Pupil profile: Mark Doyle reflecting on a memorable trip to Berlin
It was Saint Augustine who once wrote that 'The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.' With that, a party of about 40 Collegians left the Armagh road Berlin bound, and read one hell of a chapter. My own experience of the tour to Berlin I cannot speak highly enough of. From the brutalist concrete carcass of the Berlin wall to the modern clean cut construction of the Reichstag, my experience in Berlin revealed to me a different take on German history, and I am all the better for it.
On arrival in Berlin, we embarked on a guided tour of the city, a must for any metropolis. It allowed the group to 'get its bearings' and get an understanding of the reasons for the construction of the wall that the city is most famous for. The tour conveyed to us the contrast between old and new Germany in a way that I had not previously grasped. It was, in my humble opinion astonishing to see the remnants of the old Eastern side still standing. Indeed whoever coined the phrase 'Eastern Bloc' won no creativity contests. Yet it is equally remarkable to see the rise of new Germany, the unified sort, into a European powerhouse this time thankfully, of a better hue than before.
One of the central tenants of our eastern expedition that October was due to our study of the Nazi period both at GCSE and AS level. This led us to travel out of the city to the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. It would be fair to say that the decibel level on the bus was much lower leaving than going ; any more need not be said.
We also visited the World Heritage City of Potsdam, the scene of the famous conference that carved Europe up after the second world conflict. This was equally appropriate as the Cold War that sprung up in the latter half of the last century can draw its linage back to Potsdam. Back in Berlin a great afternoon was had at Checkpoint Charlie, the crossover between the East and the West during grimmer times. I'm sure that all who were there from our part of the world would agree that there is a great trade done in Soviet hats. They are now appearing in every nook in the diocese of Dromore, not to mention the crannies.
For enthusiasts of soccer and athletics alike, the Olympiastadion, was memorable. Theatre of the great Jessie Owens in his exploits at the 1936 Olympics it was also the venue for the 2006 World Cup Final; Zidane, Materazzi, the head butt et al.
For the politicians amongst us, the Reichstag was a worthy visit. Once we got through security the Government and Politics students were in their element. It was like watching cattle run out onto new grass. The guided tour, provided by earpiece, was very informative and gave a real sense of the thought process that went into the renovation of the building. This final evening ended with an impromptu visit to a doughnut shop just down from the Brandenburg gate. For the staff that were on duty that night, their Christmas bonus had come early. Heavens to think if such an establishment was in place on Violet Hill.
Yet the real beneficiaries on this tour were the students themselves. The leadership and guidance provided by Mr McEvoy was of the highest order as always. He was ably assisted by Messrs Mussen, McMahon, McLoughlin and Goss along with Rev. Canon Hackett in an operation that ran like clockwork. It would be remiss of me not to put down on ink my thanks to them and I hope that in years to come we look back and talk with fondness of 'that time in Berlin.