Day 36

Day 36 Berlin - Tuesday 3rd August
Guten tag!!!
The heavy skies and soaking rain reverberated a few sobering moments today. We visited the Berlin Wall and the Jewish Cemetery.
I clearly remember (in the 70s and 80s) nervously following events throughout the Cold War days as the western aligned countries and Soviet/Eastern Bloc traded veiled threats of war. I really thought we would probably all be blown up in a nuclear blast!
The dismantling of the Berlin Wall in 1989 was symbolic to us all that ..just maybe...the world was coming to its senses. To touch the remaining sections of the wall that so brutally dissected a city and witnessed death, cruel repression and madness was a powerful experience. It's great that a couple of parts of the wall have been preserved as a lesson to the world.

The Jewish Cemetery up the road from our hotel contains 1,000s of graves dating back to the 1600s. While in some ways it is a pretty place with its leafy treees and ivy floor covering, there are some disturbing areas that were destroyed by the Nazis in 1943. Jagged pieces of broken tombstone lie uncomfortably beside the intact headstones. It brings home the the clear intent of the Nazis to break the spirit and heart of the Jews. Males are expected to wear a kippah as a mark of respect.

Morning tea - meditating before the arrival of yummy apple strudel and capuccino.

Luxury accommodation??? - actually the apartment was lovely inside.

A kids' marching band practising in the Alexanderplatz Square.

Day 35

Day 35 Berlin - Monday 2nd August

Don't give me any more croissants when we get back - I've had one for almost every breakfast so far!

True Story..........

After boarding the train for Berlin, I assisted an elderly lady who was struggling to lift her case up the steps. To my astonishment, she screamed desperately and in her sharpest Jewish-American accent, "How could you do this to me?"

From behind me, an old grey haired man sheepishly appeared. He had obviously left her on the crowded platform (who could blame him!) to grab a good seat.

You would have enjoyed the Jewish/NY accents Jamo as they yelled at each other, filling the carriage with their shrill voices.

"I thought you were back of me, Elaine!" he bellowed repeatedly. We knew this wasn't exactly true as he had barged in front of us to get on - looking back down the platform!!

They seemed totally oblivious to the rest of us. Her pretence at nearly fainting and sobbing loudly was worthy of an Academy Award. He really wasn't helping things at all.

"Don't you EVER (sob) leave me on the (pant) platform again!!!"

He proceeded to place their bags on expensive 1st class reserved seats and the saga continued at Berlin ..but that's another story. Made my day really!! Thought I might try this on Debbie when we leave Berlin - I need to practise my Jimmy Durante accent!!

Movies from yesterday.....
I accidentally downloaded a tram trip..thought I might as well leave it!

I just caught the guards marching off!

Day 34

Day 34 Prague - Sunday 2nd August

Which one looks the more fearsome???
I'm expecting Debbie to get some offers from Prague to guard their castle. Yes, today was Prague Castle day!
It took us over 4 hours to make our way through the castle that sits high on the hill overlooking Prague. It certainly has a lively history with its wars, fires, amazing stories of power struggles including the throwing of a couple of dissenting statesmen out the windows from a great height.

The gothic St Vitas Cathedral is incredible and is the religious and cultural heart of Czechoslovakia.
Inside, the church is beautiful and its sheer size, sculptures, massive stained galass and crypts leave you in awe. St Wenceslaus' crypt takes pride of place here and he is revered as the only true king ever - the others are considered as having the crown 'on loan'. The original crown is locked away and it takes seven keys to get to it. It is only used on rare occasions of significance.
Tonight we went to the theatre to see Carmen - an opera and ballet in one! Very enjoyable -we were glad they projected subtitles above the stage!

The police use modern day chariots in Prague.

Day 33

Day 33 Prague - Saturday 31st July

How romantic is this bridge? The Charles IV Bridge constructed in 1327 has a post card quality.

