003~ "To Berlin" 2008

Descending over those never-ending green forrests and I am amazed by the clenching sensation in the throat. I tried joking to Neta about this, but nodded with acceptance - okay - we decided to have a Holocaust-free trip! In-Fact: That is why we politely refused every recommended tour, monument, exhibition, holocaust related plays, initiatives and basically nothing to do with the 'Shoa Business'.

We just want to find and see the normal present, all over the show, with glimpse of optimistic future...we'll pass on past for now...

So... Nothing to think about - it was just a silly flash-thought.

Chill.

Now it was time to get ready for touchdown.

Paul, my brother was waiting for us right there as we herded out the doors, which came as a great relief, though I have landed in 100 airports before, and always enjoyed looking around upon arrival, this time I had a strong "let's get it over with" feeling. Through amazingly efficient trains we were getting on, and happily getting off, hopping from station to station like bees among flowers, we submerged, like partisans from some U-Bahn station and reached my brother's place in the dark. No panic, but it could be REALLY nice if he found those damn keys already and got us in, through that thick door. Then, of course, there are those world war 2 wooden stairs creaking up for the full 3 flights of wooden world war two floors, (probably packed with hiding Jews, holding their breath till the stairs stop creaking), leaving me breathless in front of the flat's thick wooden door- into his thickly carpet sound-absorber pleasant carpets, right behind the safe thick door. I smile to Neta - Nothing holocaust related. Just chill. I don't know if she's buying it but I ain't checking!

I felt like a refugee myself, and this haunting phantom feeling started bringing me down!

We laid on a mattress on the floor, by a huge window and laying in the dark, struggling to fall asleep, I amusingly reassure my self with every occasional siren I hear, that even if this siren stops right under our window, and soldiers jump out of the vehicle and start running up all those stairs...well - good luck with that! I knew we had enough time to escape.

The next morning - there was no escaping the city sightseeing and I was looking forward to this, like anybody who doesn't want to go out and see the city.

Things were getting heavier in my head, it was growing on me, and I don't like that state of mind, not one bit.

But 'funny' enough - My first day in Berlin has revealed the idea for this project in one fraction of a crystal clear second, gazing at the floor, at the entrance to the U-Bahn.