Berlin: urban interlude                [  home  ]

Nothing and no one gave me an accurate picture of what to expect in Berlin. What I found was an incredibly urbane, complex city of soft spoken people (I might even say 'reserved'), pleasant street life at every corner, outdoor dining, and a complex tapestry of history. So many striking views -- of the wide sky, of bullet strewn facades, of old and new buildings, of cool young people, of bits of the "old" East German city, of the Wall, of the German atonement for the murder of Jews, of the new arty shops. Bill Martin gave me a lot of personal time, taking me on many walking tours around the Prenzlauerberg, Mitte, Pergamon Museum, Potsdamer, Kunz, and all the gay bars between. Totally unforgettable experience. I loved it there. I could live there. I only wish I spoke Deutsche. The 'anti-graffiti' subway upholstery, however...  July 1-4. 2003