The facade of Berlin’s City Hall with the Fernsehturm Berlin (Berlin TV Tower) in the background
I could always go back to Germany and visit its remarkable sightseeing destinations. And, at any given time, I could try and enjoy the best entertainment and restaurants that this country offers to visitors and tourists from all over the world.
But, if I had not been chosen as a RIAS fellow, there are certain things that I would have not been able to experience in Germany. These are rare opportunities that no travel agency could provide, nor anyone could put a price tag on them.
Many of these memories may not be backed by a photograph because we were not allowed to take pictures. In most cases, we had to give up our passports, cell phones and cameras.
Some of them also happened in private offices — and that we were strictly asked to observe the Chatham House Rule: “Participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.”
Whether on the record or off the record, indoor or outdoor, in no particular order, I would like to share my Top 5 Rarest (Political) Encounters in Germany:
1. U.S. Embassy, Berlin. An exclusive closed-door meeting with John B. Emerson, U.S. ambassador to Germany. Wednesday, October 8, 2014.
2. Tom Brokaw, American television journalists. RIAS fellows ran into him at the Berlin Wall Memorial grounds. Wednesday, October 8, 2014.
RIAS fellows with Tom Brokaw
Rubbling elbows with Mr. Brokaw at the Berlin Memorial grounds.
3. Auswärtiges Amt (Federal Foreign Office), Berlin. An exclusive closed-door meeting with Jürgen Hardt, member of the German Bundestag (Parliament) and coordinator of Transatlantic Cooperation. Thursday, October 9, 2014.
Parliament Member Jurgen Hardt (left) and his aide during the meeting with RIAS fellows.
A quick photo-op outside the Federal Foreign Ministry building
4. Rotes Rathaus, Berlin City Hall, Berlin. An exclusive closed-door meeting with Richard Meng, undersecretary of state and speaker of the Berlin Senate. Thursday, October 9, 2014.
A museum at the City Hall of Berlin
Speaker of the Berlin State Richard Meng (right) with Rainer Hasters, director of RIAS Berlin Kommission Fellowship
5. The Bundeskanzleramt (Federal Chancellery), Berlin. As soon as we passed the building security, we saw German Deputy Prime Minister Sigmar Gabriel. From the second floor, we also got a glimpse of Angela Merkel in a press conference. Friday, October 10, 2014.
The Federal Chancellery grounds
18 Days and a Wonder 