25th anniversary of the wall -Lichtgrenze

Berlin's infamous wall just celebrated the 25th anniversary of the day it all finally came tumbling down. I spent a few hours exploring the installation of balloons along the inner city area of the wall. The project was inspired by an idea from Christopher Bauder and Marc Bauder and the Kulturprojekte GmbH. More info here


  The idea is good and the installation looks great at night but suffers a bit by day. Of course the best way to look at this project is from a symbolic point of view and in this regard its effective. In most parts of the city the wall is long gone so this ghostly reminder of what once divided serves to cause one to pause and think of what happened here. At all too many locations, there are memorials for the people who died trying to flee the East. In some places its a plinth or plaque or simply a subtle cross incorporated into a railing.

  The big event on the last evening was the release of balloons as a symbolic fall of the wall. I think most were expecting all the balloons to go at once rather than a slow release so it was a bit anti-climatic. There was a light inside each stand so as each balloon left it also left the light and disappeared into the black sky disappointing many photographers :) Considering the incredible speed the wall actually fell, basically a few hours after the news conference, it seemed more apropos to have all the balloons go at once. But that would mean a shorter show for the home audience I suppose...

  Later in the evening a sizable number of people were walking home with as many of the balloon towers as they could carry. I expect a few front gardens to have new architectural details, perhaps a few artists will create something with them as well.

Until next time,
Andy

Karneval der Kulturen 2012

My second year at the Karneval der Kulturen in Berlin back in May. Amazing time again and loads of good music, friendly people and great food. Last year I missed the Jamaican jerk chicken, not this year. REALLY good, best thing to come out of an oil drum ever.  And a few strange folks dressed up for the occasion, see below:

This guy was not part of any parade. He was just sitting on a bench in the middle of a park with the Karneval all around. An example of the bizarre side of Berlin. He was holding a bike pump handle and pumping it which seemed to be inflating his helmet....? Gas mask, webbed flippers and not a word said to anyone. I doubt anyone would get away with this kind of outfit in this situation in the UK or USA.

All over for another year...
Andy

Tour of Krakow

A few months ago friends Johnathan, Ewelina and I went to Krakow to have a look around for a weekend. They knew the city but this was my first experience with Poland and what used to be behind the iron curtain. We went in late winter so it wasn't exactly warm but still very busy with visitors. They definitely have the welcome mat out for tourists but it hasn't ruined the feel of the city...yet.

Couldn't sleep so took pictures.

  We took an over night train from Berlin. The trains are crazy cheap but slow and basic (unless you pay more:). Still, no problem if you have a sleeper ticket. On the return trip there was no chance for sleep as the old guy in the middle bunk snored like a buzz saw. We passed many cities and towns with a distinct industrial past coating everything. Krakow has this patina as well but its slowly being washed off.

 

Rather eerie ad that slooowly appeared through the frost as the train crawled out of this station.

Terry Gilliam could have shot from our Hostel window for Barron Munchhausen.

  We got a room to share at a local hostel, Momotown and were presented with the keys to an apartment divided up into 3 rooms with a private bath and only shared a kitchen. 10 Euro a night! Its in the Jewish quarter which is a great area. Lots to see and explore, good places to eat and drink etc.

The city castle, Wawel Royal Castle

Much of the city centre is classic old Europe with the castle and city walls at the heart never far from a river. Walking through the narrow streets is great, so much old stone architecture, so many little courtyards hidden behind worn wooden doors. And of course the central square, the traditional home of the market.

Courtyard of the castle.

Drain pipes from the Cathedral within the castle walls.

  As usual, I make a point of avoiding the western chain shops and going for something local. We of course tried the traditional Polish Milk Bar for lunch on Saturday, very good, filled us up and for about 3 Euro each. On Sunday we found an amazing place for lunch, an old restaurant called "Gospoda Koko" on Gotebia street, just south of the main square.

It may not look too fancy but the taste is amazing.

  I forget what it was called but it was some kind of soup with potatoes and smoked pork. Simple is good.

  It WILL be busy. The two dining rooms upstairs were full so we had to go down to the cellar. For me this is great but the down side is you have to pick up your order and bring it down IF you sit THERE. The stairs are old rounded stone and you have to turn 180 as you go. Doing this while holding a hot plate of soup sloshing close to the fingers is enough to wake you from any afternoon lull.

 Next door to our Hostel was a good restaurant called "Ariel". Its classic Jewish food. Good but a bit pricey, worth a try but I'd rather go back to the Koko place.

 On the main square is a cafe called Castor Coffee. I think it might be the polish version of Starbuck$ but despite that its really good. Chai late with a shot of espresso, nice change. The logo has what looks like a Beaver in it so the Canadian in me approved.

  I'd like to try Warsaw next I think, I hear its the next Berlin:)