Berlin

The train ride to Berlin was fantastic!  We had a whole six seater room to ourselves for the whole trip and it was so comfortable.  We had a good meal on the train and it was daylight the whole way so we could see the beautiful countryside.  As soon as we left Amsterdam, the English speaking commentary stopped but luckily we had a timetable so we could work out where we were.  The trip took 6 ½ hours but it went quickly.  We got to Berlin and it was still light (9.30pm) and our hotel is within walking distance of the railway station.  The Station is huge.  It covers three or four storeys and trains run on every floor!  We had an early breakfast this morning, did some washing and got on the Hop On Hop Off bus to explore and get our bearings.  This is an amazing City with lots to see.  We got off at Checkpoint Charlie and walked along the street reading all about the history of the struggles which lead to the building and then the tearing down of the wall.  Had our photo taken at Checkpoint Charlie and spent about 4 hours in the Jewish Museum.  We came out of the Museum and amazingly, the bus arrived so we got straight on – really feeling lucky because we were hanging out to sit down and enjoy the ride back to our hotel.  Well…..we went a few stops and the bus driver said OK everyone off, it’s six o’clock and the bus is finished!!!  We thought it was hilarious because the bus took us further than if we decided to walk back!  Anyway we had had about 10 minutes to sit down so we were recharged and headed back to the Hotel passing the Brandenburg Gate on the way.  It was cordoned off because they had a soccer event the night before but we got to see it anyway.  Everything here is beautiful and the buildings are amazing but it’s hard to find signs in English so we were walking past amazing sights not knowing what they are.  We will get on the bus again tomorrow (it has an English commentary) and continue where we left off.  I don’t think four days will be enough but we’ll give it a fair crack.  The weather has been great but as I’m typing this it has started to rain.  Let’s hope tomorrows weather is good.