A bus to Berlin

Trains are on strike in Germany, probably until Sunday maybe longer, who knows. So we decided to go by bus. The bus leaving at 1am from Arnhem had two other people waiting for the same trip. They got on. The driver looked at us, asked for our printed tickets which we didn't have, only an online smart phone copy. He said no ticket, no bus trip! I mumbled something about being from Canada, no printer, traveling.... He then said the bus is full. I'm not sure what I said then. Norm and I were tired, it is really late and we aren't sure what is next. The driver shows us some names on printed tickets, not us. Then he is given a paper from a women sitting in the front seat, who turns out to be his wife/partner. And there are our names. We are in and get the last two seats near the front. Turns our there are two drivers plus the wife and another man who sits in the door way of the bus. It is a very full bus. 

So off we go for an 8-9 hour bus ride. Everyone on the bus looks to be asleep and mostly young. Unfortunately sleep did not come easily for Norman or me. We have never seen so many transport trucks on a highway, hundreds and hundreds. When we crossed into Germany around 2:30am two armed German officers boarded checking passports. Then at 3:40 my phone rings! I don't have roaming and it is the middle of the night. All I could do was wrap in my coat to quiet the noise. By morning we might have slept a couple of hours. 

This a 10 minute pee/smoke break around 6am somewhere..

We arrived early in Berlin, left the bus station and thought only have a few blocks to our hotel. Not so!

After much discussion as to where we were, we realized we had been dropped off at a stop quite some distance from the hotel. Taxi or walk? It is about 8:30. 

Norm figures out where and off we go. Made it to the Carmer Hotel by 9:30, nice place and so glad to drop the bags, shower and feel alive.

Fresh, we went walking! Down Kurfurstenstr to the Kaiser-Wilheim church. Beautiful in side especially the new one. 

The old one.

The new. Even the floor was amazing.

Here is the church that is still standing after being bombed.

Next over to Stafje des 17 Juni, past a market we just happened to find. Always looking for postcards.

Check this display of handles. 

The Tiergarten Park gave us a chance to see some green space. 

We stopped right beside the Victory Column for a pretzel,  bratwurst and beer, Viktoria Cafe! 

Onwards past the Reichstag. Would like to see it but seems to be booked.

 To the Brandenburg Gate again with many tourists, still impressive.

See Norman? Yellow hat.

The Jewish Memorial was very moving. What a powerful way to show the sadness.

Next we saw Potsdamer Platz and parts of the wall.

A lot of gum....

Good information about the history. Hard to believe it existed so long.

Now we headed back to our room. A few tries with the S and the U systems and a little back tracking we made it to the hotel. 

The view from our room.

A big night sleep and we are ready to go again.