A well written post. Today it is unbelivable how crasy the the goverment ruled the people of the DDR (name for the eastern part of Germany up to the reunion of the country). Imagine, people were killed at the boarder only for choosing their right of being a free individual. Citizen had to take care what they were talking about in public or even private hence the goverment spyed them all everywhere. Western goods such as fruits, choclate, TV Program, clothes etc. were not available and traveling not possible. Buying a car took them years of waiting time for the final delivery. All citizens were trapped in their country but also brainwashed from the goverment. I gwas born in the DDR and happy that the germans were figthing for their rights to finally put the wall down. We are all free human beeings so this memorial has a huge meaning. Thanks for your article hence it reminds me to be thankfull for what we have, especially the way we are able to travel the world now.