Berlin Diary ~ Day 5

It's our fifth full day in Berlin and today we head off to the Mitte district.  It is home to Museuminsel, or Museum Island as we would say in English.  Not only is this district home to 4 fantastic museums, but it is also home to the Brandenburg Gate,

the Reichstag, seat of parliament

Berliner Dom (known as the Protestant St. Peter's) and

Humboldt University.  Many notable people taught at Humboldt, including Albert Einstein.

We had to make a choice as to which museums we would tour as it's difficult to take in much more in one afternoon.  So, we started out at the Alte National Gallery.  Here we learned of many notable German artists from the mid-late 19th century.

Alte National Gallery

"Prometheus" - Eduard Muller

"Mercury and Psyche" - Reinhold Begas

"On the Sofa" - Wilhelm Trubner

"Still life with Partridges and Cheese" - Carl Schuch

"Summer 1872" - Hans Thoma

There were so many more works of art, equally as beautiful as these...but we still had another museum to tour.  It was onward to the Neues Museum, home of the fabulous Nefertiti exhibit.

Neues Museum

King Amenemhet III

Queen Nefertiti and mother

the tombs

Impressive, to say the very least, we three came away from these museums so much richer for having the experience.  So much walking and thinking made us quite hungry and thirsty, so it was off to Augustiner, an authentic Munich restaurant in the heart of Berlin!

"B" is for Berlin!

potato dumplings, bread dumplings, roast pork, ham, sauerkraut, and assorted grilled wursts
an authentic Munich meal

the bell rang out and a new keg was tapped!

Fantastic meal for the day and now it was time to walk this off, so we headed over to Checkpoint Charlie and more incredible Berlin history.

two beautiful girls at the beautiful Spree River, which surrounds Museum Island

the beginnings...

President John F. Kennedy visits Berlin

a chilling reminder

Checkpoint Charlie

the last Soviet flag to fly in East Germany

Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and re-live our fantastic journey with me.  I hope you've enjoyed these pictures as much as I've enjoyed sharing them.  It never ceases to amaze me what trials and  tragedies the German people endured in their history.  Yet, they are a beautiful people with an undeniable pride of homeland and self.

Have a beautiful week, and take only "treats," not "tricks!"
xoxo
Karen

All about the Halloween Swaps!

Well, it's been a busy October to say the least ~ swaps abound!  But I can only blog about these two for the moment since my other swap partners haven't received their goodies yet.
I recently participated in the Halloween Bag Swap hosted by Debi at http://bloggerettesorority.blogspot.com  We had to embellish a "trick or treat" tote bag and fill it with goodies.  My partner was JoAnne at http://vintagedragonfly.blogspot.com/  Here's what the lovely and talented JoAnne created for me...

Just love it! ~ this bag gives a whole new meaning to "Marie!"  

these goodies were included with the bag

close-up of the amazing witch's hat

part 1 of the goodies inside the bag

part 2 of the goodies inside the bag

Please be sure to click on the pictures so you can see all the creations JoAnne made.  She is SO talented!

Here's what I sent to my partner, Kelly Deal, at kellydeal.blogspot.com

the bag

treats part 1

treats part 2

Right now our little Tucson group is getting ready for our Altered Spoon Swap this Sunday at the home of lovely Sandra.  I'm very lucky because for this swap I have two partners.  One of my partners, Karey-Ann, won't be able to join us on Sunday so we swapped today over breakfast.  Here's what the lovely and talented Karey-Ann gifted me...

a coffin for the spoon and other "treats!"

here's what was in the treat bag

check out Mr. Bones attached to his glittery spoon!

Now here's the "trick" I played on myself...I forgot to take pix of what I created for Karey-Ann!!!  Argggghhhhh!!  I will have to wait until I can get pix from her to show you.

On a happier note...I recently took Terri's "Altered Domino Book Class" at Creative Worshops. http://creativeworkshops.ning.com/ I finished my first book and thought you'd like a look!

front cover

back cover

inside pages

back pages

This class is soooo much fun and I've got 2 different designs in the hopper.  I'll be sure to post pix when they're finished.  I hope you enjoyed this, and thanks so much for taking the time to stop for a visit!  Blessings!
xoxo
Karen

Berlin Diary ~ Day 4

September 26, 2011  ~ It's a glorious sunny day with temps in the low 70's....the sky is a perfect blue and it appears to be the perfect day to see the Berlin Zoo ~ the largest zoo in Europe!

We begin with a luscious breakfast at Pucci's, a little cafe near our hotel.  Funny thing...what we call "French Toast" the Germans call "Cinnamon Toast."  This had to be the BEST I've ever tasted!  They managed to cover the toast with a "crust" of the sugars and cinnamon ~ dee-lish!

As time went on we noticed the pride German people take in all that they create/produce.  A large stein of German draft beer costs 2.9 euros while a glass of wine from Italy or France costs 6.9 euros!

Next it was on to the Zoo.  This site was less than mile from the hotel and we needed as much walking that day after the breakfast we just had!

main entrance

some German humor!

I don't think the spider was an exhibit, but I couldn't resist this picture!

the two most beautiful creatures that day!

European storks

baboons

lowland gorilla - not sure which one he is

beautiful flamingos - one of my faves

a flamingo close-up

on the count of "3" everybody scratch!

had to shoot the statue since the "real" ones were hiding

beautiful photo op

mama and calf

resting rhino

pigmy hippo

the King bids us "auf wiedershen"

We saw many more residents, but could not see them all....this park is ENORMOUS!  And we still had to make it through the Aquarium.

Schotzie and friend outside the Aquarium

The following are from the Aquarium...so beautiful and so graceful to watch these sea creatures.

sea urchin

spongy coral

chimneys

jelly fish

star fish in the anemone garden

anemones

there's a fish hiding ~ it's the same color/texture as the sand!

We head back to the hotel and get ready for some gift shopping and dinner at KaDaWe Department Store.  Can't resist showing you these photos...we decided to buy our dessert and bring it back to the hotel room.  Remember that 6th floor at KDW that I talked about in an earlier post ~ the floor that's nothing but food?  We went to the bakery section and bought these...dig the fancy wraps!!

the box is covered with tissue paper ~ love those Germans!

our fabulous eclairs

Well, that pretty much wraps up Day 4.  Thank you so much for traveling with me today.  I'll be back later today with an update post on my latest swaps and creations.  I would love for you to visit again!  Have a fantastic day!
xoxo
Karen