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“Hanoi Posting”
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I must admit that I wasn’t sure what to
expect on my trip to Berlin last weekend.
The city itself is a mish-mash of old and new, with a juxtaposition of
the austere with the most modern and architecturally beautiful buildings all
jumbled together, often next to each other.
It’s clearly a function of two very significant periods in history that
have touched Berlin over the last century.
Firstly the second world war which is still
evident in the historical reminders that you find all around the city, the
ruins of a church, or the wall plaques to tell of the notable places or ghastly
reminders of the moments in history (Kristallnacht and the burning of the
central synagogue), or the clearly evident bullet holes, albeit patched up in
the surviving buildings.
The second set of reminders followed close on the heels of the war with the stand off between east and
west, when the city became the front line of the Cold War with the erection of
the Berlin Wall. Its obvious when you walk the streets and neighborhoods on either side of
the Wall where you are, just by looking at the architecture. I found that in the old eastern sector of the
city the buildings were more utilitarian and with the same uniform design – can
you say 1960’s ugly? Whereas in the west
the buildings have a more eclectic range of designs and architecture that are
some of the most stunning that Europe has to offer.
Indelible Tip #1: From a historical perspective it’s a
veritable treasure trove of museums, with many of them being free. My recommendation is be selective and choose
ahead of time because there are so many great museums to explore. In addition I
would always recommend an audio guide for a small fee as they really enhance
the experience. I found them useful anyway… J
I’m not sure if you’ve ever heard of Daniel
Libeskind, but he is considered to be amongst the brightest and arguably most
accomplished architects of our time. He
designed the Jewish Museum in Berlin and created a "tour-de-force" that connects
you with the building and all that it represents.
It’s one of those places that impacts you
from the moment you begin the journey into the museum. As you walk down the
steps you’re confronted with a long, desolate and featureless corridor. Making your way along the corridor into the
unknown you find yourself in the Holocaust Tower and gripped but the cold,
confined and dark space – almost suffocating. Wow!
The other amazing exhibit was the one
created by Menashe Kadishman, the Israeli artist, entitled Memory Void or Shalekhet (Fallen
Leaves). Approximately 10,000 thick
steel plates make up the floor in this space, but as you make your way across
the space the plates clank, groan and grind under your feet - very disconcerting to be sure.
Stopping part way across the exhibit I
stood transfixed by the faces around me and the sounds that emanated from them,
a profound and enormous sadness washed over me as I stood there taking it all in. I have no words to describe the feelings; all
I know is that it touched my heart…
Indelible Tip #2: Take your
time as you explore, and whether it’s in a museum or on the street slow down,
stop and take it all in. I find that
creating indelible memories starts with the process of engaging your senses. As you know from my previous stories I often reach
out and touch what I’m looking at, or sometimes, if I’m close enough endeavor to smell what I’m looking at (yes, I know it sounds a little weird J) but the act of connecting your senses is the trick to remembering with clarity the moments that make up our lives. So choose which sense or combination of senses work best for you and give it a try. Describe in your head what you're seeing, touching, smelling, feeling or sensing - a truly powerful experience!
As I strolled through Berlin I was drawn in by two fascinating buildings (1) Reichstag (parliament building) and the (2) Brandenburg Tor (gate), which are
both close in proximity to one other but also were on the front line of the Cold War as they
were physically hard up against the Berlin Wall. Seeing photographs of these buildings
during the time prior to the Berlin Wall coming down, all you can see is a vast no-mans land (200 meter) or “death zone” (free fire zone) which
encompassed both buildings.
Fortunately for us today, each of them have
been fully restored with the Reichstag now once again the parliament building for
Germany. Definitely take the tour up to the top of the dome - its spectacular! The Brandenburg Tor (gate) is the focal point for every visitor
to this beautiful city and one of the most photographed locations in all of
Germany.
Indelible Tip #3: I stayed in the Kurfurstendamm neighborhood,
which is located near the Zoological gardens just south east of the city
center. This upmarket part of town seems
to have the best of everything Berlin has to offer in that it has wonderfully
appointed hotels, fantastic shopping, and access to some of the best public
transportation in the world.
If I wasn’t walking I rode the bus (route
100 to the Reichstag), which was a 10 min ride from my hotel or took U and
S-bahn (train service) to Alexandraplatz all for the same fare.
I found it to be incredible cheap (€2.70), and easy to navigate.
Although it took me 30 years to get to
Berlin I packed a lot into my four days, and feel like I really connected to the heart and soul of Berlin.
I know you're all itching to find out how many photos I
took…right??? Actually quite modest by my standards in
that I only shot just over 2000 in the four days, however, this was intentional in that I wanted to spend more time being "in the moment" and soaking it all in during my visit. J
If you get the chance to visit Berlin... Take it - its wunderbar!
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“Hanoi Posting”
A series of micro-stories by Terence Wallis
Episode 21: For the Revolution
Anh held Mai as the orgasm slowly subsided; her breath slowly recovering from the ragged gulps and cries of passion that echoed around their bedroom just moments before.
