Maria & Brett's HUGE Trip 06-07-08-09-?

ok, so the Socceroos lost in 'that' penalty against Italy; Adriatic summers aren't long enough (bliss!); and we found that you should never use the term "Eastern Bloc" when talking to a Czech (Central Europe, please).

Berlin

There are [25] photos in this gallery.

A city once divided by disastrous East vs West ideology and the infamous Berlin Wall, now home to one of the most colourful cultures in Europe and the world. Our advice: avoid the tourist traps (as there are many) and head into the New East for a turkish felaffel, a chat with some Wall artists or a hunt for the Kaiser Chiefs - literally.

The almost-destroyed church of King Wilhelm, preserved in its wartime state no doubt as a sober reminder of the effects of war. Views[87] Yes, here we are at Tacky Tourist Central. But seriously, where else can you stand next to a DDR relic such as this. Views[95] You, too, would join me if you spent the last six months surrounded by American expats. Just kidding guys! Views[96] Brett the ever patient perfectionist. Time stands still while he captures life on (digital) film....and tests his girlfriend's patience. Views[120] Onwards to the Reichstag, Germany's house of parliament and symbol of democracy - where Hitler once stood on the front steps flanked by swastikas. It has since been covered from head to toe by world-reknown artist Christos (see http://www.christojeanneclaude.net/wr.html ). Views[119]
 
Inside the upper dome of the Reichstag, where members of the public can peer down into the House - transparent democracy at work! Views[121] Maria the Queen Bee on a mission to get to the top of this beehive. Views[109] Outside the Reichstag, memorials to citizens who lost their lives trying to cross from East to West. People were still being killed only one month prior to the fall of the wall in 1989. Views[117] The infamous Brandenburg Gate. Made famous of course by The Hoff (David Hasselhoff for the uninitiated) who sang here and supposedly had a hand in bringing the wall down. Riiighhht! Views[127] Relics of the past in East Berlin... Views[138]
 
... reaching out to the ways of the West. Views[109] A suburban street in East Berlin, near Prenzlauer Berg. Views[109] Our hotel...just kidding. Views[102] We found out that the KCs were playing the day we arrived. Our mission - to find tix and the venue. It turned out to be B&M's Race Around Berlin. Views[122] An artist at work? Where does the distinction between art and real life begin? This guy thinks he's the next Picasso. Coming to an avant garde gallery near you! Yes, he really is taking a photo of a rotten apple core with his mobile phone. Views[124]
 
Andy Warhol eat your heart out. Views[115] What would a Saturday morning be like without a freshly brewed coffee, cut flowers, organic fruit 'n' veg, deli goods and some compulsory people watching in this now-trendy part of East Berlin... Needless to say we returned for Round Two the next morning. Views[112] Rebecca, what are you doing in Berlin?! Views[125] Goooaaaaaaaalllllll! Brett inspired after the World Cup. Needless to say, he couldn't walk for 2 days after pulling his groin in this shot. Views[118] Street artists giving the wall a modern facelift.
 
Wouldn't it have spoiled your day if your team was playing on the other side of the wall. Views[100] B for Brett. Putting the love back into Liebe. Views[600] Looking out from the Chapel of Reconciliation, a memorial to the church that once stood here in the 'death strip' between East and West. The original church was blown up in 1985 on orders from the East German government in its push to widen the death strip. Unfortunately this little community church stood in the way. The statue in the background was donated by Richard Branson. Views[112] Hard to believe this wall divided families for many years and caused many people to risk and ultimately lose their lives - a very humbling thought. A paved line traces the whole route of the wall throughout Berlin in places where the wall no longer stands. Views[124] It's impossible to understand or imagine what life would have been like during the wall years. Hopefully no-one will have to experience it in history again. Unfortunately divisions like this still happen today. Why??? Has history not taught us anything? Views[126]
 

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