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Hi, I am Sig (junge1),
I was born in Dominikus- Krankenhaus in Berlin-Hermsdorf, Bezirk Reinickendorf in December 1939. Bezirk Reinickendorf was one of 20 Bezirke that made up Gross-Berlin before World War II and one of 12 Bezirke that made up former West-Berlin, the other 8 Bezirke were Russian occupied and became East-Berlin after the war. Moved from Berlin to Neurohlau (Nova Role) Sudetenland (now Czech Republic), in August 1943 (our entire block of apartment buildings was bombed out in November 1943) and returned back to Berlin in November 1945. Saw my dad the first time in my life in August/September 1946 after he returned from POW camp. Attended elementary school in Berlin-Waidmannslust, high school in Berlin-Hermsdorf, and trade school in Berlin-Kreuzberg. Was an apprentice for the trade of Klischeeaetzer (photo engraver) at Burrath & Schmidt on Friedrichstrasse between U-Bahnhof Kochstrasse (near to what later became Checkpoint Charlie) and Hallisches Tor.
While watching Allied planes supplying West-Berlin by air during the Berliner Luftbruecke in 1948-49 I developed my love for aircraft. I guess I could be considered a 'Berliner Grosschnauze", or at least I used to be.
'Wanderlust' led me to leave Berlin in summer 1960 to emigrate to Toronto, Canada and in February 1962 to move from Canada to New York City, NY, USA. In January 1963 I joined the United States Air Force, one step ahead of Uncle Sam drafting me. Became a United States citizen within 7 weeks after it became a security issue because of my military career. One day after I was sworn in as a citizen in Seattle, my entire unit left for Southeast Asia in June 1966. After nearly 5 years of active duty (extended 11 months to make it an 18 months overseas deployment) I got discharged and moved to New York City. In 1973 I moved to Phoenix, Arizona and two years later joined the Arizona Air National Guard.
Received my higher education at Arizona State University and the University of Georgia and worked for 22 years for the Arizona Department of Water Resources in various capacities. Upon military retirement in 1999 and State retirement in 2005 I looked at a number of things to keep me occupied. Traveling and joining 'renderosity' in September 2007 were a couple of them,
Sig..
Comments (33)
kgb224
Wonderful capture my friend.
flora-crassella
a wonderful view!!!!
farmerC
Beautiful work.
anmes
Fine urban capture..like the incongruity of the period costume and the car!!
Sea_Dog
How unique and interesting.
carlx
Wonderful photography, Sig!!!
emmecielle
Wonderful view and splendid POV! :)
tennesseecowgirl
Charming, and I sure have missed you and your post.. What are all the red post for?? My only guess is for roping off the street maybe.. Nice capture .
sandra46
SUPER COOL IMAGE!!!
casmindo
nice picture and great history
thevolunteer
Beautiful rustic look. Love the history. Hope this is a one way alley.....Aloha
fredster66
Great street capture. Nice to see you here. I am gradually finding everyone!
Ionel
Nice and interesting capture!
annie5
I'm very impressed by this capture, Sig! Very pretty & interesting/thanks for the info :)
flavia49
Hi!! Welcome back!! great capture!!
drifterlee
Beautiful quaint street shot!
bazza
Great capture of this old street it looks amazing, definitely not a street to take traffic and no off street parking or garages lol, excellent posting!
Minda
very beautiful place sig i really like it...Great to see u sig...
Faemike55
Great capture, Sig! It seems odd to see the car in the middle of the street while the people are wearing the clothes from olden days
danapommet
Love this shot and the way the streets are "paved". Wonderful period dress worn by the lady on the right. Dana
irakika
Very nice view & shot!
lyron
Wonderful capture!!
dragonmuse
Beautiful capture. Nice to see you posting again :)
renecyberdoc
looks a little bit like in holland.i would never have guessed philly,well i know only by tv.
debbielove
tennesseecowgirl, I imagine the posts are to stop idiots, just like the one going down there in his car, from running people down or hitting the steps... I am more intrigued by the UK flag...And the Dutch one? (Am I right there?) Great shot... First class.. Rob
jascorpio
It has been a long time Dear Sig. You were missed. Very beautiful capture!
auntietk
What a fascinating place! Thanks for sharing this. I can't stop staring at all the details, and went off to Google street view to see even more. Excellent post! You had me enthralled for about 20 minutes!
mairekas
Very beautiful place, Sig! Thanks for sharing!
mariogiannecchini
Wonderful view and splendid POV!
lucindawind
oh its wonderful ! very nostalgic