Birthday in Berlin: Day Three

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Saturday 4 July 2015

This Is to be a day of celebration. Having waited 70 years for a birthday spent in Berlin, today's the day. It's going to be another scorcher with 35 degrees predicted, so pacing ourselves, plenty of fluids, keeping out of the sun and treating air conditioned buildings as our friends are all going to be important. There are some treats in store.

First, a visit to the East Side Gallery, the name given to a 100 metre stretch of the Berlin Wall which has been transformed by many artistic expressions, opinions and ideas into a giant work of street art. This visit needed to be short because of the extreme heat, but showed how important that wall Is for remembering, and also for its expressions of hope for the future.

Time for an air conditioned building, a huge department store with delicious food and an air of calm in it's cafe area on the top floor, while it seemed all of Berlin was shopping on the lower floors. Refreshed, we took the necessary hot journey on an overground train and walked the short distance to Museum Island, where we would find a collection of Impressionist paintings in the Alte National Gallery. Secure in the knowledge we had invested in a Museum Pass that allowed us entry to a great many museums and galleries over three days, we quickly realised we would still need to queue in the blazing sun, so decided to find a shady spot and wait until the queue cleared.

It was then that the day's Big Surprise arrived. Our daughter and son-in-law from London suddenly materialised at our side!! Apparently plotting had gone on over quite some time, with the birthday girl completely in the dark. How could this happen? Without a clue being picked up? Put it down to the skill of the plotter and accomplices. What a wonderful addition to the day's enjoyment. Recovery was needed, so the party repaired to a suitable establishment for long cold drinks, mostly good German beer. Back to the Alte National Gallery where the queue had disappeared. We went on the hunt for Impressionist paintings, only to find these formed a special exhibition to which the Museum Pass did not give entry. Clearly there are 'fish hooks' for unsuspecting tourists in some of these special passes. With a little juggling of tickets, two of our party managed to see the wonderful paintings, so no real harm was done.

Birthday celebrations continued with a visit to Checkpoint Charlie to soak up a little atmosphere, then a delicious dinner at a nearby Italian restaurant. Time moved on and still overheated in the 33 degree evening air, we made our way to the Underground, said goodbyes and thanks and parted with our surprise co-revellers who return to London tomorrow afternoon. Back at our hotel a quick skype call with our youngest daughter completed a fabulous day to remember.

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Photos

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The Wall at the East Side Gallery.

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Some of the art work has a message.

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The Berlin Dom seen from across the river.

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A plaque to show where The Wall stood at Check Point Charlie.

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A warning sign at Check Point Charlie.

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Tourist attraction at Check Point Charlie.

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A warning sign at Check Point Charlie.

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The Starter Platter at the birthday dinner.