Posted 12:48 PM by MelanieandSteve
Hello from Berlin. Things are, again, Great.

We had the greatest time in Giessen with our friend Bianca and Vanessa, and all the friendly, open, generous, interesting people that surround them in their lives. Highlights included a pre show, three course dinner cooked by Biancas sisters Vanessa, Karina, and Danny for us as well as several of their good friends. The greatest highlight was Biancas show where she dazzled us with her singing talent. Her boyfriend Felix also put on quite a show with drums. Simultaneously, we were perpetually absorbed in interesting conversation with several of their friends. After a very late night, and then a late sleeping in morning, we feasted with Bianca and Vanessa and their boyfriends Alex and Felix, and then we rested our stomachs just long enought for Steve and Mel to take a walk in the nearby woods. Then we were invited to Felixs familys house for a big BBQ dinner. The whole family was so welcoming and warm. We had such a good time that when it came time for Bianca to drive us to the train station and say good bye, she practically had to drag us out the door. We had so much fun in Giessen, and wont forget the gift of friendship from all these warm, special people.

Now, were in Berlin, Germany. This has been the most historically rich and deeply absorbing city yet. As soon as we started to plan out our stay, we realized there were infinite possibilities, and more ´must see, cant miss´ places to go than we could complete. Steve and Mel started with two museums, took a nap on a nearby lawn by the river (tired from the night train ride), and then walked the longest remaining portion of the Berlin Wall. Today, many of the museums are closed, so it seemed like a perfect day to take a walking tour. The 8 hour walking tour this tour hit most of the main sights that shorter tours hit, but this one took time to really explain and talk about in depth history. We learned about WWI, WWII, Prussian Germany, etc... from Boris, an extremely knowledgeable and fun guide. Walking the cities, seeing so many incredibly overwhelming historical land marks and feeling how people must have felt during some of the Earth shattering changes and tragedies and victories that occurred here doesnt even compare to history books. Berlin has been a highlight of travel so far.

After the tour, the tourees, along with Boris, went to a local ´Bar´. Its a place that not everyone would find themselves without an inside scoop. Its an old building that was once abandoned and then filled with artist squatters (Berlin now has an incredibly strong and expressive artist community). Eventually, the government, through some contract, allowed the squatters to stay, as long as they opened the place to the public. Now, its not so much a place of squatters, but a self run coopof sorts . The walls on all 6 floors are entirely covered with graffiti, music plays on every floor, art work, some of bizzaar sorts can be seen, theres a film theater and a metal workers shop, and coffee shop/bars on several floors as well as in the back of the building. Wouldnt miss it for the world, now that we know about it. Oh, and theres free internet. (Using it now.)

Alls well.

Happz Happy Wedding to Judy and Scott.
We have thought of you a lot.