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Bike tour
me, dan, marx, and engels. What a crew of sociological geniouses! (I am turning dan into one) Hello to everyone.
Well we have had an awesome day! I am so tired! Thats the sign of a good day I think.
We went on a bike tour with the Fat Tire Bike Company, seriously these guys are so good, the bikes are so comfy, and its definatley worth it. We were on a general Berlin city tour, we saw so much! Lots of the same things as yesterday, but it was a bit different just because we were on bikes vs. walking and had a different guide.
First we went to the statue of Karl Marx and Engels (his writing partner). This doesn't mean much to most people, however it does to me because I was forced to read most of these guys' famous works (ie. the Communist Manifesto) in my sociological theory course this year. Needless to say it was pretty cool to see the monument and sit on Karls lap!
We went to the place of the Nazi book burning, they burnt books which were not 'ethnic German' in decent (or the authors weren't), we saw Check Point Charlie where the gate from east Berlin into west Berlin was into the US sector of west Berlin.
Bike tour
monument of the book burning Whatelse.... we saw more of the Berlin wall, the graffiti part, which was smaller than I imagined, but still very cool. We went to a beer garden in the middle of the tour to have beer and get to know our fellow bikers a little better. Met loads of people traveling from the US, from Denmark, one guy is stationed in South Germany with the US army, there were a few Aussies, great people. Basically we just rode around, in parks, on roads, along side the river. Very pretty. Berlin is also a very bike friendly city, very flat. Our tour guide Randal had loads of jokes and was very knowledgeable.
Luckily this company is also in Paris so we will be doing tours with them around there as well. Can't wait!
After the tour we learned of their pub crawl where for 8 euros we get unlimited beer for the first hour in the shop before heading out, free shots along the way, a free shot of Absinthe (so scared of that...) at a bar, and led around Berlin bars and clubs. Sounds like fun, so we might try to get that in tomorrow night. The train ride
Bike tour
The sight of the book burning... Under the glass there are a bunch of white empty book shelves... Very cool way to preserve the memory the next day maybe a little rough though....
We went to MacDonalds for a drink, and I ended up falling asleep on the cushy seating that they had there. 15 minute power nap made me all ready to go again. So we walked to the internet place and here we are. The bike tour started at 11 and we got back at like 5ish, so it was well worth the 17 euros. We have a plan to go out tonight to a restaurant, I think its Indian, but the main thing about it is that they have fancy light up palm trees and comfy seats outside on the street. Very cool.
Now I would like to compare Amsterdam to Berlin a little bit. I never mentioned much of the prostitution in Amsterdam, now that I have seen the opposite in Berlin I would like to enlighten everyone. Amsterdam, street walking is totally illegal, so the ladies have to rent windows to stand in in the red light district. Pimping is also very illegal and strictly monitered, so the ladies are their own free agents to work their own hours and set their own rates. They are taxed for what
Bike tour
Action shot of my bum! they earn, so they contribute to the economy, and they can deduct condoms, lube, face lifts, boob jobs etc. as business expenses. Basically, prostitution isn't the best thing to be doing, but its better to do in on your own free will rather than being forced. Am I right? Something I also noticed, the women in amsterdam who prostitute, they look healthy. Definatley a difference to Vancouver. Also, there is every nationality, shape, size, and gender to pick from in the red light district. There is really something for everyone!
Now Berlin, Dan and I were walking around last night, lots of prostitutes. They all looked the same. HIGH boots, corsets, and fanny packs. I have no idea if it is legal here... an American on the tour said that it was... but I'm not 100% sure that he knew what he was talking about. Though there definatley seemed to be a dress code. Anyways, these women stand almost right in the street, talk to guys that walks by... seems so much more sleezy and dangerous compared to Amsterdam where the women have their windows and bedrooms right there where if anything goes wrong there are loads of people there
Bike tour
Berlin Wall to help. There are also video cameras outside of the windows in Amsterdam so that the owners of the windows can look out for the ladies if there are any assholes haggling them.
I just had to educate everyone, I'm VERY impressed with Amsterdam, especially with the prostitution legislation.
Anyways, I am going to post some pictures now and we are going to dinner because we are starving! Oh 2 more things. 1. I just got pictures of little Eli! He is so cute and I will post those pictures. He is almost 2 weeks old (on friday). 2. Its Dad's bday tomorrow, the 18th, so happy birthday dad! (Ralph)
love to everyone
robyn and dan
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Liz
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Can I call you Aunt Robyn?
Robyn and Dan! I've been enjoying your blogs very much, and the pictures are so interesting! It's so amazing, what you're doing and I'm very jealous - I hope you have a wonderful time while you're still so far far away! Congratulations on the beautiful nephew Robyn - I bet you're very excited to meet him. Yay for Auntie Robyn! Looking forward to following you through the rest of Europe, Love from Liz