Tag der Deutschen Einheit

Today is German Unity Day, and I don't think there's any better way to celebrate on this blog than with a look at some of the artwork from the East Side Gallery. When the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, international artists were invited to come paint messages of peace on this piece of inner wall which remains on the border of Kreuzberg/Friedrichshein. The section that was painted is the actual "East" side of the wall. In the divided days, no one on that side would have been able to get close enough to touch the wall, let alone paint it. The murals are now a protected landmark and some of them are undergoing refurbishment. As always, you'll find more murals at Monday Mural.

Aloha

Nope, I haven't run out of cafes yet! Today's featured coffee house is the Honolulu Cafe. This place is quite a trek for me, it's in the the former East Berlin borough of Friedrichshein. Honestly, I don't get to that part of the city very often, but I passed this place by one day and just wanted to come back.

So when I happened to be in the neighborhood with a friend last summer, we decided to check the place out. The inside is very cozy. You can pull a book off the shelf and settle in for a read, if you're so inclined.

 

There was no chocolate cake on the menu here, so I just had a coffee. Hope you are not too disappointed! Come back tomorrow for more of my cafe tour.

Muskovite mural

Remember the Cafe Moskau from a few weeks ago? Here is a lovely mosaic mural that graces its (not open to the public) entrance. It's Monday again, you can get your weekly mural fix here. 

PS: Sorry for not visiting your blogs the past few days. I had a busy weekend with the golf tournament and now I'm preparing for a job interview tomorrow. Keep fingers crossed and thumbs held!

Arcades

Found along Karl Marx Allée - this was once the fanciest shopping area of the DDR. Unfortunately, there wasn't a lot for sale and what was on offer was typically unaffordable for most people. I do like this facade though, even if that's all it is really...

Cafe Moskau

Although it's no longer open to the public, the famed Cafe Moskau still stands on Karl Marx Allée. It was one of the top spots in the DDR, though not everyone could afford the high prices. The architectural design is somewhat dated, but I still like it somehow. For more signs, take a look at Signs, Signs.

Towards the telespargel

A typical street scene in Berlin - a lady hauling her shopping up Karl Marx Allée towards the Television Tower.

Bench, bike and reflection

There's lots to see here at the Ponyclub. The sticker-covered bench was the first thing to catch my eye, then I noticed the bike and finally, the reflection of a Fiat 500 in the window topped off this photo. I looked up the Ponyclub for you, it's a salon. If you're interested, you can find out more here and you'll find more signs at Signs, Signs.

Seven steps

You can find the seven steps to enlightenment here on the old section of the Berlin Wall at the East Side Gallery. Even if you don't reach the ultimate stage, you can enjoy the bright colors! For more murals, visit Monday Mural.

November theme day: Landmark

Choosing just one landmark in a city filled with so much history was really hard! Since this year marks the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, I thought a visit to the East Side Gallery would be appropriate. This particular work is one of my favorites, it's by Russian artist Dmitri Vrubel and shows Breshnev (the Soviet leader) and Honecker (the East German leader) kissing. The kiss really happened in 1979 when the two communist leaders were at a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). Hope you like it too!

A new month has begun, I'm taking part in the CDP Theme Day for November. You will find other landmarks from around the world here.

Rainy day reflections

Looking down is sometimes just like looking up! Happy Friday everyone, hope you've got some exciting plans for the weekend. I hope to play a round of cards or two with friends and maybe some golf if the weather is nice. You'll find more reflections at Weekend Reflections.

To my German readers - Frohe Tag der Einheit!

PS: I am posting photos from my recent trip to Paris on my other photoblog, Halcyon Travels. Please stop by and take a look. You can click here or on the link on the right side of this page. Enjoy!

Argentinian urban art

As promised, here is a look at some of JAZ's (Franco Fasoli) other works. The Argentinian artist recently had a showing at the BC Gallery in Friedrichshein. Thank you to Perth Daily Photo for bringing this artist and his exhibit to my attention.

I have to admit, this type of art doesn't really appeal to me, but I was on a mission for a fellow blogger! The guy working at the gallery was impressed that JAZ has a following all the way in Australia. He was also very helpful, instructing me where to go to see yesterday's mural.

In any case, it didn't take long to see everything! If you want to read more about JAZ and his art, click on the link to the BC Gallery above or try here.

Looking up!

A blue sky shines above one of the apartment buildings built during the communist era on Karl Marx Allee. It's Friday - hope you have some nice plans for the weekend! I predict there will be a round of golf in my future. For more skies, visit Skywatch.

PS: Happy Friday the 13th! Don't forget to buy a lottery ticket, or two...

Stamp shoppe

We're back to Karl Marx Allee  the onetime showcase of East Germany. In those days it was still known as Stalin Allee and it was the grand boulevard for those that lived in East Berlin, with lots of fancy specialty shops. Most of them are gone now, but the facade of this old stamp collecting shop remains - a relic of the past. For more signs, visit Signs, Signs.

German volks mural

I found this mural on Karl Marx Allee in what was the former East Berlin. Although back in those days, this boulevard was known as Stalin Allee and was a very important "show" avenue for the DDR. The country poured money and effort into building massive and highly decorated apartment and office buildings (in the so called wedding cake style) which would impress both its citizens and foreign dignitaries. This mural is also from that time and is a celebration of socialism. Despite the strange theme, I rather like the color and design. Hope you had a great weekend, for more murals head to Monday Mural.