Saturday, September 6, 2008

Photos-Fotos!!!!

There are so many wonderful memories and to underline them, there a many great shots!
Have a look and enjoy!
http://flickr.com/photos/29805329@N08/sets/

wait, is is not over yet-preparing for round 3-dritte Runde

As we have announced in Bellin, we can't get enough of getting married. Thanks to Gary's mom, we will celebrate our wedding once again in Victoria in company of Gary's large czech family. But in contrary to all expectations that we may be tired of celebrating our wedding, we are looking forward to the third edition. We are happy that we have the opportunity to celebrate with y'all! Thank you for making that possible. It is the greatest gift for us if you can come to celebrate with us. However, if you still would like to enjoy us with a gift, then you could choose something from our registry. Thank you for coming. If you can't make it to Victoria, we will totally understand. Go Victoria 2008!
Hey, who will make it to all 3 editions???

Gift registry:
Crate and Barrel New York:
http://www.crateandbarrel.com

Bloomingdales in New York:
http://www.bloomingdales.com/

Back to normal-Zurueck zur Normalitaet


We can't believe it, but it is almost a month now that we were celebrating our wedding in Bellin.
We needed quite some time to get used to the every day business again. We are still so fulfilled from all the happenings, conversations and meetings with you during those days of festivities. We appreciated and enjoyed every moment of it. Every day we think of it and when we talk of those days we remember always new details. It was so nice, much nicer than we could have ever imagined. The whole week was a blast: The welcome dinner with our US friends at Freischwimmer on Wednesday, the gathering with the Berlin friends, US friends and some of our families at Prater on Thursday, the welcome party in Bellin on Friday, where most of our guests could already attend, the wedding ceremony the next day during which we were surprisingly calm (I guess that is due to our routine to get married), the good team work thereafter sawing the wood, the reception at the castle with some sunshine :) and some more work taking the pictures, and then the evening reception and dinner with beautiful speeches, t the ascending of the fire balloons which was indeed a very special moment and last but not least the dance....and there was a lot of it!!!... until, as foreseen, 6 o'clock in the morning! All those moments will be always great memories. And again, it is still amazing to us who all came to celebrate with us. It was like a dream world: our german-texan families, my god parents, very old friends where our parents have been already friends, my school friends "the waldis", gary's and my friends from university (the good old wild days), our friends we have met at different jobs, parties and other places in Berlin, Houston and around the world. We had a great time. Thank you for everything!
Well, we can't help it, we just have a great family and fantastic friends!

Sunday, August 3, 2008

The countdown

It is crazy that it is only less than a week until our big day. We can't wait to welcome you in Berlin and Bellin and to spend valuable time with each of you!
Thank you for making this real!
Es ist unglaublich, aber es ist nur noch weniger als eine Woche bis zu unserem grossen Tag. Wir koennen es kaum noch erwarten, Euch in Berlin und Bellin willkommen zu heissen und eine froehliche Zeit mit Jedem von Euch zu verbringen.
Danke Euch dafuer, dass Ihr es wahr macht!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Checklist- what to bring to Bellin- Was packe ich in mein Köfferchen?

1. Swim suit/ Badeanzug. You don't want to miss a cool refreshment in one of the lakes close by. Es gibt hinter dem Schloss einen Badesee der zur kühlen Erfrischung einlädt.
2. Our contact numbers and the number from "Jagdschloss" in case you will need help. Jegliche Kontaktnummern für alle Fälle...
3. Kleenexes for church (ladies). Tachentücher um die eine oder jene Träne zu trocknen.
4. Hopefully the weather will be nice, hot and sunny, but you never know. A light jacket, sweater or shawl would be good to bring for cool nights. Siebenschläfer ist am Hochzeitswochenende überstanden und somit hoffen wir auf gutes Wetter. Dennoch kann man ja nie wissen- wir empfehlen eine dünne Jacke, Pullover oder Schal für eventuell kühle Nächte mitzubringen.
5.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Hotelverteilung in Bellin- hotel guest list in Bellin

