Champagne bar!

Europe's largest department store KaDeWa features a champagne bar!

An example of socialist architecture (restored) left over from the old days. This building features a typical mural depicting the glory of the obedient worker. We took an architecture tour and the guide pointed out that the purpose of socialist architecture was to make people feel small - the buildings are weighty and huge and the avenues around them are wide and long.


This glass dome covers the courtyard betwen the Sony Center and the DaimlerChrysler complex. The structure is immense and beautiful and makes you feel very small. A modern update to the socialist architectural model?


A common mode of transportation around Berlin: the bicycle! This picture is actually in Potsdam in front of the Neue Schloss.

Best restaurant so far in Berlin: Cafe Oberwasser. There's one additional table to what you can see in the picture. The owner brought out the blackboard on which she had written the menu and leaned it against a nearby tree. We couldn't read the German so the blond lady with her back to us in the picture translated it. I had a spinach salad with warm pears, shaved parmigiano, and a sweet bacon dressing. For the entree, I had a pierogis and for dessert, raisin ice cream in a plum stew. Delicious!