So...back to Berlin...and the wall. Actually...better said as The Wall. With capitals because when you talk about The Wall people always seem to know what wall you are referring to...
So...I got to touch it. See it...touch it...kind of experience it...
The most surprising thing about it was how short it was. Short as in "not tall" as opposed to the length...because that wall went on FOREVER. When I saw The Wall for the first time it was not intimidating at all...not even a tiny bit. I imagine way back when there was razor wire and stuff on top maybe? It might be time for another history lesson.
From Wikipedia...
"The Berlin Wall (German: Berliner Mauer) was a barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic (GDR, East Germany) starting on 13 August 1961, that completely cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin.
The barrier included guard towers placed along large concrete walls, which circumscribed a wide area (later known as the "death strip") that contained anti-vehicle trenches, "fakir beds" and other defenses.
The Eastern Bloc claimed that the wall was erected to protect its population from fascist elements conspiring to prevent the "will of the people" in building a socialist state in East Germany. In practice, the Wall served to prevent the massive emigration and defection that marked Germany and the communist Eastern Bloc during the post-World War II period."
Ok...so no razor wire...but the "death strip" sounds and looks pretty daunting from pre-fall of the wall photos.
And now for the big reveal of MY experience at the Berlin wall. I'm starting with my absolute favorite photo from that day...
And then looking down one side of the wall....
And then the other....
And me touching the wall. :)
And then just some interesting other works of art on the wall...
And in the infamous words of Arnold Schwarzenegger..."I'll be back."
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