Berlin

                                                        Willkommen in Berlin!!!!!

The Reichstag Building has a glass dome on top that you can walk around to get views of the city.

The Berliner Fernsehturm (TV Tower) was built between 1965 and 1969 as a symbol of the GDR's strength.  It is the fourth tallest freestanding structure in Europe.  Personally, I think it's hideous, but helpful in navigating around town, as my hostel was very close to the tower.

The Supreme Parish and Collegiate Church, aka the Berlin Cathedral.  Of course, major damage happened during WWII and much of the cathedral has been rebuilt.  If you are looking for old buildings in Berlin, keep looking.

Here is the portion of the Berlin wall that has been allowed to remain standing with the new name, The East Side Gallery.

The Berlin wall was actually two walls.  If you were going to get to the other side, you had to make it over one, go through the "death strip," then make it over the other.  Don't forget the land mines, soldiers and tanks.

                                                The Brandenburg Gate.

The Victory Column commemorating War victories is topped with a golden statue called Goldelse by Berliners, which means something like "Golden Lizzy."  Ha!

On Sundays, there is an enormous open-air market that is just a big party.

Does anyone really need or want a vintage Polaroid?  Can you still get film?

          That's right, two banjos, horns and a clarinet - And this band ROCKED!!!

Next up:

The Beautiful City of Prague

I left Budapest and hopped a train to Prague.  Prague has gorgeous architecture.  It is just beautiful.  Take a look.

             
                                 An entrance to the Charles Bridge.  Built in the 14th Century.

        The Old Town Square has its roots in the 12th Century.  It is always packed with tourists.

 The Prague Astronomical Clock.  Gorgeous.  If you climb to the top, you get a great view of the town.

The other entry gate of the Charles Bridge.

Now this is what a drain pipe should look like.  Unfortunately, there was no rain here, so I couldn't get the full effect.

The Prague Castle and St Vitus Cathedral.

A vast cathedral interior.

Beautiful Stained Glass.

The Tyn Church.  Started in the 14th Century, it was finished in 1511.  But, look at the results.

The Old Town Square from the top of the clock tower.

A shot of the Astronomical Clock Tower from the Old Town Square.

The 18th century St. Nicholas Church.  Merry Christmas to all.

Prague has more than just old churches, old pubs!  (Please note the blatant advertising to English speakers.)  I looked inside, but did not frequent this establishment, as it looked too touristy for my tastes.  Believe it or not, if I don't open my mouth (and don't wear a Phillies cap) I do blend in, in Europe.  Shocking, I know.  The most common guess, until I open my mouth, is that I am Finnish.  Must be the beard.

This is the Lennon (not Lenin) wall in Prague.  Pretty cool.

Moustache?  Come on now.

Have you ever heard the Christmas song, "Good King Wenceslas?"  He's from Prague.  That's him.

The square is just amazing.

If Budapest loves Ska, Prague loves Jazz.  This group played New Orleans Jazz, really well!  Note the New York Yankees cap.  Ubiquitous, throughout the world, if aliens exist, then I would bet there are some aliens out there in a flying saucer saying, "Hey, let's swing by Earth, I need a new Yankees cap."  Bleck!!!!

Prague, not Amsterdam, has the most liberal recreational drug policy in Europe.  This is your local "drug" store.

Who's up for some absinth ice cream?!

Not exactly the PA State Store system.

Have I mentioned the nice people I met along the way?  To be fair, I think she was just coming off a bad relationship, again.  I Can't imagine why.  Cigarety?  Alkohol?  Drogerie?

You cannot see the amount of stuff these two have attached to their bikes.  They are riding through Europe from Moscow on their bikes!!!  AWESOME!!!!!  Love it!

Another street band, more Celtic, than Jazz.

Really???

First Bruce, now Kurt Vile!!!

"Piss" by David Cerny has two men pissing on a map of the Czech Republic.  This is directly in front of the Franz Kafka museum.  Kafka was born and lived his life in Prague.  The love, hate relationship that Kafka had with his home, makes this sculpture more than appropriate.  Even funnier, there is a number that you can send a text to, and these two will spell out whatever you text in the pond.  I think this is much more fun than the light beams over Philly.

Still Prague.  Yes, it is a Paris rip-off.  But, it gives you great views of the city.

This is actually called the Fred and Ginger Dancing Building.  I almost forgot to include it.

Next up:  Berlin!