I was in Berlin for Christmas 1978. There were sections along the wall where you could see into the East (Russian) sector. The barbed wire and dogs. The bitter cold kept out with Gluhwein. Magic.
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Early this year we visited Cartagena in Columbia, it is a truly amazing place especially in the old city. We did not know when we arrived there that it was classed by the UN as a world heritage site.
We were there about 15 years ago and thought that it was a brilliant place to visit.
When I was in the RAF in the late 60s and 70s and stationed in Germany we used to go to Berlin regularly and we could visit the East as long as we were in uniform. It was a fascinating place and everything was so cheap on the eastern side of the wall and quite a few of us used to go to the Opera House which was really cheap to get in and had some fantastic performers. Driving up through the corridor used to be an experience because you had to get through in a certain time, don't exceed the speed limits which existed and take stuff to give to the Russian checkpoints when they used to take your documents away for 'scrutiny'----happy memories.
I have to admit that I love Sydney, New York and Stockholm as much as any city.
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am not one for cities....but of those that i've been content to hang around in - they'd be to the East, blitzing the senses, the smells the scents the colours, the chaotic bustle of the people, managing their own movements, order in the disorder, perfection in choas....and constantly amazing.
;D
You'd love Kathmandu in Nepal Norder.
Absolutely bonkers, chaotic and brilliant.
We had to get across this road which was about 8 lanes wide but with no lane discipline at all, the traffic was bumper to bumper. Our guide said, "Just walk across - they will stop for you"
He went first though O:), but the traffic stopped all the way across for us.
Well, obviously. Because I am still typing.
nearly got to Kathmandu - was considering it when in Sikkim, but at the time, Nepal had "political" problems, so I decided against it....the place still calls to me, but as Sub....so much will have changed, but then, from what you experienced not long ago, it's holding on to it's character.
B)
Interesting thread is this, please keep your posts coming. :D
You fancy Tallinn, we’ve been there only on 3 day drips, two recent cruises and one from Helsinki 20 years ago. It was quite poor the first time we went on the hydrofoil, lots of beggars and fairly unfriendly, not many tourist shops or hotels.But also lots of history, spectacular old city walls and cathedrals, city walls with towers make for great photos, lovely town square with one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe after Dubrovnik. Great shops and lots of hotels in now but we didn’t explore beyond the city centre area or stay.
There’s an old Tsars palace and gardens Kadriorg we visited nearby that’s worth a visit.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUs...ju_County.html
Topical one this, United have drawn Real Sociedad in the Europa League, they play at San Sebastian/Donostia in the Basque region of Northern Spain. A wonderful place, I could happily live there, we thought of moving there when we lived in France. Just up the road, over the border in France is Biarritz, trust me on this, Biarritz isn't in the same league, can't hold a candle to San Sebastian.
Sadly it seems United fans probably won't be able to go, they'll never know what they're missing.