Kurhaus am Inselsee: DZ J.H. Clewing, DZ Sharma, DZ Ader, DZ Winkler, DZ Unruh
Bücherhotel: DZ Hüchting, EZ Hüchting, DZ Jäger, DZ Mcdonald, DZ Nowak,DZ von Kuegelgen
Seehotel Krakow: DZ Springer, DZ Nossa, DZ Daugelat, DZ Palit, DZ Guinn, DZ McHorne, DZ Flick, DZ Bernard, DZ Krummrey, EZ Staley, EZ Cutlip
Forshof am Blechernkrug: DZ Lohner, DZ Kritzler, DZ Roehrsheim, DZ Buchholz, DZ Grünke, DZ Hollmann, DZ Raps, DZ Stoltenburg, DZ U. Clewing, EZ Lohner
Motel Zehna: DZ Schwedhelm, DZ Rödiger, DZ Emmrich, EZ Ashdown
Mecklenburghotel Lohmen: DZ H. Clewing, DZ B. Clewing

Kopfzerbrechen- was ziehe ich an- help, what to wear?

Because so many of you have asked us about what to wear to which occasion, we would like to clarify a few questions so that everybody will be comfortable and relaxed on the wedding day.
First of all don't be too worried, the most important thing is that you will be there and that we will have fun!
Let's go by the events:
Warm up party in Berlin- Thursday, August 7, 2008:
We will meet in a beer garden, so you want to be comfortable and relaxed eating your sausage. You can put your Lederhosen on!
Welcome-party in Bellin- Friday, August 8, 2008:
"Summerly festive attire". Ladies: dresses, skirts etc; gentlemen: slacks or suits, coats and jackets optional.
We will have a garden party if the weather allows. If the weather is against us, we will celebrate inside. Don't worry, you don't have to freeze to death.
The wedding day- Saturday, August 9, 2008:
Church:
Ladies, you can wear either a dress or skirt and top or jacket to church, the gentlemen are fine with suits or slacks and jackets. Since Gary and I are getting married in a protestant church, you don't have to worry about showing some shoulder. Well, you don't have to be necessarly naked either.
Even though it is not as strict as in the UK, it is fairly common to wear hats to weddings in Germany. So ladies, this is a great excuse to go shopping! (Look at the links!)
After church, we will all go to the "Jagdschloss" for the reception.
Then there will be a 2 hour break where you can rest at your hotel, take a bath in one of the lakes, refresh and change, if you like.
Dinner and dance:
black tie/suit: guys, if you happen to have a tuxedo then take it out the closet, if not don't panic, it's fine. There will be some people wearing tux and some not. The ladies can wear pretty much everything, even though it is classic to wear long dresses with tuxedo in Germany.
You know, the most important thing is that you all feel good and that you will have fun. There is the tradition in Germany to dress up and to still get crazy. So don't worry that you will find yourself at a stiff and boring event!
Go Germany 2008!!!

Welcome party in Bellin

Ihr Lieben!
Aus unterschiedlichsten Gründen, ist für Freitag eine Programmänderung eingetreten.
Wie in der Einladung angekündigt, seid Ihr alle zu unserer Willkommens-Party am Freitag, den 8.8.2008 eingeladen. Allerdings haben sich Zeit und Ort geändert. Wir möchten nun gern von 19 Uhr bis ca. 24 Uhr im Jagdschloss Bellin mit Euch feiern. Bei gutem Wetter wird die Party im Schlossgarten stattfinden, bei schlechtem Wetter werden wir in den gemütliche Räumen des Schlosses feiern.
Bei der Auswahl des Schuhwerks, insbesondere unserer weiblichen Gäste, bitten wir zu beachten, dass Stilettos im Garten zu Unfällen mit potentiell gefährlichen Folgen, führen könnten.
Hi everybody!
For many different reasons, we had to slightly change the schedule for Friday night. As anounced in the invitation, you are all invited to our welcome party on Friday, August 8, 2008. However, location and time have changed. We would now like to celebrate with you from 7 pm to approximately 12 am at Jagdschloss Bellin . If the weather is nice, the party will take place in the garden, if the weather is bad, we will celebrate in the rooms of the "Jagdschloss".
We recommend not to wear stilettos in the garden since that could cause potential accidents with serious consequences.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Warm up party Berlin- Vor-Vor-Party in Berlin



