Hallesches Tor

Hallesches Tor is not one of the most beautiful U-Bahn stations by any means, but being right next to a canal gives it a certain cachet. The weekend is finally here and you'll find more reflections at Weekend Reflections.

Shadowy designs

Interesting designs seen on a sunny day at the Marheineke Markthalle in Kreuzberg. For more shadowy shots, head over to Shadow Shot Sunday.

Blue skies in Kreuzberg

The beautiful, blue sky makes an excellent backdrop for the traditional red brick churches of Berlin.

Heirlooms

I found these beautiful heirloom tomatoes irresistible! They were found during a recent trip to the Marheineke Markthalle in Kreuzberg.

Sweet, sweet coffee

There was something about this scene that caught my eye. I will have to go back and give Gizmo's a try the next time I'm in the neighborhood. It's Wednesday and more signs can be found here.

A rainbow

I recently found this mural while wandering through the streets of Kreuzberg. I love the message and the bright smiles on the children's faces. It makes me smile too! It's Monday again and you'll find more murals at Monday Mural.

Victoria building

Here's a look at the former headquarters of Victoria Versicherung in Berlin. How fantastic it must have been to walk through such a stately doorway on your way to work back in the old days.

Here's a closer look at the details. They just don't make them like this anymore! It's Tuesday, and you'll find more treasures here.

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.

Signs of the old days

I was passing through Checkpoint Charlie with my camera recently and snapped these signs.

It's hard to imagine two Germanys and two Berlins, but it really wasn't so long ago. Take a look at Signs, Signs for more signs from around the world.

Deep thoughts

I found this mural inside the Prinzenstrasse U-Bahn station. I love the style and it definitely got me thinking! Sorry I've been away lately, things have been stressful in my real life but hopefully things are evening out a bit now. A new week has started and you'll find more murals at Monday Mural.

Monochrome treasures

A familiar sight in Kreuzberg. Beautiful, old buildings marred by graffiti. More treasures are to be found at Tuesday Treasures.

Reflecting on ice cream

I actually took a picture of this window so I would remember this shop the next time I'm craving ice cream. But it turned out to be a good reflection too! You'll find more of them at Weekend Reflections.

Happy Friday! Hope you've got big plans for the weekend ahead. I can't believe it's September already, time really does fly.

Confidential to my brother: happy birthday!!!

Molecule Man

I really like this sculpture, Molecule Man, from American sculptor Jonathan Borofsky. You'll find the three guys hanging out on the Spree just near the Oberbaumbrücke.

Cinema Checkpoint

It turns out the Cinema Checkpoint isn't a cinema at all, but a second-hand shop. Perhaps the interesting name draws in curious shoppers? I know I'd like to go back and take a look. I was there on a Sunday when all the shops in Berlin are closed. For more murals, take a look at Monday Mural.

Bold color

Despite the cold, gray skies in Berlin, many plants are coming out with their bright, bold colors. The wonderful yellow hues on this bush are warming to the spirit, if not to the actual body.

This week has really flown by. I am so glad the weekend is here. I have plans for some golf, but I hope I won't get hailed on like last weekend. That was most unpleasant. Hope you have fun plans for the weekend. Happy Friday!

A magnolia blooms in Kreuzberg

This spring has been an odd one in Berlin. Despite the cold, gray weather, a few Japanese Magnolias have been blossoming around town. I found this one on Mehringdamm in Kreuzberg, not far from where I found last Monday's mural.

Checkpoint Kreuzberg

I found this mural on the side of a cinema in Kreuzberg. It's a shame that someone has added their own "artistic" touch, but I still like the overall feel of this mural. I'll show more from the front of this building next week.  For more fun, take a look at Monday Mural.

Look back

These two murals are some of the best known large-scale works here in Berlin. They were painted by street artist Blu in 2007-08 in reaction to changes to the working-class neighborhood, Kreuzberg. The mural on the right also celebrates the reunification of East and West Berlin, if you look closely, you'll see that one of the figure's fingers make the sign E and the other a W.

Sadly, the walls were painted over in December 2014 at the request of the artist in protest of the further gentrification of the neighborhood. These buildings were sold to developers and are slated to be torn down to make room for luxury apartments. You can read more about the development plans here and you'll find more murals at Monday Mural.

Faces of Kreuzberg

You never know what you'll see in Kreuzberg. I liked all these different faces, but I wonder what the people who live here think about having decorations like these on their windows! Hope your week is off to a good start. More murals can be found at Monday Mural.

Windows and bench

I was traveling through Schlesisches Tor station recently and just had to stop for a photo. The windows and the bench made for such a perfect scene. Hope you agree! For more signs, visit Signs, Signs.

PS: Don't forget to stop by Halcyon Travels for a look at my recent trip to Israel.