Hi Gilliatt, Yes looking back it all seems a bit surreal. I didn't go to Berlin by train but by aircraft and was intending to go to Munich from there but when I bought the train ticket in West Berlin, they made no reference to a permit being required to cross East German territory. My girlfriend had already flown back to Munster where she lived and even she didn't know that permission was required to leave West Berlin by train. The disturbing thing was having my luggage taken away and being held under guard by the military for a couple of hours until they eventually returned my luggage and escorted me to a train heading out of Potsdam into West Berlin. The following day, I went into East Berlin to try to get the permit but it was the 25th anniversary of the founding of the DDR and a public holiday, so nothing was open; being pretty fed up, I flew back to London the same day.
The next time I went to East Berlin was on Christmas day 12 years later, by which time I had my Nikon and was able to take some better photos than on my previous visit. I have just been looking at some of them and it certainly takes me back, even though the whole state apparatus of the DDR has long been dismantled and the Brandenburg gate is now fully visible from both sides. Needless to say, I had a feeling of great satisfaction when the Berlin wall eventually fell. I was in Mannheim at the time and the celebrations went on into the early hours of the morning.
Brian, Thanks for sharing your experience. I too had visited "Checkpoint Charlie", though I did not pass into East Berlin. However, I took a moment to tour the CC museum. I recall ingenious methods used to escape or at least attempt escape. For example, I believe there was a hang glider attempt from a taller building. My experience on the train ride through East Germany to West Berlin was a bit nerve racking as well, but nothing in comparison to your shake down by the East German police I'm sure. I definately prefer the new cat avatar to the previous! Gilliatt
Sorry to have misled you Gilliatt, what I meant was that the wall was already constructed before I entered East Berlin, although I remember the newsreels showing the sealing off of the East with barbed wire as the construction of the wall got under weigh. Without scouring my data, I can't recall exactly when I first went through 'Checkpoint Charlie' into the Eastern half of the city but I had to leave my German girlfriend behind as, being a West German, she wasn't allowed through the checkpoint. Some years later, I went into East Berlin again and was later arrested by the police for trying to leave Berlin without permission of the communist authorities. It's all water under the bridge now but at the time it seemed quite interesting.
Brian, That must have been quite an experience being there in Berlin as the wall was going up. I'm certain that many, particularly the younger forums members, would benefit immensely from your expeiences. It is interesting that you were there when it was going up and I was there just before it came down (1988). Ha ha...defunct! Now's there's a word that best describes Gilliatt that extends well beyond his use of black and white film. I'm a bit of an old fashioned sentimental type. Well, if truth be told, I haven't purchased that camera yet. Regards, Gilliatt
Hi Gilliatt, I was interested to see among your albumn photos the Berlin wall and the Spanish steps in Rome, which I recognised immediately. Many years ago I remember going to the John Keats house, where he died, at the foot of the Spanish steps. Coincidentally, I posted a reply to an old LitNet Review of Tennessee Williams' The Roman Spring of Mrs Stone which, in the film, features the Spanish steps as a central location. As for the Berlin Wall, I have mentioned elsewhere on this forum my crossings over into East Berlin at the time of its construction and they remain for me interesting but depressing memories. I am intrigued that you are still using black and white film now that it has been officially declared defunct.
Popping in for a quick hello and now I'll be off on business for another full week !! No further progress on the looming camera purchase front, however you might be interested in my latest photos taken in New Mexico with the my compact digital Canon and some black and white photos from the Pentax. They may be seen either through my albums or in the Chaco Canyon thread I posted. By the way, we have a cat too named "Lily". They are quite entertaining. Have a good week. Regards, Gilliatt
Hi Gilliatt, I was very impressed with the airshow photos; even allowing for a brilliant clear sunny day, the detail was outstanding. I agree about having a sentimental attachment to a particular camera. My old Nikon has been with me to so many locations that are meaningfull to me that I think of it as an old friend rather than a camera. Just looking through old photograph albums recalls using it at certain times. However, time marches on and, with the advent of digital, a whole new ball game opens up. I was interested to read of your attraction to Pentax, because one of the best photos I ever saw was taken by a friend on a Pentax years ago but unfortunately his son dropped the camera and smashed it. The quality of Japanese cameras can't be denied but neither can the price, which has always seemed high to me, but since they have cornered the market, it's simply a matter of which Japanese camera is chosen. .
Brian, The digital camera I currently use (airshow photos for example) is a compact digital Canon Powershot A520 4mp. It was given as a birthday gift several years ago. I've just scratched the surface in my research on digital SLR's, but I am finding myself drawn toward either the Pentax K-7 or Nikon D300s or D90. There are strong sentimental reasons for staying with Pentax. Many of the photos you may have seen in my albums were taken with my father's Pentax ME Super SLR. However, you can't go wrong with Nikon either. Of course, so much of successful photography is found in the lenses, filters you choose.
Well Gilliatt, with the magic of Google one only has to enter key words and it's possible to find out almost anything except the next winning lottery number, but I will still try to keep interested parties guessing. Nice to know that you have managed to get the go-ahead on the digital camera. There have been a number of instances recently when I wished I had one to hand. I'm still contemplating buying one but I think I will wait until you report back on your own choice. By the way, what is the digital camera that you used to take the airshow photos?
