tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28162589741033654822024-03-05T00:55:05.166-08:00ForeignerinBerlinForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.comBlogger559125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-5657586238464892872016-05-20T01:53:00.001-07:002016-05-20T01:53:45.285-07:00Find me in my new blogging house: www.ilanatravels.com<div style="text-align: justify;">
After more than 5 years of blogging about Berlin, I decided that it is about time to add Berlin as part of my biggest travel adventure in a new blog: www.ilanatravels.com.</div>
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As Berlin remains my big city love, I will often share posts and tips about my city, but meanwhile, I will keep discovering new destinations in Germany and abroad!</div>
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Thank you all for reading my posts and ope to see you soon to the new house!</div>
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For more social media fun, don't forget to follow my Instagram too: #ilanaontheroad and my Snapchat too: ilanaontheroad</div>
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Keep in touch with good travel news!</div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-2321780731872814072016-02-18T22:12:00.003-08:002016-02-18T22:12:50.056-08:00Foodie Berlin: Bamboo Asian Restaurant in Zehlendorf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Ef-iMJp1iMNSj6R-5v7TfJ5uLIx0GcXbnqrykcCuBFx9A1SLv4XpPl5LaFbW_zmrYSPn4SNyNoafdeBCYlNRU4UUfd0dau4Qjpw3fn016sN3l8kgoaEKhw8Sq_FkM_C61xum7WhNqFo/s1600/DSC02163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Ef-iMJp1iMNSj6R-5v7TfJ5uLIx0GcXbnqrykcCuBFx9A1SLv4XpPl5LaFbW_zmrYSPn4SNyNoafdeBCYlNRU4UUfd0dau4Qjpw3fn016sN3l8kgoaEKhw8Sq_FkM_C61xum7WhNqFo/s320/DSC02163.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Out of all Berlin's neighbourhoods, besides Dahlem, Zehlendorf is one of my favourite destinations where I like to go as often as possible. Its classical architecture and slow life in the middle of the many green areas were one of the top reasons I chosed to relocate to Berlin. There are many restaurants in the area, but many of them Italian style, so when I discovered, at the ground level of a white classical house, <a href="http://www.bamboo-berlin.de/">Bamboo</a>, on a side street close to the Zehlendorf S-Bahn, I just followed my love for Asian food and took a seat.</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">It serves Vietnamese-Japanese food, with a smile, although I found the service a bit too slow. But the friendliness can help excusing this downside. The interior is again not their strong point, with so much kitsch for the educated eye and very cheap furniture. It also has a lot of bamboo and many flowers which bring more warm to the ambiance. But this is maybe the disadvatage of the slow service, it gives you too much time to notice inconveniences. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">My first part of the order was simple, but relatively new for my usual menu in an Asian restaurant: An energizing matcha shake and yasai tempura, veggie tempura. The matcha shake was the star of the menu. Made from an apparently easy combination of milk and matcha tea, and some ice, it has the right portioning of matcha with that specific taste that I always love. It is energizing enough to not need to order any coffee or tea. Not even the Vietnamese coffee that I otherwise love so much.</span><br />
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The tempura was tasty, with a lot of Chinese cabbage include, but also cauliflower and other autumn vegetables like tomatoes or eggplant. Moderately fried, without too much oil and accompanied by a good soy sauce it makes you feel full and happy for new discovery tour of Zehlendorf. The seeds of black and white sesame bring even more taste to the plate. The other veggie choice I wanted was yaki veggie, tofu veggie skews with teryaki sauce, but my love for tempura won over.</div>
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The second part of the order was the unusual for me Philadelphia rolls: salmon sushi with Philladelphia cheese. As in the case of the tempura, all the ingredients were fresh and good looking, maybe the sushi was too stuffed with so many things and was looking a bit like blown up, but it was tasty and if you ignore the weirdness of the combination, it was really good. Plus, the slices of orange were a good add to the salmon taste so, besides a good meal and additional free wi-fi, I was also offered inspiration for my foodie wanderings.</div>
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The prices are moderate, with various lunch offers during the week. It is a great choice for families, as it have enough big tables and spaces as well as an aquarium that can keep children entertained for a couple of minutes. </div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-84823508083719567152016-02-10T11:00:00.000-08:002016-02-10T11:00:08.214-08:00Ku'damm shopping guide for Valentine's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">Is this time of the year again, when intensive shopping or windows shopping are a must for finding this special thing for your special one and only. There may be other things going on in town right now, like the lovely Berlinale, but when love is in the air, you cannot resist the temptation to think about a special elegantly wrapped something to offer before or after the movie. As for me, I am so much in love with Ku'damm and this West side of the city, that I just used the journalistic pretext for another trip at the shops, accompanied by my little 4-month baby. From a very early age he should learn how to properly show his love so I decided to sacrifice myself for his bright future.</span></div>
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The good news is that there are sales everywhere this week, so there is possible to find always something interesting. Wolford or Agent Provocateur or the more affordable Palmers do have some interesting collections for bold people. If not, the traveller in me can be very happy with a travel-inspired scarf by Hermes. </div>
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If the beautiful white dress by YSL or the skirts from the new collection by Botega Venetta are not up to your standards, no one can resist some beautiful flowers. </div>
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Or some perfumes, both for him or for her, available at the Douglas store. The good thing with these stores is their professional customer service who is well trained to help the customers. More Valentine's oriented, the Occitaine en Provence shop sells creams and fragrances with a kiss touch. </div>
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If looking for unique fragrances, the Delfi store has plenty of them, starting with the name of some - Juliette has a gun - and with various oriental aromas. Just a drop of perfume and you are in love. The ambiance inside makes you feel you are invited to be part of a secret perfumed experiment. I found many of the perfumes too heavy and sophisticated for my taste, but there are some fresh, fruity fragrances for people like me too. </div>
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The famous German fashion brand Jil Sander, which happens to like very much, for its minimalist lines and clothes fit to the busy life, has two stores on Ku'damm and there are sales running in and out so you better watch your account out. </div>
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More affordable, COS also has sales, but many of the products are sold very fast, so the better you visit the shop, the better. This urban style with pastel colours goes very well to any occassions, from shopping sprees to very important business meetings. </div>
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Many of shops decorated the windows with season's greetings. As Valentine's Day and the Chinese New Yeare are the most important events of the week, expect a lot of monkeys and hearts in the windows these days. For unlimited budgets, the latest Dolce&Gabanna Collection has a lot of heart-shaped models and interesting ethnic prints for colourful personalities.Some of the Chanel shoes in the nearby window can go very well together. </div>
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The lady in you will be delighted by the latest Mulberry is so delicate and gentle. It also suits very well the modest fashion. </div>
