Full details…
As the arrives at sunrise in Potsdam in the former German Democratic Republic (East Germany), things just seem a little more grey compared to Bavaria and a lot more graffiti – but there is a Hooters here not too far from the train station… Now back to Thursday and Friday.
I finally was able to have breakfast at the hotel – it was a buffet of a variety of items: cereal, toast, sliced meats and cheese, juice, boiled eggs and coffee. I wasn’t in a rush this morning, as I knew that there was a rail strike in Germany from 4am until 10am – and yes I could get around Munich by Subway or Bus, but I took my time, after all, I am on vacation!
I headed out to the Deutsches Museum – the Deutsches Museum is like the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry on steroids – on the level of the Smithsonian, but dedicated to the sciences, technology and engineering fields. I walked through a variety of exhibits – ranging from newly remodeled exhibits on aerospace and airplanes to “straght from the 60s” exhibits on measurements – including measuring the weight of a Pfennig (which hasn’t been in circulation for a while). The museum is updating their exhibits and the building, so not everything was on display – the section on computers and cryptology was only partially on display – new cases and items were being installed and moved around – though they did have an original EDVAC computer. The communications exhibit was closed (boo!), but the space exhibit was very good. The only thing I found interesting is that there appears to be a gap between 1930 and 1950 – it was if that period didn’t exist…
After the Deutsches Museum, I headed out to Dachau and the Concentration Camp Memorial. I had been there 27 years ago, but wanted to go back to see it again. All I can say (to quote the memorial) “Never Again” – the things that were done to the prisoners – who ranged from Jews to Gypsies to Spaniards to everyday Germans to the Clergy were housed here. Definitely a memorial everyone should visit.
After leaving Dachau, I headed back to the hotel to drop off my backpack and head downtown for Dinner. I knew I wanted Sauerbraten, so I headed back to the Hofbräuhaus – yes it’s a bit touristy, but I knew they had that on the menu, and I could eat and drink at my own pace. I ordered a “halbes Weiße Bier” (half liter) and Sauerbraten. Service was a little slower tonight – there weren’t as many waitstaff here as on Tuesday night, and my waitress was a little overwhelmed… I finished the first beer and then ordered a second one – which after I started, I realized, I haven’t had anything to eat in about 6 hours, so I need to slow down and wait for dinner – and that it’s a good thing I wasn’t driving! The food came and I savored the sauerbraten and bread-pudding (like stuffing at Thanksgiving). I enjoyed the rest of my beer and headed out back to the hotel for the night – after stopping for a small milkshake to “Cut the beer taste” in my mouth. Off to bed for the last night at this hotel.