Let me take you on just a brief tour of the Berlin area that we saw today. The pictures got a little out of order, but I hope you'll forgive that. The first picture should be of the Schloss Sansouci, which is part of the grounds of the Royal family from the time of Frederick the Great. The grounds are absolutely marvelous and the day was cold, but clear and wonderful. Next you'll see a picture of many cousins as they all wanted to be with us for the day.
Before we left I took some pictures just down the street from where we are staying in Retzow, which is the town where Ingrid grew up. This quaint church is where Ingrid was married the first time at age four. Her sister performed the wedding and all the village children were present making noise with pots and pans. I have since had the wedding canceled and taken my rightful place. Next is a fun shot back at the grounds of the Royal family with just a fun reflection shot. That is followed by a picture of an old windmill on the grounds as well.
Now you should see the U.S. Embassy in Berlin with a hot air balloon depicting the world that was floating overhead. Quite an impressive building. I remember the old U.S. Embassy building in E. Berlin that we took pictures of in 1982 and were fearful of being arrested for it. Next is a picture where I have one foot in the east and one in the west and you see the brick line where the Berlin Wall used to be. That picture is followed by Checkpoint Charlie. We went through this checkpoint in 1982 and there is quite a story to that crossing with it's difficulties. Now it is for memories and picture opportunities. There is a lot of emphasis on all of this right now as Nov. 9 will mark 20 years since the wall came down.
Next is a shot of the Angel of Freedom which stands in the West, but we could see it from the East in 1982. It was strange to imagine what the people in the East must have thought seeing that figure, but unable to reach it. The next two shots are of the Brandenburger Tur, which was was also in the East. The horses on the top originally faced to the West, but the E. German leaders turned them around to face East as they still do today.
Finally there are just some fun shots at night. You see an old church with a radio tower that was all part of the Eastern sector. The other old church was bombed out and left as a reminder of the destruction. It is on Kurfuersten Dam and across from a very modern shopping mall. Last is a picture of the 1936 Olympic Stadium where Jesse Owens brought some grief to Adolf Hitler with his athletic victories over Hitler's fair haired boys.
Change is the operative word for the day. Much of the change has been good, but we always manage to bring in the bad with it eventually. Aren't we glad that the best is yet to come? I hope you enjoyed our day. We certainly did. Today, (Tuesday) we plan to visit many local scenes of Ingrid's childhood. See you tomorrow.
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