Above: The Fish Market (Fisch Markt) is a bit like a combination atmosphere of a County Fair, Farmers Market, and Flea Market. Watching other people as well as the vendors is quite the entertainment.
Lübeck: Saturday Afternoon at the Old City
Above Left: We are on our way to Berlin via Lübeck, Germany. We're presently on the road to Lübeck which is near the North Coast of Germany. Berlin is inside what used to be soviet held East Germany.
Above Right: There are a lot of jokes about German Roads leading to the mega city of Ausfahrt, it is a bit like P.T. Barnum's Circus 'Egress' Signs. 'Ausfahrt' is German for Exit.
Above Left: This is almost all that remains of the Lübeck outer city wall and fortifications. See the next image below to see a model of the 13th Century City. The turrets around the City Gate are settling down at the gate's side. The Turrets are open for visitors and serve as a local museum. Lübeck served as a safe inland harbor and sea port. The city itself is on a river island, thus giving a protective moat around the city. Note that this area has been populated since the last ice age.
Above Right: The Latin Phrase roughly translates as 'Accord Dwell Enter Peace' and means that 'those who enter here will agree to peace'.
Above: This is a model of the old city of Lübeck and its activities - it was a thriving inland seaport, much like Hamburg, but whereas Hamburg is on west side (or North Atlantic side) of the Danish Peninsula, Lübeck is on the east side (or Baltic side) of the peninsula. In fact, Lübeck (pronounced Lybeck) is the largest Port on the Baltic Sea. Note all of the moored commerce ships in the model.
Above Left: This is the other (inward) side of the Lübeck city gate.
Above Right: One of two river channels of the Lübeck-St Peters River (within 100 meters/yards of city gate in the previous picture.
Above: Now we are going to the St Mary's Kirche (church), because that is what one does when visiting a city in Europe. This is a photo composite because the church is too big for the lens when one is close enough to see the entire entity. St Mary's is the third largest church in all of Germany. It was, as I understand it, the first church to be built by brick in a gothic style. It was built in stages between 1250 and 1350. The Red Brick, upon which the church was made, is unique to this area of the Baltic. St Mary's Kirche/Church has served as a model for about 70 other churches in the Baltic region.
Above Left: The bad news for the city of Lübeck is that it was one of the closest and first cities to be counter attacked by the British Air Forces in WWII. Here, the bells of the church steeple fell through the steeple to the ground as a result of one such British counter air-bombing. The church members and officials decided to leave the crashed bells as they were, to be a reminder of the effects of hate and violence. We paid our respects.
We are in the process of learning that there are a lot of little reminders (like this), left by the people of Germany, to let the other people in the world know that the people of Germany are against war, hate, and violence. This is a darn good reason to travel around the world, to see and learn about the lives of other people.
Above Right: On a lighter side, Lore has it that when St Mary's Kirche was first in the building process, the Devil was quite upset and started to claw at the base of the church. The town's people did not want the Devil to destroy the church, so they struck up a bargain; the town's people made an agreement with the Devil such that the Devil could freely roam in a city bar that the citizens would make for the Devil, if the Devil would leave the church alone. The Devil agreed. The statue to the Devil is displayed in front of the scratches in the church walls; our pretty smiles are blocking your view of the wall scratches.
This photo was taken by a young female German student learning English who wanted to explain this to us in excellent English and she insisted in taking a picture of Terry and I and the Devil for a keepsake. Isn't that cool!
The inside of Saint Mary's from Rear to Front
Above: The inside of Saint Mary's from Rear to Front. This is a composite photo - At first, there appears to be photo finishing differences between the rear and front of the church, but it is architectural, look closely.
Above Left: One of many stained glass windows.
Above Right: This is interesting and it is not explained; it appears to be a sophisticated lunar, planetary, solar calendar/clock timing device.
Above: A working copy of the original Gutenberg Press (the original is in Nuremburg).
Above: These separate buildings are connected and form the Rathaus for the city of Lübeck.
Above Left: Spiral Stairway up the Turret of the City Gate (now a museum).
Above Right: A window view toward the inner city from the Turret at the City Gate.
Above Left: A window view toward the outer city from the Turret at the City Gate.
Above Right: Truth Stretcher.
Above Left: Lübeck city street view gives a good oblique view of the front structure that is so typically German.
Above Right: Another Lübeck city street view.
After Noon: To the Bay of Wismar along the North Coast Road from Klütz to Wismar
Above Left: Entering Klütz.
Above Right: Beach and resort area close to Hohenkirchen.
Above Left: Nord Coast View near Wismar.
Above Right: Terry dips into the Baltic Sea.
Above: Nord coast panorama near Wismar, Germany (looking North).
Mid Day to Late Night: Wismar to Berlin
Above Left: Self portrait before climbing on the Autobahn. Nothing like driving 130kph (~70mph) and being passed at more than double one's speed by Ferraris, BMWs, and Porches.
Above Right: Brandenburg Tor (Gate). It's late. Roads were barricaded for an unplanned State Affair and they don't make signs to let you know what is going on nor to direct one for the best direction choice. Here, Terry's sense of direction prevailed over Dennis'. We will learn that our rental apartment is two blocks from the Brandenburg Gate and the American Embassy is in between - We have unknowingly secured the very best location to be a Berlin Tourist. We have vehicle parking (rare downtown), we're next to a bus stop, we're near a bus transfer station, and we're two blocks away from a major subway exchange (I think for 7 different trains/sub-ways). Until later, this will not be appreciated; right now we're tired!
FYI: During the cold war days, the Wall was about 15 meter to the other side of this monument - The American Embassy is to our immediate left side and the British embassy is within a block.
Above: Home for the next three days. Classic European Bed (two twin mattresses, each with an individual cover).
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