BERLIN - July 2006

So, Katy decides going to Greece is not enough holiday for one year and we ponder on where to go for a short break to Europe. After much deliberation we agree on Berlin; neither of us had been there. I have to say that I was very pleasantly surprised. Berlin is very cool! Actually, it was quite hot in June.

Katy is getting a reputation for choosing cheap hotels that are very nice and well situated, and she did it again. In the centre of Berlin, in an area surrounded by ‘posh’ shops, we stayed in a little hotel, which looked like it was built in the 1930’s, particularly with the décor of that time. We explored Berlin, including the Brandenburg gate and adjacent room for reflection and prayer; the longest remaining part of the Berlin Wall, with some very cool paintings on it; Checkpoint Charlie and the very impressive museum there; a number of funky little ‘beach’ bars on the river, with sand, sun, and beer; and a very cool free cafe. It really was a free cafe and you just made a donation, but you had to get there early to get food. There are some funky, cheap café/bars in West Berlin if you go to the ‘arty’ areas.

One day we jumped on the train and ventured about 20 miles north of Berlin to one of the original Nazi concentration camps, which was a very moving experience – seeing where prisoners had been tortured, shot, and burnt.

Part of the reason we chose Berlin on that weekend was because Calling All Nations was on at the Olympic Stadium. This was a fantastic event where thousands of Christians from around Europe met together for a day of prayer and worship, with several good bands, like Delirious. There was space for more people in the stadium, but nonetheless, it was a great day – meeting with so many different Christians from many countries, all singing along to the praise of God.

Berlin - highly recommended for a short break.