THE Prepping thread - a new beginning :)

maryb

Am I right, that the Wall has now been down for longer than it was up?

[Deleted User]

maryb wrote: »

Am I right, that the Wall has now been down for longer than it was up?

As of today, it's roughly equal.

The border was closed on 13 August 1961 and was opened on 9th November 1989, which, to a few days, is 28 years and 3 months.

Again, to a few days, it's been 28 years and 3 months since the border was opened.

If you get the chance to visit Berlin, I'd advise you to do so, as it is a fantastic City.

If you happen to have a Passport that was issued before 9th November 1989, take it with you and have the border stamps put in, at the recreated Checkpoint Charlie, on Friedrichstraße. It'll cost you 3 Euros.

Also, if you are into spy novels/films, make sure to visit Glienicke Bridge, aka The Bridge Of Spies.

It's pretty cool to stand with one foot on either side of the dividing line, between what was Soviet and Western territory.

[Deleted User]

The actual Checkpoint Charlie is rebuilt in the Allied Museum in one of the suburbs and tells the story too of the American 'Candy Bomber' which is heart warming to say the least.

Berlin is certainly the best city I know, it's a wonderfully cosmopolitan place and the mix of the starkness of the old East side against the glitz of the area around Unter den Linden is noticeable. I love the integrated transport system which actually works, the tall blocks of housing with murals on their sides to cheer up their utilitarian outlines and the little 'Summer houses' and garden plots that run alongside the railway lines which are such an inspired idea. The Christmas Markets are as Christmas used to be here, families out with friends having a lovely time, it's friendly and welcoming as a city and the Berliners are really nice people. Such a lot of interesting things to do and see and a couple of the best Zoos I've been to. Can't wait to go back again!

[Deleted User]

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

The actual Checkpoint Charlie is rebuilt in the Allied Museum in one of the suburbs and tells the story too of the American 'Candy Bomber' which is heart warming to say the least.

Are you referring to the Berlin Airlift Museum?

flubberyzing

Germany is just another place on my list that I'd love to visit! I'm currently saving up for 10 days in New York, either this summer or next.

I've always thought Germany looked an interesting place, with interesting people...
Years ago, I was on a tour around the Eastern edge of Canada with my parents, and we ended up on a bus full of Germans, and us, the token Brits. Dad was having some trouble one day with itchy eyes, and one German gentleman approached and asked if he was allergic? They were so kind and thoughtful to us!

[Deleted User]

I think I am!

mardatha

I'm afraid to say I've read so many books about the war that the very sound of a German accent gives me the creeps. It's one of the last places I'd ever want to visit. But I know that's not a normal reaction, it's just mine.
God knows what it's got to do with prepping though, I think I've lost me thread lol

Karmacat

Mar, I understand that (even though my colleague/best friend is German Jewish and his wife is German) ... in the 1970s, when I was at college, one of the only times my parents talked about their feelings was discussing whether to go to Germany on holiday. I can't remember *why* the timing, possibly a workmate of one of them had talked about it. And it was specifically because of the war that they felt dodgy about it - my dad was a serviceman (though never in any fighting) and my mum was an evacuee. Well, they went, and they absolutely loved it. They went to Bonn, and a few castles on the Rhine, and they had the odd glass of beer. They went back several times. I've been myself several times, though never yet to Berlin (which is where my colleague's friend lived, while the Wall was still up).

I've read (and don't ask me where, cos I dunno!) that it takes two generations for any war to evolve away into the background. Thee and me are within an affected generation, no doubt about it!

mardatha

I went through a phase KC of reading up every single thing I could get my hands on, re the war and the Nazis. And it was not nice reading. This was when I would be around 13-14 and maybe that is the age when things tend to stick. It came right after the AJ Cronin phase and just before the Fu Manchu phase :D They all stuck lol

Perplexed_Pineapple

I have lived in Germany and spoken German fluently (pretty rusty now though). Generally lovely people. My time speaking and thinking in German (habitual thinking in a second language is an interesting experience) makes me think that the language itself and associated culture creates a rather rigid way of thought that made them vulnerable to demagoguery (if that's how it's spelt!) I'm not sure whether I can explain it properly, but I'm in no doubt from my own experiences that the influence of language extends beyond speech into thoughts and actions.