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 (29)
Faemike55
I can see that riding a wheeled vehicle there would be a bit rough Great capture
Bossie_Boots
Excellent capture my friend thanks for sharing and for the info !!
flavia49
striking capture!
SIGMAWORLD
Oh, da würde ich aber nicht gerne wohnen wollen. Treppauf, Treppab, das wäre nichts für mich. Schönes Foto!
Richardphotos
very candid capture Sig
lior
Amazing!
bazza
Super capture!! The high crime area not the stairway to heaven then!!!
Lashia
Wow, quiet the walk! Great shot- thanks for sharing! :-)
Selina Photography™
beachzz
up an down--either way would be SO hard on my knees!! lol
bmac62
Fascinating image Sig. Have never been to Rio...but the glamor and glitter of anyplace is always marred by a big dividing line between the haves and have nots. A neighborhood like this would be a terrible place for the old and infirm.
danob
Great slice of life Sig! A similar scene in a place called Goldhill in the U.K. would indeed seem to be paved in gold in comparison..
Feliciti
wow there goes up or down !! great capture of this !!
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend. God Bless.
bobrgallegos
Wonderful POV!!!
farmerC
Shining shot.
nefertiabet
Excellent photo, thanks for the Info :-).
flora-crassella
gut, dass es dort keinen Schnee gibt ;-) Super Foto!!!!!
MagikUnicorn
Beautiful...but not the easy place to rescue...after an earthquake :)
gaius
Wasn't it dangerous to visit this area ? If you're like me, for a photo I'd go anywhere no matter the risk. Great shot.
ysvry
great foto.
junge1
@gaius. Yes it was dangerous!
rachris480907
Wonderful shot! I love the shadow and light in the foreground, then the hazy cityscape down the hill in the background! Very nice!
jocko500
danger is your middle name lol. hahahha my knees hurt just looking at this. cool shot
auntietk
You have put me right there in that place with this image! I sat staring, worried that I would fall a$$-over-teakettle down that slope. Coming up is no problem, since I can see the elevation easily, but going down ... aaakk! My vision issues do not allow me that luxury. I would need a guide to walk two steps in front of me, with my hand on their shoulder, just to get down the steps. So stand in front of me, my friend, yes ... just there ... and go slow, okay? Now that you've got me into this predicament, you must help me get out!
carlx
What a depth!!! Excellent capture, Sig!!!
emmecielle
Gorgeous capture, Sig! Fantastic image! :)
lyron
Great image!!
danapommet
OMG! That climb would kill me. Great POV Sig. Dana
myrrhluz
I really like this shot! The composition of the steps curving down and lined by the buildings, the hazy building forming a soft background (the hardships experienced there, hidden in soft shapes and colors), and the capture of two people making their way down. It is the two people that engage my attention the most. There is a lot of grace and beauty in those two figures. They seem to be taking with ease, stairs that would cause total havoc to my system. Excellent capture!