I know this entry can't be too long, because I'm in the middle of my midterms, as of this morning. They are similar to finals, in terms of the fact that we don't have classes on the alternative sessions, but we should be using that time for review and study. Anyways, I'll surely come back to make a few revisions to this entry.
I really enjoyed the East Berlin presentation of the Indie experimental band, Animal Collective. I'm not saying that much had to do with the venue, Berghain, although the hollowed out and renovated power plant was quite impressive as well. I was a bit worried that my friend Samantha would not be able to make it into the show, because the agency had suffered a computer problem and could not deliver her ticket in a timely manner. Due to the fact that she brought proof of purchase, she was allowed entry. It was great, but I didn't want to spend the whole night out on the town afterwards, because I knew that just after noon the next day would be arriving my UNH friend who has been playing the role of au pair in Dusseldorf for a little over a month.
My UNH friend, named Kate, arrived at the main Hauptbahnhof station in central Berlin. She was really excited after more than 3 hours on the tracks, and I was surprised when she wanted me to lead her around on a brief walking tour. But I knew the way, after a few tours I had seen myself. So I made sure we had the proper direction, and we set off to see the Reichstag, the Gendarmenmarkt, along with a number of other interesting sights around Unter den Linden.
Being able to lead someone else through a city is a good enough signal that you are at last finding your way. Of course, tour guide books are heavily relied upon for any visitor staying for a short number of days, but for a semester or so, there can be no argument that it is necessary to gain a perspective of your cardinal directions. For me, I'm not certain what exactly I have been using as a landmark for navigation, because the TV-tower is often shifting. So too is the Spree River. I suppose I simply register in the back of my head which portion of Berlin I am standing in and where the nearest U-Bahn can be found. It's a learning experience, and I'm trying to take it for all that it is worth.
As Kate will be in Dusseldorf through the Spring, I wondered if I might come to visit and see the Rhein River and Cologne (Koln) some time close to the holidays. That trip would of course depend upon the success in the US economy, and let's not forget my ever-shrinking bank account.
Today's exams did not throw anything unexpected in our direction. But because they are worth a mere tenth of our final grade does not mean that I won't try as hard. As I don't have classes tomorrow, I will still be going in to Mitte for the purpose of studies.
I'll try to get in another post before I head off to St. Petersburg. I'll be flying over there on the 19th.
"Sometimes you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself."
Miles Davis
13 October 2008
08 October 2008
Globalization
The weather here has been beautiful over the past few days, almost like a warm, late August in New England. I've managed to step into a few more grocery stores and pick up the right vegetables -- I hope -- that will keep me going healthy. A couple friends are talking about a weekend trip to Amsterdam during Halloween weekend, but I wonder if cutting so short a time frame would really be worth it. I should have a talk with my younger sister. On her brief study trip this past spring, she traveled to almost every city where I plan to go.
I also just bought a ticket to an independent musical performance at Berghain on Saturday night. If you follow Indie pop rock, look up Animal Collective. I'm pretty excited for the East-Berlin dance scene. Beforehand, I might spend the day heading around to a museum or two downtown. The Pergamon musem is doing an exhibit on the Babylon Myth, so I think I may check that out. As far as Sunday, I have a friend from UNH coming to visit for a few days' vacation. She is staying until the springtime, looking after a couple kids in Western Germany. I hope I know the rail system well enough to explain, or better yet, maybe her city of Dusseldorf has a system similar to that of Berlin.
Recounting my venture down to Krumme Lanke, I was recently offered to join in with the family for a night of symphony where another friendly acquaintance will be playing the piano. This will be happening next week, on Wednesday.
But wow, look what time it is! Midterms already. I can't believe they snuck up on us so quickly. For one thing, I am really going to have to keep every free second to myself this weekend. For another, I really should not be spending my nights out partying until late and then perpetuating the vicious cycle. I know that Berlin is a great place to go for vacation, yes, and I worked hard for a couple months this summer to make myself believe that hard work pays off. I can't pay for everything on my own so my folks are helping me out with that.
But I gained a sense of self-empowerment, enduring a stay-cation and working through a normal period when I regularly would have been at the beach with family.
Berlin is much better, I believe, for the creative individual. Of course educational background matters too, and that's what I'm working on as I speak.
I already mentioned some things I am missing out on, like my cousing giving birth to twins. Well, as it happens, another cousin has since moved from Providence RI into a house that is no more than a bike ride away from mine. This is also good news. So indeed is that coming from a third cousin, who recently announced plans of a happy engagement. I had nothing but smiles to show when I heard these reports via email.
A lot of what we have been talking about recently in our courses has to do with the effects of globalization. Sociology applies to us all, because the effects of living in a society apply to everyone living in an industrialized nation. I just want to acknowledge one positive outcome of globalization is that I'm very glad that we can all keep in touch. As the internet here steps up in usage (the bandwidth is a bit slower in Deutschland, by the way), other forms of media begin to lose their impact. One good example of a persistent old-fashioned medium is the post mail. I will be receiving my absentee ballot within the next week, by transatlantic post. I don't believe that process will be changing any time soon, so long as the US Government hopes to keep votes away from hackers. But other methods of contact, such as using the telephone, are already being absorbed by the computer. Does anyone else here use Skype? Then you know what I mean.
Returning through history to the German printing press, newspapers from around the world are emailed to Berlin (and presumably every other first-world metropolis) within minutes of their completion. To the business entrepeneur working at an investment firm in Berlin, this marketing tool serves a very important task.
