I spent a month in the DDR in 1979 working on my Architects Degree thesis.
The whole experience was pretty shocking- some good and a lot crummy.
You go to breakfast in a nice 19th century hotel, waiters in tuxes etc. Super low prices.
Then they sit two other pefect strangers at your table who chow down and don't speak to you.
And Trabants. Only cars besides Ladas. I'd never heard of the damn things and hope I never see another one.
Bill