On Thursday, August 7, we will all meet at "Prater", the oldest beer garden in Berlin. Everybody is invited. So please, Berliner and non Berliner, join us for beer and sausage and more at 7pm.
No dress code!!!
Am Donnerstag, den 7. August, werden wir uns im "Prater", dem ältesten Biergarten Berlins, treffen. Alle sind herzlich eingeladen. Also, Berliner und Nicht-Berliner, leistet uns ab 19 Uhr bei Bier und Bratwurst Gesellschaft.
Wir freuen uns auf Euch!

http://www.pratergarten.de/index.html

Monday, June 2, 2008

Anreise nach Bellin-directions to Bellin

Flughäfen-airports

Die beiden nächstgelegenen Flughäfen sind Berlin (Tegel und Schönefeld) und Hamburg, die jeweils etwa 180km von Bellin entfernt liegen.
The two major airports closed to Bellin are Berlin (Tegel and Schönefeld)and Hamburg. All are located approximatelly 180km from Bellin.

Anfahrt mit dem Zug-directions by train

Für Diejenigen, die nicht mit dem Auto nach Bellin anreisen möchten oder können, gibt es die Möglichkeit mit dem Zug (DBB) nach Güstrow zu fahren, was nur 20km von Bellin entfernt liegt. Wir holen Euch dann gern vom dortigen Bahnhof ab. Wer sich einem Gruppenticket anschliessen moechte, sagt uns doch bitte Bescheid. Der Zug geht um 12:43 ab Berlin mit Ankunft 15:00 in Bellin.
The one's who don't have a car available, can also travel by train (DBB). You have to get off at Güstrow, which is 20km from Bellin and we can easily pick you up.
For most of the American guests, we will organize a group ticket from Berlin to Bellin. The train will leave at 12.43pm from Berlin with arrival at 3pm in Bellin.

http://reiseauskunft.bahn.de/bin/query.exe/d

Anreise mit dem Auto-directions by car
Von Berlin-from Berlin
Stadt auswärts Richtung Norden/exit the city towards the north
Fahr/ take A10 Richtung Hamburg/Magdeburg/Postdam
Weiter auf/ continue on/ A24 Richtung/toward Hamburg/Rostock
Weiter auf/Continue on/A19 Richtung/toward Rostock/Kremmen
Nimm die Ausfahrt/take the exit Nr 18 Richtung/toward Linstow/ Krakow am See
Rechts abbiegen/ right turn Richtung/toward Krakow am See
An der T-Kreuzung rechts in Richtung/at the T cross take a right turn toward Krakow a. See
Immer geradeaus bis zum Ortsschild Krakow am See/ go all the way straight until you see the yellow sign: Krakow am See
Zum Jagdschloss Bellin und allen Hotels/directions to "Jagdschloss Bellin and all the hotels:
Seehotel:
Gleich nach der Ortseinfahrt, geht eine Einbahnstrasse nach rechts Richtung "Seepromenade". Einfach der Ausschilderung Richtung Seepromenade folgen bis Ihr vor Euch das Seehotel seht. Vor dem Hotel rechts auf den Parkplatz fahren.
After entering the town, take the first street to the right toward "Seepromenade", then take another right turn toward "Seepromenade" until the end of the street. At the corner in front of you is the "Seehotel". You can make a right turn in front of the hotel to get to the parking area.
Forsthof Blechernkrug:
Nach Ortseinfahrt in Krakow, nicht Richtung Seepromenade fahren, sondern auf der Hauptstrasse bleiben, bis zur ersten grossen Ampelkreuzung. Dann rechts in die Güstrower Chaussee abbiegen und ihr folgen, bis an der rechten Strassenseite das Hotel liegt (kurz vor der Abbiegung Richtung Teterow).
After entering the town, don't take the right turn toward Seepromenade, but go staright until the intersection with a traffic light. Take a right on "Güstrower Chaussee" and keep going until you see the hotel on the right side (just before it goes right toward Teterow)

