2014-08-31 Berlin

[lsanderson]

I did not make an early start. On my way to the Museum Island, I went too far, and had to double back, But I got to the Altes Museum, bought another Berlin Museum 3-day pass, and toured the exhibition. After the museum closed at six, I wandered across the river and drifted down to a boat ride. I've been wanting to do one, and keep fussing online about it, but just getting on and buying a ticket was so much easier. The boat went up the river, turned around at a lock, and then went down the river. I took a couple of pics I learned there that the legislative buildings were open to the public Saturday and Sunday (after they'd closed, of course). When we turned around the second time, I went down from the roof, and got a beer. The bartender/ticket seller gave me a shot too, and we chatted. The boat shortly stopped. A helicopter was leaving the compound and security made all the tour boats (two at the time) stop. So we sat in the water until the helicopter finally took off. The barman gave me another snaps after I told him about being a welders helper in Munchen when I hauled drinks for the welders which included Jaegermeister with every second beer. It was fun. I think he just wanted to drink with someone...

During the tour, the guide mentioned that there was a free concert at the Bodes Museum, so I walked down the river, bought a pizza, and watched the concert. It wasn't von Karajan (he's dead) and it wasn't the Berlin Philharmonic (the season has not started), but it was fun. The audience had wine glasses from the event and from the restaurants across the river. There were lots of beer bottles and wine bottles too, which is so different than in the US. (Makes me wish the Puritans and landed in Hamburg...) after the concert, I went back and didn't make it out again.I filmed the last movement, but I'll probably wait to post that.

Watch on YouTube

--OR--

http://public.fotki.com/lsanderson/travel/berlin/2014-08-31/

Comments

[geometrician.livejournal.com]

We didn't get enough museum time in Germany. My mom and I did spend a delightful afternoon in the Bröhan, which has one of the best art nouveau collections I've ever seen. We've been to a number of places that had boat tours, but haven't done many; not for not wanting to, but because other things seem to take up our time, which is fine. I would like to do some of them though, especially in London and Paris. We did one in Shanghai. I think they are something to be done on the first day. Relaxing, and get to see where everything is.

In Paris we discovered the value of doing one of the open-air bus tours. They are really great for getting to know the layout of the city. They are usually cheap, and you can get on and off at any location.