Fall 1982. Our visas for the yearly GDR trip were cancelled1), so we went on a coach trip to West Berlin for a couple of days.
1) For the first time ever. Probably political fall-out from the end of the Schmidt administration and Kohl becoming chancellor - a lot of visas were cancelled that fall. The GDR was very uneasy about Kohl at first, given the CDU’s ritualized ravings against the policy of Wandel durch Annäherung. This soon passed - among the first things the new administration did re the Ostzone was to signal that they would keep the semi-official channels established by Brandt and Bahr open.
Well, if they need me to hold a ladder a substantial incentive would be nice. Holding onto metal is a pain, especially when it’s so cold outside… Wait, strike that. Any incentive would be nice.
Seems like a good time to post this video by New Order with footage taking from a film about the music scene in West Berlin during the 1980s. You can see Nick Cave and Blixa Bargeld for about a second in it…
One day, the audio will support musical performances in real time, with the artists in different locations. That’s the only area that still causes complaints among my Zoom-mates.
While the idea is sound, keep in mind that British Rail is also known for the disaster of that leaning train that was supposed to be able to achieve high speed WITHOUT dedicated rail line. In the end, I think they sold it to the Italians who then built actually working versions and sold it back to them.
Wait, strike that. Any incentive would be nice. 
