I was only 3 years old when John F. Kennedy came to Berlin but my amazed parents so often talked about this visit during my childhood and teenage years that it feels like I had been old enough to remember. My daughter now is old enough, actually a young adult following Obama's career since 2004, and we both are so hopeful that he will be the right person for America, Europe and the rest of the world. The 200000 gathered in Berlin today certainly think so as well.
And I remember another visit of an American President a few years ago. When G.W. Bush came to Mainz in 2005 I almost felt offended to have him come so close to my own hometown (Wiesbaden). On German TV they showed the empty streets and we heard the stories from friends and relatives who were confined to their shops and apartments because of security concerns. Or maybe less security but more concerns that Bush could see the protesters that had been in the streets of Mainz just the day before his visit.
What a difference now with Obama! And he isn't even president yet. Enjoy the contrast of today's pictures in comparison to the ones from Bush's visit 3 year ago. It's just amazing!
Obama in Berlin in July 2008:
Bush in Mainz in February 2005:
Empty streets...
... and protesters the day before
1 comment:
As they say, a picture is worth 1000 words. . .
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