Refugee in search of a homeland

heard a key turning from the other side. It gradually dawned on us that we were locked up, we had been arrested! But nobody charged us or told us anything. There we were, all strangers bound together by the common aim of reaching some place in East Germany before Christmas. We tried to make it as comfortably as we could for the night, for we didn't think that anything would happen to us before daylight. Sleeping on the hard floor, with the cold of the night creeping through the floor boards, was not very comfortable, but we managed.

The worst was the uncertainty. What would happen to us in the morning? Would we be able to continue, or would they keep us locked up over Christmas? These were some of my thoughts as I drifted into a very tentative and uneasy sleep.

The following morning we were roused at day break. Each one of us was called separately to another class room where two police officers interrogated us.

"Name, where from, where to, why?" were some of the questions asked. I stuck to my story. "I work near the border here, and I want to go to my parents for Christmas."

"Have you heard that there is a border here now, young man, and that no one is allowed to go from one side to the other?"

"But I want to spend Christmas with my family," I replied. "There is nowhere I can get a permit, can I? So how can this be a crime?" I hoped that I could appeal to their human heart in some way.

"Shut up, you, and be careful what you say, or else we will lock you up for good!"

That was not the answer I had expected, but at least I knew where I stood.

"I'm feeling very generous today, so I'll let you go. And I advise you not to be a smart-arse. Go back to where you came from, and don't let me catch you again. Otherwise you can spend Christmas and the New Year here behind locks. Get out of my sight, quick smart."

I was not going to let that policeman intimidate me. I was determined to try it again, but of course, I wouldn't be so stupid to try it here. I walked about 13 km to Duderstadt station and caught a train to Hornburg. From fellow travellers I had heard, that it was supposed to be easier to cross there, and on the other side was a train that went to Halberstadt. Instead of being disheartened, I was even more resolute to be home for Christmas.

Another long walk awaited me at Hornburg. On the road it would have been 6km, but I chose to go cross country along a creek, which added at least another 2km. It was still broad daylight when I set off, all by myself. I had become more skilled in border crossing. Hiding behind bushes, walking quickly across open fields, and waiting intermittently to watch the area, were all part of the strategies of a seasoned border crosser. This time all went smoothly. I never saw a guard or any person for that matter. I was glad I had been on my own, and was even gladder when I walked

201