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 (26)
Faemike55
Very cool capture interesting structure
bazza
Great shot of the Fort Sig, Love the cityscape also in the BG.
renecyberdoc
awesome.
ysvry
who was penalized here? great foto.
jamaicamac
Very nice Sig...
jayfar
Super cityscape and a great view of the fort.
auntietk
So interesting! I looked up Fort Denison, which let me to research Martello towers. You've got a photograph there of the only one in Australia, and one of only three in the southern hemisphere. Who knew?? Absolutely fascinating. Thanks for the research trip!
blinkings
Cool dude. Yes it was built to protect us from the Russians during the Crimean War. The tower on left in the background has a great restaurant at the top with 360 degree views! And you get to see all of it because the floor slowly rotates! The last time I was up there my friend put her purse under the table on the window ledge and it ended up on the other side of the room.
junge1
I thought about going up there but didn't. I had wanted to go on top of the arch of the Harbor Bridge, but my feet hurt and one knee acted up, and I should have stayed a couple of more days to see the New Years Eve fireworks display at the Harbor Bridge. I loved Australia and there is talk of coming again. Met an Aussie that was Special Forces during Vietnam. Got his phone number through a friend. Super friendly and I actually went to a real Australian BBQ, except they don't call shrimp shrimp but prawns.
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend. God Bless.
nefertiabet
Wow, klasse Aufnahme!!! Da komme ich wohl nicht hin, zu weit zum fliegen für mich :-)
farmerC
Shining shot.
bobrgallegos
Wonderful capture of Sidney Sig!!
thecytron
A very good city skyline photo!
flavia49
superb photo!! marvelous cityscape
Fidelity2
Superb! 5+! Thanks a lot.
drifterlee
Very nice shot!
blondeblurr
When the First Fleet arrived in 1788, Fort Denison was a steep, rocky island known to the Aboriginal people as Mat-te-wan-ye and was a popular fishing place for local tribes. The name "Pinchgut" arose soon after, as convicts who had committed secondary crimes were charged and confined in leg irons on the island, with rations of bread and water. (more useless info for you, Sig ;) glad you liked "OZ" and someone 'threw another shrimp on the Barbie' LOL BB
Richardphotos
quite a cityscape
mariogiannecchini
Very beautiful capture and interesting shot !
emmecielle
Wonderful view! Excellent shot! :)
ia-du-lin
great cityscape with building in the foreground, nice shot
rachris480907
Great shot! What a cool contrast, the old structure against the backdrop of a modern city.
bmac62
Oh, the history of it all...if we could time travel we could check out Sydney in its earliest days...wouldn't that be something?
carlx
Fantastic capture, Sig!!!
danapommet
Fantastic capture and I had not seen anything to do with Fort Denison. Wonderful info and I always learn from your travels and postings.