Monday was set to be the last and only good day this week so I made sure we spent most of it in the park.  As Declan will report later this post there are tons of parks for kids here.  Every third block brings a good sized area complete with sand and climbing equipment and graffittied trash cans. They are a bit dirty however and one imagines lots of pointy sharp things right under the surface of the sand, but the parents here seem unconcerned.  The wee kids have these great overalls that are made of sort of a water repellant canvas that keeps all the sand, glass and other undesirables out of their shoes and clothing.  We have been lucky so far, we visit these parks and we come home with bucketfuls of sand in their pockets and other places, but no cuts or scrapes.  We watched some rousing games of bocce, walked along the canal and had a great time.

Tuesday was the German Technikmuseum; a museum devoted to explaining technology, why it works and how it has changed society.  So they had a fullsized sailboat barge that they raised from the Spree inside the museum. Have you heard of the saying, “Berlin was built on a barge?”  Well, this ship was why! They explained why it was so successful in helping bring goods to Berlin and why it became outmoded.  Then they had a full-sized steam tugboat to get on and they patiently explained why it could transport goods so cheaply and why it became so popular and then outmoded.  Just one exhibit after another with simple, straightforward explanations of technology, how it developed and then why it changed, with tons of interactive stations.  They had a 10/15 minute long interactive display where you had to navigate your ship into the port of Hamburg which the boys loved. Then there was the 5^th floor – aviation with full sized German WW2 war planes and one of the Douglas C-47 “candy bombers” that flew in supplies for the Berlin airlift. Really fantastic.  This one gets a second look with Timmy. Maybe even a third one the week after.

Today was roasted chicken day.  You haven't had roasted chicken until you've gone to this old school Berlin Bar that only serves beer, potato salad and roasted chicken, Henne. Ignore the jackalope antlers on the wall, glance at the letter from JFK how he was sorry to miss having dinner here but stay for the chicken. I can't imagine what they put on it to make that skin taste so good.