Categories: uncategorized
Date: 10 November 2005 09:31:18
With Sport Hater's birthday on the immediate horizon we begin preparations for our flight to Berlin. City of culture and history.
The odd thing about Berlin, compared to other cities, is its duplication. There are almost 2 of everything - 2 zoos, 2 opera houses etc. That's what happens when Imperialist running dogs and their lackies insist on splitting control 4 ways.
When I last visit, in 2001, the Brandenburg Tor was covered in hoardings as they were renovating it, in pfreparation for next summer's World Cup Finals - see how I carefully worked fotball in? The Reicstag was still being landscaped and the whole of the area immediately behind the gate was a building site.
My abiding memory are remnants of the Nazi and Communist regimes. The only remains of Nazi architecture are the former Air Ministry - used by every succeeding government since it was built - and a former flack tower, near Potsdammer Platz that they just can't manage to demolish - whatever method they try.
The major Communist remain is the abandoned "Parliament" building. Abandoned to rot as its full of asbestos and no one knows what to do with it. Some buildings in the former East still contain bullet holes from the last days of Nazi resistance.
Its a city that is still struggling to throw off its immediate past and to move onwards into the future. In some ways the old divisions still remain, fading but in constant view.