The Pitfalls of Snow

by bswalk on February 2, 2010

in Citylife, Odd

With all these snowstorms recently, it’s not a good idea to let your bike outside. A little bit more snow and it will be hard to find it again. This could be really annoying if you have an important appointment.

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Berlin Street Art #03

by bswalk on January 28, 2010

in Art, Street Art

Even Popeye deserves to be honored, that was probably the thought of this artist who sprayed the famous Sailor in his usual gesture.

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After the Narrenbaum was erected, the city was ready for the big Night Parade. Led by a couple of marching bands, thousands of different Narren (as I said yesterday, Narren are something like a jester or Joker) ran through the city. Jumping, laughing, whip lashing and tangerine throwing, it was a fascinating moment.

Every city has their own traditional costumes, first you will see the city of Rottweil with their Federhannes, Schantle and Gschell. If you can sing a well known carnival quote, you will be rewarded with a handful of candy.

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Last weekend, I took a plain to Stuttgart , to watch an event which only takes place every 3-4 years, the Narrentag (which probably means something like “Day of the Jester”), organized by one of four famous carnival cities; Rottweil, Oberndorf, Elzach and Überlingen, all of them part of the Viererbund, a union between these four cities since 1958.

This year the parade took place in Oberndorf (Black Forest), about 1 hour away from Stuttgart.

As an opening ceremony, a decorated tree, the Narrenbaum, was erected, as a symbol that the Narrentag has officially begun.

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Winter in the City

by bswalk on January 14, 2010

in Odd

I heard something about Climate Change and Global Warming, but when I look outside my window, it’s an Ice Age out there. After 4 weeks, the snow is still there, the temperature has raised up to -5°C (23°F) so it’s not so cold anymore.

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Abandoned Military Airbase

by bswalk on January 8, 2010

in History, On Tour

On my way through the western part of Germany I discovered an abandoned British military airbase in Weeze, a village in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Part of it is now used as a civilian airport and you can see the old military buildings if you drive the road from the big “Welcome” sign to the airfield. The old British RAF Laarbruch military base, was well placed along the Netherlands border into which the Soldier could flee if something unexpected happened.

Even some old military weapons were placed as a reminder for the Cold War days, or they were just forgotten, who knows!
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When there is snow outside

January 6, 2010

With this much snow, it’s pretty common to build a snowman, but some kids in the neighborhood have selected a very strange place for their snowy friend.

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Happy New Year and Welcome to 2010

January 4, 2010

I’m a bit late but, I hope you all had a great start into the new year! It’s still cold outside and the snow is about 20 cm high. It’s pretty rare for Berlin and I can’t remember the last time we had so much snow, even with temperatures around -15°C  (+5.0 °F).
Anyway! I wish [...]

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On Tour: Nordrhein Westfalen and Back

December 31, 2009

As I mentioned before on twitter, during the last 4 days I was on a trip to visit some relatives in the Netherlands/Holland. I stayed in a Hotel in a small village called Grieth, 10 minutes away from the Border to Nijmegen.
The hotel was an old restored castle and the interior decoration in some rooms [...]

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Merry Christmas Everyone

December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas Everyone
It’s Christmas Eve in Berlin, people celebrating this day with their families and relatives, singing Christmas songs and giving presents (yep today, not tomorrow). Therefore and for the last time of this year I will show you some fancy Christmas decorations.

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