Reichstag - the building where the German Parliament meets. Having been damaged in a fire it was out of use for sometime. After reunification it was refitted and a glass dome was built over the center where visitors look down over the meeting representatives. This is supposed to symbolize of the people keeping close watch on their elected law makers. It's also another example of old juxtaposed with the new in Berlin and is a nice piece of architecture to boot.
Ampelmenschen - The red and green "people"
in the crosswalk light indicating go and stop. (Ampel - traffic light, Mensch(en) - people, may recognize from yiddish used as "good person") There are two types of Ampelmenschen to be found in Berlin. The rule of thumb was that the old fashion ones with the man wearing a hat were to be found in the East, but now there doesn't seem to be any sense to it as even some Westberlin neighborhoods seem to want the iconic traffic watchmen guarding their streets as well.
Dönerkebab - I hope I can do "döner" justice in this short discription. This Turkish delicacy is lamb meat cut off a rotating spit, put into a slightly toasted pocket of breat with one of a few sauces, tomatoes, red cabbage, onions, and cucumbers. Its cheap, fast, delicious, healthier than Dominos or McDonalds and is generally thought of as a guilty pleasure, good for a quick lunch, or as sustenence on the way home from a watering hole. Whatever your use it gives new meaning to "Turkish Delight." See tribute to the glory of döner here. The text translates to "I have a onion on my head- I am a Döner! Because Döner makes it better! I am poor and like to eat. Baguette makes you fat... I have an onion on my head..."
KaDeWe - or Kaufhaus des Westens (Purchasing House of the West) and yes it is smack in the center of former west Berlin. Notable are high prices (boo) but also a great gourmet food section on the top floor (awesome). They have types of meat and fish on display at this place you never even wanted to know was edible. But it's great for the experience of walking around getting hungry and then stopping at one of the food stands or bakerys to satisfy the craving.
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