Berlin Day 15 (30 July)
While walking back from very nice Italian meal at the end of our first day in Berlin, Stephen again stumbled over some stumbling stones. It is not as if there are vast numbers of them but Stephen seems to have some sort of radar for them. I managed to get these on my phone so have included a photo.
Anyway, why Italian? Well there is just so much meat we can take so opted for pasta. Brought back memories of our first meal in Berlin some years ago with Will when at the end of the meal and after we had paid, we were offered a digestive. Happened again. This time I opted for a Nocello and Stephen a schnapps. Very pleasant.
Hotel is just off the Ku D'am and very close to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Ka De Wa department store is also very close so primarily a shopping stretch. Not sure why we picked this location but we think from memory we stayed in the old East Berlin side last time (Mitte) and had decided that preferred the old West Berlin side. Is very convenient either way as a U bahn station is a 1 minute walk away.
Arrived here by train - caught an ICE train - very quick and efficient service. (1hr 45mins). Lot simpler than a plane although there is no way I could manage my bag on my own with a train. Definitely a pain getting them up and down those train steps.
Had been told (by a German) that Germans do not queue which seemed counter-intuitive to me as thought Germans were logical, organised people who would automatically see the logic in organised queuing. Wrong. Germans barge in front of you and do not queue from our experience. An older couple just walked in front of everyone at the taxi queue at the station and while at the hotel some woman ignored we were being served and just barged in. We sound grumpy but aren't really, more amused. My vision of Germans has had to be re-adjusted. Also very cranky drivers - a bit like Sydney. The French seem much more laid back. That's my observation anyway.
Anyway, why Italian? Well there is just so much meat we can take so opted for pasta. Brought back memories of our first meal in Berlin some years ago with Will when at the end of the meal and after we had paid, we were offered a digestive. Happened again. This time I opted for a Nocello and Stephen a schnapps. Very pleasant.
Hotel is just off the Ku D'am and very close to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Ka De Wa department store is also very close so primarily a shopping stretch. Not sure why we picked this location but we think from memory we stayed in the old East Berlin side last time (Mitte) and had decided that preferred the old West Berlin side. Is very convenient either way as a U bahn station is a 1 minute walk away.
Arrived here by train - caught an ICE train - very quick and efficient service. (1hr 45mins). Lot simpler than a plane although there is no way I could manage my bag on my own with a train. Definitely a pain getting them up and down those train steps.
Had been told (by a German) that Germans do not queue which seemed counter-intuitive to me as thought Germans were logical, organised people who would automatically see the logic in organised queuing. Wrong. Germans barge in front of you and do not queue from our experience. An older couple just walked in front of everyone at the taxi queue at the station and while at the hotel some woman ignored we were being served and just barged in. We sound grumpy but aren't really, more amused. My vision of Germans has had to be re-adjusted. Also very cranky drivers - a bit like Sydney. The French seem much more laid back. That's my observation anyway.
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