However, to farmers and hunters like those I visited this past weekend in the suburbs, I would imagine the international newspapers might be little more than a distraction -- a hindrance, if you will, on seeing their own native culture. Outer cultural influences are pushing in, whether by media, through style, or through student tourists like myself. It is a little bit disconcerting, but I wonder if there is much that can be done to stop it.
Is globalization a part of human nature, given the technological innovations we have created? Or can it be controlled?
"It is also rarer to find happiness in a man surrounded by the miracles of technology than among people living in the desert of the jungle and who by the standards set by our society would be considered destitute and out of touch."
Thor Heyerdahl
I also just bought a ticket to an independent musical performance at Berghain on Saturday night. If you follow Indie pop rock, look up Animal Collective. I'm pretty excited for the East-Berlin dance scene. Beforehand, I might spend the day heading around to a museum or two downtown. The Pergamon musem is doing an exhibit on the Babylon Myth, so I think I may check that out. As far as Sunday, I have a friend from UNH coming to visit for a few days' vacation. She is staying until the springtime, looking after a couple kids in Western Germany. I hope I know the rail system well enough to explain, or better yet, maybe her city of Dusseldorf has a system similar to that of Berlin.
Recounting my venture down to Krumme Lanke, I was recently offered to join in with the family for a night of symphony where another friendly acquaintance will be playing the piano. This will be happening next week, on Wednesday.
But wow, look what time it is! Midterms already. I can't believe they snuck up on us so quickly. For one thing, I am really going to have to keep every free second to myself this weekend. For another, I really should not be spending my nights out partying until late and then perpetuating the vicious cycle. I know that Berlin is a great place to go for vacation, yes, and I worked hard for a couple months this summer to make myself believe that hard work pays off. I can't pay for everything on my own so my folks are helping me out with that.
But I gained a sense of self-empowerment, enduring a stay-cation and working through a normal period when I regularly would have been at the beach with family.
Berlin is much better, I believe, for the creative individual. Of course educational background matters too, and that's what I'm working on as I speak.
I already mentioned some things I am missing out on, like my cousing giving birth to twins. Well, as it happens, another cousin has since moved from Providence RI into a house that is no more than a bike ride away from mine. This is also good news. So indeed is that coming from a third cousin, who recently announced plans of a happy engagement. I had nothing but smiles to show when I heard these reports via email.
A lot of what we have been talking about recently in our courses has to do with the effects of globalization. Sociology applies to us all, because the effects of living in a society apply to everyone living in an industrialized nation. I just want to acknowledge one positive outcome of globalization is that I'm very glad that we can all keep in touch. As the internet here steps up in usage (the bandwidth is a bit slower in Deutschland, by the way), other forms of media begin to lose their impact. One good example of a persistent old-fashioned medium is the post mail. I will be receiving my absentee ballot within the next week, by transatlantic post. I don't believe that process will be changing any time soon, so long as the US Government hopes to keep votes away from hackers. But other methods of contact, such as using the telephone, are already being absorbed by the computer. Does anyone else here use Skype? Then you know what I mean.
Returning through history to the German printing press, newspapers from around the world are emailed to Berlin (and presumably every other first-world metropolis) within minutes of their completion. To the business entrepeneur working at an investment firm in Berlin, this marketing tool serves a very important task.
However, to farmers and hunters like those I visited this past weekend in the suburbs, I would imagine the international newspapers might be little more than a distraction -- a hindrance, if you will, on seeing their own native culture. Outer cultural influences are pushing in, whether by media, through style, or through student tourists like myself. It is a little bit disconcerting, but I wonder if there is much that can be done to stop it.
Is globalization a part of human nature, given the technological innovations we have created? Or can it be controlled?
"It is also rarer to find happiness in a man surrounded by the miracles of technology than among people living in the desert of the jungle and who by the standards set by our society would be considered destitute and out of touch."
Thor Heyerdahl
05 October 2008
Erntedankfest
I know what people are talking about when they speak of losing touch with their home culture, being shocked into a new realization that there is more than one course open to every individual in order to reach a desired goal. I have fallen out of regular patterns that, back in America, have been a product of my environment. Naturally, I'm doing my best to seek new patterns here as well. At the same time, I am also trying to integrate myself into the culture of a Berliner, as I wrote about last weekend.
"A round man cannot be expected to fit in a square hole right away. He must have time to modify his shape."
I'm just getting over the cold, and it's raining outside. I blame mother nature if my writing seems negative, because I'm actually doing quite well. So much has happened since my past entry, it will be a sincere effort to recount it all in chronological order. Perhaps I can summarize.
On monday, in the short span of time between when my classes ended and when the IES center closed down for the evening, I asked for assistance in the final purchase of my November travel tickets. Ryan, who works on the staff with IES, took some time aside to help me out. He had previously made a trip that was very similar to the circuit around central Europe that I hope to make, except in the opposite direction. He knew the best deals to look for, and as it turns out, I was able to attain some very good deals with his assistance. I don't know if I'll be able to write in sufficient detail while on that journey, but I plan to be visiting the Czech Republic, Austria, and Southern Germany.
It was on tuesday that I truly felt the woes of my cold coming on. I wasn't sure about how to combat it, because I have heard from a couple of different people that the germs here in Germany are a little different than those we are used to in America. Of course, I kept looking for fruits and vegetables to boost my immune system, along with tea whenever the opportunity arose.
