Two Seasons In Berlin - Part 2

I am back in Malaysia! It has been 6 days since I've been home, and I would continue with all that I have left off before this. :)

We returned to Berlin for the second time on 23/11/2008. It was the third day which it has started snowing in Leipzig and also Thalheim. The first time I saw snow was on 21/11/2008, while being on my way to work. I saw white particles flowing wildly outside the window of the bus, and I was excited deep inside. Excited, yet too proud to let it show on the surface. I smiled with glee when we finally step down from the bus, experiencing the first snow falling on my head. On our usual routine, which is to grab a drink in the cafeteria before work starts, I was caught up admiring the scenery of snow flakes falling down on the mainroad of our plant.

I woke up with a sudden rush the next morning to see if the road outside was covered with snow. Armed with my camera, I excitedly took some shot of the first snow in Leipzig for 2008. It wasn't as much as I was hoping for, but good enough to make us eager Malaysians to talk about it at work later that day.

Snow layering itself on the top of a car. This was directly opposite my bedroom window, below my apartment.

Oh, coming back to Berlin trip. Well, what I can say is that snow totally changed the landscape of the city, and also our perception of Berlin. White Berlin was much more exciting than our previous visit. Probably perhaps this time around, we had the chance to venture out on ourselves rather than having to be forced to sit and listen to a good old tour guide.

Me in front of Berlin Hauptbahnhof. The train we took was a direct one from Leipzig Hauptbahnhof.

A Shift MEs. L-R: Me, Lee, Lingam and Chu

Me in front of a remaining original site of the Berlin Wall. This section is the less colourful compared to some of the other remaining walls.

It was a nice shot, a butt-freezing shot!! :D

A must-have shot of every first-timer collecting snow ball! Notice the crosses on the background. I am still wondering what it is about. Looks like a memorial site. This was behind the Reichstag, the Parliament building of Germany.

Me opposite of the stairs leading to Reichstag.

Up close with the Brandenburger Tor.

There's also a Madame Tussauds wax museum in Berlin. Unfortunately the price was a turn off and we did not enter it. Anyway, if you look closely, you cold see Wesley Snipes in the glass panel behind of me. That was the closest I've been to a wax figure. :/

We stumbled upon a really showroom called Peugeot Avenue. It houses several mind-blowing concept cars inside, and it's open for public viewing.

Concept car #1. The tyres are as small as those meant for bicycles, and tugged nicely underneath the car, almost hidden from view. I don't know the model names, so lets just call them by the numbers. :)

Concept car #2. This is a big mean machine. >:)

There's also this long classic Peugeot inside. There's 4 digits on the number plate. What are you waiting for? I-Box it in 4D races!!!! :D

Concept car #3. Looks more like a concept of a ATV. Perhaps this one would be too precious for dirt races.

Concept car #4. Uhh... It has a collection of weird coloured balls behind it.

Lastly, concept car #5. This one looks cool. Even in green.

Bears are mascots for Berlin. Anyway, this is not the typical Berlin Bear mascot. The Berlin Bear normally stands on 2 legs and throws his arms above its head. Rather kinky. Google for the image. :D

I spotted a nasty looking Buggati in a showroom. Sweeeeeet!!

An interesting monument in Berlin. Now a tour guide would be helpful to explain what it is all about. Pffftttt!!!

Interesting buildings around, and you can actually see the famous landmark of Berlin, the Fernsehturn (The Television Tower). It is 365 metres high and is the fourth tallest freestanding structure in Europe. There's a rotating restaurant in the middle of the sphere which rotates every 30 minutes!!

This is where the Berlin Wall once stood. seperating the East and also the West.

I've not much knowledge (yet) on the historical past of the Berlin Wall. Therefore, I stand in the middle of the history. ;)

Us at Checkpoint Charlie, the separation point between East and West Germany.

Another view of the other side of the famous board in Checkpoint Charlie.

Lee and me opposite the American Sector's guard house in Checkpoint Charlie. Notice there are people dressed up as American soldiers ready to pose for you, for just a little token of appreciation. :)

Pieces of the Berlin Wall is scattered everywhere within the city. Commonly seen along the streets in front of shops.

A smaller piece of history mounted on the beam of a shop nearby Checkpoint Charlie.

I guess this is all I have about the second visit to Berlin. We spent almost the whole day walking around. I learn that it was not fun after all to be walking in snow-filled grounds. I slipped around 4 times whole day, and was lucky not to fall during each slip. It was enjoyable to sum it up, and it was worth the pain in my joints which I had for the next few days!! :D

I will be writing a little on the Christmas market we had in Leipzig next, and would wrap up this chapter of my journey soon. Till then, take care and Happy Holidays!! :)