We did too much on our first day in Berlin, so Day 2, we cut out a few things. This was to be our day of music, with a concert and the musical instrument museum. The concert was great! The museum will have to be seen at a later date.

We spend this day learning about the Soviet occupation, beginning with the Stasi Museum (the Stasi was the East German state security force).

The building was once a center for the Stasi, who occupied many buildings all over Berlin. These buildings were usually not mapped, leaving blank areas with no explanations. Toward the end of the era, about half the population was spying on the other half, counting Stasi employees as well as informants.

Inside, the furnishings were lush, for the leaders of this giant spy network.

Later, we went to some of the remains of the Berlin Wall.

The two walls enclosed a “no-mans land” originally with guard towers and lit at night to prevent escape from the east; now the space is used like a park at this memorial to those killed trying to escape.

Then we got dressed up for the concert at the Berlin Philharmonic Hall! Four to six musicians played interesting, rare pieces. The woman next to us was alone, and had been to the US many times. We enjoyed chatting with her between pieces, especially since she had a program and told us about the music.

• Europe 2018