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After the first 10 shops, my baby fell asleep. He woke up 10 shops later and when he realized that probably is no hope to see any car or toys stores today, turned back to sleep on the other side. Meanwhile, I was still undecided if I have to chose one of the beautiful sets from the Amazonia Collection by Villeroy&Boch, or to make a stop at the Sassoon Hairdressing sallon, or maybe to chose one of the colourful bags from Picard - but in this case it gets complicated as I need a new pair of shoes too. </div>
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With or without a special gift, Ku'damm has many romantic places for a successful date: Either the historical <a href="http://foreignerinberlin.blogspot.de/2013/08/chez-grosz.html">Grosz</a>, or the more elaborated Balthazar Restaurant with its Vesper bar, there are enough reasons to spend more time there and share special moments with your special someone. My motto is that you do not need a special day to celebrate love, as it is an everyday's exercise, but after all, why not use this opportunity for celebrating togetherness?</div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-45592177710208311862016-02-06T23:34:00.000-08:002016-02-06T23:34:33.183-08:00A well kept secret of Berlin: Georg Kolbe Museum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Berlin is the city of special museums, but only few of them are on the usual touristic routes. Some of them are hidden in secret corners of the city, out of sight, but easy to be found by the real lovers of art. Take, for instance, <a href="http://www.georg-kolbe-museum.de/?lang=en">Georg Kolbe Museum</a>. It is situated in an area without high tourist attractions, but easy to be reached after visiting the Olympic Stadium, either by train - S-Bahn Heerstrasse and around 10 minutes or walking - or by bus. </div>
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I wanted to visit this museum for a long time, but there were always new temptations around in my area so I left it for later. This autumn, without too many opportunities to go out of the city as often as I wanted to, and determined to see the Jean Arp exhibition - Navel of the Avant-garde - before closing, I finally made it. Representative of the Berlin Secession movement, Kolbe was considered one of the biggest sculptors of Germany. He collaborated with Mies van der Rohde for the building of Barcelona Pavillion and had a relatively limited collaboration with the far-right regime. </div>
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The museum is the first open in West Berlin after the war, in 1950, hosted in the house that Kolbe used to work between 1929 and 1947.</div>
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Human bodies are spread all over the garden and the entrance, silent apparitions at human scale. Their tensed postures made you think that they are alive and ready to share with you some secrets.</div>
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Only the wild nature balances the wild energy of the statues. The huge trees put everything in a new perspective. It is so much strength and natural power everywhere that I start my tour with a long stay in the garden, trying to feel the synchronisation and contrasts between human and nature forces. </div>
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The exhibition spaces are big,wrapped in the natural light coming out of the wall-sized windows. It also has a library. I met Jean Arp's work before, at the Modern Art Museum in Strasbourg. The exhibition at Kolbe Museum was focused on the pictorial sign of the navel, carved in stone, shaped in plastic or bronze, considered the humankind bond to nature. Arp puts into question many of the principles of the traditional art not only through sculptures, but also collages and paintings. </div>
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Outside, more human bodies are watching the entrance, surprised in their private worlds but still keeping the sight outside, like a warning to the accidental visitor that they are there to stay.</div>
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From the terrasse of the Cafe K, serving vegetarian dishes and good coffees, I finished my museum trip spending more time looking at the forest of bodies. Nature not only inspires art but also show to the art and artists in general the right proportions. </div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-63634280621134427732016-01-27T01:40:00.000-08:002016-01-27T01:42:16.091-08:00Germany for refugees, the information level<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0wNSVJX8tw2gJXI0l9FB6mw-SrJp0GWDUkW0aHtXwLFJy9d5pEQ1rBggKHPcgKwOWHprXwYRMgwULgfm_ZTWBFD0gNNTHNE_wyUYeb8Zilr7FIpVwhL45RkJCqlBb9E_GlB6Apam1nY/s1600/deutschland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn0wNSVJX8tw2gJXI0l9FB6mw-SrJp0GWDUkW0aHtXwLFJy9d5pEQ1rBggKHPcgKwOWHprXwYRMgwULgfm_ZTWBFD0gNNTHNE_wyUYeb8Zilr7FIpVwhL45RkJCqlBb9E_GlB6Apam1nY/s320/deutschland.jpg" width="202" /><span style="color: #666666; font-family: trebuchet ms, trebuchet, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">O</span></span></a><br />
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I recently discovered at my local library a booklet published by Herder.de and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung dedicated to introducing Germany to the refugees. It has a lot of useful - basic - information, in German and Arabic, but also many funny aproaches - to keep it diplomatically.<br />
The package of information is also available as apps.<br />
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Read the rest of the review at: <a href="http://foreignpolicyfocus.blogspot.de/2016/01/germany-for-refugees-information-level.html">http://foreignpolicyfocus.blogspot.de/2016/01/germany-for-refugees-information-level.html</a></div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-68613461928103168942016-01-25T01:13:00.000-08:002016-01-25T01:15:19.909-08:00Jackson Pollock at Deutsche Bank Kunsthalle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am not a big fan of Jackson Pollock and I've seen some of his works at museums across the world without changing my mind. As I always enjoyed the exhibitions at Deutsche Kunsthalle at Unter den Linden, I decided to give one more try and try to learn a bit more about the artist hoping that I will get closer from his philosophy too. </div>
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The exhibition is focused on presenting the largest canvas the artist ever painted, a Mural, a summer commission from the art collector Peggy Guggenheim for the hallway of New York city hall. In order to bring more information about the artistic trend Pollock belongs to, photography or paintings by, among others, Gjon Mili, Aaron Siskind, Barbara Morgan or Andy Warhol, David Reed or Lee Krasner.</div>
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Pollock studied early under the American regionalist painter Thomas Hart Benton. When it comes to mural work, he outlined the influence of Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Jose Clement Orozco. Picasso was also a source of inspiration but he soon found his own way and focused more on the vitalist expressionism specific to most of his late and famous works. </div>
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A pleasant discovery of this exhibition was the work of Lee Krasner, Pollock's wife and inspiration. More than once, she suggested a title for his works that he finished under inspirational trance. Her paiting is an emotional explosilon of red on the canvas, the colours looking as going out of the space of the painting for entering the outer space. </div>
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The exhibition as such is very well organised, with many useful information, offering the chance to get to know not only Pollock and his work, but also the intellectual ambiance of his time.</div>
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Pollock mural is a chaotic conflict between colours and shapes, many of them repeating itself at least as a combination of the same colours. The aggressive strokes of black are well tempered by the salmon pink and the sweet yellows. The big traces of blue are like the rainbow after the storm. Practically, there is not a classical story or center as any part of the canvas has its own story and relevance for the painting. Such a vortex of contradictions may have offer a lot of discomfort to the workers of the New York City hall, I suppose. It may remind a lot about nowadays works of street art that most probably Pollock would have embraced it for its raw vitality and creativity. </div>
