Callie Danae Hirsch
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Berlin, 2009
Through my eyes ... 20 years after the wall came down.

Berlin is so rich in culture and diversity, and such a visually enchanting city to visit.
Art is simply everywhere. Just watch and follow what the Germans do, safest way to travel
when you do not speak the language. Such things like where to punch your ticket on the bus,
or how to open the subway door when you need to exit at a station, are vital!

Click for: Kunsthaus Tacheles (Art House Tacheles) photos

Frank Gehry DZ Bank	Cold War listening towers click for more info.
				original wall	where wall was
				"stumbling blocks"
		Baltic Sea			Westin Grand Hotel
			Jewish Memorial
		The Berlin Aquarium			Bebel Plaza
click on photos to enlarge

One scary adventure we took was hiking out to see the Listening Towers from the Cold War. Hidden on a mountaintop, surrounded by a million trees, three fences surrounded these towers overlooking Berlin. We did not sneak through the fence, even though a friend told us it was totally worth checking out the interiors of these towers where artists have taken over to create a friendlier environment. The whole area was hidden in overgrown vines with only two entrance ways cut into the fence, and a lot of fixed fence where people had tried to make ways in.

On the second day of our trip I photographed two armed policemen as we ran to the train. I forgot to turn off my flash, which alerted them and they quickly descended upon me. I knew to erase the photo in front of them and was grateful that was all that was necessary. After that I decided I would not do anything wrong anymore.

Berlin's aquarium did not let me down, it was indeed wonderful. Most amazing was a creature that was part shark, part stingray. It had a transparent nostril area. We were there during reptile feeding time and witnessed some escaped crickets. The anaconda was wild...

This city is magically rich in public art, it is everywhere you turn. Some amazing things, a church interior lit by blue faceted glass, we visited an extrodinary Bauhaus exhibit, and a wall full of sheep painted and made in fabric. It was a cultural journey rich in adventure and amazement.