High Highlights June 10

Today we hit two of the best on any list of Berlin things to do!  The Reichstag and Museum Island.

The Reichstag was constructed as a government building in 1894. It was largely destroyed by fire in 1933. Though the blaze was blamed on the Communists, a case can be made that it was caused by three Nazis to spread hate & discontent and justify a power grab. The reconstructed building had a glass viewing dome on the roof from which the meeting chamber can be viewed, symbolizing transparency of the government.

 The dome can be toured.  There is a walkway spiraling up and down the inside of the dome which yields spectacular views of Berlin. They even provide s nifty audio guide that automatically cues information as you walk the spiral. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance. We were not only late in arriving, but  upon arrival there was a very long line. I was despondent, sure we'd lost our chance. Not so, fortunately they took us in without comment.

Then it was off to museum island, where there is an amazing collection of museums. It brought back memories. After graduating from Washington State University in early 1974, Mom and I took a six week trip to Europe. Somehow Mom knew we could get into East Berlin and we did,  going through Check Point Charlie. We then went to the Pergamon Museum, so yesterday was my second visit to this astonishing place. The antiquities are simply mind blowing, not only in the scope of their proportions but also in how the archeologists could transport them.

 Not to mention how they figured out how to reconstruct the rubble.  They found a necklace showing the gates of Babylon that enabled them to visualize these towering artifacts.

 Here is Amy trying to ruin my day.

 After the Pergamonn a swift visit to the Neues Musem next door to view Nefertiti. Then with 20 minutes left Mary and I ran into the national art gallery and whizzed by Manets, Monets, Degas, Renoirs, Cezanes. Oh, too little time!