Brrrrrr in Berlin

A&L on the
"boardwalk" by the Dom

As promised, I bundled up the tykes and headed out the door for a long walk. The destination was Museum Island, which I skirted when we visited the Berliner Dom last week. (Which Leah remembered: "We've been in that church, Mommy!)

The little island, located in the Spree River, is a cluster of neo-classical buildings built in the 18th century. They house a vast number of ancient treasures. For example, the Pergamon has an enormous mosaic Babylon gate. Heck, the world's oldest coins are in the Bode. And the whole neighborhood is an architectural work of art, with all the stone and bridges connecting it to the mainland.

The Pergamon

On a side note: Cobblestone streets are not ideal for the World's Heaviest Stroller, though the kiddos enjoyed the way their voices vibrated as they sang songs at the top of their lungs. I'm sure the neighbors love that.

The Bode

The weather is getting colder, more fall-like. It was probably in the 50s today. And very gray, which they tell me is a characteristic of Germany. Gray.

At a toy store, I bought the kids little umbrellas, because I'm an awesome Mom -- and it looked like it could rain at any minute.

We met a 4-year-old in the grocery store this afternoon, named Anna, who told us what umbrella was in German. She's learning English in her kindergarten class and was fascinated by Leah's gabbing.

A Church and Chocolate Cookies

Behold! Berliner Dom

In today's installment of "See Berlin" -- but should really be called "whatever it takes to wear out the kids" -- we strolled over to the Berliner Dom. It's a beautiful and historic church that was rebuilt a century ago, and again after WWII. We walked around the inside (yeah, I finally saw the inside of a building!) and I got goosebumps from the creepy crypt. Otherwise, lovely and massive.

Alice, with her mouth watering

There was a coffeehouse in the basement (next to the crypt, blah!) where I treated the girls to a chocolate cookie -- before lunch. What a swell mama!

The Royal Palace - what's left of it
(Click on the pic for a closer look)

So, I've mentioned that construction sites abound in this city. But here's something truly interesting ... the rebuilding of a palace! This archeological dig, across from the Berliner Dom, is the remains of the Royal Palace. It was, no kidding, blown up after the war by East German leaders because they didn't want to be reminded of their bourgeois past. Apparently, a long debate on what to do with this site went on here but ultimately they decided to unearth the palace and rebuild. Here's an article from 2002, which includes a cool picture of what it once looked like. History!

Leah at Berliner Dom

Post-nap, we walked in the other direction to a park that was once supposed to be a canal, but because of health issues with the water, they filled it in and turned it into a park. There's a nice rose garden and a large pond. It ends with a large church that is in midst of being reconstructed. I'll take pictures next time I'm there. However, to the children's supreme disappointment, there is NO playground.

Tomorrow, Leah has requested to go on the train. So, we're off to neighborhoods further afield.