....exclaimed Ronald Reagan in 1987. Famous, possibly world changing, words were made at the Brandenburg Gate. Such a stunning piece of architecture that managed to survive a few conflicts (with some minor repairs to say the last). A previous US President had also made some famous statements... JF Kennedy once said "Ich bin ein Berliner', meaning to say I Am a Berliner. But literal translation was "I am a jelly donut". Anyhoo...
We visited during the day, but decided to head back to get another appreciation of it during the evening.
During the days of the wall's existence, the monument was in no-mans land, with a border crossing nearby.
Speaking of border crossings, we also visited crossing C, known obviously as Checkpoint Charlie. On one side was the US occupied territory, the other was the Soviet. There were some incredible stories of people who managed to escape to the west by very creative means and with the assistance of some daring dipolmats. But, also the stories of those who were not as successful - many jailed, many "fate unknown".
From the US side looking East... pictured is one of the last US Marines to leave the occupied zone in 1994.
From the East looking West - with a similar depiction of a Russian soldier.
It is interesting to compehend that all of this is so recent.... as Australia was preparing for the 'Celebration of a Nation' in 1988, this modern city was divided, until one fateful night in November 1989. The GDR mistakenly announced that the border restrictions would be relaxed, a statement that was not intended to be made at that time and a statement that got the attention of many desperate folk. Thousands of East Berlin residents congregated on a bridge near the bordering wall and the GDR had very little option but to open the gates. History was yet again made. After that time Berlin underwent extreme development to become what it is today. After having the crap bombed out of it and walls erected, it probably had little option. It was obvious to see that the history has been embraced today - after all it brings many tourist dollars to the city. Many have not embraced it nor the tourism with some pockets of the city, particularly the east, openly resistant to tourism.
Near to Checkpoint Charlie was a memorial named the Topography of Terror (yep we are visting some of the exicting places...) This was another choked up moment, with the memorial stepping through the rise (and fall) of a little bastard, I mean an Austrian called Adolf Hitler. The memorial outlined the strategies, activities and propaganda that existed in the 30's and 40's.... again in the big scheme of things - not that long ago (considering my Dad would have been Ryan's nephews age). This memorial outlined the stories of many 'Judes' who were taken away as part of "Project Factory". The outcome of many was stated as 'fate unknown'.
The propaganda ensuring the locals darkened their houses as the Allied Forces would otherwise find them.
*****
"As soon as the others had vanished into their bomb shelters I walked, ran, and raced outside... For me [the bomber planes] meant life. Their vapour trails were signs of light from a better world ni which I would also be allowed to live freely."
*****
Gas mask practise at school -
The Topography Of Terror is located near a peice of the wall that remains standing. This picture doesn't even come close to describing what these folk were subjected to.
SO, SOME FUN STUFF - YAY FOR EVERYONE.
We trotted past Legoland. Clyde was a bit frightened by the life size Giraffe...
And after increasing our magnet collection further, we came across a rather funky park, still trying to work out what it was all about. But is was a good time to play hide'n'seek with Clyde.
Found him... just waved a banana in the air!
While we were out getting some night photos I thought I would get one of our funky hotel... Even this hotel boasts a lot of history having been a music hall in a past life. Aptly named the Ellington Hotel, hosted Duke Ellington way back then. The art-deco style building has been beautifully restored.
We were lucky enough to be given an upgrade to a suite, for which we were certainly thankful. The only issue is that it's located very close to one of the main shopping districts in the west.
Well, it is 10am here....time for some breaky and it's a shopping day.
See you later on.
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