An eternity ago, in 1978, I was still at the Pedagogical Academy. In that year we went to Berlin with the whole class. Obviously as a study trip, because we would get acquainted with the education there.
Frankly, I can not remember much from the educational sides, of the conditions in the city all the more. It started already when passing all heavily guarded border stations. First from West Germany to East Germany, then from East Germany to West Berlin. Military everywhere with heavy weapons in hand, and of course the express ban on taking pictures. Luckily, just above the edge of the window, it was not noticed, so a few then... (which I was taking care that those soldiers did not see what I was doing - and therefore did not come into the picture
One of my fellow students was too fond of this, because he kept his camera through the open shutter. Yes, of course, that was noticed and in no time some of those armed figures were on the bus: 'Haben Sie fotografiert?'
Anyway, we were just not locked up and were allowed to resume our journey. Another point that impressed was Checkpoint Charlie.
Places where you could look over the wall offered a view of a wide area with barbed wire and barriers.
By bus we were also allowed to go to East Berlin. Of course not without an East German guide, who had to lead us through the right places. When we went back, the whole bus was checked, to see if we didn't “accidentally “smuggle someone to the West. So: luggage spaces had to be opened, and there was a look under all the seats and benches.
In 2014 we were again in Berlin, and we barely knew it back.
Commemoration: it's been 25 years since the wall fell
Sony-Center at Potsdammer Platz
You used to find Checkpoint Charlie here
Memorial site - impressive to walk between these blocks
Charlottenburch
Concertgebouw (right) 
HauptBahnhof
