Birthday Bash in Berlin

So, turning 18 should be memorable, right?

Christian just turned 18 last week, but when he was first born I remember thinking that every year his special day would be "heralded with fireworks" (because his birthday eve, aka The Fourth of July, happens to be a rather "celebrated with fireworks"" occasion). This year we not only enjoyed birthday eve fireworks, but additional festivities in the form of a pre-birthday bash in Berlin.

Consider the following sampling of memory makers:

-- A "Fat Tire Bike Tour" through the city of Berlin complete with knowledgeable guide, pouring rain, and ponchos!

-- A visit to the Pergamon Museum to see (among other antiquities) the impressive and marvelous gates of Babylon. Imagine us conjuring up images of King Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel.

-- More rain.

-- Some public transportation challenges -- construction, detours, and other subway and strassenbahn mishaps.

-- The Beatles Musical -- All You Need is Love at the Berlin Estrel Hotel (despite the mishaps, we arrived just in the nick of time!)

-- A little more rain.

-- Sunday morning church in the Berlin-Dahlem Ward.

-- A Sunday afternoon walk through the city of Hof -- one of Tracy's mission cities.

-- And some more rain.

-- Our arrival back to Heidelberg -- to SUNSHINE!

Remnants of the Berlin Wall and a sniper tower:

Jewish Holocaust Memorial and the Brandenburg Gate

Imagine Babylon in Old Testament times:

Before and After Church:

Christian's facial expressions tell a little more of the story:

Public transportation woes . . .

Poncho complications . . . and museum contemplations.

The Beatles Musical was the highlight for Christian.
All You Need is Love!
This picture was taken right after the performance.

And finally, the birthday boy, on his actual birthday, getting ready to eat his favorite meal.

Happy Birthday, Christian!