Mecklenburg Hotel Lohmen:
Vom Forsthof Blechernkrug weiter geradeaus. Dann links Richtung Bellin. Immer geradeaus. Kurz hinter Groß Tessin, geht es links nach Lohmen. Das Hotel liegt gleich am Ortseingang auf der rechten Seite.
Jagdschloss Bellin:
Nicht links Richtung Lohmen abbiegen, sondern der Hauptstrasse Richtung Marienhof folgen. Weiter Richtung Bellin. In Bellin führt eine Kopfsteinplasterstrasse zum Schloss. Kurz vor Beginn des Asphalts, geht es links zum Jagdschloss.
Coming from Krakow am See (Seehotel, Forsthof)continue on Güstrower Chaussee and take a left toward Bellin. Go all the way through Marienhof. You will enter Bellin on a cobble stone street, continue until you see the sign to Jagdschloss. Take a left to enter the castle.
Bücherhotel- Gutshotel Groß Breesen:
Von der Hauptsrasse in Bellin geht es noch vor dem Schloss links Richtung Gutshotel Groß Breesen. Einfach den Schildern folgen.
Just before the "Jagdschloss", there are signs toward the left to "Gutshotel Gross Breesen". Just follow the signs.
Motel Zehna:
Die Gäste des Motels fahren bitte auf der Hauptstrasse in Bellin (am Schloss vorbei)weiter Richtung Zehna. An der T-Kreuzung in Zehna, rechts Richtung Güstrow/Gutow. Hinterm Ortsausgang liegt das Motel auf der linken Seite.
The guests who are staying at the motel Zehna have to continue on the main street in Bellin, leave the castle behind and go towards Zehna. You will reach a T-intersection. Take a right towards Güstrow/Gutow. The motel is on the left hand side.
Kurhaus am Inselsee:
Vom Motel Zehna weiter der Hauptstrasse folgen. In Gutow an der T-Kreuzung rechts Richtung Güstrow. In Badendiek rechts Richtung Bölkow. Weiter geradeaus Richtung Mühl Rosin/Güstrow. Hinter Mühl Rosin liegt das Hotel auf der linken Seite.
From Motel Zehna continue on the main street. In Gutow, you have to take a right toward Güstrow at the T-intersection. In Badendiek take a right toward Bölkow. Keep going straight toward Mühl Rosin/Güstrow. After you have passed Mühl Rosin, the hotel will be on the left hand of the street.

Gute Fahrt!!!!

http://maps.google.de/

Von Bremen/Hamburg-from Bremen/Hamburg
Es gibt 2 Möglichkeiten:

1. Nehmt die A1 Richtung Hamburg/Lübeck/Berlin. Bei Ausfahrt 36 Kreuz HH Süd Richtung Lübeck/A 24/Berlin fahren und die A1 nehmen, bei Ausfahrt 31 AK-Kreuz HH Ost in A24 einfädeln und Richtung Berlin/Schwerin/Reinbek fahren. Bei Ausfahrt 13- Dreieck Schwerin Richtung Wismar/Schwein Ost fahren, dann auf A14. Bei Ausfahrt 5- Schwerin Ost, auf B321 Richtung Schwerin Ost/Schwerin Zentrum/Crivitz fahren; bei Crivitzer Chaussee/B321 links abbiegen (Schilder nach Crivitz/Parchim), weiter auf B321; links auf die Auffahrt nach Goldbergerstr./L15 abbiegen, weiter auf L15. In Goldberg, links auf B192/ Lübzer Strasse abbiegen, dann rechts auf L17. Weiter auf L17 über Nienhagen und Klein Breesen. In Zehna GÜ23 nach rechts abbiegen.Gleich nach dem Ortseingang in Bellin, rechts zum Jagdschloss Bellin.

