27 April 2009 - Berlin

I went back to Kreuzburg and the Oberbaumbrücke, but this time I crossed over the Spree Fluss and explored the other side of the bridge, what was once East Berlin.

On the East Berlin side of the Spree, there is a mile-long stretch of the Berlin Wall that's still standing, covered in paint, graffiti, and art. It's called the East Side Gallery, and is quite well-known as a historical landmark.

Large sections of the East Side gallery are actually blank right now, nothing but smooth white or grey concrete. It's in the process of being restored--many of the original artists are recreating their art from long ago. Due to be completed in Fall 2009, much of the East Side gallery cannot be seen.

However, I managed to find Lyle the Crocodile--but again, only a portion. It seems as if I am not destined to take a photo of the complete graphic, as this time I was thwarted by the restoration of the wall itself.

There was a tourist shop built into the East Side Gallery, similarly covered in paint and art (or something along those lines). Rather strange, compared to the artwork that was on the wall itself.

One can find all sorts of odds and ends on the wall-- here I found Mr. Potato-Head and some other faces peeking out at the street.

Besides the tourist shop, the wall that makes up the East Side Gallery is interrupted at various different spots along its mile-long stretch. Here is a gate that was so painted and covered with art that I thought it was just another section of the wall--until someone pushed it open and walked through it. It was a bit like the Secret Garden.

This is a close-up shot of a portion of the wall-- these faces, to me, are really haunting and a little creepy. So desolate, it seems.

The last section of the East Side Gallery, covered in paint, ideas, and thoughts 'til the very end.

We walked on to Alexander Platz, and then towards Unter den Linden and the Brandenburger Tor, and arrived at the Holocaust Memorial. It is a stiking memorial, in the middle of a large Platz, nothing but blocks of stone, of varying heights, located in an otherwise empty square. The blocks are short at first, and it seems as if they continue throughout the Platz, on a slight slope.

However, as you walk among the slabs into the center of the memorial, the ground slopes down, and the blocks of stone get higher and higher. You can see only the grey stone and blue sky. The noise from the busy streets fades away and the sun becomes dim. There is nothing but coolness and stillness. It is... memorable.

Afterwards, I walked up Freidrich Str., over the Spree towards Oranienburger Str. to go to A and Rs apartment, for little Cs very first birthday party! It was just lovely-- the birthday boy was darling and very cute, as he crawled around and ate some cake, the parents were happy and relaxed as they enjoyed the company of family and friends, and the weather was gorgeous. Some young cousins of the birthday boy were there as well, ages 3, 7, and 8 years old, and they had a great time locking me (and the two great-grandpas) out on the terrace, laughing at my name ('Alex ist ein Junges Name!'), and correcting my German--which was actually quite helpful! All in all, it was a marvelous time, so wonderful!