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The exhibition is running till the 10th of April. Mondays, the entrance is free. </div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-19350295004931542842016-01-03T00:17:00.000-08:002016-01-03T00:17:00.049-08:00Meiji Era in Photography<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: justify;">The Museum of Photography in Berlin is well known for the impressive collection of Helmut Newton works. However, regularly here are organised various </span><a href="http://www.smb.museum/museen-und-einrichtungen/museum-fuer-fotografie/ausstellungen.html" style="text-align: justify;">exhibitions</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> dedicated to extraordinary photographic works. One of them I visited this summer and still can be visited till the 10th of January and is dedicated to a place where I was lucky enough to live for one full year: Japan. It covers 250 photographies from Meiji era in German collections. Photography was considered a way to induce Europenization of the Japanese culture, similarly with the hot air balloons, gaslights or engine. The first example was given by the Emperor himself, appearing photographed in his new European uniform, the sending the main incentive for the well awaited change.</span><br />
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But the change cannot happen over night and the tradition and modernity will coexist till today. The art of photography will equally help the strengthening of tradition, widespreading images about kabuki theater, tattooed fighters or tea house girls - what we know as geishas. In a way, it also delivers to Europeans that exotism they were always looking for in this part of the world. The lady photographer featured as the representative image of the exhibition is a proof in this sense: a woman with the camera in a society where the social roles are clearly defined but dressed in a traditional way in the modest posture the society is waiting from a young lady.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjDBGABFyZi1F1VxPb_h-jHIbSDgWRTpWpHbfWixxyYwsb2a9H-Cca7qL2DQU_ljB7gC8uJl4NOod2plJoCyjrPqjLBUYghjWkC9Oska5rtEe4Cy9F94IdhSBhMZ6o4WSblaq94xbvZc/s1600/DSC01931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjDBGABFyZi1F1VxPb_h-jHIbSDgWRTpWpHbfWixxyYwsb2a9H-Cca7qL2DQU_ljB7gC8uJl4NOod2plJoCyjrPqjLBUYghjWkC9Oska5rtEe4Cy9F94IdhSBhMZ6o4WSblaq94xbvZc/s320/DSC01931.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The neo-confucianist line of the Enlightening era represented by Meiji was that a portrait was a symbol of visual praise for the achievement of a virtuous work. For me, the nature representations are by far one of the most beautiful snapshots. When simple communication fails, the nature can offer to the traveller the simplest way to be thankful. Beyond the politics and other strategical reasons, the beautiful Meiji photography brings Japan to Berlin.</div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-23828907641971625732016-01-01T04:42:00.001-08:002016-01-01T04:42:14.663-08:00A visitor at the Spy Museum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YdoX4F0ZW2BbuL6YG7uYMB4GmtBwAnQ99KdIpC0jWqQTpmRUXcUxzB-pQxCZT1zEuCqHEBhdKOtWmxh3TzF31QaAsauHxRZcCaRMiMvB5kTxdzArs8XWhim4c4_QvS-scrBSHPf8lTw/s1600/DSC01980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YdoX4F0ZW2BbuL6YG7uYMB4GmtBwAnQ99KdIpC0jWqQTpmRUXcUxzB-pQxCZT1zEuCqHEBhdKOtWmxh3TzF31QaAsauHxRZcCaRMiMvB5kTxdzArs8XWhim4c4_QvS-scrBSHPf8lTw/s320/DSC01980.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It is not every day that I am very excited about a PR and marketing campaign in Germany. The one for thel launch of the Spy Museum is one of them, and from the middle of the summer the city was invaded by attention grabbing billboards announcing the event. Although I wanted to be among the first to check the fantastic spy adventures announced, I had to wait till the beginning of November until the visit was possible. </div>
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The building in Potsdamer Platz is offering two full floors of historical installations, presenting more or less recent historical spy stories. The lengthy presentations are available in video and written format, in English and German.The visit starts with an introduction in the history of intelligence, from the old Egypt to Rome and Joshua.</div>
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Most part of the exhibition is dedicated though to the Cold War times, that made Berlin one of the European capitals of spies. Touch screens are providing interviews about the various genesis of intelligence services in the East and in the West of Germany.</div>
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Old stories are presented into a creative interior design ambiance with special effects of lights and shadows.</div>
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When the historical introductions are too long - although very interesting, especially with former Stasi operatives, the famous East German secret police - there are some practical example set toexplain to yo how the operative work can be practised. Special secret messages can be hidden in nuts. </div>
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Or in shoes.Or in cigarettes, or in various parts of the car. Practically everywhere. If you are not too strong at heart, you may risk to become very paranoid, even the Cold War is over.<br />
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After you see the section dedicated to different gifts that can instantly kill everyone only by smelling, you may need a rehab. The famous umbrella that killed the Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov in Central London in 1978 is there, still waiting for a full reconstruction of facts, many years after the crime was commited with a simple touch.</div>
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True is that at the end of the long visit I really felt overwhelmed about too much information, like I was at the end of a long class in the history of intelligence. Some colourful covers of James Bond movies brought everything back to the entertainment work.</div>
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I had a different impression about what a spy museum should be, expecting more action and intelligence challenges, also for the visitor. But I am sure also that the usual glamour we associate with this kind of work is rather the result of wishful thinking. The Spy Museum in Berlin provides lessons of history and for now, it might be enough.</div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-5426630084945775072015-11-01T22:26:00.000-08:002015-11-01T22:26:16.584-08:00Foodie Berlin: ZUKA Dessert Manufaktur<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6EnbN0uGtHFOhJucVgIL2xF1RvvY7gpyUY09fK4JE5ttWmG3MZ2H_hYouQLApA67X-Fd3Nh6-FCHfZqN49rNxxI8bLiqUdZWBWsaHp1f25EqAGzt3-x7AhgSYQOfqaP5ciaie7cVfMo/s1600/DSC01927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6EnbN0uGtHFOhJucVgIL2xF1RvvY7gpyUY09fK4JE5ttWmG3MZ2H_hYouQLApA67X-Fd3Nh6-FCHfZqN49rNxxI8bLiqUdZWBWsaHp1f25EqAGzt3-x7AhgSYQOfqaP5ciaie7cVfMo/s320/DSC01927.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Very often when I expected a lot of time enthusiastically to go checking some cakes place everyone was talking about and left it with a big disappointment. I discovered <a href="http://www.zuka.berlin/">ZUKA</a> around one year ago during a walk with a friend, entered to see what it is all about and waited and waited till paying a visit. Somehow, I wanted to be sure that this place is for real and will stay open for longer. </div>
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I went there during the week, around the middle of the day and it was almost empty. Some guests were enjoying the last summer days and were enjoying the outside places. However, I remember to see the place almost full in the evening. The overall design of the curvaceous location with a window wall was a bit disappointed as I expected more elegance after looking at the tempting pieces of cake. Another disappointment was the absence of wifi, something almost normal for many German places. </div>
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After a bit of hesitation, I ordered a peach green tea tart and an eclair. After the disappointing KaDeWe eclair experience where I paid a lot for being offered a very sugary pastry, this time the sweetness was moderate, but the pastry a bit tasteless. The cold cream of the filling and the sweetness of the dots of chocolate changed the impression and till I was done I was having my sugar shoot. Before going further with the tasting, I allowed the very normal cappuccino to clean my mouth.</div>
