The famous Brandenburg Gate which used to be the main welcoming gateway to Berlin, but during the time of the Cold War became a symbol of the division of East and West. Checkpoint Charlie is near by. This view is from the GDR or East German side. Apparently Katerina Witt, lived in the GDR with other elite athletes in somewhat fancy apartments right on the border. The apartments blocked the view of the gray, box-like housing of most East Germans so that the West Germans would think that things weren't so bad in the East. The Berlin Wall surrounded West Berlin from 1961 to 1989. The Stasi Officers had more informers per capita than the Nazis had during the war....something like one informer for every 84 East Germans.
The memorial to the Murdered Jews is quite moving. It is placed near the Reichstag or seat of government for Germany so that the leaders never forget. It is difficult to walk through the higher structures in the middle...you get a real sense of loss, confusion and no way out. The stones are 15 meters high at that point. Interestingly, they treated the stones with an anti-graffiti coating. Part way through the processit was discovered that this coating was supplied by the sister company of the business that provided the gas for the gas chambers in the concentration camps! Of course there was a big stink and the company ended up donating the coating!
This is the famous Aldon Hotel that hosts many dignitaries since it is located near the main governement center and the embassies. It's also become famous as the place where Michael Jackson hung his baby out over the railing! (I didn't know that was in Berlin!) The penthouse goes for $20,000 a night.
Finally, a fun place called the Voom Fahs, where you can go to bring your empty wine,m whiskey or olive oil bottles to have them refilled! What a concept...Patrick and Erin are good customers, as are their friends and they have come to know the owners well.
No comments:
Post a Comment