2. A1 Richtung Hamburg, weiter A1 Richtung Lübeck, dann A20 Richtung Wismar/Rostock. In Rostock auf die A19, weiter auf A19 bis Krakow am See. Bei Ausfahrt 15- Linstow, Richtung Linstow/Krakow am See, dann Richtung Krakow am See. Dann weiter wie unter Anfahrt von Berlin. Ihr kommt auf der Dobbiner Chaussee in den Ort hinein und müsst dann rechts in die Güstrower Chaussee einbiegen.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Gifts - Geschenke

Dear family and friends,
The wedding is coming closer and closer and we are getting more and more excited. It will be a very special day for us in so many different perspectives. Finally, our two worlds come together. It is wonderful to see how many of you will make it despite all the efforts you to have put into your trip. That is more that we could have ever asked for and we appreciate that very much. Your presence is the biggest gift you can make us! Thank you all. We can't wait to celebrate with you!
What so ever, people still keep asking us what we would like for our wedding and how they could make us happy. We never really had an answer so far since we had never thought about it. It was not an important aspect for us. As many things, it took us a while to figure out what we would like and how to solve the logistic issues including transportation. We don't want people to carry things around the world and then we would have to figure out how to take them back again. For the German or European guests it means almost the same. You wish to make us happy with a present and in the end it may be difficult for us to take everything back to the US. That would be a shame. For those reasons, we decided to get registered at two Stores in New York. This way the American and European friends can pick something online and it will be directly shipped to our New York address. This way it is convenient for everybody.
But again: the nicest present is the fact that you will be there celebrating with us!
Thank you again.
Go Germany 2008!

Liebe Familie und Freunde,
Die Hochzeit rückt nun immer näher und wir werden immer aufgeregter. Es wird in vielerlei Hinsicht ein ganz besonderer Tag werden. Endlich treffen unsere zwei Welten aufeinander: unsere Familien lernen sich kennen und viele unserer Freunde aus Amerika und Deutschland kommen zusammen. Wir freuen uns sehr darüber dass Ihr so zahlreich erscheint obwohl es für viele einen sehr grossen Aufwand bedeutet. Das ist bei weitem mehr als wir uns wünschen könnten und Eure Anwesenheit ist das grösste Geschenk, das Ihr uns machen könnt. Wir möchten uns hiermit ganz herzlich für all Eure Mühen bedanken und freuen uns darauf gemeinsam mit Euch in Bellin zu feiern!
Trotzdem werden wir immer wieder gefragt was wir uns denn eigentlich zur Hochzeit wünschen. Wir waren bisher immer ein bischen verlegen, da wir nie darüber nachgedacht hatten. So hat es nun, wie bei uns so üblich, eine ganze Weile gadauert, bis wir uns überlegt hatten, wie man uns eine echte Freude machen könnte. Ausserdem war ja noch die Schwierigkeit zu bedenken, wie man die Entfernung USA-Deutschland logistisch am besten bewältigen könnte. Wir wollen niemanden zumuten Geschenke um die halbe Welt zu tragen die wir hätten wieder zurückschleppen müssen oder eventuell Gefahr zu laufen sie gar nicht transportieren zu können. Nun sind wir zu dem Schluss gekommen, dass es das Einfachste sei, alles online zu gestalten. Wir haben bei zwei Läden in New York eine online Geschenkeliste zusammen gestellt, die man über unsere Nachnamen oder das Datum der Hochzeit findet. Somit kann man bequem etwas aussuchen und uns wird es direkt an unsere New Yorker Adresse geschickt.
Aber die Hauptsache für uns ist es mit Euch zusammen zu sein und durch Euch ein wunderschönes Fest zu feiern!
Wir freuen uns sehr Euch in Bellin zu sehen!
Auf Deutschland 2008!


