Why Berlin?
by Gerald Kelley
"Falling In Love Again" - so goes the old Marlene Dietrich song, and each time I'm in Berlin, I fall in love again with this exciting city. Many people seem not to think of Berlin as a travel destination. So, why Berlin? It is an enthralling and vibrant city. It has been rebuilding and re-inventing itself every day since the fall of the Wall a decade ago. So, it's your chance to experience the energy of a city of the past that is becoming a metropolis of the future.
You CAN get there from here.
Much to do and see. A major plus for me is the fact that I can navigate the city on my own and not get lost. I'm directionally challenged; can't read maps (New York is to the right of Minnesota, LA to the left). Berlin is a former Imperial city (remember the Kaisers?). So, it's laid out with long, wide boulevards and straight streets. I can wander without dropping breadcrumbs.
And what do I see? Let's do culture first. Museums? Don't get me started, but for starters Ð the Pergamon Ð dedicated to the wonders of the ancient world, displaying gates, altars, statues of Greece, Rome, Babylon, blah, blah, blah.it is the next best thing to being there.
When you see the incredible vibrant colors of the Gates of Ishtar, you can't help wondering Ð what drugs were they doing B.C.? The Egyptian Museum does ancient Egypt. They have the bust of Nefertiti (amongst a bunch of other real old stuff). We've all seen the pictures of her; trust me, the real thing is breathtaking. Across the street is Charlottenburg Palace, stuffed with royal treasures; see how the 18th century royal folk lived. And across the other street is the charming Brohan Museum. They do Art Noveau and Deco decorative arts. So, get the picture? If you should happen to drop dead on the streets of Berlin, chances are it would probably occur in front of a museum.
Shop 'til you drop.
We've had our dose of culture, now let's go shopping. Es ist wunderschon (it's wonderful)! Ka De We is the largest department store on the Continent. The food floor is like a DisneyWorld of digestibles. (I always come back with a collection of exotic mustards and jams.) Grand streets like the Kurfurstendam offer several miles of shops; pricey perhaps, but definitely worth a look. Areas like Savignyplatz (where the cold war spies hung out) are filled with affordable, interesting shops. What was East Berlin is now exploding on a daily basis with glamorous, glitzy shopping venues. Some, such as Galleries Lafayette, are worth a look just to note the architecture and décor.
Eat, Drink and be Merry!
After all those museums and shopping, we need something to eat. (I need a drink.) Diverse dining abounds; everything from a bratwurst at a sidewalk stand to grand continental cuisine. The city's large immigrant population offers a vast range of ethnic eatables. (Yes, McBurgers everywhere for the food challenged.)
Evenings can be filled with theater, opera, concerts, ballet, jazz; many entertainments from the tried and traditional to the bizarrely avant-garde. The bar and club scene is hot to exotic. (The kids might read this so I'll skip the details.)
Public transportation is fast, clean, safe, and efficient. (It's run by Germans, what else would you expect?) Hotels in all price ranges service you with excellent accommodations. The dollar is kicking ass in Germany right now - so why aren't you? Gerald Kelley
