1000 Domino Fall

Now that the Angels over Berlin were done, and I had met up with my fellow photography group, we decided to head over to check out the dominoes after dark – and we got caught in a huge mass of people. I certainly was glad that I managed to pick out a great spot beforehand – especially as it started to rain. J, A, C, and I all paused for a nice hot gluwein (mulled hot wine) at one of the vendors, when I saw the TV screens were showing:

Festival of Freedom

Which made me happy, because it really was as much a festival to freedom, as it was about the effect that event had on all of our lives – even mine as a middle school aged American child at the time. You see, in the last few days, I had really been thinking about how my life has changed since 1989. You see, without the events of 1989, Russia’s government wouldn’t have changed. The cold war wouldn’t have ended. And me? Well, I wouldn’t have wound up in Russia as an Exchange Student. And, because I was an Exchange Student in Russia, that gave me the edge when I was offered the job with a move to Berlin, Germany, which naturally I took. And that job, well, 3.5 years on, is still here in Berlin. So, in effect, much like a set of dominoes, my life too wouldn’t have been nearly the same – if the Berlin Wall had stayed up.

Anyhow, the longer we were waiting, the colder and more rainy it got. I had chosen to stand up on the balcony – at the congressional library building across from the Reichstag. Being that I’d taken many evening photographs in the clear weather, I stayed up there waiting – while the others wandered. Around 7PM, John showed up, and then took off to go back to the Main Train station to go get McDonalds (Thanks John for that!) and also to get an umbrella. Meanwhile, with my coat held in my jacket (so as to keep it as dry as possible) I watched the tourist ships pass up and down the river,

and the crowds gather on both sides of the giant dominoes in the now persistent rain.

As Julie, Andie and Paul returned (Caroline left to go stand in the people wall, and John was still getting food), I snapped a couple photos for posterity (thank goodness for a tripod and 2 second timer)

and went back to waiting in between hearing reports of security getting tighter. Then, began the symphony, and Bon Jovi made a guest appearance singing too. Next were the speeches (I watched them later on Television because the TVs were facing the other direction from where we were) given by Hillary Clinton, Mikhail Gorbachev, Angela Merkel, Nicholai Sarkosy, and Lech Walesa. Finally (an hour late, I might add), Lech Walesa stepped over in front of the Brandenburg gate and knocked over the first of the dominoes, to the applause and cheers of the crowd, and the popping of champaigne bottles around us.

From where we were standing, the dominoes went much too quickly – less than a minute from the Brandenburg gate to the corner of the Reichstag, down the river, around, over the bridge – and then in front and below where we were. Effectively, we went from This:

To this:

To this:

And it was done. The wall was done, gone, and the crowds roared. Now all that was to happen was the fireworks, but for me, I was finished. Soaked clean through, freezing cold, and very tired (I’d been out since 9am), I left and headed home – only stopping for a hot chocolate on the way. What a weekend!

* This is the last post in a series on the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall – and my attempt to document the events of the weekend, where 20 years before, a peaceful revolution brought about a big change which helped to end the cold war, and bring about a new Europe. Many more of the events are in the full flickr set here. *

Angels Over Berlin

Angel with Roses

Every Once in a while, there is an event planned that is just for the sheer joy of inspiring the photo about to be taken. As a part of the Domino Fall “kick off” on Monday November 9, to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall, an art project was born. The summary of the art project was simply that 20 years ago, as now, angels were watching over us – protecting us – from whatever may come.

It is a message of hope, joy, faith, and belief – and – though rarely seen – at least at twilight of this one evening, they made an appearance, above us all.

Sometimes Even Angels Need Directions

For more information on this lovely art project – please see Engel Ueber Berlin

For more photographs, please see my flickr set here.

Have suitcase, Will Travel (to be there to Watch Over You!)

* This is part of a series on the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall – and my attempt to document the events of the weekend, where 20 years before, a peaceful revolution brought about a big change which helped to end the cold war, and bring about a new Europe. Many more of the events are in the full flickr set here. *

St. Elisabeth Cemetery

Walking Angel with Rose (and live carnation)

After visiting the commemoration service at the church of the reunification , wandering down Bernauer Strasse and back again, and photographing the roses at the wall (see previous posts) I had a little bit of time. Upon peeking over the fence behind me, I decided to take a few minutes (ok an hour and a half) and wander through theSt. Elisabeth’s cemetery and then into St. Sophia’s Cemetery – across the street. (Links to Flickr Sets behind each of the names.)

Walking Angel with Feather (different than above)

Started in 1860’s (first burial in 1865) as an extension to the St. Sophia’s cemetery across the street, this Evangelical Christian graveyard is only about 2 blocks away from the Berlin Wall on Bernauer Str. The main Entry is on Acker Str, through a lovely twisted iron gate. While I hadn’t initially planned on going in, what caught my attention as I glanced past the gate in the misty rain was the angel (at the top) framed by the lovely autumn leaves. From that moment on, I was captivated. This cemetery has not only one, but two massive renaissance style “walking angels” (above and at the bottom), beautiful copper plated female statues, and yes even Greek and Roman style mausoleums along the back and side walls. The lanes between the graves are narrow, and the landscapers hadn’t made it in to clean out the leaves yet. This made for a fabulous contrast between the black headstones and yellow maple leaves.

Problem is – I can’t decide on my favorite photograph from this particular set – because not only was the weather perfect (a fine misty drizzle) but the light was nice as well. Was it the women?