"Dem Deutschen Volke" Berlin by alza

Berlin Travel Guide: 6,867 reviews and 15,338 photos

Berliner Luft, Luft, Luft

Berlin was a surprise that sunk in as a surprise when I left it. I was too enthralled taking it all in to fully realise my amazement. I don't know how to say this... I found it all genuine, direct and charming. Sometimes grand, sometimes like a nice village, here and there a bit disjointed... I loved it all. (I just saw sabsi's Berlin page and I relate to her feelings about this city, so maybe I'm using the same words here and there :-)

One night, I walked by a café beside my hotel, there was a crowd spilling out onto the sidewalk. The hotel had told me this is where we should go for our breakfast. I went up to the bar and asked for a beer. Got it right away but they wouldn't let me pay for it, said the bar was still open. What? I thought I might not understand enough German and let it go.
Talked to everyone around me until an announcement was made, time to go downstairs for the show!

It was a poetry reading, a woman read her poetry while her friend acted it out. All about women's issues, quite blunt and really excellent!

Szene in Berlin

yes!!! it's all about the Szene in Berlin! that would mean 'the wave', newest trends, really entertaining stuff. It's current, found all over the many districts (Mitte is where I spent most of my time, never a dull moment!) and the best is this feeling of participating. Jump in, you'll have a good time!

When the poetry reading was over at the café, we all went upstairs to a fabulous buffet. By then, I'd understood that the evening was in honour of an Australian theater actress and her soon-to-be husband, a German actor. She had cooked all the food and wanted everyone to eat, drink and be merry. The show went on later downstairs, with a group of musicians from South America. I left before that, thanking the 'groom' for a nice time. I told him how surprised I was to have been welcomed so warmly, on my first night in Berlin... He burst out laughing and said he taught he'd seen me on the stage before. They all thought I was an actress, friend of a friend I guess... No wonder I couldn't pay for anything!

The Szene I saw during my short stay was indeed open and lively. It's more than what we might call 'trendy' in the usual sense though. In fact, the ambience is reminiscent of the bohemian scene of bygone days, with a modern twist. Totally cool.

Reichstag

I wish I had a better picture of the Reichstag but I got there at dusk.

The writing on the building stopped me in my tracks. "Dem Deutschen Volke"
('To the German People')
It was so all-inclusive, like a mother opening her arms to her children. Many Germans milled around, reverentially I thought, but looking truly happy for this place. Some earth from every part of Germany was brought and placed there by the people. Very symbolic and a very peace-inspiring gesture to me. I was happy for them.

  • Intro Updated Nov 21, 2004
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Reviews (10)

Comments (28)

  • breughel's Profile Photo
    Mar 22, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    Voilà un regard bien original sur Berlin; mais en quelle année avez-vous effectué votre visite? C'est charmant de s'entendre dire qu'on ne parle pas le VRAI français!

  • johngayton's Profile Photo
    Mar 21, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    Great page. If you ever get back to Berlin give me a shout. I'll show you mine if you show me yours ;)

  • HORSCHECK's Profile Photo
    Dec 18, 2010 at 4:43 AM

    Lou, lovley little page about our big capital. I am sorry that I didn't make it to Karlsruhe this year, but as you know I was and still am ill.

  • Roadquill's Profile Photo
    Oct 9, 2010 at 10:54 AM

    Hi Lou, I added a travelogue just on the exhibits at the Mercedes Benz museum to wet your appetite. Very cool to visit. (my recent trip to Berlin was great too), Karl

  • Nemorino's Profile Photo
    Aug 5, 2010 at 3:13 PM

    That sounds like a great hostel! (But I won't use it because my younger son lives in Berlin, so I can just stay with him.)

  • vpeter's Profile Photo
    Oct 31, 2009 at 1:04 PM

    Have you been to Potsdam during your trip in/to Berlin? Potsdam is an absolute must see and easy to reach with the U-Bahn. Nice pics and good tips about Berlin.

  • 850prc's Profile Photo
    May 6, 2008 at 11:59 AM

    We need to go back. Last time I was in Berlin ('83), no man's land, the palace of tears and the wall were in full working force. Nice page.

  • iaint's Profile Photo
    Dec 7, 2007 at 2:14 PM

    yep, fine place; i'd go back anytime

  • Ekaterinburg's Profile Photo
    Sep 20, 2007 at 1:24 PM

    Going to Berlin for a week in December. Can't wait too check out that 'Szene' ! I hope to do a lot of wandering about as well. Quirky page, I enjoyed it :))

  • nicolaitan's Profile Photo
    Aug 22, 2007 at 5:58 AM

    Enjoyed your page - haven't seen much on the Palace of Tears before, interesting. We are going to B next month. Jazz and gelato in Amalfi - wonderful. N.

alza

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