When John F Kennedy came to speak in Berlin back during the Cold War on June 26, 1963, he wanted to speak to the German people and make them feel that, despite the past as well as the current crisis against the USSR, they would all be able to work together.

He wanted the people to feel that he was one of them so he tried his best to express it.  Unfortunately he said “I am a donut!”

He was actually trying to say “I am a citizen of Berlin!” – Ich bin Berliner!  However he said ‘Ich bin EIN Berliner.’ It was that pesky article that changed JFK from a citizen of Berlin to a jelly donut.

The Germans knew what he was trying to say and praised him for it.  They knew the sentiment and appreciated it. But it’s a still a good joke.

Jelly Donuts aside, you should visit Berlin.  I went there back in 2007 with Lola, Saskia, and Mareike.  We took one of those Hop On Hop Off buses to hit all the major sites:

Among others! We did quite a bit of walking as well so we could get a closer look at:

And…

And don’t forget:

It has been a humbling experience.  But don’t worry, while there are still those reminders of the rough times of Germany’s past – there are some fun stuff to see as well:

We went to the Berlin Zoo.  Home of Knut the baby Polar Bear who was quite the celebrity at the time.

 

We also took advantage of Berlin’s ever growing version of Broadway.  We saw Beauty and the Beast:

 

The girls had wanted to go to Legoland, which they did, but I was more interested in Berlin’s Film museum:

And of course:

Berlin has a great mix of past and present that weaves seamlessly throughout the city.  They have done a great job bursting forth into a modern world without forgetting where they came from.

Go there and explore!