Monday 11th September 2023

Got up around 0900 and went in search of breakfast. Wandered northward and ate outside a trendy modern cafe called Freustuck 3000. The staff all seemed very camp to a man. Food was good…a tasty frittata with potatoes, bacon and green beans in it. The coffee was lousy though. Ambled back through the grounds of Libskind’s Jewish Museum and got ourselves sorted before heading east on the U Bahn. 

Walked down Schlesischestrasse to take a look at the Bonjour Tristesse building, a seven storey block of 80s era social housing designed by Portuguese architect Alvaro Siza Vieira. The area seems to have gone markedly downhill since I stayed there on tour with Proper Job theatre company in 2000. But it remains very lively. 

Walked up to Markethalle Neun, one of the last remaining 19th Century market buildings left in the city. It is now full of trendy food stalls…we stopped to enjoy a delicious tub of ice cream. 

Hopped on a bus up to Spittalmarkt and walked to OMA’s new Axel Springer Campus building, which I caught reflected in the office block on the opposite side of the road. 

Then walked along the kanal to Museumsinsel and a look at David Chipperfield’s James Simon Galerie. 

Caught a bus into the city centre, then the U Bahn southward to Platz der Luftbrucke, and wandered through the back streets until we came across an atmospheric little German restaurant. They managed to get us seated inside…I had the leg of rabbit and mashed potatoes, and we shared an apricot dumpling and custard for afters. Walked back to the hotel up Zoessnerstrasse. Aki had a swim and sauna in the basement spa.