When I was 15 years old, my parents sent me to a riding camp in Germany. There I had a summer romance with a 18 yr. old boy who had fled East Berlin half a year before.

He swam the channel with two other friends. His friends were shot and killed, but he made it through the dark of the night. He left his family without a word of warning, in fear they could be punished for not reporting him. He worked as a stall boy at the riding camp, and attended a near by college for free.

West Germany provided very well for all those that fled East Germany.

There are thousands of similiar stories, and it makes one wonder why the heck so many East Berliners yearn for the time back. Still, those that wish the wall were back are way in the miniority.

wow, EW, did he reconnect with his family?
one sees the movies, reads the books... can't imagine actually living it. and, for the minority wanting 'it' back... it must be their comfort zone.
I watched a movie, on a cable channel the other night, called the 'Grey Zone' (actually half watched it... while dealing with some paperwork). It put me right there, depressing indeed.

I've heard good things about Berlin for interesting stuff to see and do. A woman who I used to work with, is German-Canadian. Both of her parents retired and died in Berlin in past decade. She told me about Berlin and how it is now.

My dearie has not yet been to Berlin yet. Nor does he have any family members in the former East Germany.

Next time he comes over maybe he'll make a trip to Berlin. It's worth it!

EW, when you were 15 did you realize all he'd been through? I imagine it has a bigger impact on you at this age. What a neat romance!

We were at the US Open with our son Jon on Tueseday - watched eight hours of tennis and loved it. Got to walk all over the park and watch whatever matches interested us.

Anyway, I thought of you, EW, because we were sitting next to five boomer men and women who were cheering for the German doubles team rather boisterously in German. They were having a ball. We got such a kick out of them. Everyone else sat stone faced and the Germans were clapping, chanting and carrying on. It was a hoot!

Good question Dotsie. Yes, I think I did realize the impact. He told me what he had gone through in such detail, and it was recent history for him.

Oh yes, 'the loud Germans'...put them in a group, and you'll discover them everywhere. Although, I could say the same for English, Italiens, and Irish.

I wished I knew German so I could join in the fun. They were a hoot.

EW,
So happy to hear your hubby revolved, woops, I meant EVOLVED! That is wonderful. Happy Anniversary! I've never been to Berlin. But Venice was wonderful. I loved it. And other parts of Italy are awesome, as well. I could live there without much coaxing.

Thanks Jabber. Venice is unlike any city I've ever seen. Was it very crowded when you were there? Going through those alleys was like walking with a stampede when I was there.

Dotsie, I just registered that you were at the US Tenis Open! WOW you watched 8 hours of tennis! We watched several matches on TV. Many were pretty exiting. I've been to big tenis matches in Muenich. Don't you just love the atmosphere all around?!

I remember on one of our trips into East Berlin, behind the wall, about 15 of us went to dinner in supposedly the East's most expensive restaurant atop a skyrise. It felt weird knowing that most East Berliners have never been there. Of course, to us, with the mark rate it was very cheap for us and we pigged out with no shame.
But a highlight was when the pianist played a perfect versions of Hawaiian songs for us... now I KNOW he has never been allowed out of the East, how would he know how? We gave him big tips.

I still have the menu from that restaurant.