Walk Through Brandenburg Gate In Berlin

Brandenburg Gate used to be the city gate to Berlin.  Now it is the entry way to Unter den Linden, which is a famous boulevard lined with linden trees and a street that used to lead to the palaces of monarch times.

The gate was completed in 1791 but suffered damage during World War II.  It was restored to it's original state in 2002.  

It has been the spot of many monumental historic events.  Four US presidents have made speeches in front of the gate, but the most important significance it played was how it was a division of East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War.

Before the Berlin Wall was built, pedestrians and vehicles could freely pass through the gate.  Brandenburg Gate was often in media coverages during the fall of the Berlin Wall.   After the Cold War, it returned to being a city gate without the wall blocking people from passing through.

While at the entrance of the Gate we noticed some guys dressed in uniform offering photos and also a passport stamp for your passport.  I was told to not get that as it is no longer a valid passport stamp!  My friend Dina, however, was determined to get a photo with the guards, even if they initially thought she was American (she's Canadian). 

After taking some photos we passed through the gate.....freely.

Date Accomplished: June 6th, 2009

Have A Berliner In Berlin

A Berliner is a jam filled donut topped with powdered sugar.  My sweet tooth wanted it.  Bad.

There is a story told often in Berlin about John F. Kennedy's visit to Germany when he finished a speech off with the words, "Ich bin ein Berliner"  which translates to "I am a jelly donut."  


So I hunted for a bakery and found one while exiting the underground.  "One Berliner, Please."  I hurriedly walked back to my hotel so I could eat my treat.  It was in my belly within two minutes.  Yum Yum, but I still prefer a regular chocolate glazed donut. 

Oh, and trust me JFK, I felt like a Jelly Donut after eating it.

Date Accomplished:  June 6th, 2009