On my first weekend out of our Kaserne to sightsee, I walked and walked in the Tiergarten-Brandenburg Gate area; there was so much to see that I forgot to eat or drink. Finally, hunger and thirst caught up with me, when I saw this oasis at the edge of the canal locks on the Landwehrkanal.
I realized that the only German language that I had was in a phrase book. Before I could thumb through to the "Let's go to a restaurant" page, the waiter was at my table. What to do?
"You look like you need a beer," he said in colloquial American English. It turned out that he was a Berliner who had served in the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army. I could not argue with him. I had my first German beer there.
This became a favorite stopping place for me, as it was for many Berliners. It was not far from the Zoo Bahnhof (Station), a focal point for U-bahn and city bus service. I could cut into a slice of thick cold ham, have some potato salad, a beer or a big glass of apple juice, and watch trains on the Stadtbahn or boats navigating the locks.
In May, 1969, this photo was taken on warm day, but the most beautiful visit was on a snowy winter night. The family which ran the place was eating in one corner. For a time, I was the only customer. Their German Shepherd dog kept an eye on things. Outside, the usually busy Tiergarten walks were empty. For a few minutes, the Weltstadt was a quiet Dorf.
Continue on the tour. Weitermachen!