berlin

being the typical geographically challenged american that i am, when i was including berlin on the list of my cruise destinations i rattled off to people, i was caught off guard slightly when i was asked exactly how i was getting there. "um... a large ship? because...i'll be on a cruise?" right, so berlin is kind of landlocked and impossible to reach by ship. i blame mrs. boucher (my 6th grade geography teacher) for this misstep. should have shown fewer episodes of "adventures of the mimi."

anyway, once we were on the ship, we were informed that the ship would actually be docking at a smaller town in germany, but that we could buy tickets for a private train that had been arranged if we wanted to get to berlin. smooth moves, holland america...

we had "two days" in berlin, and i say this in quotes as since the boat left the port at 4pm the second day, there was really only one full day to reasonably accommodate for the lengthy train ride there and back (3 hours each way). my mom and i, having never been to berlin before, luckily were able to con my step-dad into waking up early with us and making the trip.

pothole i obviously took a liking to.

pretty casual message in the canal.

obviously i didn't get to spend very much time in the city. we hit some of the crucial WWII sites, but really iwas left with a sense that i didn't get out of berlin what i should have. i've met people who have been there who rave about this city, and actually have a couple of friends who are moving there the appeal is so strong. my day there felt kind of "eh" though, but i felt like there must be more to it. hopefully i'll be lucky enough to go back and visit said friends who are moving there and see what this city is really all about.

something i'd like to experience even more of when i return.

the wurst.

crazy multi person bike - definitely on the to do list.