I wasn't feeling 100% again when I got up this morning so I pottered around, planning until I felt up to going out. Near where I am staying there is a park called Mauerpark and each Sunday they hold a big flea market there that is apparently popular. It only took 10 minutes to walk there and it was both big and popular.

This is the view along one side of the outside and it was at least 6 rows across. I've never seen a market this big.

In the market was everything you'd expect and most of it really good. I bought a couple of things and had something to eat. I probably spent nearly and hour and a half constantly walking. I bumped into Eric and Sue from Toronto who were the couple I met at Hanover station as we were trying to find our ways to Berlin. It was nice to be able to chat a little more with them.

Along the side of the market there were various excellent performers entertaining the crowds.

Though the course of the day I've noticed some very derelict buildings nestled in between the normal apartment blocks. I guess they're waiting their turn to be renovated (or knocked down).

I loved the art on these buildings.

Walking back to the apartment I navigated the undulating footpaths. They are often paved with this random material.

After a re-group back at the apartment I headed out to see how close I was to the centre of the city. Turns out I'm about the same walking distance as I was in London. Awesome! Having said that, I've purchased my 5 day "welcome to Berlin" card which gives me free public transport anyway.

One of the sights I wanted to see was the TV tower. I can see it clearly from my apartment. It's a very imposing sight.

The queue to get to the observation deck was crazy so I decided to wait. I think I'm able to book tickets online which should be easier. Near the tower is Alexander Platz which had a German folk thing happening. I don't know if it's permanent or not but it seemed a bit too touristy for me. I didn't look around too much.

My next destination was Karl-Marx Allee which was the massive boulevard built by the east Berliners in epic communist style. Along the way I encountered some amazing mosaic facades.

Karl-Marx Allee appears to be a shadow of its former self. Still wide and grand but not much is happening along it. But you can imagine how it would have been used in the cold war era for displays of power.

The view back to "west" Berlin was interesting.

Oh, and I nearly forgot. By the TV tower is a tall hotel where they offer base jumping as an activity. Here's one brave soul on the way down.

Well, that was a big day of walking and my feet hurt. I think I might relax in a bath tonight. Tomorrow's plan will depend on the weather.

Day 16 (part 2): Flea market to Karl-Marx Allee