I resolved not to head out during the week, which probably helped my sinus situation. When Friday arrived, I woke and looked at the calendar in the kitchen to see, 'Tag der Deutsche Einheit,' or 'Day of German Unity.' This was a national holiday, and could be compared to Independence day, except that it was only established in 1990 with the unification of Eastern Germany with Western Germany. I met up with a couple of friends and traveled by rail over to Potsdamer Platz, then Alexander Platz in East Berlin, followed by The Brandenburg Gate in the evening. For those of you who do not have facebook, I will post a few shots on this site as well. The be-all end-all of the day was very enjoyable, as the rainy weather from earlier in the week cleared up to allow sunny skies.
Any time I refer to meeting up with friends, I am of course referring to fellow IES students. I think that by now I have come to know them each well enough to have befriended them. Although I am still keeping my head up for some local Berliners to spend time around and thus absorb culture more directly, I am having a great time here.
Earlier in the week I heard plans from Ella, another staff member with IES, about a possible orchard visitation in the suburbs outside Berlin near Potsdam. Interestingly enough, there was also a castle (or Schloss) in the area, called Marquardt. I was very intrigued, but when I woke up to make the venture on Saturday morning, it seemed as though I was traveling solo. Oh well, no worries -- it's probably best to look into your background without any social distractions.
It took me a little over 90 minutes to make my way out there, by way of the U-Bahn and a couple of Bus rides, all of which were free of charge with my student pass. Aside from traveling just a little bit out of my path, I made my way back towards Fahrland, where they were celebrating an Erntedankfest. This community-based celebration happens every fall, and involves a feast from the harvest. Outside this one specific building there was a stand with potatoes and a great variety of apples. I decided to explore inside, and was washed over with incredibly fine scents from baked goods. I had not eaten breakfast (fruhstuck) yet, so I asked the price and made a purchase of an egg and cheese mixture, along with a fine portion of vegetable soup. Upon sitting down, I happened to meet a local named Wolfgang who had been born in the town. He looked very pleased with the bounty of food. After asking me about my stay in Germany, he checked to see if I enjoyed the countryside better than the big city. Absolutley. I really felt a connection back with nature, glancing down the sidewalk and seeing some yellow oak and maple leaves falling with the breeze. It was terrific.
Upon making my way outside, I ran into a group of hunters, all wearing green outfits and sipping Veltins at 1.30 in the afternoon. I laughed to myself, and approached. They were serving out free of charge a stew with mushrooms, black beans and meat taken from local wild boar. Most of these men had also been born in Fahrland, as well. I took a deep breath and stopped for a moment, thinking about my situation. What exactly was I doing here? Yes, I wanted to find my roots. I thought Schloss Marquardt looked interesting enough to try on for size, even though the closest I got was this small festival. But what else was going on here before I arrived? As part of Eastern Germany, the travel of individuals had been seriously restricted, and individuals commonly grew to old age in the same town where they had been born.
Fahrland had very much of a community gemeinschaft atmosphere about it. I would imagine that in a location like this, outside influences would normally be considered troublesome, although I was not specifically looked down upon. I can remember seeing a little girl showing a great amount of excitement as another young boy made his way down the sidewalk in her direction. Perhaps, under a socialist regime, they would have grown old together? Under the politics and economic changes that have occurred since 1989, I would guess that situation would be less likely. There are very formal traditions from Eastern Germany that are now being done away with, ever since the 1989 fall of the Berlin wall. When citizens such as these have sensations of nostalgia (specifically, "Ostalgie"), they focus on the better parts of life that have been swept away with the socialist lifestyle.
In the mind of an Eastern German, there are both positive and negative aspects about the loss of one set of politics and the pickup of another. It seems a shame that culture like that of these Fahrlanders is being compromised, regardless of the fact that all are working towards a greater end. Between 1989 and 1990, as the wall fell and Germany was reunified, there was an armistice that claimed the failures of the past should not be repeated, and cooperation should be the catalyst towards economic recovery. In reality, Germany could not pull itself out of the fuctioning world and become a politically insular nation. Because the European Union had already been established, unemployment would have been rampant across the nation, if that would have been the case.
Thus, Germany unified and opened up its doors to outside ideas, as well as opened up its economy to foreign investors. I have already mentioned how Berlin always looks alive with construction; this is true also for Dresden, Hamburg, and other German cities. I have also mentioned that Germany has the largest GNP (Gross National Product) in the world. This means that Germans living here and abroad make more capital than any other nation.
Before I get ahead of myself, I wanted to mention the news. Angela Merkel has been acting to guarantee savings here in Deutschland, which have been effected by the worldwide ripple-effect, beginning in the US. I don't personally have any strong ideas about the economy, but I wonder if we ought to have an ideological shift in our global acquisition of our energy sources.
Just as I arrived back at the apartment last night, I got back into contact with another friend from the program, with whom I was thinking about joining in for a potluck. I was just a little bit late on my return, so I grabbed a few apples and made my way over. Four of us enjoyed a delicious supper of stuffed bell peppers, a curry-spinach mixture, and my offering was the freshly picked apples with cinnamon and brown sugar, baked for about 10 minutes. It was sehr lecker (very tasty).
"A round man cannot be expected to fit in a square hole right away. He must have time to modify his shape."
Mark Twain
29 September 2008
And you may find yourself in another part of the World
I had a lot of fun on friday night. The graceful meeting exceeded my expectations in Krumme Lanke, but it was in truth only the beginning of my weekend. I am not sure If I mentioned my immersion with the group of German fellows who I happened to meet up with upon my return.