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The fine green tea wall with a strong macha taste hide a white mascarpone cream, the only sweet part of the cake, with peaches on the top. Every single bit of it revealed new pleasures and alll the three elements of the cake balanced and completed each other. At the end of it, my eclair impression was just modest. </div>
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The cakes can be also ordered for home. The prices are acceptable and the service is moderately friendly. Every single sweet temptation is offered on a small golden paper, and looks tempting enough to feed even the most sophisticated sweet teeth. This time, my sweet adventure was not disappointing. </div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-922824430054699492015-10-31T11:27:00.002-07:002015-10-31T11:27:53.491-07:00Piet Mondrian exhibition at Martin Gropius Bau<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsO_EaKsA-oiAscgYf2julEkIPOnUpzkd11S0lNTeckWUiHIFJgLuIhbKyHENn_vyl8XamSC5WF6MbilmnZ6h5EXuzQzj9KvBkpadqVyJcVSDTBevE1mM-S8iP7AgtZ_KGffvEtZ9vJcw/s1600/DSC01826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsO_EaKsA-oiAscgYf2julEkIPOnUpzkd11S0lNTeckWUiHIFJgLuIhbKyHENn_vyl8XamSC5WF6MbilmnZ6h5EXuzQzj9KvBkpadqVyJcVSDTBevE1mM-S8iP7AgtZ_KGffvEtZ9vJcw/s320/DSC01826.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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At the beginning of September, I enjoyed a lot of free sunny weekends, a good opportunity to carefully check some art events and exhibitions in the city. As I regularly do twice the year, one of the stops was <a href="http://www.berlinerfestspiele.de/de/aktuell/festivals/gropiusbau/ueber_uns_mgb/aktuell_mgb/start.php">Martin Gropius Bau for the retrospective of Piet Mondrian works</a>. It reunited works from Den Haag, the largest collection of Mondrian works. </div>
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The exhibition, that can be seen till the beginning of December, offers an overview of the evolution of Mondrian's work conception. Although his abstract works are more known to the public, his beginnings - realistic, inspired by the 17th century tradition of Dutch landscape, or influenced by Cubism, De Stijl or impressionism - were often obstructed by his popular abstract works. The famous 'Line' is part of the current works exhibited, but discovering the previous styles was for me by far more challenging and interesting. The exhibition, separated into spaces that are dedicated to various stages in the artistic life of the painter, is revealing an artist that permanently reinvented himself.</div>
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The development of his work with lines went through different stages, and architecture, besdes theosophy, played an important role in reshaping his identity. It worked together with the vision on the space and changing perception of it. Many were also his influences, gathered during the various inspirational places he visited. Between 1912 and 1917 he went through a Cubistic stage following his stay in Paris and the delapidated buildings, probably the consequence of the WWI damages, prompted his abstract beginnings.</div>
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At the end of the exhibition I felt the same way after reading a good book: the sadness that it finishes. Maybe till December I can give it one more try... </div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-53405656022676211752015-10-29T01:06:00.000-07:002015-10-29T01:06:08.076-07:00Registering a new born baby in Berlin: the challenges<div style="text-align: justify;">
After the kid is born, the normal step is to go on and give him a bureaucratic identity, in other words, to register the little baby as a citizen in the making. As usual, the German bureaucracy did not disappoint me and everything went fast but this time, it involved some money spent...we do not know for sure on what. It starts with one of the parents going early in the morning at the city hall, in the front of the door of the special section in charge with birth certificates. You may write your name on a list, with the date of birth of the child and the hospital where the baby was born and wait till someone comes, looks at the list and calls your name. Be ready to have a copy of the passports or ID cards of the parents, and their birth certificates - international version. </div>
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<b>Easy peasy - the parents are married</b></div>
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Let's start with the beginning. If the parents are married, things are simple. The child is registered on the spot, with the name of the husband and the mother with full rights. The birth certificate is delivered either in the same day or 10 days after. You will be handled 1 copy - for 10 Euro - and another 3 free proofs that should be further sent to the insurance company and the authorities in charge to give financial support to the new born. There is also a declaration that should be signed by both parents where they agree about the name to be given to the baby.</div>
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This easy variant is also available for the registration of the child in the hospital where the mother gives birth.</div>
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<b>Different challenges - the parents are not married</b></div>
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The things are a bit different when the parents are not married and also having different citizenships. There is a declaration of paternity - Vaterschafterkennung - the father should sign either during the mother's pregnancy or after the child is born - it costs 30 Euro. It is accompanied by a long legal explanation of the German right and other subtelties. Usually, you need an appointment for this declaration. </div>
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When one of the parents does not speak German, a translator - not official, but not a relative of any of the two parents either - is requested. For the work of this special person - that may take around one hour - that accepts to do the translation, you pay 20 Euro that goes to the city hall but not to the translator. I found it a bit strange the procedure, to be honest. I would have prefer to give this money to the translator who waited a bit more than expected and did a great job than to waste it for some undisclosed purpose. </div>
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There is also the possibility to do the paternity declaration in the front of the Jugendamt, also by appointment and with a translator, but for free. The disadvantage is that as for now, there is not easy to get a date with the authorities till the end of the year so you better pay and get what you want faster. Without the birth certificate, you cannot get the money from the insurance and the Kindergeld - a monthly amount the state gives you for the child - and the sooner you have it the better for the financial well-being of your small family. </div>
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Another specificy of the German family right is that by birth the mother is automatically having full right over the child. If you want to share the right with the father - I will write another post soon about what I discover that it is the disrespect of the father as an active and responsible member of the family - you need another declaration and official appointment, this time in the front of the Jugendamt, the authority in charge with families and especially children. </div>
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<b>To be continued...</b></div>
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As for now, the happy owners of the birth certificate - international one is the best, written in English and French and German, as for a passport and citizenship some embassies will request the official translation and many of them the apostile for authentification (to be read more money to the bureaucracy) - are ready for new bureaucratic challenges. It seems that this story never ends, at least for now...</div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-77339442655506112532015-10-26T23:39:00.000-07:002015-10-26T23:39:24.767-07:00Foodie Berlin: Koshary Lux, Oriental Street Food<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3XC3x_DY3KWRiSynP8KJQymp7YGjW78bk5EAQYTNKhNJTCezwlCWCuf5wDhEHFFd9HrOBmjQH7ufSZ00BEOzyeOhYbA7H2PvEB-b6_8HZHy2wLuibSOmlksdN07rAvdEhuN0u4Ib3kk/s1600/DSC01936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3XC3x_DY3KWRiSynP8KJQymp7YGjW78bk5EAQYTNKhNJTCezwlCWCuf5wDhEHFFd9HrOBmjQH7ufSZ00BEOzyeOhYbA7H2PvEB-b6_8HZHy2wLuibSOmlksdN07rAvdEhuN0u4Ib3kk/s320/DSC01936.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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There is rarely something that can surprise me in terms of food in the Western part of Berlin, but this summer offered me many reasons to think that there are so many things on the move here too. As one day in August I was slowly walking around Savigny Platz, a colourful place with spicy smells caught my eyes and called my foodie curiosity: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/KLXKosharyLux">Koshary Lux</a> on Grolmanstrasse 27. </div>
