October 2 FINALLY

October 2

after I finish on the first Nor and I watched as the dignitaries began to assemble at the Opera House for the Olympics gala. It was exciting to be in the city where this was all happening. We decided to walk over to the Theater and Opera House to see what we could see. Of course it wasn't much but we were mistaken –all be it briefly --for someone important in the US Olympic group.

Up way too early to get to the train. The streets were all closed off around the City Hall because of Obama's visit. The cabby seemed truly confused about how he was going to get us to the station when his route of choice was closed. He managed to find a way, and we arrived in very good time.

Fortunately I had noticed that our Eurorail pass had not been properly stamped. We took care of that and went down to wait for the train. We are getting so good at this – we were able to read the train board and find the train. We even found the right car and seat!

The ride was comfortable and through some lovely parts of country. The one unexpected pleasure was the ferry ride to the mainland. The train just drove on—we all got off and went to the upper decks for the 45 minute crossing. It was cold outside but after the overwarm train it was a nice break.

As we were waiting to get off the train, I met our conductor, a charming young man who loves to go to Florida every year to go shopping. He as been all around the US but prefers Florida for the shopping. He also shared that he loved Epcot and they end their trip to the US on Thursday at Epcot because they had a choir that sings every Thursday.

I think cabbies only know one route and when they can't take it they are truly flumoxed. There is some sort of festival going on and the roads were closed off for a parade. He finally just dropped us off and we walked the rest of the way. Just a few blocks. The Damen in Schwartz understand that as soon as I saw Gallery Lafayette, I knew exactly how to to get to the Berlin Hilton.

The parade came by the hotel. It consisted of a two story high marionette that was walking down the street. She was worked by the puppeteers seated behind her and dressed in renaissance garb.

We then walked to Unter der Linden and visited the Brandenburg Gate, apparently our invitation to the Embassy got lost so we just looked at the outside. The rain was starting to come down in earnest but we persevered to the Reichstag so we could go up the glass dome.

Although the views were clouded by the rain they were still magnificent. The structure itself is well worth the climb up the ramps. The center mirrors provide light to the legislative assembly room below. The large metal screen moves around the central mirrors to reduce the glare. The center core is open to the sky (to let out all the hot air).