After sitting down for a drink in the Berliner-style Oktoberfest while seated around Potsdamer Platz, I waited for a few of the other students to give a call back. I had been waiting to meet for the debate, and head off for a tavern in a seperate part of the city which might be open late into the night (due to the time change, this would be necessary). It was at this point that a local spotted me, and hopped over the rail in my direction. At first I was apprehensive, but I simply stood, and kept my guard.
"Wie schmeckt das Bier?" he asked. How does the beer taste? I shrugged, "So-so." He looked closer at the bottle, and laughed. "Naja, das ist Franzozisch" (No wonder, it's French). I shrugged a sigh of relief, and laughed myself. I offered him a try, and he didn't think it to taste very well, either. At this point he asked me my name, trying out his English. I responded, in German.
Up until this point, I have been enjoying myself very much in the big city at the heart of Europe. However, I have felt a bit insulated from cultural immersion out on the town. I must admit my grammar and vocabulary still needs some improvement, and so I am not yet an active participant in fluent German conversations. But this was my chance to dive right in and see what a couple years of classes and a summer at the Goethe Institute in Boston had prepared me for. I knew that I was able to step away from the interaction and join with my fellow student friends at any point, regardless of when they gave a call. I knew also that taking chances while venturing off into mysterious locations with strangers, as well as you think you know your location, is always taking a risk. I know that this does not provide a good example of said precaution. If I have said it before, forgive me for repeating myself; Berlin is a city where you do not want to get lost, because it can cost a great amount to get yourself back on the right track. In hindsight, I am glad that things went as well as they did that evening.
The attitude on the downtown streets of Berlin is surprisingly lively. But I believe that because everyone tends to keep to their own space, moral and ethical obstacles can be avoided. I would not say that the expression allowed to Germans in media or on the streets in accordance with the law is less restrictive and thus more dangerous in comparison with America, but I would argue that it may be a bit more liberal. There is noticeably more nudity here, but also a smaller percentage of the population carries firearms. So there are some cultural differences which are no longer as noticeable to me as when I first arrived.
You know, I have already spoken about this topic in general, but not to a specific point. Homeless beggars and gypsies are a common sight on the streets of Berlin. I have thus far walked past a number of talented accordion and keyboard players whose object was to entertain the passers by. In Hamburg, I saw a very talented chalk artist drawing out on the sidewalk, and made a small donation. These efforts, I believe, have taken devotion and practice. But when I see a 25-year old lady with dyed hair and a puppy sit down at an intersection in a U-Bahn station, at a first glance it appears that she is attempting to catch suckers with holes in their pockets. Individuals such as this do not make passers by feel positive as they offer a token of appreciation, but play off the human sense of pity. By contrast, the most difficult cold shoulder I have ever had to deliver was to a gypsy Indian woman near the Brandenburg Gate. She caught me off guard and asked, "Speak English?" I nodded, hoping to help her. But she handed me an index card which read that she and her daughter were refugees from Burma. A little girl hung by her side, and I nearly broke down with remorse. After reading the card I took a deep breath, looked up and handed it back to her. "Please," She insisted. I felt filled with shame having to walk away.
I had to remember, early in our tour, the advice we had been given. For many tourists in the area, it was so easy to be taken advantage of by gypsies, that the cash in our pocket would seemingly disappear by the next day. Later, a friend told me that all people in need have a similar craving for money. A person in Philadelphia once asked her for some spare change after she had spent her last dollar on a sandwich; she offered the food in its stead, but it was thrown back into her face.
I do not feel like generalizing by offering a guess at the percentage, because I know that different countries have different welfare systems. It would be unfair of me to be so biased by saying that hard work pays off, because education matters too. Whether the poor may be out of work, out of a job, with illness, or suffering from an addiction, I believe individual situations vary with the political and economic climate around the world. As part of a later edit, I felt a bit stronger when the same lady approached a crowd of tourists the following weekend -- on the day of reunification -- and I didn't feel good about telling her no, but there are other things she could be doing to help herself, rather than living in that position.
We students should especially be careful with our loose change. It is ever more important right now, with the exchange rate as it stands. What I mean to say is that our education should take priority over feeding the cyclical habits of the homeless or the workless. I have mentioned before that the state subsidizes shelter for the registered citizens. I should worry about keeping myself healthy; that is a big enough challenge, with a large city like Berlin being the first metropolis inhabit for more than a week or so. I don't want my immune system to struggle in adapting to this new environment. Well, I suppose a cold may be expectable for a few days, but nothing out of the ordinary.
It was a breath of fresh air, to really be able to reach into my memory and extract some German vocabulary (and grammar) which I was then able to piece together into full sentences. I felt pretty bad for sleeping late again on sunday morning, mainly because it was such a nice day, and the Berlin marathon was run on the street that went right beside my apartment building. I'm sure I'll be able to wake earlier on future weekend mornings to enjoy the day.
Sunday night a couple of my fellow IES students and I returned to Potsdamer Platz to see a movie, subtitled in English. The Baader-Meinhof Complex tells the story of the RAF (Red Army Faction) in Germany during the late 1960s and early 1970s, but it didn't seem like much but a potent, explosive mess, void of a cohesive plot. Of course it was history, a story with which most if not all Germans living in the area are familiar as part of their background. It seems very interesting, all the learning I am tying in from outside of the classroom and connecting into the studies from inside our courses as well.
Anyways...
Following the movie we had a short talk with a couple of students from the German area studies program (the alternative IES or International Institution for the Education for Students, located in the same building). It was fun to be sitting in Potsdamer Platz, a colorful architectural masterpiece.
This afternoon, I booked my travel plans for a November circuit around central Europe. I have to say I'm pretty excited. More news to come.
