Comments on: Checkpoint Charlie and other Berlin Wall stories http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/checkpoint-charlie-and-other-berlin-wall-stories/ Travel inspiration and destination information with travel tales, photos, videos and podcasts from around the world Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:39:51 +0000 hourly 1 By: My travelling year in 2009 | Heather on her travels http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/checkpoint-charlie-and-other-berlin-wall-stories/comment-page-1/#comment-11365 My travelling year in 2009 | Heather on her travels Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:27:15 +0000 http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/?p=2885#comment-11365 [...] vibe of Berlin, an ideal city to please the most picky teenager. For more Berlin stories read; Checkpint Charlie and other Berlin Wall stories Blue Glass reflections at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church Our 36 Hours in [...] [...] vibe of Berlin, an ideal city to please the most picky teenager. For more Berlin stories read; Checkpint Charlie and other Berlin Wall stories Blue Glass reflections at the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church Our 36 Hours in [...]

]]> By: Berlin City http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/checkpoint-charlie-and-other-berlin-wall-stories/comment-page-1/#comment-6057 Berlin City Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:53:09 +0000 http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/?p=2885#comment-6057 Very nice post. Friedrichstrasse Street is famous for shopping.The Potsdamer Platz Arkaden is one of the famous commercial hub in berlin. There are many attractive places in berlin like Film Museum Berlin, Arsenal cinema etc.Don't fail to visit museum island which is a set of five Museums. One can trek up the scenic Victoria Park cross hill located in Kreuzberg for some magnificent sights of Berlin. For more details refer http://www.journeyidea.com/beguiling-berlin-encore-part-i/ Very nice post. Friedrichstrasse Street is famous for shopping.The Potsdamer Platz Arkaden is one of the famous commercial hub in berlin. There are many attractive places in berlin like Film Museum Berlin, Arsenal cinema etc.Don’t fail to visit museum island which is a set of five Museums. One can trek up the scenic Victoria Park cross hill located in Kreuzberg for some magnificent sights of Berlin. For more details refer http://www.journeyidea.com/beguiling-berlin-encore-part-i/

]]> By: How to get from Schönefeld airport into Berlin : Heather on her travels http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/checkpoint-charlie-and-other-berlin-wall-stories/comment-page-1/#comment-5482 How to get from Schönefeld airport into Berlin : Heather on her travels Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:20:05 +0000 http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/?p=2885#comment-5482 [...] may also enjoy Checkpoint Charlie and other Berlin Wall stories Our 36 hours in Berlin Budget boutique bliss at Circus Hotel in [...] [...] may also enjoy Checkpoint Charlie and other Berlin Wall stories Our 36 hours in Berlin Budget boutique bliss at Circus Hotel in [...]

]]> By: A cool street-art hangout at Kunsthaus Tacheles - in Berlin : Heather on her travels http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/checkpoint-charlie-and-other-berlin-wall-stories/comment-page-1/#comment-5054 A cool street-art hangout at Kunsthaus Tacheles - in Berlin : Heather on her travels Sun, 07 Jun 2009 09:01:15 +0000 http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/?p=2885#comment-5054 [...] may also enjoy Checkpoint Charlie and other Berlin wall stories Our 36 Hours in Berlin Children at the Holocaust Memorial in [...] [...] may also enjoy Checkpoint Charlie and other Berlin wall stories Our 36 Hours in Berlin Children at the Holocaust Memorial in [...]

]]> By: admin http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/checkpoint-charlie-and-other-berlin-wall-stories/comment-page-1/#comment-4981 admin Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:48:23 +0000 http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/?p=2885#comment-4981 Nicky, thanks so much for your comment and insight into a different perspective of the Berlin Wall, which as you say conveniently sweeps aside the reality that was lived by the people of Berlin, in the name of Tourism. And there was I thinking we were just having a bit of fun on holiday! I think that the more curious traveller should try and make connection with the locals wherever they go, to get just these sorts of insights and different viewpoints. Nicky, thanks so much for your comment and insight into a different perspective of the Berlin Wall, which as you say conveniently sweeps aside the reality that was lived by the people of Berlin, in the name of Tourism.

