Nostalgia. I'm in Berlin, today is a summer party with publishing colleagues and friends. But before I go, I give myself a few hours in Berlin. I stroll along the Ku'damm. And suddenly my thoughts take on a life of their own. They take me back to 1989, to the colourful, exciting, earth-shattering days of November. We are "over there". The first time. I'm not quite 16, my brother and his wife take me with them. We stroll from Breitscheidplatz to the zoo and on up Ku'damm. We are a few among thousands. We are amazed at the colourful shirts, the large selection of jeans, brightly coloured sweets and eat kebabs for the first time in our lives. We are illuminated by neon signs and people smile. All of them.
We can't believe it yet, hold hands, don't want to lose each other. I am unsure whether I will be allowed back.
And we realise that we don't have any West German money with us to buy a coffee or a Coke.
And suddenly we are standing in front of Leysieffer, a sweet shop with the most remarkable cake creations in my world so far! In front of the shop we are "intercepted" and invited in. We can sit down, we are allowed to help ourselves from the kitchen buffet for free and coffee and coke are given to us. I am touched by this hospitality.
Now, almost 30 years later, I walk along here, my heart does a "gump", I go inside and have a coffee and eat gooseberry tart in the early morning. Dreaming myself back. And know that all this was only possible because people stood up for people. I am grateful that the wall fell for me at the right time. That my life held and holds so many wonderful moments. That I am allowed to travel wherever I want. That I can say what I think.
I leave the café, say goodbye and am back in the new, loud, lively Berlin. And I carry a little nostalgia with me. And I am happy. Once more. - - #nostalgia #thankful #berlin #humanity #German unity @leysieffer.chocolaterie #gooseberry meringue pie
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Where. Here: Leysieffer
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