Bis nachher [biss knock-hair]
(Until later)
"Most of us are just about as happy as we make up our minds to be."
William Adams
After sitting down for a drink in the Berliner-style Oktoberfest while seated around Potsdamer Platz, I waited for a few of the other students to give a call back. I had been waiting to meet for the debate, and head off for a tavern in a seperate part of the city which might be open late into the night (due to the time change, this would be necessary). It was at this point that a local spotted me, and hopped over the rail in my direction. At first I was apprehensive, but I simply stood, and kept my guard.
"Wie schmeckt das Bier?" he asked. How does the beer taste? I shrugged, "So-so." He looked closer at the bottle, and laughed. "Naja, das ist Franzozisch" (No wonder, it's French). I shrugged a sigh of relief, and laughed myself. I offered him a try, and he didn't think it to taste very well, either. At this point he asked me my name, trying out his English. I responded, in German.
Up until this point, I have been enjoying myself very much in the big city at the heart of Europe. However, I have felt a bit insulated from cultural immersion out on the town. I must admit my grammar and vocabulary still needs some improvement, and so I am not yet an active participant in fluent German conversations. But this was my chance to dive right in and see what a couple years of classes and a summer at the Goethe Institute in Boston had prepared me for. I knew that I was able to step away from the interaction and join with my fellow student friends at any point, regardless of when they gave a call. I knew also that taking chances while venturing off into mysterious locations with strangers, as well as you think you know your location, is always taking a risk. I know that this does not provide a good example of said precaution. If I have said it before, forgive me for repeating myself; Berlin is a city where you do not want to get lost, because it can cost a great amount to get yourself back on the right track. In hindsight, I am glad that things went as well as they did that evening.
The attitude on the downtown streets of Berlin is surprisingly lively. But I believe that because everyone tends to keep to their own space, moral and ethical obstacles can be avoided. I would not say that the expression allowed to Germans in media or on the streets in accordance with the law is less restrictive and thus more dangerous in comparison with America, but I would argue that it may be a bit more liberal. There is noticeably more nudity here, but also a smaller percentage of the population carries firearms. So there are some cultural differences which are no longer as noticeable to me as when I first arrived.
You know, I have already spoken about this topic in general, but not to a specific point. Homeless beggars and gypsies are a common sight on the streets of Berlin. I have thus far walked past a number of talented accordion and keyboard players whose object was to entertain the passers by. In Hamburg, I saw a very talented chalk artist drawing out on the sidewalk, and made a small donation. These efforts, I believe, have taken devotion and practice. But when I see a 25-year old lady with dyed hair and a puppy sit down at an intersection in a U-Bahn station, at a first glance it appears that she is attempting to catch suckers with holes in their pockets. Individuals such as this do not make passers by feel positive as they offer a token of appreciation, but play off the human sense of pity. By contrast, the most difficult cold shoulder I have ever had to deliver was to a gypsy Indian woman near the Brandenburg Gate. She caught me off guard and asked, "Speak English?" I nodded, hoping to help her. But she handed me an index card which read that she and her daughter were refugees from Burma. A little girl hung by her side, and I nearly broke down with remorse. After reading the card I took a deep breath, looked up and handed it back to her. "Please," She insisted. I felt filled with shame having to walk away.
I had to remember, early in our tour, the advice we had been given. For many tourists in the area, it was so easy to be taken advantage of by gypsies, that the cash in our pocket would seemingly disappear by the next day. Later, a friend told me that all people in need have a similar craving for money. A person in Philadelphia once asked her for some spare change after she had spent her last dollar on a sandwich; she offered the food in its stead, but it was thrown back into her face.
I do not feel like generalizing by offering a guess at the percentage, because I know that different countries have different welfare systems. It would be unfair of me to be so biased by saying that hard work pays off, because education matters too. Whether the poor may be out of work, out of a job, with illness, or suffering from an addiction, I believe individual situations vary with the political and economic climate around the world. As part of a later edit, I felt a bit stronger when the same lady approached a crowd of tourists the following weekend -- on the day of reunification -- and I didn't feel good about telling her no, but there are other things she could be doing to help herself, rather than living in that position.
We students should especially be careful with our loose change. It is ever more important right now, with the exchange rate as it stands. What I mean to say is that our education should take priority over feeding the cyclical habits of the homeless or the workless. I have mentioned before that the state subsidizes shelter for the registered citizens. I should worry about keeping myself healthy; that is a big enough challenge, with a large city like Berlin being the first metropolis inhabit for more than a week or so. I don't want my immune system to struggle in adapting to this new environment. Well, I suppose a cold may be expectable for a few days, but nothing out of the ordinary.
It was a breath of fresh air, to really be able to reach into my memory and extract some German vocabulary (and grammar) which I was then able to piece together into full sentences. I felt pretty bad for sleeping late again on sunday morning, mainly because it was such a nice day, and the Berlin marathon was run on the street that went right beside my apartment building. I'm sure I'll be able to wake earlier on future weekend mornings to enjoy the day.
Sunday night a couple of my fellow IES students and I returned to Potsdamer Platz to see a movie, subtitled in English. The Baader-Meinhof Complex tells the story of the RAF (Red Army Faction) in Germany during the late 1960s and early 1970s, but it didn't seem like much but a potent, explosive mess, void of a cohesive plot. Of course it was history, a story with which most if not all Germans living in the area are familiar as part of their background. It seems very interesting, all the learning I am tying in from outside of the classroom and connecting into the studies from inside our courses as well.Anyways...
