tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post2348711363902935328..comments2024-03-04T20:05:59.474+01:00Comments on MaiTai's Picture Book: Berlin travelogue - part IIUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-10216526841301731312013-08-16T11:27:38.382+02:002013-08-16T11:27:38.382+02:00Meine liebe Pam, I know so well how you felt walki...Meine liebe Pam, I know so well how you felt walking through that gate. Even today, after being through it so many times, I am still moved whenever I pass it. Sadly, we did not go to the Gedächtniskirche this time. It was covered completely, undergoing major refurbishment. DS breathed a sigh of relief, he was much keener to go to the nearby zoo ;-)MaiTaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02256110739626579757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-60651315755564060332013-08-15T18:11:55.157+02:002013-08-15T18:11:55.157+02:00Actually, I thought the crowds in both places were...Actually, I thought the crowds in both places were a good mix of different types and ages! At the borchardt, we had a family with their teenage children to our right, and a couple of designers (they’ve been regulars for twenty years) on our left. Certain types of restaurants can attract certain types of people (the borchardt is famous for it's celebrity clientele), but I did not find this exaggerated in Berlin :-)<br />MaiTaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02256110739626579757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-86506202241074773452013-08-15T02:13:09.196+02:002013-08-15T02:13:09.196+02:00Dear MT, it's interesting that the people dini...Dear MT, it's interesting that the people dining alfresco at Adnan's restaurant at lunch seem to be all older people, and the people dining alfresco at Borchardt's courtyard for dinner seem to be all younger people and furthermore all the women seem to be in black and all the men seem to be wearing white shirts. I am wondering if Berliners live a very disciplined life . . . very much on schedule, dutiful, punctilious, all-round plugged into the rhythmn of life of everyone around each other in Berlin? If so, I think it's a great trait! Germans are well known for their precision work, etc., right?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-32005476701652166382013-08-14T18:41:46.654+02:002013-08-14T18:41:46.654+02:00I hope you visited and will mention the Gedaechtni...I hope you visited and will mention the Gedaechtniskirche, liebe MaiTai. The beautiful modern stained glass by French artist Gabriel Loire is so calming and one can often happen onto a concert. It's a nice spot to rest for a bit. My church here has windows by him also--I feel so lucky. <br /><br />My son and I were in Berlin in 2003 at New Year's, and it was terribly cold, of course, but it was fun to watch the ice-skaters on Unter den Linden and the fireworks over the Reichstag. I had been there in 1985, so it was very moving for me to be able to walk through the Brandenburg Gate, and walk along that bronze line in the streets and Potsdamerplatz, and tell him what it was like to visit the eastern sector. He was a baby in 1989 and I was at home with him, watching the news with the wall coming down, wanting to be there celebrating. Pamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-83075772712682604162013-08-14T10:54:15.501+02:002013-08-14T10:54:15.501+02:00Oh my dear CS, isn’t it virtually impossible to do...Oh my dear CS, isn’t it virtually impossible to do and see everything on the list! There are still many things left on mine, the Tele-Spargel included! Warm orange hugs right back xMaiTaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02256110739626579757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-15059940372694282922013-08-14T10:53:24.383+02:002013-08-14T10:53:24.383+02:00Wasn’t 1989 just electrifying, my dearest Manuela,...Wasn’t 1989 just electrifying, my dearest Manuela, and the unfolding of events simply breathtaking.. Hope you are enjoying a happy late summer, and a wonderful remaining week <3MaiTaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02256110739626579757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-27293754994079431672013-08-14T10:52:03.536+02:002013-08-14T10:52:03.536+02:00It's been truly fabulous, Berlin has so much d...It's been truly fabulous, Berlin has so much diversity and color, and so much to offer. MaiTaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02256110739626579757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-53461960208504790012013-08-14T10:51:12.347+02:002013-08-14T10:51:12.347+02:00I think Berlin is considered to be one of Europe’s...I think Berlin is considered to be one of Europe’s safest big cities, at least this is how it felt to us :-)MaiTaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02256110739626579757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-30067628755931155672013-08-14T10:50:34.572+02:002013-08-14T10:50:34.572+02:00It must have been extraordinary to visit Berlin at...It must have been extraordinary to visit Berlin at that time, with Glasnost and the chances of change in the air...<br /><br />Re the Trabi, all cars in Safari’s fleet had the original four speed gearbox, with an H (!) column shift by the steering wheel. DH and I were both awarded with 'Trabi driving licences' (there is a break halfway through the tour, allowing drivers to switch). It took some getting used to the lever.. have to admit the engine died on me a couple of times at first! MaiTaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02256110739626579757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-25583504106707591252013-08-14T10:47:15.537+02:002013-08-14T10:47:15.537+02:00Hooray for booking Paris! All the best for a compl...Hooray for booking Paris! All the best for a complete recovery until then xMaiTaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02256110739626579757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-50208730683979564382013-08-13T19:37:08.813+02:002013-08-13T19:37:08.813+02:00Thank you, dear for this post! DH and I missed go...Thank you, dear for this post! DH and I missed going to the Reichstag for some reason, but will be sure to visit it the next time we're in Berlin. Did you visit the "Tele-Spargel" (TV tower)? It's so hard to get many of the sights in while there, but the river cruise and Reichstag are on the list (as well, as H, of course).<br /><br />Warm orange hugs, dear.