To the End of the Line

 Well Berlin, our time together is drawing to a close. Today is our last full day in Berlin. I suggested that we just board a train and see where it takes us. Nice to see more of Berlin away from the general tourists.

We took the train to the last station in the west - Spandau. Little did I know there was an ulterior  motive for Peter’s destination.  What do you think???

Not a lot I can say about Spandau it did not jump out at us. Seemed to be more culturally diverse and in need of some lovin’.

 

 City Hall in Spandau. 

It did get better though as Peter had located a quilting shop.  Although it was only a small store it carried the familiar rows of fabric, patterns, lots of made samples and bits and pieces. It was wonderful to be surrounded with this ‘stuff’ that makes me happy. The owner spoke a little English so was happy for me to have a good look around.

I bought this, instructions in German. Reckon I’ll know.

 Some ideas for later.
 Great idea for hexagon use.

We grabbed some sandwiches for lunch then back onto the train back to Friedrichstrasse station (right beside our hotel). We are currently sitting in the foyer doing the blog.
View from my chair - note the train. Very convenient.

A quiet afternoon planned - getting our luggage sorted, catching up on emails and some FaceTime with our family. 

Overall thoughts on Berlin - a wonderful place soooo full of history -serious history!! Easy to get around both on foot and public transport is exceptional. Friendly people who largely are English-capable and they display patience with non-German speakers. A nod also in the way they are addressing their history - while difficult, they have, after some time, acknowledged this and are moving forward. Amazing how you have preconceived ideas about a location - we certainly did. (German precision, rule followers, clean and proud of their city). Some of those preconceived ideas were not even close to the real life in Berlin. We were disappointed in the amount of graffiti that is abundant and on some amazing buildings. Strangely none on the trains or town hall buildings have graffiti but anything else is up to be tagged/vandalised. Even the history information signs had been graffitied. 

We were told that the German people, especially Berliners, would never cross a road unless green signalled- not true.   So very, very not true!!

Our time has been filled with numerous visits to large stately historical  buildings that never cease to amaze us with their age, significance and history.

   



A history panel- vandalised.  This panel tells the sad story of 4 children who drowned in the River Spree… because people were too afraid to rescue them because the river was part of the East/West boundary. 

Would we recommend Berlin - a big fat YES!

Bikes + Beer = Berlin.   There is a T-Shirt to prove it.
It is actually cheaper to drink beer than soft drink.
0.89 Euro for a 500ml of beer.
0.85Euro for 330ml of Coke Zero.
This was taken in Aldi.

Bier ist Essen!
Beer is food.

Beer is a health drink but it doesn’t contain many vitamins, so you have to drink lots!! 

 








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