Following the movie we had a short talk with a couple of students from the German area studies program (the alternative IES or International Institution for the Education for Students, located in the same building). It was fun to be sitting in Potsdamer Platz, a colorful architectural masterpiece.
This afternoon, I booked my travel plans for a November circuit around central Europe. I have to say I'm pretty excited. More news to come.
Bis nachher [biss knock-hair]
(Until later)
"Most of us are just about as happy as we make up our minds to be."
William Adams
25 September 2008
Krumme Lanke
This has been a great week. I have really enjoyed the weather outside, as it has been bright but brisk. Emails from home tell me of a light chill that came through the air on the 21st, which I think was the official beginning of autumn. I have been seeing some leaves turning yellow around here, but plain and simple, it just doesn't feel the same as New England. That's not a bad thing at all, but it leads me to a point about our Northern German latitude. I hadn't taken the time before to ponder about how much further south the continent of North America is than Europe. Apparently, we'll be having evenings in December when the sun will set around 3.30pm and it will be dark by 4. Note to self: buy more wool sweaters! When it gets as cold as can be expected with that little sunlight, I would be looking forward to a location for skiing or winter hiking. I brought my boots, so why not? Well, as the land in the vicinity of Berlin is so incredibly flat, I might want to take advantage and savor a trip out of the city, provided I have that chance to travel independently. I do know of one hill over on the Western side of town, not far from where I live, called 'Teufelsberg,' or devil's mountain. Following the second world war, during which much of the city had been destroyed by bombs from the allies, much of the rubble was collected and transported into a heap, which resulted in an enormous amount of waste. Now, it is positioned near the Southwest region of the city, and if it snows, it can become slick enough for a ride down on a sled. Sounds like fun!
But I want to enjoy the sun and herbst (autumn) 2008 as it passes. The other night, fireworks were going off just around Alexanderplatz, surrounding the TV-tower. I wasn't close enough to get a good photo, but as the tower is quite massive and in the central, downtown portion of the city, the bright lights achieved their goal of gaining everyone's attention. I think it was their task to mark the beginning of Oktoberfest, an expensive tourist trap, located down in the Southern portion of Germany (Munich). Hopefully I will be able to visit the town at an opportunity that might be less crowded for passers by. November looks good to me. But we here in Berlin have our own Oktoberfest, as well. Each individual town has its own brauerei (brewery) and so this helps to define cultural boundaries, as well.
To continue, we were walking in range of the cracks from the fireworks while searching out a burrito restaurant. This location is one of the few burrito stops in the city, fighting against the grain of Turkish dominance on nearly every street-corner. This is by no means a negative aspect of the city, but I wonder if a greater diversity of cuisine might enthrall more visiters. Who am I kidding, I love food. I'm surprised I'm not eating right now.
On friday evening I was invited to attend dinner with a family that was indirectly introduced to me while I was still in America, preparing to leave. After taking the U-Bahn down to Krumme Lanke, located very much to the Southwest extreme of the city before suburbia is approached, I eventually found myself in a wonderful, pristine looking neughborhood and standing nearby a home enclosed by a security fence. All homes in this neighborhood -- as a matter of fact, in all of Berlin -- are especially concerned with security. I suppose such a pattern can be expected of any urban environment.
Inside, I found waiting for me the stepmother of a friend who had given me some additional foresight from back home. Also, a musician from Romania was very much engaged in conversation, following the arrival of another young lady who works at a Krankenhaus (hospital). As we were fully engaged in German speech rhythms with which I had been brushing up in class, only at a moderate speed of practice, I remained quiet for the majority of the evening. I could understand the better amount of what transpired, such as a discussion about a demonstration by thousands of medical practitioners in front of the Brandenburg Gate on Thursday, demanding more sufficient support from the German government.
I mentioned that I had traveled to Tempelhof in an attempt to see the classical performance earlier in the week, but was unsuccessful due to a lack of tickets. The mother mentioned that later in the semester, I would be invited to a separate performance put on by the Romanian lady, which I am very much looking forward to. We enjoyed a delicious dinner of green beans, potatoes and steak from a slow-cooker.
On the way back into the city, I made a call to another student and asked where we would be watching the debate. I didn't know at this point whether or not it would take place, but it was still early. When our group met up, we checked out an American-style tavern, which was playing music and suiting its guests. It was able to play the program, but would not accept American customers who wanted to disrupt the facade of popular culture, turn down the music, turn on the TV and become involved with politics.
By the wee hours of the morning, we resolved to set up camp in an apartment where a couple other students were staying. I was happy to embody the ideals of my generation, now that my role-playing identity has come around to the fore. I am not proud about the research I have done in my life thus far in politics or social history. However I do know there is no better time than a voting year to begin thinking on your feet and taking action.
To conclude, I want to thank everybody for your replies and feedback. It has given me a great incentive to continue writing this blog on a regular basis. Be well!
"Daring ideas are like Chessmen moved forward; they may be beaten, but they may start a winning game."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
But I want to enjoy the sun and herbst (autumn) 2008 as it passes. The other night, fireworks were going off just around Alexanderplatz, surrounding the TV-tower. I wasn't close enough to get a good photo, but as the tower is quite massive and in the central, downtown portion of the city, the bright lights achieved their goal of gaining everyone's attention. I think it was their task to mark the beginning of Oktoberfest, an expensive tourist trap, located down in the Southern portion of Germany (Munich). Hopefully I will be able to visit the town at an opportunity that might be less crowded for passers by. November looks good to me. But we here in Berlin have our own Oktoberfest, as well. Each individual town has its own brauerei (brewery) and so this helps to define cultural boundaries, as well.
