Schokolade

I slept so well last night! I owe this to the addition of a huge down comforter which always makes a bed ten times more comfortable. The weather took a turn for the colder last night but I woke up to a beautiful morning. Nothing was planned for the immediate future so I decided to go for a run. I followed the same route as last time, but noticed the name of a street I hadn't noticed before: Karl Marx Street. The remains of German history surrounds the city, even on small country street signs. Feeling refreshed, I got ready for the day just in time to leave with Katrina, Marco, Stephanie, Carissa, Luke, Derek, Stephen, and our new addition, Sean Hillis. We were dropped off at the train station, where we purchased day passes, and rode the train to the center of Berlin. Our first stop was the Raüsch Plantagen Chokolade (Chocolate Factory). The top floor offers a restaurant where we ordered real hot chocolate (I ordered 80% dark chocolate and Stephen 70%) and ate chocolate "cake," which was really mousse wrapped in a chocolate shell. The experience was tasteful and absolutely delightful! :) Normally, I'm not a big fan of hot chocolate, but this hot chocolate was rich and tasteful. I don't think hot chocolate will ever satisfy again. :) (Am I now considered a hot chocolate snob??)

They pulled out the Red Carpet because they knew we were coming:

I feel like this captures us perfectly: I'm probably saying something ridiculous, and Stephen has the perfect remark to make my awkward comment humorous. 

Our delicious Hot Chocolate (80%!) and Chocolate "Cake"

To make you even hungrier :) ...this was the inside

A building made completely of Chocolate

From there, we walked around, admiring Berlin and just "happened" to pass by a part of the Wall, the Hindenburg Gate, the Jewish Memorial, and the Reichstag. Most of us had been to these sights before, but we still took pictures and discussed its history...with Stephen surprising us with the most information. We continued walking around, but Sean recently tore his meniscus (we think) so after awhile, we decided to let him rest his painful knee by heading home on the train.

Pieces of the Berlin Wall

The Jewish Memorial (the man who created it had no specific meaning in mind. He said that everyone would have their own interpretation of it)

My attempt at "artsy" while walking through the Memorial. You wouldn't think so from the first picture, but it actually gets very deep in the middle...the pillars were taller than us.

All of us in front of the Hindenburg Gate

The Reichstag 

The Needle in Berlin. You will notice that there is always a reflection of a cross. This was purposefully designed by the architect and made many Germans very angry...but no matter what they do, they can't change it.

The afternoon ended with watching more of Star Trek (which we started last night instead of Father of the Bride because the boys wanted to watch a movie with us...), music practice, poker, setting up the trampoline, dinner, and simply hanging out. Kimberly, another Stephanie, and Philip all arrived tonight, further filling up the house.
Even though we are staying in Germany, I have learned so much about different cultures from the different people staying here (specifically about Ukraine). It's also funny to note that apparently Stephen and I look very German, and furthermore, I look very Andreson. People used to mix Katrina and I up on Chorale Tour, but today, at three different times during the day, someone thought I was Katrina, Stephanie, or Lissie. I take that as a complement :)

PS. Special thanks to Sean for letting me borrow a few of his photos taken by a much nicer camera :)