Crate and Barrel New York:
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/
Bloomingdales in New York:
http://www.bloomingdales.com/

Getting around in the capital- Öffentliche Verkehrsmittel in der Hauptstadt

Berlin is known for its public transportation and it invites you to experience it while you are there. The public transportation is widely used and accepted by the "Berliners" and it can take you almost everywhere.
Here is a short guide so that you will know what is what:
S-Bahn: "S" stands for "Stadt", which means "city"; trains, which go to the suburbian areas of Berlin, but which also run within the city.
U-Bahn: Die "Untergrund"-Bahn -The "Underground", which is not entirely true, since it sometimes runs above the ground, like the T in Chicago. Only runs within the city borders.
Strassenbahn: "Street car", first public transportation in Berlin before the war, but it was heavily destroyed. 50 years later, after the German reunification, they rebuilt some of the system. These days, the street car is mainly running in the Eastern part of the city. Be aware! Don't try to be faster than a street car. People were already killed!
Bus: The buses are running throughout the city.
Tickets: You can purchase a ticket at any S-and U-Bahnhof "station". You will find Mashines "Fahrscheinautomat" on the platform. You can use the ticket for the bus, street car, U-Bahn and S-Bahn.
Please visit the BVG website under our links for more details.

Friday, February 29, 2008

Top 10 Berlin Museum guide

1. "Museumsinsel"- Highlights are: "Alte" Nationalgalerie, "Altes" Museum, Pergamon Museum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_Island
2. Jewish Museum- designed by Daniel Liebeskind
http://www.juedisches-museum-berlin.de
3. "Neue" Nationalgalerie- designed by Mies van der Rohe
http://www.neue-nationalgalerie.de
4. Friedrichwerdersche Kirche- designed by the old master Friedrich Schenkel
5. "Mauermuseum Bernauer Strasse"- the history of the wall and the devided Berlin
http://www.berliner-mauer-dokumentationszentrum.de
6. "Hamburger Bahnhof und Rieckhallen"- the Frick Collection
7. "Sammlung Berggrün"-a gift for Berlin
http://www.smb.museum/smb/sammlungen/details.php?objID=22&lang=de
8. "Haus am Checkpoint Charlie"-stories from people who attempted to escape East Germany
9. "The Story of Berlin"- a walk through Berlins history
http://www.story-of-berlin.de

10. "Deutsches Techniker Museum"- things you were always wondering about

Top 10 Berlin Street food guide

1. Döner Kebab- at "Rosenberger Platz"- my favorite Döner in town
2. Keb up- the competitor of the above- a trailor located at the corner of Weinbergsweg and Brunnenstrasse
3. Schawarma in "Raumerstrasse"-don't know how many Gary ate...
4. "Konopkes" an Eberswalder Strasse- you have to eat your first Currywurst there
5. "Alibaba und die 40 Hähnchen"- on Danziger Strasse-chicken Döner,Gary's favorite
6. Die "kleine Eiszeit" on Stargarder Strasse - incredible gelato
7. Grillwalker- you meet them mostly around the "Alex"- the best Bratwurst in town
8. "Die Wunderlampe" best "Imbiss" in Friedrichshain
9. Imbiss am Wittenbergplatz- the best currywurst in the West
10. "Backstube"- great bakery where you can eat the best croissants

