DAY 139 - 156 Berlin

Berlin 23 September to 10 October - house sitting and visiting my Berlin family. 

I was house sitting a very sweet cat called Eule (Owl) by her owner, Jarrah, a young Ozzie girl who has been living in Berlin for a few years, studying theatre and is now working full-time in a restaurant and part-time "theatering". Lovely warm flat in the predominantly immigrant area of Wedding. It was interesting to be in such a German city but surrounded by people who are oh so not German. Not a problem except for quite a bit of graffiti. 

The few days before the house sit and the few days after, I visited Hella and Konrad, my German family. They live in Blankenburg, previously in the "Ost Zone" (East Berlin). I cannot believe how close Hella and I have become, given that she wasn't even aware of my existence until 2009 and though I knew about her, I did not actually know her. Yes, politics and wars and stuff like that can really get in the way of normal life.

I also managed to catch up with Helmut and Sybille, my "not-really-relations" relations (Helmut and I share two cousins... but he decided to adopt me as we get along much better than what he gets along with them...). They also live in Blankenburg.

While in Berlin, I went exploring on my own, finding bits of the Berlin Wall that I did not previously know about. I found the Treptower Park which is not well known but featured in a book I had recently read. I wanted to see the statue of the Russian soldier carrying the German child. Very sobering! I also went on a boat ride down the river Spree. Hella and Konrad also took me a few places... I had a wonderful Sunday out with both of them in Potsdamm, and another day with Hella and a friend of hers in Bernau. Hella and I also visited another piece of The Wall (the area where that very famous photo of the soldier jumping over the barb-wire fence was taken). And Konrad took me to a Bert Beel concert. I had such a lovely time with them.

Eule

Melli, Hella's dog

Grave of Johann Sebastian Bach's Grandson

The cross that was on top of a church that was in the way of the wall. As the East German government destroyed the church, locals removed whatever they could and hid them, like this cross. Then, after the wall came down a place of remembrance (below) has been erected there and many of the relics have been brought to light and are on display.

Here the concrete has been removed and all that was left standing were the metal bars that were inside the concrete.

Me and Hella in front of that very famous photo

One of the old watch towers that had been left standing.

Hella's home in Blankenburg 

It was nearly time to bring the plants into the cellar for winter.

An evening out with Hella and Konrad

The Jewish memorial near the Brandenburger Tor

The Brandenburger Tor was covered in some thing to do with a rally...

There are reminders of the wall everywhere in the city.

Crosses commemorating some of the last people who were killed trying to cross the wall.

A Sunday out with Hella and Konrad.

Down the river to Potsdamm

Hella and Konrad. Hella is the daughter of my dad's cousin. She grew up behind the Iron Curtain in Dresden, East Germany.

In Potsdamm

May not look like it but this was the best cheese cake I have had in a very long time.

Sanssouci - Potsdamm

With Hella in Bernau

Pizza a la Berlin-style

On one of my outings - near Alexander Platz. The well known Fernsehturm in the background.

Along the river Spree

At the Gendarmen Platz

Not quite as crazy as the Dutch but the Germans do like their bicycles too!

The Brandenburger Tor

Inside the Kaiser Wilhelm Gedaechtniskirche

The modern part of the church that was erected after WWII

The old part of the Gedaechtniskirche that was left as a reminder

Check-point Charlie

A Trabant or also know as a Trabbie

A part of the wall that is now protected

Yes, why indeed?

Curry Wurst und Pommes

Cake.... once more!

A Russian soldier carrying a German child in Treptower Park

Yes, I am fascinated by the wall!