To continue, we were walking in range of the cracks from the fireworks while searching out a burrito restaurant. This location is one of the few burrito stops in the city, fighting against the grain of Turkish dominance on nearly every street-corner. This is by no means a negative aspect of the city, but I wonder if a greater diversity of cuisine might enthrall more visiters. Who am I kidding, I love food. I'm surprised I'm not eating right now.
On friday evening I was invited to attend dinner with a family that was indirectly introduced to me while I was still in America, preparing to leave. After taking the U-Bahn down to Krumme Lanke, located very much to the Southwest extreme of the city before suburbia is approached, I eventually found myself in a wonderful, pristine looking neughborhood and standing nearby a home enclosed by a security fence. All homes in this neighborhood -- as a matter of fact, in all of Berlin -- are especially concerned with security. I suppose such a pattern can be expected of any urban environment.
Inside, I found waiting for me the stepmother of a friend who had given me some additional foresight from back home. Also, a musician from Romania was very much engaged in conversation, following the arrival of another young lady who works at a Krankenhaus (hospital). As we were fully engaged in German speech rhythms with which I had been brushing up in class, only at a moderate speed of practice, I remained quiet for the majority of the evening. I could understand the better amount of what transpired, such as a discussion about a demonstration by thousands of medical practitioners in front of the Brandenburg Gate on Thursday, demanding more sufficient support from the German government.I mentioned that I had traveled to Tempelhof in an attempt to see the classical performance earlier in the week, but was unsuccessful due to a lack of tickets. The mother mentioned that later in the semester, I would be invited to a separate performance put on by the Romanian lady, which I am very much looking forward to. We enjoyed a delicious dinner of green beans, potatoes and steak from a slow-cooker.
On the way back into the city, I made a call to another student and asked where we would be watching the debate. I didn't know at this point whether or not it would take place, but it was still early. When our group met up, we checked out an American-style tavern, which was playing music and suiting its guests. It was able to play the program, but would not accept American customers who wanted to disrupt the facade of popular culture, turn down the music, turn on the TV and become involved with politics.
By the wee hours of the morning, we resolved to set up camp in an apartment where a couple other students were staying. I was happy to embody the ideals of my generation, now that my role-playing identity has come around to the fore. I am not proud about the research I have done in my life thus far in politics or social history. However I do know there is no better time than a voting year to begin thinking on your feet and taking action.
To conclude, I want to thank everybody for your replies and feedback. It has given me a great incentive to continue writing this blog on a regular basis. Be well!
"Daring ideas are like Chessmen moved forward; they may be beaten, but they may start a winning game."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
21 September 2008
The Night-life
Here were my plans: meet up with a fellow student Stephen at IES in Mitte, and take the U-Bahn to Tempelhof, where we might see a nice excerpt of European symphony. Stephen was pretty excited, having studied musicians -- he claimed that one of the world's most renowned violinists would be performing in the show that night. The five of us waited in line at the entrance to the airport, which no longer carried the majority of incoming flights, or perhaps any at all. It was a darn shame, though, that we hadn't arrived 10 minutes earlier, because the box office sold out just before us. I apologize that I don't have any good photos to present, but I'm sure that as you all can understand, the sensation of hearing a symphony cannot be translated through words. I was not lucky enough to enjoy said experience, but I'm not going to let it get me down. I know a similar symphony will be performing in the Berliner Philharmoniker (a location built for a symphony, rather than a hanger for airplanes), so I will see if I can't make it there instead later in the semester.
Deciding to make the best of the evening in spite of our poor luck, we walked on out of the aging historical landmark, known best as the location where food and necessities were imported to West Berlin during the airlift, and hummed to ourselves, making our own music. Someone had the great idea to go and enjoy some ice cream ("Eis") in a nearby neighborhood, so we all travelled together. Berlin may be large, but the U-Bahn system can certainly assist with transportation.
Apparently, chili-chocolate is a popular flavor here in Berlin. I don't know why for certain, but I suspect it may have something to do with the two enlightening aphrodesiacs mixed together... Anywho, following our departure from the ice cream parlor, we heard of a concert in a park that was just finishing up, down the street. After splitting up, a couple of us walked through the thinning crowd, realizing that as 10pm had just rolled past, loud noises were discouraged throughout the major city.
Another fellow student, Ned, has been following the underground musical scene here in Berlin very closely. It was with him that I made a visit to two different clubs last week, named Berghain and Club 25. Berghain was once a power plant located in East Berlin, and the building in which the performances are held appears stark and imposing. It is located in the middle of nowhere. Bar 25, on the other hand, can be found on the Spree River. A number of these different clubs are meant for summer usage only, so I am looking forward to scanning through the internet for further information about these clubs.
"Something that has so much power must have life. Instruments have life."
Laurie Anderson
Deciding to make the best of the evening in spite of our poor luck, we walked on out of the aging historical landmark, known best as the location where food and necessities were imported to West Berlin during the airlift, and hummed to ourselves, making our own music. Someone had the great idea to go and enjoy some ice cream ("Eis") in a nearby neighborhood, so we all travelled together. Berlin may be large, but the U-Bahn system can certainly assist with transportation.
Apparently, chili-chocolate is a popular flavor here in Berlin. I don't know why for certain, but I suspect it may have something to do with the two enlightening aphrodesiacs mixed together... Anywho, following our departure from the ice cream parlor, we heard of a concert in a park that was just finishing up, down the street. After splitting up, a couple of us walked through the thinning crowd, realizing that as 10pm had just rolled past, loud noises were discouraged throughout the major city.
