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Interesting trip to Berlin. On a Sunday had to change at Duisburg, Germany and get a connecting train. From Amsterdam to Duisburg I met an older American couple who joined me on both journeys. At Duisburg our booked train was cancelled. The platform still advertise the trains even if they are cancelled. As we don't speak German many travellers were at a loss. Luckily we got on another train which I thoroughly enjoyed. It reminds me of the old English train carriages where it had compartments and one long corridor at other side of train. Had a trolley service so spent lots of time moving luggage so people can get through. The American couple stayed with me and we kept each other company. They have been travelling around Europe and America and other places of interest so loved our long chats.
A lot of the journey I was standing admiring the German countryside. Words cannot do it enough justice how massive an impression it made on me. We finally arrived at Berlin Hbf station. This was a huge station over eight floors and countless platforms.
I stayed at the intercity hotel which was literally outside the station. It was late in afternoon so didn't want to waste time in hotel so crossed the river Spree and walked towards the Reichstag government building. An amusing complex with lots of open ground (plenty of police obviously). Walked alongside it and saw in the floor the metal plates covering the route of the Berlin wall. Following round I saw the Brandenburg gate. Was partially closed off as the other side they were doing a huge tv screen for the German world cup game.
I walked east along the unter den Linden. A huge street with many shops and restaurants and plenty of museums giving me food for thought for next few days. I reached the museum quarter and the building that blew my mind was the berliner Dom. A huge magnificent structure that you must see for its sheer scale and architecture design especially the angels around the building. Right next to it along the river was a few restaurants. I obviously tried there cuisine and the food was exquisite. Then saw a thief try to steal a mobile phone on another table. Waiter gave chase and retrieve the dropped pbone. Waiter got standing ovation.
Plenty of bear models and figures around here as its the national symbol. Walked back to hotel to prepare for next day strolling around. I have two whole days here so decided to split it into two halves so east of Brandenburg gate tomorrow and west the day after.
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