Berlin to Hamburg

November 18, 2018

Berlin to Hamburg

As usual, we decided to take the back roads from Berlin to Hamburg. These excursions were as interesting to me as the actual “attractions” we saw along the way.

I was struck by the difference in the countryside of West Germany and East Germany. In West Germany there were many small farms. Single dwellings are rare, so there might be multiple families, or generations of the the same family, living in the houses. But the focus of life seemed more individually focused. To me they were reminiscent of ranching in West Texas and farming in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Homes, barns and fields were well tended and neat

In East Germany, the difference in regimes was reflected in the large farms that used to be collectives. They are much more reminiscent of the huge corporate farms one now sees in the midwest. In addition, the homes seemed to have less maintenance and “love,” again a product of their history and resources.

Since we were traveling on a Sunday we decided we’d stop sometime after noon to eat lunch in one of the local restaurants. But in town after town in the old East German sector, everything was closed. Not only were there no gasthauses open, the streets were empty.

We finally stopped at a gas station in Perleberg...the only thing we found open. I had a brat and brot (no sauerkraut available in the condiments) which...you guessed it...was delicious. I’m still planning a stop at a McDonald’s or KFC just so I can say I had a bad meal while I was in Germany.

Perleberg was interesting because after Frank started working with GPS stuff he was training a team of trainers. Several shared military backgrounds, but there was one gentleman (who was from Perleberg) that Frank identified as a colonel in the forces he used to serveil during the Cold War, so he said, “You must be from (umpy-ump) regiment.” The colonel looked surprised and responded, “And you must be from (the code name for Frank’s unit).” Two intelligence officers from opposite sides of the Wall became friends that day.

The rest of the trip was uneventful and we checked into the Furst Bismark hotel, across from the train station and next door to the Paulaner’s Restaurant, where we fortified ourselves with goulash and wienerschnitzel. Hey, when you’ve got a good thing going why mess it up with trying something new!

Pictures: Berlin to Hamburg;

Reflections: I knew the trip was going to be exciting and interesting, but having Frank as a tour guide has enhanced the trip beyond measure. Adventures far off the beaten path, with stories to boot, has made it really memorable.

The only similar experience I’ve had was traveling with Fr. Eapen, a priest and missionary from the Church of South India, with whom I made several trips. One of the most memorable was spending a month to celebrate the Founding of the Church of South India after India’s liberation from British rule.

I really enjoyed my first River Cruise (the Rhine Experience) but it was nothing compared to what I’ve experienced this time. And I can tell you, it's just going to get better!