Berlin, Germany (July 30, 2025)
Arriving in Berlin, I had zero expectations. Sometimes that’s a wonderful thing. In 1989, the Berlin Wall came down and I remember that being a historic event as a junior (i.e. 11th grade) in Santa Rosa High School. But other than that, I knew Berlin was well known for its music scene and that’s about all I had to go on.
Stef Hinds met me at the Berlin airport (BER) and took me to my hotel nHow
Despite my flight from BLL (Billund, Denmark) leaving on time, I was held up in Amsterdam for over an hour on my way into Berlin. I share that because my friend, Stef Hinds rode in to meet me and patiently waited at the airport. It was wonderful to arrive and meet a friendly face — especially someone to help me navigate the Berlin public transportation to my hotel.
Berlin’s public transportation is actually quite impressive and rivals the NYC subway system. With Google Maps set to public transport, the instructions are clear and concise. Still, it’s much more fun to navigate with a buddy who also speaks fluent German. Besides, it was wonderful hearing all of Stef’s current adventure as he works to support Vets recovering from PTSD.
First piece of artwork that grabbed my attention in the Berlin airport
Grabbed a selfie with Stef once we were on the S-Bahn, then a shot as we crossed over the bridge right near my hotel, nhow, which happens to be right on the water (sweet!). As soon as we exited the S-Bahn we saw the largest building in the area which turned out to be the Amazon Tower. The rest of the shots are my first impressions walking into my hotel. I love it. Music, flamboyant, pink!
Urte Zahn joins the party & we all get to know each other overlooking the river
I was excited to meet up with Urte Zahn, who joined our party and the three of us caught up on life, careers, coaching and sobriety. Like me, Stef lives a sober life and has done so for more than 10 years. Those beers you see at the top of this post are alcohol free and a growing trend in Germany — especially in Berlin.
When I shared that I wanted to take a picture with us using my Banana Hat, Urte cautioned me to be careful with that costume and not to create an international incident in Berlin. What now? Behind the Eastern part of the Berlin Wall (prior to 1989) bananas were a bit of a luxury item while all but taken for granted on the Western side of the wall.
Scarcity vs. Abundance — via Bananas in Germany
According to the linked article above, “Scarcity versus abundance is one key contrast that separates socialist countries from economically free countries.
People living in democracies that prize individual liberty, respect private property, and allow markets to operate freely typically enjoy abundance. They can get plenty of bananas cheaply, even if they are grown elsewhere. The free-enterprise system is the most effective means of delivering goods and services that satisfy people’s preferences.
By comparison, people whose economic freedoms are oppressed in the misguided pursuit of some centrally directed, socialist economy, suffer scarcity.
In communist East Germany, it meant that people came to view the simple banana as a rare, exotic treat. In today’s socialist and corrupt Venezuela, it means people are reduced to making a whole meal of nothing but homegrown bananas.” Wow. I love learning about all this through my Banana Hat. Which, after some discussion was determined I was probably okay for the shot:
Risking an international incident, I “took the shot” with my Banana Hat anyway!
From there, we said goodby to Stef as Urte and I went on to visit the first part of the Berlin Wall Memorial that was closest to my hotel. What I will share below is a gallery of too many pictures to even describe. What I will share here is that I was totally blown away at the beauty and art that was painted onto what remains of the Berlin Wall today (more than 35 years after it came down).
It was a rollercoaster of emotions walking the wall and viewing all the profound art that stood there larger than life as a beautiful themed mural. It was a testament to freedom, liberty, hope, discovery, as well as a warning for so many countries not to repeat this mistake in the future. It honored those who sacrificed their lives attempting to escape East Berlin after the Berlin Wall was erected.
It is estimated that at least 140 people were killed at the Berlin Wall between 1961 and 1989, either directly at the Wall or in connection with the GDR border regime. This figure includes those shot by border guards, those who died during escape attempts (including suicides), and those who died in other incidents related to the border. I would learn this information the next day in full detail, but it’s pertinent to the pictures I took — especially the one with the bloody red footprints (seen “going over the wall”) as Urte pointed out to me.
Remember, if you click on one of the images, it will expand so you can see it better. Isn’t all of this profoundly beautiful? This artwork rivals what you see is ao many museums and yet there it is — right outside on this gigantic wall for everyone passing by to observe and admire. Beautiful. Moving. Profound. What a great way to have my first experience with the Berlin Wall.
One funny side note. David Hasselhoff had quite a stir as he wanted to take down this portion of the wall when he was building his building. The people of Berlin rose up and squashed that notion so that the Wall in front of the building remained. To which, Hasselhoff reportedly spun around as, “I have personally saved this section of the Berlin Wall.”
Well, if by saved you mean you declared your intent to remove it, were vetoed by the people of the city and then were forced to reverse your postiion, then … no, not even then. You can’t attempt to destroy something and then take credit for saving it because you were blocked in your attempt to destroy it. But it is fascinating how stories are spun to suit the teller of said story. The question is, who’s version will history ultimately keep and remember? It is said that “the winners write the history books.” Food for thought.
Speaking of food, I was getting hungry so Urte took me to a full artist underground for diner. This place is well know by artists and foodies, but usually missed by tourists as it’s tucked away and off the beaten path. Once again, I’m so fortunate to have a local guide showing me around. Thank you, Urte!
We both had a vegan sushi burrito from a woman who came to Berlin from Lake Tahoe from all places. We sat down on a pier by the river and watched the sun set as we had diner together and continued our deep conversations around the coaching industry, artificial intelligence, and hosting events in Berlin.
Berlin is such a cool city. I’ve only been here for a single day and I see that I could spend so much time here. It was clear that, at best, I would scratch the surface and get a “first look” at all the Berlin has to offer. To get the full Berlin experience, I would most certainly need to return. Happy to!
