More pictures from Unter den Linden in Berlin. Above is what we took to be the Polish Embassy, a short way from the Brandenburg Gate. Evidently, when the city was split, all the eastern block countries set up shop on this stretch, though I doubt they employed such gaudy decorations beck then.
A lot of folks were riding rented bikes up and down the street. This seemed to be an excellent way to get around, though we didn't know enough about where we were going or local traffic rules to feel confident enough to give it a try. Maybe if I go back some day...
This is the square where Hitler held his book burning parties (maybe you remember the scene in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom?). The crowd above is gathered around an interesting exhibit:
... a windowed hole in the ground looking down into the now empty archives room lined with nothing but vacant shelves, symbolizing the loss to bigotry and anti-intellectualism. You can just make out some of those shelves in the photo above. I don't know if I've ever been in a city where so much of the history on display is so resoundingly bleak.
Above you see the German History Museum, which we hoped to get back to with more time (didn't happen). We did go to several other museums, and they tended to be very good, with extremely detailed exhibits, mostly chronicling the days behind the Wall, under Nazi rule, or struggling with the defeat in World War I. The country has obviously done better in recent years, which is enident in the rebuilt commercial centers of the city.
This particular day was pretty warm and sunny, and a lot of people were out enjoying the weather, including those out on this terrace cafe. More pictures tomorrow.
More pictures from Unter den Linden in Berlin. Above is what we took to be the Polish Embassy, a short way from the Brandenburg Gate. Evidently, when the city was split, all the eastern block countries set up shop on this stretch, though I doubt they employed such gaudy decorations beck then.
A lot of folks were riding rented bikes up and down the street. This seemed to be an excellent way to get around, though we didn't know enough about where we were going or local traffic rules to feel confident enough to give it a try. Maybe if I go back some day...
This is the square where Hitler held his book burning parties (maybe you remember the scene in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom?). The crowd above is gathered around an interesting exhibit:
... a windowed hole in the ground looking down into the now empty archives room lined with nothing but vacant shelves, symbolizing the loss to bigotry and anti-intellectualism. You can just make out some of those shelves in the photo above. I don't know if I've ever been in a city where so much of the history on display is so resoundingly bleak.
Above you see the German History Museum, which we hoped to get back to with more time (didn't happen). We did go to several other museums, and they tended to be very good, with extremely detailed exhibits, mostly chronicling the days behind the Wall, under Nazi rule, or struggling with the defeat in World War I. The country has obviously done better in recent years, which is enident in the rebuilt commercial centers of the city.
This particular day was pretty warm and sunny, and a lot of people were out enjoying the weather, including those out on this terrace cafe. More pictures tomorrow.
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