Ever heard of the Astromical Clock? Neither have I but I am told it is famous. The silly thing is, I can't work out how you tell the time with it! The clock is part of an old Prague cathedral and we climbed to the top of its tower. It was a case of 'wall to wall' people and you had to literally squeeze past everyone at the top. The views over the city were great - lots of gothic architecture again.

They certainly love their live entertainment over here and we enjoyed the traditional singing and clog dancing (click on the video). We also caught some cool trad jazz with a terrific washboard player (click on the video).

Had a cruise up the Volta River to get a different perspective on Prague.

At night we walked the modern section of Prague - lots of night life and really wide streets. Got ripped off with a chicken and a tuna salad for tea.

Booked tickets for Carmen at this theatre.

Day 32

Day 32 Vienna to Prague -Friday 30th July

Chocolate waffles with ice cream. Yum!!

After braving the rain to say goodbye to the Danube River, we headed off to Prague.

Debbie was obviously enjoying her lunch in the dining car.

Nearly five hours of train travel today. Most of the countryside was fairly flat and you could already see that Czecholslovakia is not quite as well off as Austria.

Arrived in Prague at around 5.00pm. The directions we had to the hotel were somewhat vague and we spent an hour towing our bags up and down the streets of Prague!

Had a night time wander through the quaint old centre of the city - very busy!! It seems that Prague is a popular tourist attraction!

Day 31

Day 31 Vienna Thursday 29th July

Anyone recognise this ferris wheel -otherwise known as the Riesenrad? It was featured in Orson Welles' movie, The Third Man. I know you would have got this Jamo!!!
It was actually built in 1897 - no wonder it was creaking and groaning. The cabins are made of wood!! But we survived! Found out it had a demolition sticker on it in 1916!


Climbed the 343 steps up into the very gothic St Stephens spire. Phew!! The narrow stone stairwell (a bit like Bristol Hill tower) seemed to go on forever. It became comically congested when we tried to pass others who were coming down. Inside, the cathedral was striking with its gothic pillars and magnificent stained glass wondows.
















I have always wanted to go inside a 'real' European oprea house and today we had a look at the Vienna State Opera house. We were taken through all of the rooms and halls. Backstage was massive with its hydraulic platforms and construction area.
The main theatre was awesome - see photo - with its gold leaf work, red carpet, drapes and the obligatory ostentatious chandelier. Placido Domingo once set a record here with an 80 min curtain call! I was tempted to get up on stage myself and belt out a few tunes - but Debbie had a strong grip!

2. 
   
   These opera costumes were designed by Picaso.
   
   
3. 
   
   
   After a late el fresco meal beside an outdoor cinema, we inadvertently got on a tram that went in exactly the opposite direction to where we needed to go. The pitcure shows the driver relaxing as he waits at the end of the line to take us back to where we started!
   
   
   

Day 30

Day 30 Vienna -Wednesday 28th July

You never really know what you are going to get with these internet bookings. Tonight's is the rather attractively named "Urania Hotel" - alright, stop laughing!! Once again the room is huge but to our amazement, it is decked out in a medieval theme....better not upset debbie tonight!!! Axes, maces, skin floor rugs and furniture fit for a castle. And a lovely bay window in the corner of the building overlooking the street.

The day started off with bircher (Debbie's favourite) muesli in Innsbruck before the 41/2 hour train trip to Vienna. More fertile valleys and lots of rolling, green hills.

We are loving the challenge of arriving in a new city and negotiating the local subways, working out how on earth you purchase a ticket - especially when there is very little English on the signage.

Caught Debbie having a 'wurtle' for lunch in the dining car.

Had traditional Viennese fare for tea....schnitzel and strudel!! Yum.

Above are pictures from Vienna tonight - the State Opera building and the war memorial. Below are some shots as we left innsbruck - the gilded copper tiles and buildings in the old town.

Here you can see the gilded golden copper mosaics of the Goldenes Dachl built by Emperor Maximillion 1