Top 10 Architecture trips through Berlin

1. Museumsinsel (Mitte)- in the presence of the old masters
2. The Northern Embassies,CDU Building and Bauhausarchiv (Tiergarten)
3. Die Kapelle der Versöhnung and Memorial for the Berlin Wall (Bernauer Strasse Mitte)
4. "Regierungsviertel"- meet the contemporary star architects Stephan Braunfels, Norman Foster, Axel Schultes
5. "Potsdamer Platz"/"Staatsbibliothek" & "Philharmonie"- Sharoun, Renzo Piano, Helmut Jahn and more
6. The Jewish Museum- Liebeskind/ GSW Building- Sauerbruch und Hutton
7. Der Haupbahnhof- Gerkan Marg & Partner/Hamburger Bahnhof/Riekhallen Hallen- Joseph Paul Kleihues
8. "Olympiastadion" history from the first Olympics in 1936 to the soccer world championship in 2006
9. "Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche"
10. "Unite d'habitation typ Berlin- Le Corbusier

Hotels and Apartments in Berlin

1. Honigmond-Hotel/garden hotel
www.honigmond-berlin.de
2. Lux-11
www.lux-eleven.com
3. Ackselhaus
www.ackselhaus.de
4. Arte Luise Kunsthotel Berlin
www.luise-berlin.com
5. Art'otel Berlin Mitte
www.artotels.de/berlin_mitte
6. Arcotel Velvet Berlin Mitte
www.arcotel.at
7. Propeller Island City Lodge
www.propeller-island.com
8. Haus Arkona
www.hausarkona.de
9. Park Inn Hotel Berlin
www.parkinn-berlin.com
10. Apartmenthaus Mitte-modern apartment house "im Herzen der Stadt"
http://www.pension-peters-berlin.de/fs_pen0.htm

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Our Top 10 Berlin tourist guide

1. Start in the Middle at the former border between East and West Berlin-"Brandenburger Tor" with "Tiergarten", the largest park in Germany and "Siegessäule"-the Victory column
2. Meet the Chancelor- "Regierungsviertel" with "Reichstag"-"Bundestag"-"Bundeskanzleramt"-"Bundespräsidialamt"
3. The Champs Elysee of Berlin: "Unter den Linden"- with National library, State opera, Humboldt University, "Altes Zeughaus", "Berliner Dom", "Museumsinsel"
4. Gendarmenmarkt - the nicest square in Berlin with the French and German Domes
5. Shopping on "Friedrichstrasse" with Checkpoint Charlie
6. Alexanderplatz, the "Alex" with "Fernsehturm"- TV tower
7. "Mitte"- Berlins hipster district with "Hackischer Markt", "Neue Synagoge", "Tacheles"
8. Run Lola Run- "East Galery" and "Oberbaumbrücke"
9. Go West-"Kurfürstendamm"- shopping paradise, don't miss the legendary "KaDeWe" (Kaufhaus des Westens) and "Kaiser Wihelm-Gedächtniskirche"
10. "Charlottenburger Schloss" and gardens

Sunday, February 24, 2008

First edition- Houston March 26 in 2006


As most of you know, we got married on March 26 in 2006 in Houston, under quite special circumstances. We thank everybody who contributed to an unforgettable day. It was quite amazing that even though we told people only 2 days before, we still had a great wedding ceromony with rings, me in a wedding dress, a party with 5 wedding cakes and a drive in a decorated convertable Mazda to spend a romantic night in a hotel. The perfect American wedding which was only possible with the support and love of our family and friends. Thank you again for everything. However, it was sad that none of the German family and friends could attend since everything was planned of such short notice. From the first moment we decided to get married in the US,we knew that there would be a German edition at some point. What took us only one week the first time is now the other extreme of two years. We are very excited and are looking forward to celebrating with all of you. It will be something very special for us that our families will finally meet and our American and German friends will get together. We are happy that so many of you will make it from so many different places in Germany, Europe and the States. Thank you so much. To help you prepare your trip to Berlin and surroundings, we would like to share some recommendations with you.
Welcome to Germany 2008!