We finally have some rainy and dreary weather in Paris....ick! I'm spending my afternoon doing some housekeeping things -- while Pastel tries to rub is face in mine -- he's quite beside himself with Marilu and Alain gone on vacation.
I can't write this without mentioning one of the most delicious lunches I've had yet this past Friday -- Jean-Nicolas took me to the restaurant, Domaine de Lintillac near the Bourse in the 2nd arr. it's a place that specializes in DUCK. Yummy. I had the "Menu Dejeuner" and started with the paté that had been flavored with Monbazillac (a really sweet white wine), and then had the magret du canard -- which was so delicious, and came with a small mound of pan roasted potatoes and a salad. For dessert, we split the homemade chocolate mousse -- also delicious.
First of all -- as i was attempting to pack on Friday afternoon -- Pastel wasn't very happy that i was getting ready to leave and wanted to come with me...
Friday night, I took a flight to Berlin where I met Pia for another fun weekend in Germany. She took me to our hostel which was called the "Mitte Baxpax Hostel" and we had the "Moonlight Suite" all to ourselves. And yes, it was just as ridiculous as it sounds. The hallway into the room was lit up with black lights -- and then there was a loft with two mattresses, and underneath, a couple of beanbag chairs and some moodlighting -- pretty crazy, but fun none the less.
Saturday, we got up on the earlier side and after a quick breakfast at one of the coffeeshop chains, we walked to the Brandenburg Gate, which was the starting point for the Sandeman's Free Walking Tour (which does free walking tours in quite a few cities in Europe).
So we headed off in a group of about 35 with Kim, who was our tour guide from Australia! She was absolutely fantastic -- interesting, enthusiastic, and just wonderful to listen to. We set off and saw the Reichstag, then walked down to the memorial to the Jews that were murdered in WW2 -- really incredible place -- we probably could have spent hours walking through there:
So! From there, we kind of took a change of course -- and walked across the street to what we all thought was just an empty parking lot -- it turns out we were standing on top of Hitler's bunker! Which Berlin has chosen to do absolutely nothing with -- which we discussed as a group, is really a great idea. It takes away any chance that fanatics or neo-Nazis might come and gather around to honor Hitler.
We then walked passed a part of the Berlin Wall, and past Checkpoint Charlie -- which was really just a tourist attraction! We took a quick break for lunch, and then after, we saw the much "prettier" parts of the tour. We saw the university that's right in the center of the city, and all of the pretty churches, and then ended up on Museum Island which is also where the Berliner Dom is -- very incredible looking church!
Me and Pia in front of the Berliner Dom:
That about covers Saturday -- went spent the afternoon around the shopping streets and had fun looking around....Sunday, we had a museum day. We decided that we wanted to go to the German National History Museum and the Pergamon Museum. Both were really interesting -- the history museum was enormous, and had so much to learn!! And then the Pergamon Museum had the recreation of the Pergamon Altar with all of the pieces that had been found, among some other impressive archeological finds that had been rebuilt.
Sunday night, we met one of Pia's friends for dinner and we went to a place sort of on the street called Curry 36 where I tried one of Berlin's specialties: currywurst! Which is basically sausage with curry powder on top and a pile of fries with a glob of mayonnaise! It was pretty delicious. The other main dinner specialty is of course the kebab....
Yesterday, I unfortunately spent in a café so that I could write my last paper for my 16th century litterature class -- it was actually quite peaceful, but it probably wasn't my preferred way to spend my last day in Berlin!
After my class tomorrow -- it's finally spring break!! I am off to Istanbul tomorrow night where I will meet my DAD for some quality father-daughter bonding time, and then after about 4 days there, we fly to Athens (Greece) for two days and finally finish off the trip with some time in Crete! Hopefully, I'll be able to do some updates while I'm away!
Again -- a quick 3 word email would be much appreciated!! No matter who you are (meaning if i know you or not!).
A bientot!!
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