Getting Started and Berlin

In the dome of the Reichstag (German Parliament) building.  They have a mirrored center, so if you can find the correct angle, you can see into the parliament meetings while they are happening.  Not only was parliament not in session while we were there, but we couldn't find the angle.  It seems that only in theory do this dome represent government transparency.

The Holocaust Memorial in Berlin.  The narrow passageways are meant to symbolize the alone-ness of the holocaust and the blocks build these pathways, where you never know if friend or foe is around the corner.

The kids hanging out with Jessica, our tour guide with Simon works out foreign cash withdrawals with the bank.  We needed the cash to pay for ice cream, so the kids were reasonably patient as they waited.

Look at the smile - how could you not love that face?

Spiderman was also waiting for ice cream.  He was dairy-free this trip as there seems to be a dairy allergy trying to take form, but the sorbet was close enough for him.

A bit of the Berlin Wall in the background.  Most of the wall is down now, but it does stand near a few museums and monuments.

Checkpoint Charlie.  When I was a child, I lived in Germany for a few years and we came to Berlin once.  We passed through Checkpoint Charlie all those years ago as a legitimate checkpoint.  What stands today is all replica with actors dressed as US military who will pose for a picture for with for only a 4 euro (hence they're not posing for my pic).

The kids are ready to go ORD to CPH! (Chicago to Copenhagen)

A mere 8+ hours later on a red-eye flight - we've made it to Denmark!

A shower and a decent night of sleep and we're ready to head to the ship!

What do you do when your oncology team tells you in late June that you have a green-light pass to really travel - not small scale local trips, but real travel?  If you're us, you book something fabulous before they have the chance to change their minds and so that meant a 9 day cruise around the Baltics followed by almost a week exploring Denmark.  Sixteen days of uninterrupted family time with intermittent connection to the rest of the world at best.  Time to connect with each other, make memories, drink in togetherness, learn how to be together again, time to laugh, to celebrate and to choose joy.