Seoul, Korea - 4/5/12

After our morning visit to the Korean Village (previous post), our host, Steve, gave us a walking tour of Seoul.

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We strolled through the grounds of old Royal Buildings, learned a bit about King Sejong, and appreciated the modern/ancient contrast.

Admiral Yi-Sun greeted us at Gwanghwamun Square, where in the far distance you can glimpse Gyeongbokgung Palace, and the "Blue House," the Presidential Residence.

Walking down the square, we passed Admiral Yi-Sun,

and the American Embasssy, where I grabbed a photo before I was waved off by an embassy guard.

We approached and walked through the gate to the palace, where we just missed the changing of the guard.

But we didn't miss this, protest Seoul-style. Demonstrators were "guarded" and hidden by this police line. A few people were holding microphones over the police to record what was being said, but it was lost on us. Our host was not encouraging about me taking photos and video but I got a few off :-)

Seoul Demonstration video - mostly people & police milling about.

Along with Steve, JJ met us at the hotel to escort us to dinner, complete with plum wine and soju.

Afterwards, we found Michigan represented, and were treated to a one-hour massage. Tomorrow we take the train to Busan.

Berlin, Germany - June 2010

Marienkirche and the Fernsehturm (TV Tower)

Built in the 1960s by the then German Democratic Republic, the tower is the highest structure in Berlin and has an observation deck and a revolving restaurant. 

St. Mary's Church is one of the oldest churches in Berlin. The oldest mention of it was in 1292.  

The Friedrichs-Werdersche Kirche, constructed 1824-1830 and designed by Karl Friedrich Shinkel, it now contains a permanent exhibit on Shinkel's life and work.

These gold bricks are placed throughout the city in front of specific places where Jews once lived and were subsequently deported and murdered. 

 Walking from the Judisches Museum to the Checkpoint Charlie Museum.

 The Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) was constructed between 1895-1905 as a Protestant answer to St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Badly damaged in World War II, reconstruction finally began in the 1970s and the church was re-opened in 1993.

 You may take a series of narrow stairways and climb out onto the dome for 360 degree views of the city. Along the way up is an exhibit concerning the history and restoration of the building.

 There's a huge crypt holding members of the Prussian Hohenzollern family.

 The Reichstag was heavily damaged in World War II and not restored until after the reunification of Germany.

 Alongside the American Embassy

 Russian Embassy

Part of the Berlin Wall, now protected as a historic landmark.

Part of the Berlin Wall given over to various artists.

This runs throughout the city showing where the wall once stood.

 A picture on the street as it looked then, 

and now.

 

The Pergamon Museum, world-famous for its antiquities.

 

Giant Panda, Bao Bao

Kaiser Wilhelm Church

Damaged in World War II, it was decided to keep the remaining structure as a memorial. The church and bell tower were rebuilt on either side. Inside is Memorial Hall showing the history of the church, including original artifacts.

Brandenburg Gate

Berlin Video #1

Berlin Video #2