And there was I thinking we were just having a bit of fun on holiday!

I think that the more curious traveller should try and make connection with the locals wherever they go, to get just these sorts of insights and different viewpoints.

]]> By: Nicky Gardner http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/checkpoint-charlie-and-other-berlin-wall-stories/comment-page-1/#comment-4979 Nicky Gardner Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:59:50 +0000 http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/?p=2885#comment-4979 It is perhaps worth taking a moment to consider the trade in DDR souvenirs (such as phoney passport stamps, fake visas, etc) which you endorsed in your article. This fetishisation of just one aspect of the East German experience is demeaning to all who lived and worked in the DDR. Organisations like the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie have aggressively pushed their political line for decades, it is in short a form of pro-American propaganda that has raked in a handsome profit. The DDR was a many faceted state, one that some now look back to with some nostalgia, regret and a myriad of other complex emotions. That lived experience of an entire country is now ridiculed by the trade in fake visas - advanced capitalism at its very worst. I liked your report, Heather, but like many Berliners I do so wish that you and other tourists who visit my home city would be more critical of the propanganda offensive conducted by those folks at Checkpoint Charlie. You are of course absolutely right to point out that over a spell of 28 years, some 200 folk died trying to cross the Berlin Wall. The scale of that human tragedy should not be minimised, but let us get it in perspective. Every year, well over 1000 people die trying to enter the EU. The barbarism of modern borders goes unremarked, while Americans and some west Europeans focus with horror (and very little understanding) on something that is now history. Nicky Gardner editor / hidden europe magazine It is perhaps worth taking a moment to consider the trade in DDR souvenirs (such as phoney passport stamps, fake visas, etc) which you endorsed in your article. This fetishisation of just one aspect of the East German experience is demeaning to all who lived and worked in the DDR. Organisations like the Haus am Checkpoint Charlie have aggressively pushed their political line for decades, it is in short a form of pro-American propaganda that has raked in a handsome profit. The DDR was a many faceted state, one that some now look back to with some nostalgia, regret and a myriad of other complex emotions. That lived experience of an entire country is now ridiculed by the trade in fake visas – advanced capitalism at its very worst.

I liked your report, Heather, but like many Berliners I do so wish that you and other tourists who visit my home city would be more critical of the propanganda offensive conducted by those folks at Checkpoint Charlie.

You are of course absolutely right to point out that over a spell of 28 years, some 200 folk died trying to cross the Berlin Wall. The scale of that human tragedy should not be minimised, but let us get it in perspective. Every year, well over 1000 people die trying to enter the EU. The barbarism of modern borders goes unremarked, while Americans and some west Europeans focus with horror (and very little understanding) on something that is now history.

Nicky Gardner
editor / hidden europe magazine

]]> By: Friday photo - the queue for the view at the Reichstag in Berlin : Heather on her travels http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/checkpoint-charlie-and-other-berlin-wall-stories/comment-page-1/#comment-4932 Friday photo - the queue for the view at the Reichstag in Berlin : Heather on her travels Fri, 29 May 2009 20:56:16 +0000 http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/?p=2885#comment-4932 [...] may also enjoy Checkpoint Charlie and other Berlin wall stories Blue Glass reflections at the Kaise Wilhelm memorial church in Berlin Children at the Holocaust [...] [...] may also enjoy Checkpoint Charlie and other Berlin wall stories Blue Glass reflections at the Kaise Wilhelm memorial church in Berlin Children at the Holocaust [...]

]]> By: Monna http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/checkpoint-charlie-and-other-berlin-wall-stories/comment-page-1/#comment-4800 Monna Thu, 21 May 2009 08:17:35 +0000 http://www.heatheronhertravels.com/?p=2885#comment-4800 Heather, I have really enjoyed your posts about Berlin. As always, great photos and a wonderful narrative of your adventures. Berlin was on my list of places to visit while we lived in Barcelona but it seems that I have run out of time. Some day! Heather, I have really enjoyed your posts about Berlin. As always, great photos and a wonderful narrative of your adventures. Berlin was on my list of places to visit while we lived in Barcelona but it seems that I have run out of time. Some day!

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