We all have those memory chords that get plucked by signs. I remember the first time I landed at Dulles and drove into DC, seeing the exit for Manassas, I thought, "Bull Run!"
However, although I too "grew up with World War II," if I'd seen the Spandau sign I would have thought Spandau Ballet and then "Huh huh uh-huh ..." (sigh) my brow is much lower than Jay's, I fear. When he writes of Alma Mahler, I think of Tom Lehrer! :-)
One of the many leftist perversions of the English language that particularly grates is the term “street art”. Nope, it’s graffiti. It’s vandalism and an underlying symptom of disorder a la “broken windows”.
Why does the American left celebrate the breakdown of civil society?
Agree with you entirely on pot smoke (it’s hideous), mostly on graffiti (you’re wrong to write it’s hardly different from vandalism, it is vandalism - and also hideous), but part ways with you on Spandau. I’m just a few years younger than you. So for me Spandau is followed by a silent mental ‘ballet’.
My sister and I visited in 1990 (just after the wall came down, and you could take a piece with you) - we even had our passports stamped as we entered entered East Germany by train! The difference between the two Berlins was astounding, just the architecture alone....I would love to see one Berlin now.
Thank you for a wonder overview of this special place. I first visited it this June at the age of 77. Like you, my memories were tinged with the WW II recollections of my youth gleaned from family & neighbors who fought in the war and, most especially, my Jewish immigrant neighbors, some of whom explained the camps as they showed me their ID tattoos. Just walking around this imminently livable place, seeing all the history, the art and music and seeing a falafel stand next to a biergarten make me want to go back soon. I look forward to your next installment. Hugh Donohue
Jay,
For BK today, it's "You Rule ".As u do !
But if you want to see street art,you should go to Madrid and Lisbon ! Maybe this is what the brats are doing as the immigrants out hustle them ?
So what has your favorite...Combat ? The Gallant Men ?
We all have those memory chords that get plucked by signs. I remember the first time I landed at Dulles and drove into DC, seeing the exit for Manassas, I thought, "Bull Run!"
However, although I too "grew up with World War II," if I'd seen the Spandau sign I would have thought Spandau Ballet and then "Huh huh uh-huh ..." (sigh) my brow is much lower than Jay's, I fear. When he writes of Alma Mahler, I think of Tom Lehrer! :-)
I thought of Tom Lehrer too!
One of the many leftist perversions of the English language that particularly grates is the term “street art”. Nope, it’s graffiti. It’s vandalism and an underlying symptom of disorder a la “broken windows”.
Why does the American left celebrate the breakdown of civil society?
Agree with you entirely on pot smoke (it’s hideous), mostly on graffiti (you’re wrong to write it’s hardly different from vandalism, it is vandalism - and also hideous), but part ways with you on Spandau. I’m just a few years younger than you. So for me Spandau is followed by a silent mental ‘ballet’.
Honestly, I'd take the smell of pot over regular cigarettes.
Many thanks, Jay. I love Berlin and have visited many times over the past 30+ years.
Please let me know if your travels bring you down to Prague (four hours by train from Berlin).
I have lived here for 30+ years and would love to meet and show you around The Golden City.
In the meantime, thanks again and enjoy your travels!
All the best,
George Collins
Thank you so much, George.
Hmmm ... fresh-squeezed juice and pastries for a buck-fifty that would have cost $20 in New York?
Whyzat??
What's the trade-off?
My sister and I visited in 1990 (just after the wall came down, and you could take a piece with you) - we even had our passports stamped as we entered entered East Germany by train! The difference between the two Berlins was astounding, just the architecture alone....I would love to see one Berlin now.
"It is an exciting city, a diverse city—and, crucially, an affordable one."
What factors have led to this result?
Not sure!
Thank you for a wonder overview of this special place. I first visited it this June at the age of 77. Like you, my memories were tinged with the WW II recollections of my youth gleaned from family & neighbors who fought in the war and, most especially, my Jewish immigrant neighbors, some of whom explained the camps as they showed me their ID tattoos. Just walking around this imminently livable place, seeing all the history, the art and music and seeing a falafel stand next to a biergarten make me want to go back soon. I look forward to your next installment. Hugh Donohue
Thank you so much, Hugh.