I went to Museum Island to use a couple of hours before I was due at the Reichstag. Several columns here have been replaced. I suspect the original columns bear WW2 bullet scars.
Of the five museums, I decided on the Alte Nationalgalerie (mainly 19th century paintings), on condition that I could leave and return on the same ticket. I could. I went straight for the French Impressionists.
En route to the Reichstag, self powered tour bus. Everybody is pedalling furiously. An important detail, not obvious here, is that there is beer on tap. Keg mounted at the front.
In the dome. Up ramp and down ramp form a double tapered helix. Your earphone thingy senses your position and tells you about what you are looking at.
Top of the dome. Opening at the top allows rain in, like the Pantheon in Rome. No admission charge for this. I take back what I said 2 days ago. The best things in life are free.
Back along the Unter den Linden to the Alte Nationalgalerie. I neglected to mention that in Italy, everywhere, were enthusiast cyclists of all ages, mainly male, wearing lycra. Here in Germany, many people of both genders use bicycles for ordinary transport. In Berlin especially, the wide streets and footpaths with bike lanes make cycling a safe mode of transport (if you ride in a safe way).
This is for Anne. Does it look familar?
One of our favourite places in France, in the Jura.
After looking at everything in the Gallery, I walked to Alexanderplatz station to get on the U2 for home. I’ve decided to go to Dresden for a day. I booked a return train ride and a room in the centre of Dresden for Sunday night.
Later, I went out for a meal, along Wilmersdorferstrasse, from the Bismarckstrasse U-bahn station. Lots of takeaway. I wanted a real meal. The street turned into a pedestrian shopping mall, and I found a large crowded cafe, exactly what I was looking for. They managed to squeeze me in.
