Marathon, Opera, and Exploring Berlin

Day started out with a great sleep in... Anna's friend from Hawaii called so we decided to take on Berlin as a threesome!

First up was Starbucks... nothing like going all the way to Europe to get coffee at Berlin but it was just too good to resist! (Oh.. Jody, they don't have chocolate caramel pretzels but they did have chocolate caramel shortbread... not a good as the pretzel but totally to die for!) Starbucks was right next to the marathon route and due to our sleep in the first finishers were going by... it was great to see them and cheer them on (Berlin is certainly now on my list if we ever decide to do a marathon!)

After quick viewing of the marathon we headed to the Reichstag it was beautiful the the views from the roof and the very large glass dome was beautiful (and very informative). Right next to the Reichstag was the Brandenburger Tor, very impressive gate that all the runners get to run through on their way to the finish line. The race folks had set up this ingenious crossing so that we could cross to the other side of the race and get some glorious views of the Gate.

On the other side we make a visit to the Holocaust Memorial. Berlin has some of the most interesting and thoughtful memorials I've ever visited. The Holocaust Memorial is a field of very large cement bricks. From the outside you see nothing but bricks but as you enter you realize it goes deep and the bricks get tall... the Memorial hides the people like as you ever you completely disappear from view. It was very moving and symbolic. We also visited the Bebelplatz square where they have monument to the May 10, 1933 Nazi book burning that happened in this square. In the middle of the square there is a hole where you can look down into a white room full with empty shelves. Amazingly across the street is now a University.

Then it was off the the opera. La Traviata is a very different opera than Rigeletto, it was a very simple opera not much of a set just beautiful music and great story. It was really moving (especially the solo at the beginning of the third act).

Tomorrow Anna is off to the conference and off to see a few things solo.