Memorial Church on Berlin's Ku'damm

Took the S-Bahn to Berlin's Ku'damm yesterday. Upon arrival, I was confused because the landmark Memorial Church (Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche) was nowhere to be found.

I was certain I was at the correct location, but the building simply wasn't there. What the heck???

Finally, I figured out the Church is under repair and is covered by a temporary glass and steel facade, making it appear to be a modern (agreeably ugly) office building. Cover will be removed when repairs are complete in 2012.

Photo on left is the new 'look'. Photo on right is the real thing.



Until next time!

Weekend Bike Rides

I took two nice long bike rides over the weekend, both of them starting at my home in Mahlsdorf. On Saturday I rode south to Köpenick and the nearby Müggelsee. (The largest lake in Berlin. In German 'See' means Lake... not Sea.)

Where the Spree River flows into the lake, the waterway narrows. At this point is a pedestrian tunnel, making it easy to cross to the other side with a bike.

Once on the other side, I followed the Spree River back to Köpenick, stopping at my favorite refreshment place "Ele's Biergarten", where I peacefully sipped a Berliner Kindl and watched the world float by on the Spree.

On Sunday, I headed North past Hönow and into the nearby countryside. I love all the scenic bike paths that crisscross the area. I rode some distance (probably 4 or 5 miles) before passing under the "Berlin Ring", an Autobahn encircling Berlin.

After a few more miles (without map, compass, or GPS) I slowly working my way in a circle toward (what I hoped) was again Hönow. I asked directions only once from a woman riding by on here bike. I'm not sure if I really needed the help but I do enjoy asking directions in German, just for the practice. (The fact that the woman was pleasant and attractive probably didn't hurt anything either. ;-)

The road did indeed loop back to Hönow, so I completed a nice loop in about two hours. I still had not had my fill of riding (the weather was beautiful), so I just putzed around the local area, trying to piece together a map in my head for later reference.

That's all today!

Back in Berlin

Blog?... What blog? Ok, so it has been a while since my last post. Let's see if I can do better in the coming months.

19 May 2011, was my first trip back to the city center.
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The first photo is of the Berliner Dom on the Spree River, with the TV Tower in Alexander Platz in the background.



The second photos is the Museum of the Kennedys, located just in front of the Brandenburg Gate. I've yet to go inside, but will do so soon.







The Holocaust memorial always moves me. There are no signs explaining the meaning of the work... That is left entirely to the viewer.