Another fellow student, Ned, has been following the underground musical scene here in Berlin very closely. It was with him that I made a visit to two different clubs last week, named Berghain and Club 25. Berghain was once a power plant located in East Berlin, and the building in which the performances are held appears stark and imposing. It is located in the middle of nowhere. Bar 25, on the other hand, can be found on the Spree River. A number of these different clubs are meant for summer usage only, so I am looking forward to scanning through the internet for further information about these clubs.
"Something that has so much power must have life. Instruments have life."
Laurie Anderson
If at first you don't succeed
You know the rest of that statement. I've had a little bit of trouble making my way around the big city over the past few days. Some of my clumsiness I suppose comes from a lack of foresight, and I suppose the rest comes from the way business here is run on a 24-hour, 6-day per week enterprise. On sundays, you may see a car headed down a busy street, but picture if you will, everyone in the city sleeping from saturday evening through monday morning. I think it's pretty crazy, but I suppose each country has their own customs. I know that some churches open up their doors in other parts of town, and I've been giving some consideration to making a visit to one of those. But late nights have really been catching up with me, and I have been finding it difficult to wake before noon or so.
Anyways, in terms of other fumbles I've made along the way, last night on the U-Bahn home I dozed off and ended up at the end of the line. I had just been patting myself on the back earlier that evening for holding off from taxis ever since I needed a ride from the airport. Unfortunately, as I shook myself awake a few kilometers west of my intentional destination, I looked at the clock. It was 3:15am, early Sunday morning. The stores were closing, and electricity was powering down all over the city. Luckily, I managed to hail a graveyard-shift cab and explain my address to the driver. The fee wasn't as exorbitant as I had expected.
Another thing that disappoints me here is the prevalence of American fast-food chains, like Burger King, McDonalds and even Wendy's. It makes it all the more difficult to live up to my initial goal of avoiding meals at said locations and really finding a taste of authentic German cuisine.
Actually, I did enjoy some of this much-proclaimed food while on a bike tour through Potsdam on Friday. I think it may be in the undiscovered locations, outside of popular tourist attractions, where the pristine German culture remains. That gives me all the more incentive to think outside the box and begin some traveling, even if it's only as far as a suburb like Potsdam.
On another note, if you ever travel to someplace outside the States, take very good care of your passport. I am very fortunate in that I live so close to the American Embassy which, provided I have any trouble with security, will hopefully be open to assistance. Your passport, however, is more important to you than your credit card, your driver's license and your cell phone combined. Even here, in an industrialized nation, you can't be careful enough.
On a closing note, I'm wondering if it wouldn't be a bad idea to take a break from alcohol for a little while. This would be primarily so that I could save for future travels. I suspect I might also be able to wake at an earlier hour and achieve more here in Berlin while the temperature remains above 10 degrees Celsius (about 50 degrees Fahrenheit). On the other hand, becoming a 'crafty consumer' is another piece of the complex problem that a student tourist growing up in a foreign land should try and figure out. Take time for your school, for your friends, keep in touch with your family, and be sure to take care of your self.
I'll be sure to report back with more photos next time, as I have heard a few requests for those.
Until then, tchuss! (bye)
[pronounced: ch-OOO-ss]
"It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it's the pebble in your shoe."
Muhammad Ali
Anyways, in terms of other fumbles I've made along the way, last night on the U-Bahn home I dozed off and ended up at the end of the line. I had just been patting myself on the back earlier that evening for holding off from taxis ever since I needed a ride from the airport. Unfortunately, as I shook myself awake a few kilometers west of my intentional destination, I looked at the clock. It was 3:15am, early Sunday morning. The stores were closing, and electricity was powering down all over the city. Luckily, I managed to hail a graveyard-shift cab and explain my address to the driver. The fee wasn't as exorbitant as I had expected.
Another thing that disappoints me here is the prevalence of American fast-food chains, like Burger King, McDonalds and even Wendy's. It makes it all the more difficult to live up to my initial goal of avoiding meals at said locations and really finding a taste of authentic German cuisine.
Actually, I did enjoy some of this much-proclaimed food while on a bike tour through Potsdam on Friday. I think it may be in the undiscovered locations, outside of popular tourist attractions, where the pristine German culture remains. That gives me all the more incentive to think outside the box and begin some traveling, even if it's only as far as a suburb like Potsdam.
On another note, if you ever travel to someplace outside the States, take very good care of your passport. I am very fortunate in that I live so close to the American Embassy which, provided I have any trouble with security, will hopefully be open to assistance. Your passport, however, is more important to you than your credit card, your driver's license and your cell phone combined. Even here, in an industrialized nation, you can't be careful enough.
On a closing note, I'm wondering if it wouldn't be a bad idea to take a break from alcohol for a little while. This would be primarily so that I could save for future travels. I suspect I might also be able to wake at an earlier hour and achieve more here in Berlin while the temperature remains above 10 degrees Celsius (about 50 degrees Fahrenheit). On the other hand, becoming a 'crafty consumer' is another piece of the complex problem that a student tourist growing up in a foreign land should try and figure out. Take time for your school, for your friends, keep in touch with your family, and be sure to take care of your self.
I'll be sure to report back with more photos next time, as I have heard a few requests for those.
Until then, tchuss! (bye)
[pronounced: ch-OOO-ss]
"It isn't the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out; it's the pebble in your shoe."
Muhammad Ali
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