Cold War, Warm Hearts - Hitchhiking behind the 1960s Iron Curtain (322)

Cold War Conversations Podcast

Ian Sanders

Society & Culture, Documentary, History

4.8 • 758 Ratings

🗓️ 9 December 2023

⏱️ 57 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In 1966 most of Bridget’s friends, in their early twenties, were settling down with jobs and/or husbands… She, on the other hand, set off alone to travel across Poland relying on the kindness of strangers. Fascinated by what she experienced she continued to wander the highways and byways of, Hungary Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia for the next couple of years seeking out remote rural communities almost untouched by the passage of time... Bridget travelled with virtually no money, however, this was not a problem but an opportunity: it enabled a rare and deep insight into the lives and experiences of ‘ordinary’ people in these Warsaw Pact countries. We hear how she stumbles across remote German minorities, gets arrested by border guards and finds love in a youth hostel in Munich. Buy the book here https://uk.bookshop.org/a/1549/9781915603326 Extra Photos and videos here https://coldwarconversations.com/episode352/ The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, We also welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to https://coldwarconversations.com/store/ Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/ Youtube https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations Love history? Check out Into History at this link https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod 0:00 Introduction to the episode 3:06 Bridget's journey and adventures in Poland 12:18 Bridget's job in Germany and exploration of the iron curtain 15:56 Bridget's smuggling adventure in Slovakia and visit to Hungary 26:02 Bridget's journey to Yugoslavia and her experiences there 32:04 Socio-economic situation and life experiences in Slovakia 34:36 Encounter with West German border guards 37:16 Meeting Bill in Munich and travelling to Romania 43:30 Journey to Bulgaria and experiences there 48:34 Using travel diaries to write "Cold War, Warm Hearts" 53:01 Acknowledging financial supporters and engaging with listeners on Facebook Chapters powered by PodcastAI✨ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Cold War Conversations, the home of real stories of the Cold War.
0:06.3	What kind of weekend are you in the mood for? Well, with Disney Plus, anything is possible.
0:12.2	Whether that be two days of twists and turns with only murders in the building, drama and fine dining with The Bear, or a journey back to feudal Japan with Shogun.
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0:35.6	This is Cold War Conversations. If you're new here, you've come to the right place to listen to first-hand Cold War history accounts.
0:45.6	Do make sure you follow us in your podcast app or join our emailing list at cold warconversations.com.
0:54.1	In 1966, most of Bridget's friends in their early 20s were settling down with jobs and or husbands.
1:01.9	She, on the other hand, set off alone to travel across Poland, relying on the kindness of strangers.
1:09.4	Fascinated by what she experienced, she continued to wander the highways and
1:13.6	byways of Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, seeking out remote rural
1:20.9	communities almost untouched by the passage of time. Bridget traveled with virtually no money,
1:27.0	however, this was not a problem,
1:28.5	but an opportunity. It enabled a rare and deep insight into the lives and experiences of ordinary
1:35.1	people in these Warsaw-packed countries. We hear how she stumbles across remote German
1:41.4	minorities, gets arrested by border guards guards and finds love in a youth hostel
1:46.6	in Munich. Bridget has written a book, Cold War Warm Hearts, published by the Book Guild,
1:52.8	and this details further her adventures in the Eastern Bloc. I'm delighted to welcome Bridget
1:59.5	Ashton to our Cold War conversation.
2:03.8	I was young and I was thoughtless and adventurous.
	...

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