Ich Liebe Deutschland!

I love Germany. I think that time and frequent visits have made it so. It was never a country where the first time I landed I thought, "Wow! Germany!" I love it in a cozy, old friend kind of way. I know what to expect and I know where to find things now. Though I must say I was shocked by the lack of the taken-for-granted German efficiency with the trains this time round. Thirty minutes late and no air/con. What the…? Anyway, I landed in Frankfurt after a delayed Russian flight (no surprises there), and it was then a 4.5hr train trip up to Berlin, so the chances of me joining in the World Cup Final craziness were becoming slimmer and slimmer until they were non-existent. Oh well.

I've never been to Berlin before and it was brilliant. One of those cities you could all too easily live in, as many expats do. The history is not altogether pleasant, but I admire how upfront Berlin is about it. The city doesn't try to hide away it's Nazi past, but fully acknowledges that it happened and that's that. That's a brave attitude. Respect, Berlin. The days I was there it was mid 30C and I was exhausted from Mongolia, so perhaps I didn't do the city justice, but I think I gave it a good shot. Alexander Platz, Brandenberg Gate, The Hollacost Memorial, The Topography of Terror Museum (set on the site where the Nazi's ran the concentration camps), Neues Museum, Alters Museum, The National Gallery and The Olympic Stadium. It was here that a lovely couple showed me around the horse complex which was originally a racetrack. It's a lovely spot and an agistment centre today (I also met their gorgeous horses!). They also showed me where the British military used to train their horses and where Hitler used to run the whole German sporting effort.

Checkpoint Charlie was also a must see. There's a great little museum here describing the history of the Berlin Wall. It's small, cramped and stuffy, but well worth the effort.

Two "guides on the ground" Clement and Marco had recommended the Neues Museum, and I'm glad I took their advice (thanks guys!). The museum houses mainly Egyptian artefacts (including the famous bust of Nefertiti), which is good enough in itself. The standout though is the way they've presented the actual building….like a big Egyptian tomb. Wonderful.

From Berlin, it was time to head down to the best show on earth…..AACHEN! The CHIO really deserves its billing and I'm thinking it may well have to become an annual event. The atmosphere, the competition, the shopping and mainly the people that you'll find there. It was great to catch up with old friends, and new ones alike. Carolus Thermen is nothing to sneeze at either.