Anh’s tongue slowly tracing the length of Mai’s stomach from her glistening lips toward her belly button, the saltiness of her skin turned Anh on as she slid her body along Mai’s. Pausing to suck on her hardened nipples, and circle them slowly as she looked into Mai’s beautiful green eyes. Anh was always struck with Mai’s stunning Eurasian looks, her sparkling green eyes were hypnotic not only for Anh but for everyone she met.
Mai smiled a look of complete love and contentment as she reached for Anh. They kissed deeply as Mai rolled Anh onto her back and sat astride her thighs, slowing grinding into her while reaching to explore her beckoning womanhood. Mai always knew exactly how to touch her to bring her to a shattering orgasm, often bringing her to the edge time and time again before Anh would beg her to release her pent up passion.
Afterwards Mai took a long, slow drag on her cigarette before passing it to Anh, this post coital cigarette felt heavenly after such powerful orgasms. The soft caresses of the overhead fan felt refreshing cool on their sweating bodies as it slowly revolved overhead and a deep feeling of contentment engulfed them both as they lay on the damp sheets.
Anh had never felt any jealously because deep down she knew Mai loved her and that she'd always be hers but it came as a surprise to Mai when Anh suggested that she should take advantage of her beauty and popularity.
Mai had always been the center of attention where ever she went, but more and more she found herself in the company of the foreigners who had started to frequent Hanoi since the normalization of relations with the West some five years before.
At first Mai had been a little reluctant, but Anh had persisted saying that this was also part of the revolution and that exacting money from rich foreigners for the pleasure of her company was both good for the country but also could provide her with a sound income, especially now that Uncle Duong had fallen out of favour with the current ruling class.
Surprisingly, there had never been an issue with her foreign suitors; they were only too willing to pay for Mai's company. Initially Mai had been opposed to being intimate with her patrons, but when they doubled and often trebled the amount they gave her for her company how could she resist their advances especially as it ensured that she lived the type of lifestyle that she had grown accustom to.
Anh had been instrumental in helping Mai get started by providing a couple of acquaintances she knew to act as her bodyguards. These "friends" always ensured Mai would be remunerated appropriately and treated in the manner which was fitting for a woman of her stature and beauty.
On the rare occasion that one of her suitors needed some encouragement to provide payment, they appeared out of thin air and often convinced them that they should actually pay double the rate just for the pleasure of Mai's company. Few dared...
This arrangement flourished under Anh oversight, leaving Mai feeling indebted to Anh for her love and support, not only for helping her start a successful high-class escort service but also for her deep love and unconditional affection, Mai felt safe with Anh and knew that she would protect her no matter what.
Even with all this, Mai felt like something was missing from her life and had a deep longing that she couldn't quite explain. Most days she'd put it down to missing her mother and father, but the yearnings were elusive and even when focusing in on her memories of her parents she still felt unfulfilled deep within her core.
Next week: Episode 22: Treasured memories
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This week's selection of photos is from Berlin. Enjoy!
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| At my hotel lobby as I was sipping a glass of red wine |
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| Brandenburg Tor during a snow shower at 4:00 pm - yep it's already close to dark |
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| A favorite photo spot, even in the snow |
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| A little bokeh style |
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| The sculpture outside the Jewish cemetery to commemorate the ghastly atrocities that occurred here this location was used as the collection point for all transports to the concentrations camps for the jews of Berlin and they were herded into this very small space to wait their fate... |
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| Berlin's main synagogue - now restored from its burning in 1938 which marked the beginning of Kristallnacht |
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| The Natural History museum which was once the main stage for National Socialist rallies |
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| Berlin Dome with the TV tower in the background |
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| Ornate metal work on the bridge over the Spree river in Central Berlin |
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| The East Side Gallery - the remains of the Berlin Wall |
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| There is about 1.3 km that remain of the Berlin Wall - now all dedicated to the East Side Gallery |
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| Amazing designs and art work adorns the wall |
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| Even Bart Simpson... |
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| Crazy good work |
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| This is painted on an adjacent phone systems box |
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| One of my favorites... |
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| The infamous "death zone" - this 200 meter free fire zone protected the wall from would be escapes |
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| The Reichstag from the bus on my trip into the city |
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| Watching a movie at the park - just another saturday afternoon |
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| My little mate that found on a large and imposing statue - on the Ephraim bridge |
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| A bolt of cloth that was retrieved at the end of the war and now sits in the Jewish museum - the sight of it made the hair on my neck stand on end. |
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| The Memory Void exhibit at the Jewish Museum - 10,000 metal faces |
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| The long corridor in the Jewish Museum - with the names of all the concentration camps stenciled into the walls |
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| Inside the claustrophobic Holocaust Tower at the Jewish Museum - cold, dark and cramped |
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| Checkpoint Charlie - now nothing more than a tourist trap, but once the crossroads of the Cold War |
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| Cool truck on the street promoting Maximilians brewery |
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| The double row of stones is the only remainder of the Berlin Wall between the Reichstag and the Brandenburg Tor |
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| Inside the Reichstag dome - soooooo cool! |
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| The Brandenburg Tor from the dome at the top of the Reichstag - bokeh style, not your eyes |
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| Berlin and the river Spree from the top of the dome at the Reichstag |
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| The stonework on top of the Reichstag has now all been restored to its original glory |
