U-N-I-T-Y

Today is Tag der Deutschen Einheit (also known as German Unity Day) and while the official celebration this year is in Bonn, the former capital of Western Germany, we still managed to take part in the fun to be had in Berlin.  Karen and I biked over to the Brandenburg Gate at the edge of the Tiergarten where we meet a few thousand people strolling down June 17th Street eating food and enjoying the carnival rides as a large stage showcased a men's choir churning out popular tunes from across the ages.  We munched on quarkballchen which turned out to be like tasty little doughnut holes with cheese baked into the batter.  As we walked, Karen and I did not see a single German flag or display of civil pride and we learned that this 20 year old government holiday is not a big time for celebration in the eyes of most Germans.  So we followed suit and left to grab a Hefeweizen at the nearby beer garden in the park before heading home.