28th August : Copenhagen to Berlin

** Alot to think about today. I woke this morning to discover that that someone I have known for over 40 years has died in Perth from Covid. Stuart & I both grew up in one of the old British African colonies and out fathers knew each other through business. I know that Stuart had many physical and comorbid issues but he also had an amazing intellect and the willing to help others in need. Stu is no longer trapped in his chair nor is he in pain anymore. 

** Woke way too early this morning. Most probably was concerned about missing the early train so I beat the alarms by at least one hour. Getting up early did mean though there was plenty of hot water for my shower.

** The trip from Copenhagen to Berlin has been very interesting.  Had to make two train changes, that were relatively easy although the last change the train was so full I had to stand all the way from Hamburg to Berlin. Honestly, never thought of booking a seat. Now that was something I grossly underestimated. However it would have been so much better than a very long bus ride.

** The train was certainly a better idea than the bus. The train speed seem to vary between 180 & 215 kph. No unnecessary stops. It was wonderful.

** Had multiple interesting chats with so many people across the day during the train journey. Good information about various museums and other places to visit in the cities I've yet to go to. However the most important info given to me was when to change trains, which platforms to go to, and which stops not to take. When travelling, no matter how well read one is, how many degrees on your walls, nothing, but nothing can beat local knowledge.

** Running about 15 minutes late but I'm here in Germany, in Berlin.

** It's about 2.5 klm to my hotel, and I'm exhausted so only for the 2nd time in 6 weeks I have caught an Uber. My driver is Bilal who speaks Arabic & German only and indicates with his hands that there are kangaroo in Australia. 

** I don't remember the size of the Ibis room we stayed in, in Paris, in 2014, but this one calls for a party. It is 4 - 5 times the physical size of my room in Copenhagen, plus it has air con and heating, separate toilet & shower, and according to the desk manager had I just walked in off the street the cost for the six nights would have been an extra €160, or another AU$231. I did well booking early. In fact I've noticed that most places I have booked are now showing as booked out.

** The hotel I am at is really local to the museums, the river, & the open spaces in the city centre but not many eating places around here, in fact not too much of anything other than hotels. Nevermind, I have found a place that offers a chilli con carne  and I ordered a small local beer, a Warsteiner. (Seem to remeber a quip from Basil Faulty about not mentioning the war, had to get that in somewhere along the line). I had to ask for chillies as the chef is very light handed when it comes to 'giving it a kick'.

The food is ok but most probably will organise something different for tomorrow night.

** While eating I have been staring at a mostly destroyed building across the road on the edge of a park. My trusty Google Lens informs me that it goes by the name of Anholter Banhof. It was a major railway terminus in the late 19th century up to the time it was bombed out towards the end of WWII.

** Having only arrived at my hotel near on 6pm I do not plan to do any wandering this evening and will be off to discover Berlin tomorrow morning.

However, from the moment I crossed into the country, around 1pm, I had this distinct feeling as if my mother was whispering in my ear. As she is in a secure dementia ward half a world away, with no idea as to who I am anymore, I will shed myself of this shade quickly enough but it's still weird being here. My sisters will understand this!