Shit... sorry about the repeated posting. It kept saying it wasn't able to update my blog... apparently it was. And I can't delete them, either, because apparently the blogging website I'm using can tell that I'm in Germany right now, and it's got all the buttons switched to German, and I can't tell what I need to press to delete the excess posts.
Anyway, I'm still in Berlin. I never want to leave. Really. I love this city more than anywhere I've ever been. Mom and dad, if there is ANY way that you guys can make it up here while you're in Europe, you HAVE to do it. And take the Terry Brewer Walking Tour. 8 hours of walking around the city, guided by a man who's lived here since the 60s as a diplomat for Britain. I grew up with the Berlin wall in place, so I really never fully grasped what it meant for people who were living here at the time, but Terry Brewer really brings it home for you.
Two important things I learned: 1) Berlin was initially supposed to be divided only in name. All four powers - French, British, US, and Soviet - were to have an equal say in the city, and votes were supposed to be unanimous. The Soviets, realizing that thousands of "their" people were walking in to the allied offices and requesting amnestz, unilaterally blocked off their half of the city overnight. It was the same as if someone suddenly drew a line through... let's say Silver Lake and Korea Town and said that no one was allowed to cross it. Even if their family lived on the other side of the line.
2) The wall wasn't just a wall. It was a wall that sealed off the Western Berlin border, then a gap known as "the death strip", and then another outer wall to the east. The death strip ranged from 5-?? meters across, and had guard towers and flood lights throughout. Hundreds of people were shot to death while trying to make a run for it. The last casualty was killed only days before the wall came down.
I don't know how I missed this in school. I know my world history teacher was a little cracked -- did y'all out there back home learn this anywhere??
Also, at the recommendation of the hostel staff, I went to a club called White Trash Fast Food last night. It's run by a couple of Americans, who also own and run (but don't work in) a tattoo studio two doors down. I ended up meeting the co-owner's girlfriend, who is from San Francisco. She came here 8 years ago on a backpacking trip and never left. I'm tempted to follow in her footsteps...
Anyway, I'm still in Berlin. I never want to leave. Really. I love this city more than anywhere I've ever been. Mom and dad, if there is ANY way that you guys can make it up here while you're in Europe, you HAVE to do it. And take the Terry Brewer Walking Tour. 8 hours of walking around the city, guided by a man who's lived here since the 60s as a diplomat for Britain. I grew up with the Berlin wall in place, so I really never fully grasped what it meant for people who were living here at the time, but Terry Brewer really brings it home for you.
Two important things I learned: 1) Berlin was initially supposed to be divided only in name. All four powers - French, British, US, and Soviet - were to have an equal say in the city, and votes were supposed to be unanimous. The Soviets, realizing that thousands of "their" people were walking in to the allied offices and requesting amnestz, unilaterally blocked off their half of the city overnight. It was the same as if someone suddenly drew a line through... let's say Silver Lake and Korea Town and said that no one was allowed to cross it. Even if their family lived on the other side of the line.
2) The wall wasn't just a wall. It was a wall that sealed off the Western Berlin border, then a gap known as "the death strip", and then another outer wall to the east. The death strip ranged from 5-?? meters across, and had guard towers and flood lights throughout. Hundreds of people were shot to death while trying to make a run for it. The last casualty was killed only days before the wall came down.
I don't know how I missed this in school. I know my world history teacher was a little cracked -- did y'all out there back home learn this anywhere??
Also, at the recommendation of the hostel staff, I went to a club called White Trash Fast Food last night. It's run by a couple of Americans, who also own and run (but don't work in) a tattoo studio two doors down. I ended up meeting the co-owner's girlfriend, who is from San Francisco. She came here 8 years ago on a backpacking trip and never left. I'm tempted to follow in her footsteps...
posted by Kristal at 2:36 PM
1 Comments:
Yes...I did learn that the Berlin wall ws built one day all of a sudden and people coulnt's get back to there familes on the otherside...My mom told me...not school.
Dude, if you like it...stay!
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