<br />CSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-18393917451732062022013-08-13T15:20:27.123+02:002013-08-13T15:20:27.123+02:00Berlin seems to be such a fascinating city and I ...Berlin seems to be such a fascinating city and I remember the fall of the Wall too, with all it meant for Eastern Berliners and the world in general. <br />Thank you for the lovely photographs, my dearest MaiTai. <br />They have definitely increased my curiosity in visiting Berlin. Have a wonderful week ahead, M xxManuelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15176227828548846341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-86809221209707984002013-08-13T11:48:56.773+02:002013-08-13T11:48:56.773+02:00A beautiful trip with a great dose of culture, his...A beautiful trip with a great dose of culture, history, shopping and great food! Love the Hermes scarf display...surely would have stopped me in my tracks!The enchanted homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03417949320717832732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-90815691193147198992013-08-13T02:25:19.114+02:002013-08-13T02:25:19.114+02:00How is security in Berlin? Are the streets genera...How is security in Berlin? Are the streets generally safe to walk around on? I know that like all cities, there will be areas to stay away from, but how is Berlin in general? Thanks for your wonderful posts!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-37397277962600721682013-08-13T00:48:33.282+02:002013-08-13T00:48:33.282+02:00Adding a Traban Tour to my bucket list! Looks like...Adding a Traban Tour to my bucket list! Looks like loads of fun!<br />I just booked my trip to Paris for October...hoping that I'll be 100% healed by then.<br />I can't wait to see more of this travelogue. You always inspire!<br />Barbara AAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-37854840686794159502013-08-12T20:34:16.423+02:002013-08-12T20:34:16.423+02:00Out of curiosity: I remember that Trabant had the ...Out of curiosity: I remember that Trabant had the gear lever on the steering wheel - have you used such the one? (At a later phase, I think the gear level was moved downwards). If so, have you managed to drive it on your own (many people find the gear lever position on the steering wheel odd and difficult to handle). <br /><br />I got an award by my university during study - the award was 2-weeks travel throughout (West) Germany, the then West Berlin included. However, at that time, some 6 months before the wall "fell down", there were many questions when I came before the wall. What was beyond? How do the people feel and so on...very unique feelings back at that time.<br />I would like and hope I will return soon.<br /><br />Love, LeaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-81604398433389540272013-08-12T11:13:19.596+02:002013-08-12T11:13:19.596+02:00Berlin has been a huge hit with my entire family, ...Berlin has been a huge hit with my entire family, and it's a great place to visit with children. DS absolutely loved it. The summer went by far too quickly here as well, but we still have another three weeks before school starts again. Hope ‘La rentrée’ will be smooth for you and yours, and have a wonderful last holiday week!<br />MaiTaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02256110739626579757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-47239975747237661562013-08-12T11:12:06.556+02:002013-08-12T11:12:06.556+02:00We even felt lucky to be back on our bikes! It was...We even felt lucky to be back on our bikes! It was a great experience though. To think that until 1989 those who lived east of the wall had no other option.. and this was just a tiny inconvenience compared to the oppression and lack of freedom. I ‘ll never forget the images when the wall came down, and the first Trabis came driving into the west.. under thunderous applause and jubilation. Hope you’ll visit one day, dear Catherine, it is such an amazing place.MaiTaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02256110739626579757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-81920246269867337252013-08-12T11:10:56.727+02:002013-08-12T11:10:56.727+02:00Oh how lucky to have Berlin to look forward too! H...Oh how lucky to have Berlin to look forward too! Hope you’ll enjoy the upcoming tips, and wishing you a most wonderful and fun trip!!MaiTaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02256110739626579757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-88628792527486303322013-08-12T11:10:35.968+02:002013-08-12T11:10:35.968+02:00So glad to hear you had a great time!So glad to hear you had a great time!MaiTaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02256110739626579757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-15612484339201658532013-08-12T11:10:21.821+02:002013-08-12T11:10:21.821+02:00Most Germans speak very good english, so there is ...Most Germans speak very good english, so there is no problem getting by. Consumer prices in Berlin are about 35% lower than in Paris. The former East has hugely changed since the wall came down, but it is still an ongoing process. It is my favourite part of the city :-)MaiTaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02256110739626579757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-48076281989461149822013-08-12T11:09:50.471+02:002013-08-12T11:09:50.471+02:00Oh I hope you and your love will visit one day, th...Oh I hope you and your love will visit one day, there is so much fun to be had! Berlin is dotted with wonderful restaurants, great shopping and has so much culture and history. Ich bin ein Berliner! xx MaiTaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02256110739626579757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-81655392289459776052013-08-12T09:09:51.706+02:002013-08-12T09:09:51.706+02:00This is a great travelogue MT, brilliant fun, many...This is a great travelogue MT, brilliant fun, many thanks for your helpful research. I must organise a family holiday here as I think we would all enjoy it! Sadly not this year as we are back to school next week! How the summer has flown, so we are packing up our holiday cottage and heading back to the city. Maybe next year, so I'm keeping your really helpful notes. Thanks so much, and I hope you enjoy the week ahead. SBeautiful Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04845335676316033927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-90340467938972755602013-08-12T09:09:11.444+02:002013-08-12T09:09:11.444+02:00How fun it should have been, I'm sure DS loved...How fun it should have been, I'm sure DS loved the Traban tour as much as you did! Don't we feel lucky and comfortable when back in our actual cars?Thanks for sharing all the details and nice places to visit with us. Berlin was not on my list but will probably be after your travel reportage. Have a sunny and warm week ahead très chère MT.<br />CatherineAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6529262281526104323.post-24020362204291414192013-08-12T08:16:54.181+02:002013-08-12T08:16:54.181+02:00These are wonderful travelogues. And so timely for...These are wonderful travelogues. And so timely for u--we're going to Berlin for two weeks at the end of this month. Thanks for doing the research for us!Kate McNallynoreply@blogger.com