“For some time now Russian travel agencies have sold Berlin as a kind of insider’s tip for the rich. They say, you can have fun to die for there. In one Russian city guide for Berlin tour operators advertise with the slogan “Hoist your own personal flag on top of the new German Reichstag — come and conquer Berlin!””
*Picture taken from the Reichstag dome. You can see the Brandenburg Gate below.
I may not necessarily want to be in Germany right now given that it’s winter time. My husband’s family has told us that they feel like Germany has joined the North Pole. If they are complaining of the cold, I can’t imagine what I’d think. ha. But, I’m dipping into Berlin Tales by Lyn Marven and it’s at least fun to go back to Germany even if it’s just through books. I’m going to continue with my book, eat some German chocolate and think about the next time we get to visit.
Where are your books taking you to lately?
I’d love to visit Germany one day, after seeing those pics taken by my husband during his overseas trip some years ago!!! 😉
Book traveling is the only traveling I have been able to do lately… Not the same, but I can’t entirely complain!
My latest book (and review) took me to Mongolia. It was a great travel adventure walking 1600 miles across the Gobi Desert. And the writer is in her 60’s! The book is “Walking the Gobi” by Helen Thayer.
By the way, you and another blogger (Matt) inspired me to start my own book website.
Aloha from Rob
Weird, I don’t remember that dome. I’m thinking it must be fairly new (like built within the last 15 years?) My in-laws in Poland are saying the same thing…they are completely covered in snow and cold, which is not really typical for them.
I love to travel through books. I really enjoyed going to New Orleans through Ruined by Paula Morris and Iceland with Tove Jansson in The True Deceiver.
I’m reading Sea of Poppies so I’m currently hanging out in India 🙂
Africa. Been reading some Isak Dinesen and The Death of a Pope.
I was just in North Vietnam during the War (via A Novel with No Name – Duong Thu Huong).
I am currently in Sydney, Vietnam (think it’s the South this time), and Northern Australia (via After the Fire, A Still Small Voice – Evie Wyld)
I might go back to Russia (War and Peace – Tolstoy) this weekend and NOT watch all the SuperBowl.
I am in Victorian England! My husband’s grandmother lives in Frankfurt–she said it’s one of the coldest, snowiest winters in some time.
Melody – From the pics you’ve posted it looks like your husband got to see quite a bit of Germany! That’s very cool. I hope you get to visit one day too!
Kailana – I know, I’d rather do the real thing but at least it’s good we love to read and our reading can take us places!
Rob – Yay, I’m so glad you are joining us in book blogland! I’ll have to drop by your blog and say hi. Isn’t Matt’s blog great? He’s always got such wonderful reviews.
Sandy – Yea, the dome was added in 2000 or so. It’s neat to go in although the lines to go up and see are so long. And, really that weather isn’t typical for Poland? I imagined it was. How funny.
vivienne – oh such different places you’ve been to lately! I really need to read something by Tove Jansson. I have one of her books but I’ve heard it’s very sad and I’m not in the mood for a sad story right no so I’ll have to put that one off for a while.
Stefanie – How are you liking it so far? 🙂 I would love to be a world traveler but I guess if I can’t be one full-time then I’ll have to settle for book traveling!
Tiffany – Oh how interesting. I have not read any Dinesen even though one of my best friends is always recommending her. Must read!
Isabel – Yea, I think I’d be anywhere but the Super Bowl! 🙂 You know, I don’t think I’ve ever read anything set in Vietnam during the war. I can just imagine how hard it must be to read that. I’ll be looking forward to your reviews!
Priscilla – I love Victorian England. If I could go back in time, I’d be there! Well, only if I was a rich lady 🙂 My husband’s family is from Northern Germany and I think they’ve pretty much said the same thing. Eek. I love Germany but not that kind of weather!
I’m reading “Last Night in Montreal” and I currently live in Montreal. It’s interesting to see a city through someone else’s eyes. Especially, our french and english issues.
So far it is good. There is lots of set up and pidjin English and ship slang so it isn’t always easy to understand but the story is good and the historical aspects–the opium trade under the British Empire–is fascinating.
I’m visiting California some years in the future. I’m reading The Adoration of Jenna Fox.
My current book takes me to India, where an Englishman has taken up the monastic order after quiting his job with the red Cross. His brother, a publisher who has a male lover in Los Angeles and a wife in London, comes to visit with the motive of talking his life out of being a monk. It’s Christopher Isherwood’s last novel.