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Pergamon Museum

 This market entrance was re-created inside of the museum.  I have never seen anything like it.  INSIDE of the museum!

 Also in the museum this 'small' entrance to Nebuchadnezzar's II city.  That would be the son of Nebuchadnezzar who sacked Jerusalem after Lehi fled the city.  Yeah, this is a Babylonian Gate. 

 We were thoroughly touristic with our headsets.

 Outside of a different museum, not nearly as impressive...so we had to be.

 East Gallery.  The longest standing section of the wall.  Like this section with the dates the wall stood: 1961 (Tom arrived in Germany as a boy) until 1989 (we arrived in Belgium)

We have rented the bikes for the week.  Steve says his bum hurts.  

Lunch

 It's been so hot that frozen yogurt with fresh fruit is the only thing that sounds good to eat for lunch.  So that is what we have done for the past couple of days. 

 Beautiful and delicious.  Perfect for 100F weather.

 Wonder what this discussion is about?  It goes something like this: 

Steve:  "You guys go too hard on vacation.  You need more relaxing time."

Mom:  "Like what?  You want to go back to the apartment?"

Steve:  "Well, how about read a book or take a nap?  We could just chill here maybe?"  (It was air conditioned, so I could see his point."  

Uh huh.  Steve trying to get up his energy and Tom reading the map.  Pretty typical scene.  

Berlin again

 Steve-o loves me and I love him!

 Just trying to stay cool.  

 Brandenburg Gate

 Original propaganda from the Soviet era

 Checkpoint Charlie

We bought a fan.  No A/C in the apartment.  Temp around 100F.  Ugh.

Flower Carpet

 Steve and I went during the daylight hours.  Tom joined us one evening and it is a completely different look.  Almost more impressive in the evening under spotlight, but pictures are better in the sunlight!

 Part of the beauty is of course the impressive square itself.  Oh, and Steve hiked me up on his shoulders for this shot.  I didn't think he could lift me, but he seemed ok with it.  Strong kid!

You could pay 3 euros and go up on the balcony.  It was packed.  And it was hot.  Skipped that. 

Downtown trip complete with pitas and gauffres.....oh, and of course for Steve, FANTA!

Blue Suede Shoes

 And red suede shoes....as we contemplated the Pantheon (It was July sales and I found some fun shoes! Walked in them all day.  Most comfy ever, ever)

 Blue suede shoes (never dreamed I would actually own a pair)....a park above the Vatican

 De Mao Patocca....and yes, it hasn't changed in 50 years.  We go for the singers/guitarists.

Piazza Navona:  Finally finished with the renovations

Wonder if we could drive these in the US??

Holy Baloney

Ok, who quotes this one:  "Holy Moly Jim Pagleroni"?  It's Tom, right?  And we all say it, right?  What you probably didn't know:  Jim Pagleroni is a real guy!!!  Yes, that's right.   Jim Pagleroni.  He played for the Red Sox.  (I thought he was a co-worker b/c Tom really has some unique co-worker names!)
 Tom is now 61.  When we lit the candles I went to get the camera.  "No, don't.  It's not worth it."  Humpfh.  I guess we are there.  Put away the cameras.  We want to stop aging right here and now.  People can remember us forever and always as no older than we are right now.  Probably should have stopped a decade ago, but better now than later.
Which reminds me.  Does anybody want our movie camera?  Speak up or forever hold your peace....b/c if nobody wants it, it's off to the thrift store for $10.  (Steve grabbed it, so there you go.  Watch out, he might get you on film!)

Memories I don't want to Forget

 The best gift of the trip was meeting Tori.  Oh she is squeezable.  But then so is Isa and Bryn!

 Quote of the day from Rach "I'm hot, I'm tired, I'm hungry, I'm thirsty!"  (We were touring Princeton on a Sunday afternoon)

 I really like where Jake and Mel live.  It's beautiful.

 Hugs from Katie are the BEST

 Nature and the Herway kids are synonymous

 Luke is irresistable

 This family picture turned out really great.  I especially like that new Baby Boy is trying to get in his fair appearance as well!

These two need to live closer to each other.