Berlin m'appelle

While randomnly searching flights around Europe (favorite 'avoid studying/hating school' activity), I came across a very reasonably priced flight to Berlin from paris on Air France (aka NOT cheap airlines that are now considering charging you to use the restrooms on board, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29532865/) As I'd been hoping to see the city, I booked!

Following a very pleasant flight, complete with in flight meal (and complementary champagne/wine, take that ryanair), I was off to Potsdam (just outisde the capital) where the lovely miss Julia is studying for the spring semester.

A fabulous first evening with a long, traditional, scrumptious German dinner surrounded by boisterous locals. Next day was school for my hostess and a long day of tourist-ness for me, seeing lots of East and West Berlin, enjoying the history of this intriguing city from wandering through museums like Checkpoint Charlie to the churches, I had the good luck to be in the Berliner dom during an organ concert. Following a full day, I caught up with Julia and Janina for a fabulous dinner and some ice cream supplemented by sunset at the top of the Reichstag, and of course fireworks, I kid not, we were lying on the top of the dome, and upon hearing what sounded like distant booms (after my rather historical day, I honestly considered for a split second suggesting we head to a bomb shelter), we turn to find bright lights bursting over the Tiergarten.

Last day in Germany dawned bright and Julia (bless her kind soul, she woke early to enjoy my last morning with me) and I wandered around Potsdam's San Souci palace (home to several Wilheims and Fredericks, the Great is buried with his greyhounds on the premsis). Then back on to the plane for Paris (and final exams, 'yay')


portion of the wall and the funny stoplight men and memorial for the 6 million


Berliner dom, church and final resting place for past rulers (crypt was a cool kind of creepy) then sans souci summer residence for the Prussian/German rulers


prost (bad things happen if you don't look into one another's eyes while saying brost) and chocolate recreation of the bombed out church located in Berlin


enjoying sunset over Berlin from top of Reichstag and fireworks from the top (Julia promises she had them organized just for me) ;)

Thank you SO much to the lovely Janina and Julia for being fabulous hostesses, I am glad we had the opp to spent some more time together. Also thanks for the prayers and the love, can never have enough of either :) Until Napa!!!
xxoo!