BERLIN #1

[jenni_blog]

When I left Bilbao (with much regret and sobs forming in my throat in the taxi) it was over 20 degrees C and sunny. But because of snow in Paris and in Berlin that day (Dec. 7th) my flight to Berlin was delayed 5 hours. I arrived at 10 PM instead of 5 PM. aglaiya had gone to the Tegel airport to meet me but because of the delay she had to go back home, disappointed. When we finally arrived at Tegel I looked for her but didn't really expect to find her still waiting. She wasn't there so I caught a taxi to my hotel, the NH Berlin near Alexanderplatz. As soon as I got in I called her, much to her relief to know that I had arrived safely. We agreed to meet in the morning, when she came to my hotel which was not far from her home. That first day it was snowing rather heavily. We went to see the Brandenburg Gate, did a lot of walking, stopping for coffee at Starbucks. Later we had dinner at my hotel, which had great food. That night aglaiya sampled the tapas, while I had Argentine beef, which was more like a steak, and oh god, was it delicioso! (As I suppose all Argentine 'beef' is. XDDD)



You can see in these photos the stark difference between the greenness of Bilbao, Spain and the snowy whiteness of Berlin, Germany. Another thing about Berlin that struck me was the majesty of the architecture and the vastness of the wide open spaces.

In case I get some place names wrong, or can't remember the name of the building, aglaiya, please help me! As usual, I didn't make notes on what I had seen when I got back to my hotel.

Very snowy...





The Brandenburg Gate





This is the Karl-Liebknecht-Str. - Spandauer Str. crossroads.



On the way to Unter Den Linden.



The Berliner Dom...in front is the Radisson Blue with the Aquadom and SEALIFE.



Christmas markets!











These are new buildings at the crossroads of Under Den Linden and Friedrichstrasse.



The roadway...



This is the Alte Bibliothek at the Bebel Platz.



The Marstall - the Deutsche Historiches Museum is inside.





I know this lovely statue was right near the river...



The Rivers Spree and Kupfergraben. Between them is the Museumsinsel.



A very pretty building...the Marstall.



That is all from my first day! Next post (later today) will show the Pergamon Museum. And then you will really see something!

A preview...this is the Pergamon from the outside!

Comments

[crazy-girl-86.livejournal.com]

Great photos, not only these but also the ones from Bilbao! Now, I've seen yours and Bill's and feel like I don't have to go there on my own anymore on the one hand, but on the other hand it looks so beautiful that I'd like to see it with my own eyes, too. :D Well, not anytime soon though, there are too many other destinies I wanna see. Too little holidays! ;)

I've been in Berlin once some years ago with my family but unfortunately only for a day. We made a lot of sightseeing so I have seen a lot of Berlin, but looking at your photos, and I agree about the architecture, I would love to go there again. Especially now that my friend went back to live there. :)

Great to hear that you've had a wonderful time in Europe despite all the flight problems. :)

[just-jenni.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Oh for sure you should go to Bilbao if you have a chance...it is really unique and stunning!

If you have a friend in Berlin then it would be a great place to go and visit again...I want to go back in the spring, when it is nice and green, there will be more to do, and before it gets too hot!

The flight problems were nothing compared to the great time I had! Thanks so much! :)

[lhuneldaiel.livejournal.com]

*sigh* I love Berlin. One of the best city trips ever for me. Am loving your pics, as I recognise many of the buildings! Glad you had such a good time :)

[just-jenni.livejournal.com]

Thank you, bb! Next time I go to visit Berlin (which I want to do because I'd love to see it in summertime) I want to come through Amsterdam first. I hope for May or June 2012 (if not before) so I hope we can meet up! I know it was a long way off...I had originally planned a visit to Europe in 2011 but changed plans to join Bill and Becky in Bilbao. I wasn't even thinking about Bilbao before, but even though those two couldn't make it because of the air controllers' strike, I am very glad that I went. Northern Spain is like no other place...it's totally beautiful.

Now I have to clamp down and try to save all my money in order to afford the next trip! Unless I win a lottery... LOL.

[aglaiya.livejournal.com]

OMG!

okay some comments:

- A street is crossroads Karl-Liebknecht-Str. - Spandauer Str.

