Room with a View

The group dressed up again Tuesday night as we held our celebration dinner high atop the TV Tower. The seating area rotates twice an hour, providing a splendid view of sunset and all the areas we've been to. If the weather holds up on our final day, several students plan to take bikes out to explore, like I did along one of the rivers Monday.

 

 

High in the Sky

Despite a cold and rainy weekend, friends Tamara and David and I went took in a few sights we had not seen before. I was the only one to climb the 285 steps to the top of the Victory Column, a Berlin landmark. The passageway narrowed closer to the top, and the wind and rain on the viewing platform made the trek even more terrifying.

 

"Show Me" a Big HIt

Much is happening so the blogs are running a bit late. Tuesday night the group saw an incredible musical called "Show Me" at the Friedrichstadt-Palast, one of the world's largest venues. Great performances, wonderful staging and a great building with exciting light and color.

 

A Busy Monday

At the hotel, AFP photographer John MacDougall spoke to the group about the passion a photojournalist needs and the emotions he or she goes through on assignments. Later 12 of us went to the impressive Mercedes World where the girls shot some fantasy photos in a $70,000+ car. We then walked through the Tiergarten and at sunset came back to Alexanderplatz. Nighttime activity included a few hours at the always fun Dr. Pong.

 

 

Walk, Refresh, Walk, Walk

We took in a four-hour walking tours to historical sites and along Unter den Linden Sunday, where the 2.3-million euro Bugatti is on display as the world's most expensive car. Saw a few memorials with interesting lighting. Then on to the adventurous and gigantic street parade, the Carnival of Cultures. Plenty of interesting faces among the performers and spectators.

Biking in Berlin to Berghain

We rode quite a few miles on Saturday, many in the rain, on a Fat Tire Bike Tours visit to some of the more colorful sights in Berlin. The group posed for a shot at Berghain, a world-famous nightclub in a former power plant. It's known for its techno sound and highly selective bouncer who limits the 2,000 clubbers selected each weekend.

Saturday - Before the Rain

 

The day started out sunny and bright for our group having breakfast in the lobby of the Transit Loft. Andrea Waterman, Emilie Shinskie and Katie Burns were part of the group later soaked to the bone as we completed our Berlin Fat Tire Tours of the underbelly of Berlin. We saw tons of artistic graffiti as well as the mammoth Berghain club, often called the #1 techno club in the world. For about 2,000 guests who are allowed in, the party starts Thursday night and runs through Monday morning.

Getting close

Hard to believe, but on Friday, May 17, the Berlin Journalism study abroad course begins for 20 students, a teaching assistant and me. Trip #9. Check out student blogs on the right.>>>>