Jewish Museum

It was a visit to the Jewish Museum today in Kreuzberg. After wondering if I would be well enough I handled the days outing ok. Gingerly thinking, 'would I make it?' and I just thought why not, take my time and if all else fails I can get a taxi back after the tummy bug incident yesterday.

Bus into the Zoo then another to just past Potsdamer Platz and a 1.5 km walk past CheckPoint Charlie (kind of cool) before getting to the Jewish Museum. I was taken aback by the exterior of the Museum - compete with Police guard with machine gun. The camera kept on clicking away.

Entering it is like going through airport security with bags checked and metal detectors etc. It is school holidays here so there were heaps of school kids about which made it a bit noisy and distracting at times. It was interactive and aimed at more an experience, moving at times but a bit chaotic too. I guess I am spoilt and like my museums to myself. When there were quiet moments especially in the Garden of Hope it was like you had sea legs and looking up at the huge concrete plant stands left you wondering about what it was like to be planted in another country and trying to grow out of something so alien. The Kosher Exhibition upstairs was well done but I was wearing out by then.

It was time then to find my way back when I saw a sign to the Berlin Gallery. Now that was another find. Great contemporary works on two levels (yes, more stairs) with a feature show about the 20th anniversary of the coming down of the Berlin Wall and how it has impacted on the culture of Germany over that past 20 years. I then realised I was hungry at nearly 4pm - forgot lunch and my legs and feet were throbbing so it was good to have a quick bit of tucker. By now my tummy is fine. Now to find that bus home - yet another 1.5 km walk to find bus stop again, then S Bahn to Zoo then 245 to Wilmersdorf and back in apartment by 6.30pm. I am now officially exhausted but what a good day.

Now what do I do tomorrow?