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In a friendly ambiance with an even friendlier service, here it is served 'Oriental Street Food', trying to mix the shuk - market traditions - from Marrakesh, Beiruth, Algier or Cairo. The menu has one of success dishes on Friday evening - the Moroccan carot salad (with chilli and cumin), dates salad with goat cheese and celery, walnuts and baby spinach, meaty sandwiches and tomato soup. Many choices for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. For the beginning, I ordered a fresh Egyptian lime lemonade with mint that was so fresh and delicious - moderately sugarly - that I wanted one more time and the recipe too. Do not expect shawarma or falafel or humus and it is good this way.</div>
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The portions are available in both small and big portions, offered at affordable prices. Although hungry, the Koshary mix fed me enough although if not that spicy - introduced to me as moderately - I would have been tempted for one more try. It has lentils, rice and maccaroni with tangy tomato sauce, topped with caramelized onions, chickpeas and a pistachio-spice blend. Brought in a very simple metal bowl it has an interesting mixture of tastes and aromas that makes you think to busy shuks and unknown worlds.</div>
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For the end of my short first stay, I took a dessert too: a muhallabiya - milk pudding with rose water sirup, almonds and pistachios. A natural sweetness of the pudding meeting successfully the springles pistachios and almonds which offer a good balance. </div>
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This order was enough to open the appetite for more. Maby they introduced some more meals for the autumn season. If not, still there are some things on the menu that would love to test anyway. </div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-31166139445331207212015-10-23T00:07:00.003-07:002015-10-23T00:07:37.178-07:00Schlosshotel Grunewald, the hidden luxury oasis of Berlin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When the summer is about to go in Berlin, I always check either a new travel destination in a warm country or new places in the city where I can go away of the winter. In the last case, the choice varies from museum to restaurants or architectural wonders that must keep me awake and with an alert mind during the boring cold. With a lot of time to spend in Berlin during this long hot summer, I finally decided to spend more time in the Grunewald area, a favourite place for walking, both for the natural wonders and the architectural works. On one lonely quiet street I discovered the well kept secret of the West Berlin: the design boutique hotel <a href="http://www.schlosshotelberlin.com/overview/hotel.html">Schlosshotel Grunewald</a>. </div>
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It is around 11 o'clock and it seems that no one is around. I go through the stone gates and dare for more. Some fancy limousines are waiting at the entrance, ready to go. </div>
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The rest is silence. The few personnel people I met are moving graciously, the few guests are discretely having their conversations in one of the corners.The massive furniture and the big windows seem to absorb all the undeserved noise. </div>
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The same silence in the park garden, where comfortable white modern sofas are spread between classical fountains. A lady guest with an Afghan dog is taking her seat and orders something while checking the smart phone. The wi-fi in the garden goes pretty fast. </div>
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lThe sunny weather is tempting but I am decided to explore more the stylish interior. Many details of the 1914-built villa, when the hotel was called Stadtpalais, were kept as such. </div>
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The big space of the lobby with its huge chandelier and the claire obscure interior amplifies the mystery of the place. No wonder that this hotel is usually preferred by VIPs coming to Berlin for enjoying their privacy, as for instance the former US state secretary Henry Kissinger who was here again recently. </div>
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The old wooden door were matched with modern designs, such as the golden leaves motifs on the white walls. </div>
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The hotel has now 43 rooms and 10 suites. Most rooms have a view over the garden, but sharing the wooden stairs to the lobby. The stylish interior design bears the trademark of Karl Lagerfeld. </div>
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Oil paintings in the corners and in the room are adding a personal note to the hotel ambiance.<br />
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The small wooden doors are opening to glamorous worlds but as usual in Germany, abundance and luxury are private matters not shared with the rest of the world. </div>
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Back in the lobby, back to the same unbroken majestic silence. Quiet enough to imagine how it was at the time when Josephine Baker was coming here regularly or how Romy Schneider celebrated her wedding.</div>
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The restaurant is ready to offer the gourmet meals, the cigar bar for some private conversations. In one neighbouring space someone is having a business presentation. </div>
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The mixture between modern lines and classical background is spotless.<br />
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But also very inviting, to a glass of wine or some rest. I make a mental note to come back soon for a special gourmet tasting one of the next months. </div>
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For now, it is time to leave. I go out discretely as I entered. It is a bit more than a hotel and a bit more than a castle. Hope to find the right definition of this place during my next visit.ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-29083588166433641012015-10-18T12:47:00.000-07:002015-10-18T12:47:51.980-07:00Giving birth in Berlin: A Foreigner in Berlin experience<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
If any of my readers were maybe curious why so many silence gaps in my online presence, the right answer is that in the last months I was busy getting used with pregnancy challenges and particularly in the last weeks and days being ready to welcome the baby. Although summer travel went well, a couple of restrictions applied - such for instance the impossibility to go on an airplane in the last two months of pregnancy. Also, because of the unusual summer heat, I preferred to limit as much as possible my travels and to include as many stops as possible - preferrably for refreshments and various foodie tastings. </div>
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And when the time has come, everything went well and everyone is healthy and happy - although considerably sleep deprived. Not necessarily on purpose, but the delivery was chosen at a medical center that I extensively covered a couple of posts ago: <a href="http://foreignerinberlin.blogspot.de/2013/12/medical-history-in-germany-drk-westend.html">DRK Westend</a>, a place I was recommended by many of my expat friends too and that I recommend it further on too. The overall services and medical support I benefited was high class, also thanks to the benefits of my insurance that covered extensively a lot of services, including some acupuncture session that was considered necessary by the medical staff. </div>
