Empowering Lifestyle

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Yesterday for Wordless Wednesday I posted a picture of myself in front of a wall made of bags of sand. This wall is part of the most a well known Berlin Wall crossing point between East Germany and West Germany during the Cold War. It was given the name “Checkpoint Charlie by the Western Allies.

The Berlin Wall divided the city for nearly 30 years (1961-1989).  During that period, there were many successful and unsuccessful escape attempts.  Until 1989 the Communist regime of East Germany had a policy of shooting at people trying to flee to the West, those that helped them, deserters and other illegal border-crossers. More than 125 deaths were officially recorded on the Wall in and around Berlin. Many of these attempts have been chronicled in the Checkpoint Charlie Museum.

While visiting the Museum, I was totally amazed at the ingenious ways that people came up with to escape to the West. They all had this over whelming burning desire to reach the West. This desire was so strong they where even willing to risk being shot. There where many tunnels dug. Adults squeezed themself into suit cases or tiny boxes.

There is no doubt in my mind that desire was the starting point for the achievement of freedom for those individuals and families that planned escapes. Their desire was so strong that nothing was going to stop them.

I was really moved by the stories I read and the pictures I saw. I was aware of the history and stories around the Berlin Wall; however being there and seeing it for myself really made an impact.

Freedom

I am so truly appreciative a having always lived in a free land.

Debi

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