5 Berlin Wall Views Through the Wine Glass

Now and again, I must switch to a more serious tone because the photographs reflect a moment in history that wasn't so promising. Today's post is one of those days. 

Sometimes one must seek to see the world differently in order to truly understand the other side. When we think the same and act in the same manners, how can we ever expect to progress? The world needs individuality and uniqueness to create the seemingly unimaginable. That being said, while diversity builds a strong society, it is unity that breaks down barriers that stand in the way.   However, let us not mistake unity for uniformity. We can unite despite being uniformly different.  

When I was younger, I remember learning about the Berlin Wall and finding it difficult to process how families were literally divided in two just based on where they lived geographically.  The separation caused devastation on both sides, but the East much more so due to the forced idealism of a government run with strict rules and the omittance of people's individual rights and freedoms. On the other side (literally), the West encouraged people to work together and use influences of other cultures collectively.

This past August, I had the fortunate opportunity to visit Berlin. The moment I first gazed at The Wall, I stood there in reflection. I imagined the families who were torn apart, the people who had no choice of their own, those who died attempting the cross over, the moment it came down and the rebuilding of a country once divided. After taking it all in, I decided it was time to take reflections of my own (through the wine glass). 

As I discovered the different spots along the existing wall covered with artists' interpretation of freedom, referred to as the East Side Gallery, I strategically placed the wine glass to capture the most meaning. While I waited for gaps in the crowds to snap the photos, I took in the moment of watching people from all different walks of life appreciate the history and symbolism of  The Berlin Wall.  It took two and half hours to get the right captures, and I enjoyed every minute of it. History is not to be repeated, but rather reflected.