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After the baby was born, I was hardly left alone for more than one hour: nurses come to check us periodically, with special advice about how to handle the baby, but also specific advice for me. For instance, the day after a therapist come to check my motric problems counseling me to take it easy and not get ready for a marathon in less than 2-3 months after delivery. This in addition to various vitamins and screenings and checkings done fast. I always complain about the slow motion and lack of responsiveness of the customer service in Germany but this time I was really impressed about everything: the way we were treated, the everyday help and kindness of the nurse that offered me a lot of coffee after confessing that did not have the chance in the last months of tasting the strong version of my favourite beverage. Last but not least, not forget about the kind doctor that come with a German English dictionary in his pocket after he heard out that we were not locals. </div>
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As a general rule, future mothers in Germany need to do periodical checkings that are mentioned in the famous Mutterpass that should accompany you when going for delivery. This 'passport' is providing information about the medical history of the mother and has details about the various medical checkings done during the nine months.</div>
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The insurance company is covering the costs and after being many years on private insurance, I realized how lucky I was to be the customer of one of the big state companies. Every time I had to go to the doctor, I just had to show my insurance. </div>
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Something that should be kept in mind before giving birth is to find a reliable midwife (Hebamme) that will help the mother at least in the first two weeks of life of the baby. The costs for the service offered are also covered by the insurance company. My mistake was to not make the choice and find out after around 100 phone calls that no midwife in my area was available, except one private one paid with 70 euro the hour. </div>
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Another intersting thing in Germany is that after the birth, the mother has 2 full months - at least - of paid leave, the salary being partially covered by the insurance company. </div>
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One month after, everything is going fine and trying to include my writing into my new very busy life. For more updates about my adventures with the pram across Berlin, check for now my Instagram account: ilanaontheroad.</div>
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See you soon!</div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-17153826740959095192015-09-17T02:07:00.000-07:002015-09-17T02:07:28.389-07:00Korean Food Stories at Gong Gan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am an admirer of the fine selection of Asian restaurants from the Western side of the city, especially Kantstrasse, but when it comes to genuine Korean restaurant I was told to rather go on the other side of the Berlin. And, as usual, I take the recommendations of my friends very seriously, but for various reasons, I delayed with putting it into pratice. Only the rain and hunger brought me a couple of days ago at one of the outdoor wooden lego-like tables of the Gong Gan restaurant on Schwedter Str. 2. </div>
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The menu choices are relatively limited with medium prices. It has a breakfast option for around 6 EUR. which includes various European toasts. </div>
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Too late for a toast, I wanted to seriously start the investigation of the state of the art of the Korean food in Berlin with something original. Like the famous Bibimbap, that was brought to me relatively fast, but with metal chopsticks which is not necessarily my choice no.1 in hygienic terms. Warned to 'mix up' the content, I had a look at the ingredients: rice, tofu, shreds of carrots, finely sliced onions, salad, hot sauce, some crest, ruccola (ingredient which I bet is not part of the original recipe). It went out good, with the green leaves balancing the hotness of the sauce. The original bibimbap also has an egg on the top, and various sorts of bean pasta too, and used to be served on the eve of the lunar new year as a mixture of all the leftover found in the house. It is mostly known in the meaty variant. The overall impression was good and healty, but not unforgettable.</div>
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What left unforgettable memories to my palate was the gree hot macha tea. Original green tea, served moderatelly hot, sugarless and with that original taste that I only remember from my genuine foodie Japanese adventures. Most probably, from now on I will look for a long time for this taste. </div>
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Design-wise, the place looks from inside as a crowded antiquities shop, but looking for my outdoor bench seems like an interesting place to explore. There is also a lego corner, where I assume is enjoyable for everyone's inner child. The ambiance was pleasant, with nice service and jazz musical background from the 1920s. </div>
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Gong Gan is open daily between 9 and 19 from Monday to Thursday and between 9 and 22 from Friday to Saturday. Although not sure if I will be back soon, at least this restaurant opened the series of what I hope to be many other tasty reviews of Korean food in Berlin.</div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-86429723935554042882015-09-16T02:48:00.001-07:002015-09-16T02:48:18.635-07:00Berlin has its own museum of architecture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With the beautiful autumn in full bloom, and some vacation days to be completely on my own, I discovered that I don't need to travel too far away to discover new things. All I have to do is to take a metro till, let's say Senefelderplatz, cross the street and go up to the stairs of the whitish buildish with a big written sign: Pfefferberg on it.</div>
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In just a couple of seconds I was in a little piazza created on the first open air floor, on the precincts of a former brewery, Pfefferberg, one of the many beer Berlin brands at the beginning of the 20th century. In 2000, the entire complex of building went throgh a radical reconstruction work and turned into a complex made out of different houses with different destinations. In addition to the old brewery, there is also a theatre, an Italian restaurant, architecture bureaus, conference spaces... </div>
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There is also a boutique hostel,<a href="https://www.pfefferbett.de/en/home.html"> Pfefferberg hostel</a>, with 24/7 reception and bar, stucked between the typical brewery reddish buildings. As the complex is one step away from the main street, I suppose that the guests of the hotel can get a lot of silence in the middle of an usually busy part of the city. </div>
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From a house to another, there is a lot to see and to photograph. There are enough many people around, many of them curious tourists - like me.</div>
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As usually in Berlin, a bit of green can change everything, especially the serious attitude of the buildings, testimonies of the fast forward industrial revolution from the beginning of the last century. </div>
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In one of the houses, I discover an interesting photo exhibition about the former Red Army locations in East Germany, a project of two Italian artists: Stefano Corso and Dario-Jacopo Lagana. Included as part of the events organised this week for <a href="http://www.berlinartweek.de/en/">Berlin Art Week</a>, it offers some historical insighs about a historical stage that most probably will be soon forgotten. </div>
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But one of the reasons why I am right now around is that I wanted to visit the one and only Berlin's <a href="http://www.tchoban-foundation.de/4-1-museum-architecture.html">Museum for Architecture Drawings</a>. Opened in 2013, the builing is bordering the Christinenstrasse side of the complex. When I saw it the first time, I was dramatically surprised, for the clear contrast of volumes and style with the rest of the area. It is made of several blocks of cast raw concrete, in a permanent game of regression and progression, with a glass penthouse on the top reflecting the sky. The relief of the facade gives a certain old air to the ensemble. </div>
