Four Countries, Thirty-seven Days......Many Memories

Everyone travels for different reasons. Business, pleasure, adventure and sometimes because a catalyst started the plan in motion. Whatever the reasons or objectives I urge you to pull out the luggage and get going! 

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

A few favorite photos from my four country, thirty-seven day adventure. Thanks for sharing my journey with me! 

A gift from the Portugal Air crew as we landed in Lisbon. What a sweet way to start my vacation. 

Lisbon, Portugal 

Berlin, Germany

Prague, Czech Republic 

Slubice, Poland

......and one last selfie......

“Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quiestest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.” – Pat Conroy 

Chausseestraße - final strolls through my neighborhood

June 30, 2014

As my European adventure is coming to an end I spent the final days strolling through the neighborhood. (ChausseestraBe is the name of the street the flat is located on.) Ironically I was stopped twice today and asked for directions. This has happened numerous times since I started my Berlin visit. Each time I was more confident as I gave advice about how to get to their destination. One day the person asking only spoke German and I was still able to understand what street he was searching for! Today two young ladies stopped and asked how to get to the TV Tower. When I pulled out my trusty, well worn map they were surprised and remarked oh you are visiting too? One gal was from Israel and one from Poland. Everyone who has asked for directions has been so grateful. Of course I am also thankful when I ask for and receive assistance.  

I hope you enjoy a few photos from my last days in Berlin. I will miss this city!

Breakfast in the old Jewish Quarter. 

More "stumbling stones" as I walked through the neighborhood. Each time I encounter one of these markers it evokes such emotion. I find myself imagining their lives in the homes as I stand in front of the buildings where they lived. Then I look at the year they were forced to leave and the year the passed away. The timeframe in between those dates is unimaginable. 

As I enjoyed my walk I came across a Volkspark. This was Weinberg Volkspark and was once a vineyard. If you would like to learn more check this website. 

http://translate.google.de/translate?hl=en&sl=de&u=http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkspark_am_Weinberg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dvolkspark%2Bweinberg%2Bberlin%26client%3Dsafari%26hl%3Den

A huge stylized drawing of the landmark TV Tower painted on the side of a building. Really eye catching. 

Really tasty fish and chips. At the transit station! The tarter sauce bowl is made from a waffle.

Berlin has been good to me so on my last days here I chose to give back a little. As I walked up to this square I could hear a beautiful voice singing Alleluia. Her voice filled the entire area. I bought them lunch at a  sandwich shop and delivered it to them. They were so surprised and pleased. 

*******************************************************************

The following day I ate breakfast at Mauer Cafe. It is near the Berlin Wall Memorial. It is a non-profit organization that employees over 800 adults who have challenges. 

And a final stroll along the River Spree......

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

Culinary Tour

My friend, Sandra, never misses an opportunity to inquire about the local dishes I am enjoying. She should appreciate this post! Just to add to the fun I am numbering the photos. As you scroll through you can guess what country the dish originated. Towards the bottom of the post I will list photo numbers, what the dish was and what country I was in when I devoured it! 

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

28. 

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

"I wish you a pleasant day." 

1. Berlin - pretzel and beer. Weihenstephan Brewery started in 1040 as a monastery brewery of the Benedictine Monks now operated by Bavarian Government.

2. Berlin - Kuchen 

3. Prague - Trdlo, a pastry sold by street vendors

4. Berlin - keep the barrels rolling

5. Prague - sausage at beer garden

6. Berlin - breakfast at my flat

7. Berlin - a cafe

8. Berlin - dancing beer store owner

9. Prague - fried cheese

10. Lisbon - coffee and pastry

11. Slubice, Poland - cookies at a market

12. Berlin - crepe making at festival

13. Berlin - strawberries from street vendor

14. Prague - meringue and brownie 

15. Berlin - pizza at beer garden 

16. Lisbon - famous Belem pastries 

17. Berlin - ice cream selfie

18. Slubice, Poland - market

19. Berlin - favorite wine and chocolate from market ($4 for wine and 50 cents for chocolate) 

20. Prague - beer menu from Lokal

21. Berlin - potato soup 

22. Berlin - dark beer

23. Prague - breakfast 

24. Berlin - Austrian noodles and salad

25. Prague - poppyseed torte 

26. Berlin - festival booth - wine? 

27. Berlin - doner meal-popular and inexpensive in Berlin

28. Prague - enough said

29. Berlin - traditional sausage meal with sauerkraut and potatoes 

30. Prague - bean soup and cucumber salad

31. Berlin - apple kuchen 

32. Slubice, Poland - poppyseed pastry (ate it before I took a photo-this is a photo I found)

33. Frankfurt-Oder - soup and sauerkraut at shopping mall

34. Berlin - sandwich and latte (my vote for prettiest latte) 

35. Berlin - Thai food from an excellent restaurant in neighborhood 

36. Berlin - potato salad

37. Berlin - bratwurst guy

38. Prague - market

39. Berlin - cafe