Xerxes' Errata

Well, I'm back from a 2 day trip to Berlin. It was definitely worth it even though the train ride took about 4 hours and even though I killed my feet walking around so much. It was also stinkin' hot in Berlin, and humid as well. I don't think I've ever had to sweat so much in my life as I did these last two days, not even at my work. And that was on the surface of the city. Taking the subway was an exercise in seeing how much sweat one's shirt could absorb. Though I guess I shouldn't complain. I've heard the Tube in London is much worse.

Nevertheless, there is lot to see in Berlin and nowhere near enough time to see it all. You could spend a week in Berlin and still not see everything you want to see, especially if you're a history type like me.

According to Wikipedia, there are about 150 museums in Berlin, but the best ones are on Museum Island. There's the antiquities museum which has a hugh collection of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian relics and artifiacts. I didn't know it before, but the museum houses the famous Bust of Nefertiti which is really neat to see in person.


Then there's the Pergamon Museum which is famous for housing large monuments from antiquity such as the Ishtar Gate which dates from the rule of Nebuchadrezzar II in 575 BC.


It's simply amazing to see in person. The museum also has a large colection of Middle Eastern art and Islamic art as well. The cellections are largely of tapestries and illuminated texts which are also very impressive. What I thought was really neat to see was a version of the Koran on blue-dyed paper and writting in gold. What's really handy as well is that every museum provides you with an audio guide you can listen to that tells you more than ever wanted to know about every little thing in whatever language you prefer.

I also went to the famous Berlin Zoo which was awesome. For about a 1/3 of the price of what it costs to get into the Stanley Park zoo and aquarium, you can see 5x as much in Berlin. There were sharks and flourescent fish in the aquarium and in the zoo were pandas, penguins, polar bears, and gorillas and so much more.

I also went to Charloettenburg Palace which was the home of Frederick I (who came after Frederick III believe it or not).


It was a shame they didn't let you take pictures because some of the rooms inside were amazing. Especially the few that managed to survive the war. What I found "interesting" was the private chapel. Frederick I was supposedly a Calvinist, but his chapel could not have been more Catholic in its opulence.

The Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate were also neat to see in person. As you would expect, the view from the top of the Reichstag is awesome.

However, I didn't have enough time to make it to Sachsenhausen or Wannsee which is too bad, but I'll have to leave those till next time...

On a different note, Berlin has a great beer it calss its own. It's called BerlinWeiß (berlin White), it's a light beer, but really good. I think this is why Bud was criminally given the beer sponsorship to the World Cup. Germany is home to some great beer, bu there are few large national brewers. Rather, every town and city has its own special brew. Oh, and if you're ever in Berlin. Go to one of the many cafe's and try the Currywurst.

Till next time...