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Upon entering the lobby, you feel you are in an old English club, with the wooden panels walls and the many interesting architecture books. The foyer is supposed to function as a library, with two of the four floors used as exhibitional spaces. The rest has the function of offices and archives, the property of Tchoban Foundation who is curating the museum. </div>
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This week, there is still running an exhibition of drawings of American architects, among which Lloys Morgan's Waldorf Astoria, the imaginary worlds of Achilles Rizzoli and some plans by Frank Lloyd Wright. The game between natural and artificial lights creates a special ambiance in the building that can inspire creativity and a much longer stay.</div>
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As I am about to leave, I spotted the Swedish group of girls on the opposite corner of the building, that keep doing their own drawings of the construction. Envying them for their talent - and patience too for spending such a beautiful autumn afternoon working their assignments - I promise to return for a new exhibition. After all, it is never too late to return to my own architecture childhood dreams. Berlinl is the city of all possibilities, isn't it?</div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-35263039926697825302015-08-15T04:34:00.003-07:002015-08-15T04:34:49.901-07:00Lavish dinner at Himmelspagode<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last week, I was heading to Briesetal part of my project covering <a href="http://ilanaontheroad.com/project-100-places-to-see-in-germany/">100 Places to See in Germany</a> when I passed near a huge pagoda in the middle of Hohen Neuendorf. At first, was thinking that maybe I was dreaming or was it too hot for my imagination, but realized that it was exactly what I saw. Too busy to stop for an investigation, I decided to keep it on the top of the return agenda. Meanwhile, we kept debating whether it is a temple or a restaurant, with most of the voices saying that it should be a restaurant. </div>
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Many hours later, we were at the gates, and took one of the places on the outside terrasse of the <a href="http://www.himmelspagode.de/">Himmelspagode</a>, ready to enjoy the pleasant summer afternoon wind and our meals. The menu was not making our choices easy - with various choices of Thai, Chinese and sushi. While waiting for the food, had a look indoors - slightly air conditioned - instantly transported in the middle of a (foodie) Chinese bedtime story: 400 places, three floors, one reserved for private business lunches and other events, enormous candelalbra and a big pond with tortues and red fish. The three big halls: Kaisersaal, Pekingsaal and Himmelsaal are carefully decorated in the classical Chinese style, with engraved mirrors and colourful glass paintings inspired by flora and fauna. </div>
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One of the many waiters bringing the orders with a smile, dressed in colourful traditional clothes, brought us fortune cookies. With the classical music on the background, we tried to understand the message sent to us...</div>
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Hopefully, the food arrived fast and we gave up our intensive thinking. Out of the dishes we ordered, sushi was not the strongest point of the menu, but eating sushi at a Chinese restaurant is always a problematic choice. Instead, my fried noodles with black sesame were simple with moderate amounts of onions, and some pinches of carrots. The rice was not as oily as the Asian imbiss next my office door, with enough veggies to make it rich in taste.</div>
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While waiting for the sweet parts, I enjoyed my cold coffee - not the usual Vietnamese coffee I am so in love with. Rich in icecream and fatty cream that diminishes the strong coffeine taste. </div>
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As usual, the sweets are for me the most important part of an Asian meal. I simply cannot have enough of them, with their moderate sweetness and combination of fruits. Our co-shared meals included baked balls of sticky rice filled with a mousse of red beans. Balanced taste with the natural sweetness of the honey and pineapple. </div>
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The baked bananas - my choice - were not such a big surprise, maybe too fried, or too oily and the banana were too mashed for my taste. Maybe I was just having enough of all the food and of the long hours - around four - spent on the balcony of the pagoda with a view over the outdoors lake surrounding the circular building. </div>
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The restaurant is open from Monday to Saturday, from 11.30 to 23.00. It has another two (much smaller) restaurants in Berlin, at the KaDeWe and Kaiser Pagoda in Potsdamer Allee. The prices are moderately to high, but given the good service, the ambiance and the quality of the food, it is one of those places that you always keep in mind to return, whatever the price and the distance. </div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-45183634707563208142015-08-15T03:18:00.000-07:002015-08-15T03:18:04.004-07:00Cocktail hour at The Train<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR7Pll3vHiaI4KWyPo7MZrVl-QVQdjPItwk86ivEXFiAg2ibSmEsCmhVsOAM8nm2gHo3q8LIu5WnVYNsZlhM4BCSIWKGeMdVT6QosZlB-6FA0cZA50bNoNq8KWx_IgAwh3LRmqDT1_9M/s1600/DSC01155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAR7Pll3vHiaI4KWyPo7MZrVl-QVQdjPItwk86ivEXFiAg2ibSmEsCmhVsOAM8nm2gHo3q8LIu5WnVYNsZlhM4BCSIWKGeMdVT6QosZlB-6FA0cZA50bNoNq8KWx_IgAwh3LRmqDT1_9M/s320/DSC01155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Couple of years ago, I used to go once in a while around Kleistpark, but it seems that it took me ages to be back in the area. As I was back two weeks ago, I discovered some interesting foodie temptations around and also some cultural spots that may request my attention soon. But this time, I did not have too much time: I had a destination: <a href="http://www.traincocktailbar.de/">The Train Cocktail Bar</a>, for a surprise party for a friend that was about to leave Berlin. </div>
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What makes this bar, not crowded at all when I went there, a Tuesday hot afternoon - keep in mind that on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays the cocktails are 5 Euro each - a special presence is its location: the indoors area is hosted in a wagon from the 1920s, with old wooden tables and typical red curtains. The golden tinfoil on the ceiling is kitsch though and did not make the old place more attractive.</div>
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In the backyard, there is the summer garden, a bit dusty and not necessarily well kept. Not exactly a garden, without green areas, and with many mistmatched cheap chairs. Going beyond the design downsides, the service is fast even though a bit insistent when it comes to taking the orders. </div>
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When it comes to the menu, nothing to say against it: the classical alcoholic choices: Mai Tai and Caipirinhas and Fizzies alternates with innocent non-alcoholic drinks, like my one and only: Candy Girl. A (too) sweet of coconut syrup, vanilla syrup, cream, milk and some banana shake, with a slice of cantaloupe. You may say it is too much sugar shoot, but when a good friend is living Berlin for good, this is what's left...</div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-71906367844379088152015-08-10T13:06:00.003-07:002015-08-10T13:06:52.371-07:00A different Museum of the Allies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I consider myself quite a knowledgeable person when it comes to every hidden museums of Berlin, but it seems that as in the case of many other issues, it is hard to keep up always with the changes. As usual, the more I walk in less known place, the more I learn about the city. No wonder then, almost one month ago, while doing research before the <a href="http://foreignerinberlin.blogspot.de/2015/07/welcome-to-berlin-european-maccabi-games.html">European Maccabi Games</a>, I discovered the <a href="http://www.west-alliirte-in-berlin.de/">West Alliirte in Berlin Museum</a>. It is a free private museum, hosted in a small house with a view over the tennis courts of the Stadium, open only on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays or by request. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2us-zpMtaqozYCX48A2RT4StHM7daUrG3rMyC-OgbojAPSClD0dq2EDMfEB8cBCVHVNNJDWzkofw4c7avJVBa-Dd9NCBg-IB2oIb8ODT7rC7yXS77ar65zwYmufdAnCQGGYVDHj3lFA/s1600/DSC00692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2us-zpMtaqozYCX48A2RT4StHM7daUrG3rMyC-OgbojAPSClD0dq2EDMfEB8cBCVHVNNJDWzkofw4c7avJVBa-Dd9NCBg-IB2oIb8ODT7rC7yXS77ar65zwYmufdAnCQGGYVDHj3lFA/s320/DSC00692.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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For a rainy Sunday afternoon, the museum was quite full of visitors, from all over the world. Situated in what once used to be the British sector, it offers a variety of objects from the everyday life of the troops and the military stationed in this part of the city. Noteworthy, compared with the similar museum from Clayallee, it focuses more on the British and French sections. </div>
