twenty ten chelle & ben: Berlin

It’s a broad and interesting city with a string of attractions and sights which we were ill prepared for on our first day. Once the magnitude of things Berlin had to offer was understood, we opted to extend our stay to 4 full days.

We have managed to go atop the Reistag, linger at the Brandenburg Gate, ponder at the holocaust memorial, stand in awe at the Berlin Cathedral, and wear out our shoes through a myriad of museums. We are staying in a modest little hotel near the Charlottenburg S Bahn, which gives us good and essential access to the extensive public transport system. Don't think this is a city you can easily walk around, you will need at the least a bike or a transport pass as we did.

I will let the pictures speak for the variety of sites we have seen here, and try to explain what you can’t see. Its World Cup fever here and fireworks are set off across the city as Germany comes in third (would love to have seen a win result). It’s also hot as hell as Germany succumbs to a heat wave, and the temperature hits the high 30's for every day of our stay. The hotel is NOT air-conditioned and we swelter at night and get little comfortable sleep. We are finding ourselves somewhat “heat sensitive” and succumbing to the “foehns”. I suddenly realise we are the couple on the crowded commuter train arguing about which is the right way to fold the stupid tourist map.

Our best meals are at the authentic pizzeria across from the hotel and an atmospheric restaurant down the street called Schwarzes Cafe. After a long hot day a hearty German dinner and drinks allows us to relax and enjoy each other’s company once again.