April 5 On to Berlin

Left Erfurt on the high speed train to Berlin.  It doesn't feel like you're going 200 plus km as the scenery flows by.  The train only seemed to slow through major cities and to let the occasional train pass. The rolling farmland gave way to the flatter and more industrial look as we headed into Berlin, a city of three million. I arrived shortly after noon at the central station, a big complex as it is a major train hub for the country.
Stopped for lunch at a creperie and gelato shop in the station - cherry crepes with creamy smooth ice cream - maybe not the most nutritious choice but certainly delicious.
Called my mom's cousins Claudia and Siegfried then took a cab over to their home - a lovely modern three bedroom two bath condo with deck-patio. Claudia had no sooner settled me into a bedroom then Siegfried arrived. After a quick coffee we headed out to see multiple sights. I had picked up a highlights of Berlin tourist information brochure at the station and my hosts happily took be about to many on the list, stopping for pictures along the way.  Had stopped at the Berliner Dom but could not go in due to a special concert about to start requiring a pricey ticket. So our tour continued on to the Potsdamer Platz, a shopping mall decorated with huge easter eggs, each painted or decorated in different artistic manner...beautiful to a little over the top, the styles were interesting to see.  From there we walked to the Sony Centre, another on the list of tourist must sees, and indulged in a dinner of one of Berlin's specialties ~ Currzwurst and a local beer.
Berlin may be one city but I found it visually still showing evidence of the east/west differences as the east prefabs, less green and international influences (ie. immigrant neighborhoods).  Evidence of 'the wall' was pointed out as we drove several times over the brick/stone lines in pavement on the streets where the wall had previously stood.  Siegfried said two experiences in his life he will never forget - the day the wall came down and secondly, dinner with seven princes (but that is another story).  He was an excellent tour guide, giving background stories to go with the many famous buildings, monuments, etc we visited and answers for my continuous questions. To give a sampling of what we saw that afternoon and evening on my Berlin tour - the Brandenburger Tor (gates), Chancellor's official residence, Reichstasbebaude (seat of parliament), Charlotteburg Palace, Palace Bellevue (the official residence of the president of the Federal Republic - like the US White House), Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (bombed and left as a war memorial) along with the new octagonal church (a symbol of post war architecture), Triumphal Column, Radio Tower, Air Bridge monument, Check Point Charlie, plus mayor's homes and council chambers in various sectors of the city, concert hall, cultural centre, parks, people, bridges where protestors were martyred...a full day.