Berlin-London

Rose a little more sharply today. Had another excellent complimentary breakfast at the hotel, of fruit juice, cereal and yoghurt, sausages, eggs (Bronwyn only), cold meats, cheese, bread, coffee (Duncan only), and, this being Germany, cake. We've not needed large lunches this week! Last minute change of plans as during breakfast it started to rain fairly consistently, with some sleet mixed in briefly too. Tiring of history and culture, we'd thought to go to the Zoo for the morning — the broadest collection of species in Europe, we were led to believe. Instead, we decided on an indoor option.

We finalised our packing and checked out of the hotel. With less than an hour left on our 72-hour transport pass we made our way out to the Zoologisches Garten Bahnhof (railway station), where we deposited our luggage in a large locker for the morning. We then negotiated the U-Bahn to the infotainment attraction, "The Story of Berlin". (The English version of that site currently is not working: translate German site.) Our arrival was complicated by me insisting I knew what I was doing and making us get on the wrong train, but we eventually arrived safely. The Story... exhibition was OK, quite innovative but nothing to write home about. (Yet, strangely, I am... hmm.) However, also included was their tour of a genuine bunker for use in Nuclear/Biological/Chemical attack, that had been built in the subterranean depths of the same building. Originally genuinely intended for use at 12 hours notice during the cold war, it now nominally would still be used in an emergency but would require two weeks' notice first. It could house 3,500 people for two weeks. (Two weeks notice for two weeks housing doesn't sound like a particularly good deal to me, but still...) Most interesting fact: oxygen levels would have been quite low, but partly deliberately, so as to keep people sleepy and thus able to be managed in such a tightly confined space. It was pretty grim, but I suppose would be better than being outdoors during such an emergency?

Emerged from all this to discover a dramatic change outside. After three days of either blanket cloud or fog, and the rain this morning, the sun had broken through the clouds and blue sky to be seen. Returning by bus this time to collect our luggage we had the benefit of an overland perspective and discovered one of those quirks of a Metro system — it would have been quicker for us to walk, making our earlier detour on the wrong train even funnier. By the time we retrieved our luggage it was a brilliant day and we started to overheat in winter clothes as we headed out to the airport on the bus and then waited to check in. The light and warmth transformed our final view of the city. We had a great trip, and don't regret coming at this time of year. But we'd love to see Berlin in the spring...