Berlin in a nutshell

We had a bit of trouble getting from Hamburg to Berlin today. First, we had some last minute things to pick up in Hamburg, where shopping is pretty great. And second, some sort of train event happened on the Berlin-Hamburg line and we took an 1-hour detour to avoid it. Saw a few clips of ambulances, rescue equipment, etc. on the TV, but could not understand enough to know what happened or if any one was hurt. If anyone out there is worried about us, no worries. We had a little delay and a nervous and apologetic train conductor.

Berlin station was as impressive as the travel books say it is. 5 stories of perpendicular trains, 70 stores and restaurants, beautiful archetecture and I believe it was build where the Wall used to be. It is alive with people.

We grabbed a great lunch there and did some people watching. Very, very international city. We made it to our hotel too late to consider any major tripping today, so we will probably need to add a day in Berlin to our itinerary. Now that I am here, I want to really take it in. This has probably been on my "list" for 4 years.

We met up with Irene, my other cousin and made plans for tomorrow. Gene and I (if I have the nerve and the weather is perfect and the stars are all aligned) will go on the Berlin Fat Tire Bicycle Tour tomorrow. Gene has had this on this "list" since he discovered the Fat Tire Tours in Paris. However, me on a bike and the Berlin traffic doesn't sound so good to me. I am praying for rain :)

We are all tucked into the Comfort Inn chosen for it's location and price, not it's European charm. And we will get a little look at Jon Stewart tonight, haven't heard any real news from US since we left.

Our only update has been from one of our Hamburg tour guides who told us that Southern California is having major fires. Yikes, hope it is getting under control. And we saw that Steve Jobs died and that Paul McCartney married. Both events translate clearly in any language. So we are mostly lost in a traveling oblivion and it feels pretty good.

So lala

Carol