Visit to Berlin

If there was one word to describe 2023 that would be like the genre of music I have been listening to – alternate. So an executive decision was made in November to spend Christmas in a city that embraces change and culture – Berlin. Loaded with Euros, swimming shorts and a thick coat we boarded the flight, touched down 2 hours later in a wintery Berlin. Boarded a train with our makeshift German accents. Many hours later after getting lost, checked into our swanky hotel.

A very merry alternate Christmas visit to the German capital Berlin.

Breakfast was always a treat serving the best German meats around. As a trainee Architect I’ve always been fond of the modern style, works of Mies Van Der Rohe springs to mind. And the eclectic mix of modern and gothic styles really do compliment each other. A favourite has to be the Reichstag. I recall visiting it 10 years ago and there was a real sense of anticipation; especially being held up in the reception for 30minutes for security clearance all added to the event.  Fast forward to the present day, yes were we held up again! But the added drama was gaining entry into the rooftop restaurant; certainly worth the wait.

One of the finest pieces of modern Architecture - the Reichstag.

The remaining days were spent in the hotel and on Christmas day we visited the largest zoo in Europe, connected to a public aquarium. A rhino sanctuary designed in a shape of a Hindu structure a pagoda. Hidden amongst a parade of people and iphones uncovered a lovely panda enclosed in a structure in a Chinese structure opened by the Chinese President Xi Jinping. Finding these cultural structures in the heart of Berlin was just mind boggling.