Virtual Tour of our Neighborhood

Well it's been one week in our new apartment. We are still getting things settled and waiting for some shelving in our storage unit and hall closet, but the apartment is coming together. The commute is ok--not a fan of getting up earlier but other than that I'm getting used to it. It didn't help that it was freezing and rainy all week. Apparently Berlin has had about twice as much rain as usual so far in April :-(. Friday night we went out to a boat restaurant on the Spree River, but we sat inside the boat. Saturday we attempted to get bagels at a neighborhood place called Coffee Mamas, but we learned it pays to be the early bird because if you don't show up until 11:30 all that's left is tomato bagels. They were setting up for a street fair nearby so we explored that a little bit. Saturday afternoon we went to the Bau Haus which is the German equivalent of Home Depot. We got patio furniture and flowers for our flower boxes. We also bought seeds for an herb garden. This morning was actually sunny and I went for a meander in the neighborhood and took lots of pictures to give you all a virtual tour. Then we had our first softball practice to kick off the season ( you will be hearing a lot about the Berlin Buckaroos from now until August). David and I are headed to our neighbors for dinner tonight, then it's Monday again about back to work.

Here is your virtual neighborhood tour in no particular order:

There is a modern new office complex development just a little ways down the river. Supposedly in the summer they turn this fountain on and the granite ball balances on the water. If that's true you'll be seeing more pictures of it, I'm sure!

Nautical theme playground along the river

is that an awesome slide or what? I am so going down that one day.

The boat restaurant/bar where we got drinks Friday night.

The famous konditerei where we had cake last weekend.

Statue of Bismark

Victory monument up close. I didn't bring any money with me and there was an entrance fee so the view pictures will have to come at a later date.

Some one got creative--we thought pink would have been a better color choice though.

The swans on the river.

The cruise boats on the river.

The street fair we saw on Saturday--complete with an NFL tent and Pirates inflatable baseball bats.

more street fair

This is the park they are building right next door to our apartments. Who thought that a purple hippopotamus would be a good idea????

view of the Spree River from one of the bridges nearby. people just tie their boats up on the edge and get out to take a walk.

The Tiergarten--this is like the Central Park of Berlin and there are lots of running and bike trails and a Biergarten inside.

Victory monument from across the circle.

There are segments of the Berlin wall on display all over town.


The promenade along the river in front of our apartments