They convey a welcoming, fun feeling. For those of us old enough to know the circumstances what they express now is a 180 from the real thing. It's an interesting commentary on the history.   Posted: 08/01/2026 18:10:12

Dr Vaisman, I love the red and green complimentary colors. The expressions on the gentlemen are welcoming, and the image is nice and sharp. The graffiti on the wall is an interesting contrast from what my mind thinks about the staunch East Berlin regime. I really like that juxtaposition. Thank you for always sharing wonderful stories with your photos.   Posted: 08/01/2026 19:27:12

I think you have nicely captured what I would describe as a "tourist trap." As Keith mentioned, Checkpoint Charlie and the remnants of the Wall have become attractions that can give the impression that the whole experience was somehow fun or entertaining. Unfortunately, that was far from the reality, and many people lost their lives because of that Wall.

I was there in November and found myself enjoying the graffiti and street art much more. To me, they provide a good sense of what Berlin is today: a multicultural, vibrant, and dynamic city.

Best wishes

Michele
  Posted: 08/21/2026 15:31:02

Isaac - These two look like they are enjoying themselves. The umbrella is a great focal point to draw attention to the two men. I also had the opportunity to visit Berlin on a work trip around 2015. Remnants of East Berlin were still in existence but gentrification was slowly absorbing them into the 'west'. Berlin to us was like visiting Brooklyn, NY before it also has become more gentrified. We visited the Stasi Museum while there. A sobering experience as a counterpoint to the tourist attractions. B   Posted: 08/24/2026 00:24:02