- a billboard - on the way to Unter Den Linden (the most famous street in Berlin) left on the free space ones was the Berliner Stadtschloss

- I don't know - the Berliner Dom and in the foreground the Radisson Blue with the Aquadom and SEALIFE

- pics from Unter Den Linden with Christmas market and some buildings there

- Was this the Heidelburg University? NO. That is the Alte Bibliothek at the Bebel Platz

- next one is the Marstall, inside is the Deutsches Historisches Museum

- Rivers Spree and Kupfergraben and between the two is the Museumsinsel where you can find some Museums

- Look how beautiful - the Berliner Dom

-A very pretty building...not sure if this was the university or government buildings. again the Marstall

- I think this was a shopping mall... New buildings at the crossroads Unter Den Linden - Friedrichstrasse

Thanks a lot for let me take a view on Berlin with your eyes *hugs*

[just-jenni.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the corrections! I made the update (I hope I did it right.)

Awww...through my eyes it looks beautiful! And yet this first post will NOT be the best! The Pergamon is to come! (If I don't get a chance tonight then tomorrow early morning for sure!) :)

[aglaiya.livejournal.com]

You cannot have ALL in your head! You have seen so many different things... in only a few days. My head would be a mess!!!

Your icon is a very good one *smiles*

[just-jenni.livejournal.com]

Thank you...I made a few icons. I tried to keep the best ones, I think. :)

[aglaiya.livejournal.com]

YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH for the Brandenbuger Tor!!!

I have NO Berlin icon.... I guess I have to make one....

[just-jenni.livejournal.com]

Well, thank god for my photos that I could make some! I guess I never got to the Pergamon post today...I will do it first thing in the morning! :)

[aglaiya.livejournal.com]

I really like your new icons!

You will always do things when I'm still sleeping....

Last night I took FourFourTwo and couldn't stop reading! MOURINHO! It was too interesting to read!

[just-jenni.livejournal.com]

Thanks! It was fun to make the icons. Today I am going to make some of the Pergamon and the last sightseeing pics. (I posted the last post this morning and also made a post in the Colombia comm about the final and who is in the Copa Libertadores 2011.)

OMG, Isn't FourFourTwo amazing? Such interesting articles! I remember the Mourinho one. That man is such a fascinating person. :)

[aglaiya.livejournal.com]

FourFourTwo is the best about football!!! Thanks so much for giving me so much to read *hugs*

[just-jenni.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! Isn't it great? :)

[txorakeriak.livejournal.com]

I was in Berlin once with my class at school a couple of years ago but I don't remember it having been anything like this! :D Of course, I recognise the Brandenburg Gate and the government buildings and everything, but I suppose the fact that I went there on a school trip kept me from appreciating the city as I would have if I had gone there privately. Your photos are amazing! Thanks for sharing them, and I'm so glad to hear you had a great time! :)

[just-jenni.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much Bill, and yeah...Berlin was great, even though it was winter!

[wildmopdogs.livejournal.com]

I'm really enjoying these pictures :D Thanks for sharing them!

That first pic of the Brandenburg Gate is so pretty
The Berliner Dom is so pretty too :D
Aww did you get anything at the Christmas market?
Wow those statues above the Bibliothek are amazing.

[just-jenni.livejournal.com]

Berlin has amazing architecture. :)

No, my friend told me the stuff at the markets is junk! Now I'm home I wish I had bought something there...it would have been a nice souvenir. But I find I always forget that I probably won't be coming back to a place anytime soon, therefore when you see something you'd like to buy, BUY IT because you won't have another chance! :(

[victor-reno.livejournal.com]

greeeeeat *__________* that's just awesome!
amazing fotos, honeeey!
oooh I envy you in a good way - you've seen the world! awwwwwwwwww <3333333333333

[just-jenni.livejournal.com]

LOL...thank you!!!

Well, I haven't seen the WHOLE world yet. I haven't been to France! (Lucho.) But I am planning to get there. Actually, I lied. I HAVE been to Paris, if it was only to visit 2 or 3 of the terminals at Charles de Gaulle airport!!!! XDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

[victor-reno.livejournal.com]

XDDD hope that you'll visit France and meet Lucho! XDDD and Lisandro maybe =))) then say him that i love them both very much XDDDDD
awseome that you traveling, not sitting on one place. <333