Day 69 - Home Again (sort of)

We took the night train from Brussels to Berlin, arriving at HBF at a little after eight this morning. We were met on the platform by my aunt and uncle (technically my mom's aunt and uncle, but that's just a technicality). They drove us to their home in Tegel where we spent a lovely morning raiding the cheese in their refrigerator, catching up online, and reading in the garden. When they returned from their errands we had yet another round of coffee and kuchen (did I mention how much I like the Germans' idea of afternoon snack), this time pflaumkuchen (plum cake) supplemented by luscious grapes from their garden. After coffee and kuchen, we headed into Berlin proper for a little sightseeing.

We visited Humboldt University, where both of my cousins studied, and also the site of a monument to university books burned under the Nazi regime. Empty bookcases under a glass panel in the plaza where the burnings originally took place. From Humboldt, we walked past various churches, and viewed the Berlin TV tower. Built on the East side under the GDR (or DDR, as it is known here), it was supposed to be testament to man, and defy the surrounding churches. However, sunlight hitting the reflective panels that form the round ball on the top of the tower shines a cross shape. Among the churches we passed were the French and Berlin Doms. One king, one of Friedrichs, maybe, was very francophile in his leanings. The Huegonots, (we think) were seeking asylum, which the German king granted. As a result, there were two churches built. Nearly identical except in ornament, one held services in French, the other in German.
Near the churches, we stopped for a drinks, and some music by a street performer. This is a prime location for performers, as most of the outdoor restaurant patrons are tourist or locals sightseeing, and are easily charmed. Sometimes disputes over the territory arise, but usually the same core of performers peaceably cycle thru.

Home again for dinner and a football (soccer) match on TV. England V Germany. Germany won.