Berlin day 1

An easy day, just catching up with the washing and resting. By early evening we were ready to walk to the nearest attractions. Just DH and myself walked along the Luisenstrafe to the Spree River, then along the river to Reich stag (Parliament) building. It has been fenced off around the building, so to enter one must go security check points. Near the security entrance is a memorial to the 96 members of Parliament who opposed the National Socialist Regime and had been murdered in the 1930's. Then we walked on to the Grofer Tier Gardens where we saw the memorial to the Siniti and Roma (gypsies) murdered under the National Socialist Regime.

In the Tier Gardens is a Soviet War Memorial, just west of the Brandenburg Gate. When we visited the gate a wedding party were there celebrating with car engines revving and the bride and groom  encircled by a clapping and whistling bridal party.

Further on to the south is the American Embassy then the Holocaust Memorial. The memorial had been especially painted with anti-graffiti coating to stop any swashsticker tags or graffiti disrespecting the site. There is also a security guard patrolling the area. Whilst we we there a man was climbing on top of the columns, taking photos.

On the way back we walked through the university grounds. Many of the buildings had not been destroyed by the WW2 bombing. We both had a chuckle on a sign which after a while we worked out was 'exit' in German, but we were playing around with another interpretation....being Aussies, can you guess?

Spree River with Reich Stag and dome alongside.

The Spree River near the Rich Stag where new office buildings are still in process of completion.

Reich Stag Building (this was outside the Berlin Wall, in East Germany)

Memorial to the murdered and persecuted members of the Parliament by the National Socialist Regime.

Memorial to the 220,000 -500,000 gypies murdered under the National Socialist Regime.

Brandenburg Gate

Bride and Groom celebrating behind the Brandenburg Gate

Borussia Dordmund soccer supporters.

In the Holocaust Memorial

Giggle giggle.....directions for Aussies when they need to .....!