and abstractness give you space to confront the topic in your own personal way. The sheer size of the installation and its lack of a central point of remembrance call into question the conventional concept of a memorial. This creates a place of remembrance, but not with the usual means.

The memorial to the Shoah is supplemented by the underground information centre, also designed by Eisenman. In a space covering 800 square metres you can find information on the victims and the locations. Themed rooms such as the Room of Dimensions, the Room of Families, the Room of Names and the Room of Sites deal with the fates of individuals, with photographs, diaries and farewell letters. Short biographies take the victims out of their anonymity. Historical photographs and film footage show the sites of persecution and extermination.”