On the road with Jan to Berlin

Well today started out not really how we expected as Franziska had come down with the flu so it's was up to us with our good friend Jan to guide us through the day. 
We started of to Berlin from our accommodation (pension) in Radebeul and headed for Berlin. Along the way Jan talked about the history of Berlin and alot of other interesting  facts about how and why Berlin came to be.
As we entered Berlin we drove past the former Berlin wall which separated the east from the west from 1961- 1989 and learnt about how things were back in these times. Now Jan is a very knowledgable guy and very proud of his region, "a wealth of knowledge".we arrived at the Reichstag the symbol and heart of German  democracy and certainly is an impressive building.in true style Jan had organised for all of us  to dine on the top of the Reichstag  building for lunch which was an incredible experience. From there we took a stroll around to the Brandenburg gate the city gate of Berlin that was badly damaged in the war but  fully restored from 2000-2002. From the gate we wondered around to take a look at the monument for the Jewish people killed in the war it consists of some 2711 concrete slabs  designed to produce an uneasy, confusing atmosphere, and the whole sculpture which aims to represent a supposedly ordered system that has lost touch with human reason. 
From here it was back in the car to Checkpoint Charlie (or "Checkpoint C") was the name given by the Western Allies to the best-known Berlin Wall crossing point between East Berlin and West Berlin during the Cold War but now after the reunification it is a tourist attraction. Amazing to think that in 1961 Soviet and American tanks faced each other at this point only some 100 meters apart. 

Now we have learned that when you are with Jan then he always has a surprise up his sleeve and today's trip was a no exception some amazing sites , some of the most impressive food we have had on the trip and some great laughs had by all. Who else could take you on a trip to  Berlin have lunch on top of the Reichstag and  end up topping the day of with dinner in a castle restaurant eel soup, whole fish, boiled potato, chicken pancakes, asparagus, yummy vegetarian  dish that Amanda thought was pretty good.
If today was a menu it would read like this
Entree - a refreshing morning drive with a flavoring of the German country side.
Main - a generous serving of Berlin's historical sights seasoned with good conversation and laughter
Desert - good humor,great company,excellent food from the schlossrestaurant in Lubben ,and the Berlin region of Germany. 

A very satisfying and enjoyable day. 

Written by Paul 'pork knuckles' Channon