After connecting with a few of the American journalists who will be part of my RIAS exchange group, we set out in search of dinner and a place to view Germany's first match in the World Cup. Every bar and cafe seemed to have an outdoor screen. Those without screens were also without customers. Colorado-based radio journalist Matthew Katz joined me for a cruise through some of the pubs.
We started out on the Oranienburgstrasse, the old Jewish quarter of Berlin and part of the former East, now a street lined with bars, clubs and ladies of the evening. A few places were fixed up as "beaches" complete with lounge chairs, below. There were different types of crowds, ranging from subdued older fans who politely clapped for each of Germany's four goals, to screaming teenagers in field trip sweatshirts. Germany beat Australia 4-0.
We started out on the Oranienburgstrasse, the old Jewish quarter of Berlin and part of the former East, now a street lined with bars, clubs and ladies of the evening. A few places were fixed up as "beaches" complete with lounge chairs, below. There were different types of crowds, ranging from subdued older fans who politely clapped for each of Germany's four goals, to screaming teenagers in field trip sweatshirts. Germany beat Australia 4-0.
