20 years ago today...

...the Berlin Wall fell. Many things have happened here in Germany since. "Ossie" and "Wessie" labels have faded. Yes it is one Germany but there are still many differences.

For the last 20 years the German government has been "re-building" the east. Yes it was needed. The infrastructure was a complete mess. Roads were terrible, most appartment buildings were drafty and the heating systems, well lets just say sucked. So the German government started pumping billions in tothe east. To cover the costs the government invented something new. The then chancilor Kohl said this would be needed for only a few years. Well guess what? Those few years has turned in to 20 and we are still paying for it. I ask why? Autobahn 9 form Nuremburg to Berlin is one of the best and most modern highways in Europe. It has been finished for 4 years now and still we are paying. Why? Leipzig, Dresden and the east part of Berlin are up to par with the west. Still we pay.

In the West major repairs and expansions were put on hold for 20 years! Just now things are kicking in again. A3 that runs from northwest German to just south of Nuremberg where it meets with A6 and A9 is a wreck. When driving south form Cologne, like I do very often, it turns from 3 lanes to 2 lanes. Same amount of cars but less room creating a traffic nightmare equal to LA during afternoon rush hour. Then toss in 4 major construction areas and it is just impossiable to drive at a walking pace.

yes I am ranting. Look for me next post to find out exactly why.....