"I can hardly beer my own excitment." Berlin #1 PRT (Parenthesis Reading Time) 0:47

Yes, I love beer. And what a gift it is (actually I DO think it is a blessing) to travel the globe these last four years savoring the flavors of amazing cultures…and their brews. I am here for the next week with my buddy Mike (the missionary), John (the pastor), Mark (the pastor and chief storyteller) and the rest of the DC team (pastors, leaders, baristas) to experience the Berlin culture. Far be it for me to assume drink preferences (remember the “when in Rome….”), but I am claiming right now that I will find it barley plausible to pass up the chance to hop right in at each café and encourage the server to get their “mug” on over here for some refreshment. Yes, of course, certainly I (strive to) experience life’s pleasures in moderation. But, c’mon, Mike just reminded me that the Trappist Monks, holy men and purveyors of outstanding brew for whatever ales you, must have after sampling their latest batch commented, “Praise God, life is good.”

My first evening here was wunderbar. We joined the Pastor Steve and his wife Karen from Berlin International Church (www.berlinchurch.org) and had dinner at the SONY plaza; there is a reason the tagline for SONY is, The One and Only.

That’s where I met my first mug and had a Nuremburger Bratwurst with sauerkraut chaser. My tastebuds will never be the same. It really lit me up…no further comments on that.

Then we walked and enjoyed the interesting mix of architecture, pre WW2 + post WW2 modern, ending up at a small memorial site to commemorate the destruction of the Berlin Wall. It was a sobering and enlightened moment to realize that right where we were standing (surrounded by the bustle and vibrancy of commerce and people) was considered the “death strip”; that neutral space between the West Berlin and East Berlin walls, where many people lost their lives trying to escape from the grip of tyranny into the arms of freedom.
This is the 20th year anniversary of the wall’s destruction; what remains of the wall is now adorned with graffiti art and surrounded by gardens, condos and the businesses of life. Dichotomy.
For emphasis – (b)