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Do not expect surprising revelations or some information that may change dramatically your perception abou the post WWII times. The visitor will find a lot of basic documents - in the sense of the new history trends - about that times, from uniforms to issues of the French Gazette, warning signs and objects used in the daily life of the military. </div>
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The space is not that big and the materials not necessarily punctilioulsy organised, but someone with already a basic knowledge about those times will have a better picture about the daily life on that part of the Curtain.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6k_4anjrR9_CBCsSp-N529z_tNPmOdl4oMSMHJJJ1Nq9ltoVhVkkCMg9o6jXg6R92XECeP6P_2ySy1fX-I5x-P6aKQ09e4vGDm9TiPqlpBLjkqSWXrjQd8ybDF-dfwoI4kaILp68aaF0/s1600/DSC00698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6k_4anjrR9_CBCsSp-N529z_tNPmOdl4oMSMHJJJ1Nq9ltoVhVkkCMg9o6jXg6R92XECeP6P_2ySy1fX-I5x-P6aKQ09e4vGDm9TiPqlpBLjkqSWXrjQd8ybDF-dfwoI4kaILp68aaF0/s320/DSC00698.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">By using objects provided by private collections, various camp facilities were rebuilt.</span></div>
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A lot of documents and reconstructions are dedicated to the time of the blockade when, among others, Hershey's chocolates landed in Berlin, throwed up with white napkins as parashutes from the Allies airplanes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMseFLNzZlHrCxUBe_p6E84v_7TBdOKAiX6kHeYeESo4n1c5dGONSLDBli_aTu__xG5IoGCLvadZRXS_XDwO_Z7r4iLQyjhXPFs4P19jWnAmHiROaxyABLD04Lg1SZEWcW5ImdCjIkqqc/s1600/DSC00702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMseFLNzZlHrCxUBe_p6E84v_7TBdOKAiX6kHeYeESo4n1c5dGONSLDBli_aTu__xG5IoGCLvadZRXS_XDwO_Z7r4iLQyjhXPFs4P19jWnAmHiROaxyABLD04Lg1SZEWcW5ImdCjIkqqc/s320/DSC00702.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Walking the museum was an interesting applied lesson of history, always interesting, especially when it comes to facts that are still part of the everyday life. Sometimes, in order to understand complex things, you need to start by basic daily facts and this small museum has the potential to bring something different to its visitors. Cold War histories are still popular in Berlin.ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-45509450892090496712015-08-04T23:02:00.002-07:002015-08-04T23:02:17.505-07:00Foodie Berlin: Lemon Leaf Indochine cuisine in Friedrichshain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_bj8KdaByEekjeGKzgCA-Ha5Xqu2frYcQ0vc0WXbFyzr9Qv9LrkQweZob1LPD_b6IO7FWwFYC_yc6V6ac_3YWzMwq6BLj-99a6LkPPMVbbHOY7avOTc8om_bH6xGcQcB00ferioaX3w/s1600/DSC00768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_bj8KdaByEekjeGKzgCA-Ha5Xqu2frYcQ0vc0WXbFyzr9Qv9LrkQweZob1LPD_b6IO7FWwFYC_yc6V6ac_3YWzMwq6BLj-99a6LkPPMVbbHOY7avOTc8om_bH6xGcQcB00ferioaX3w/s320/DSC00768.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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If I want a genuine Indochinese menu, it is very easy to find a good restaurant in France, but till now never was desperate enough to have a look at the German offer. I did not see too many restaurants with such an offer either. When one week ago I finished some meetings in Friedrichshain and was left with a bit more time for myself and seen the <a href="http://lemonleaf.de/">Lemon Leef </a>inviting menu, I decided - after another tour of the streets around and some deep thinking about what I really want to eat - to give it a try. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXm13Mtepsck5BeLNeEkkdgd-UCOLcYPXosOj0aGZ9GqMV6NNbTyJ0xJ8oeyUtkx2WWAbACtvJgcmDtC6KF56zCqPlcHjVL2cT-byNngXEn-qd7UBBU7EOJ2SA4D3iAoIADonDs64z9g/s1600/DSC00769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXm13Mtepsck5BeLNeEkkdgd-UCOLcYPXosOj0aGZ9GqMV6NNbTyJ0xJ8oeyUtkx2WWAbACtvJgcmDtC6KF56zCqPlcHjVL2cT-byNngXEn-qd7UBBU7EOJ2SA4D3iAoIADonDs64z9g/s320/DSC00769.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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There are outside tables the type you will find in any beergarden, the best place to observe the coming and going in Friedrichshain, but the indoors is decorated pleasantly, with many colours and colourful umbrellas. Everything looks clean, with the toilets modestely clean. If you are on your own, you can find some newspapers and reviews to fill your time while waiting. As each of the dishes is prepared in the wok, the guests are warned to be ready to wait a bit longer. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfyFNaKUqe8JQ7HRbbWvVxZ9RaM9pkAzr8Z4GcXGjuZl_4XppO-knpaUDDiHri8EoM38b3cCRDqV5xzQ1Lx6dfhzmYmsFw0CLvZHdyzCnF_ISHzpi1o-Mi02fJi9M9ApU7duQi3izViA/s1600/DSC00770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfyFNaKUqe8JQ7HRbbWvVxZ9RaM9pkAzr8Z4GcXGjuZl_4XppO-knpaUDDiHri8EoM38b3cCRDqV5xzQ1Lx6dfhzmYmsFw0CLvZHdyzCnF_ISHzpi1o-Mi02fJi9M9ApU7duQi3izViA/s320/DSC00770.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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However, take this mention as a sample of good Asian politeness, as I did not feel that I had to wait more than 15 minutes, and the drinks are usually brought within minutes. My drinking choice for a hot day was Mekong River, home made ice tea with fresh limes and brown sugar and as requested, many ice cubes: slightly aromated and refreshing enough to make me forget about my usual choice of Vietnamese coffee with sweetened condensed milk. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIWVJMHgp-y4iSRAe3rND376536VL0nYvbwBRrUaLg8Z-4_-8eH8DTWTsk2zqRgbLNUzSHXMSJEs8YGB_mvzMLBM730wZuJr5E84U6gDSZ0VFW4701TCZy1CXwE4T9wzoF-z0hq9VYDo/s1600/DSC00771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIWVJMHgp-y4iSRAe3rND376536VL0nYvbwBRrUaLg8Z-4_-8eH8DTWTsk2zqRgbLNUzSHXMSJEs8YGB_mvzMLBM730wZuJr5E84U6gDSZ0VFW4701TCZy1CXwE4T9wzoF-z0hq9VYDo/s320/DSC00771.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Not a bit soup fan, but this time, really wanted something completely different and ordered Canh Khoai Mon: taro coconut milk with chilli, celery, zucchini, leak, coriander and roasted peanuts. Served and preferably eaten hot, it is unexpectedly sweet, with some spicey balances brought by the chilli and beautified by the coriander smell and aromas. After more spoons, you will discover how spicey it can be. Indochinese cuisine summarizes the Laos and Cambodian food, which usually keeps up with the rich vegetable menu of the Vietnamese, to which many spices are added. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBnRqURhx1H4J4iEXFusp1piVWAhN1HT9Y62zrk210PH19vSWqRT-ah7OE2wuiwFzpUOU9rMT-HHbWIee13CS46BF7VQLGlNepJdlmVACnCFpU9-4bOwWb63BS32YHPPi3Btk9y57nfM/s1600/DSC00774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBnRqURhx1H4J4iEXFusp1piVWAhN1HT9Y62zrk210PH19vSWqRT-ah7OE2wuiwFzpUOU9rMT-HHbWIee13CS46BF7VQLGlNepJdlmVACnCFpU9-4bOwWb63BS32YHPPi3Btk9y57nfM/s320/DSC00774.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I got to know the real strength of spices in my next meal: Phad Indochne. A rice noodles dish, with eggs, curry, Cambodian green onions, tofu, chillies, pak choi, soy bean sprouts, paprika, carrots and cashew nuts. It loooks as an innocent combination but it hot, hot hot. That hot that you may really lose any sense of other specific taste. The solution is just give your full attention to the sprouts and eat them in bunches as a balance to the sauce and chilli. </div>
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The meals do have meat as well, but can be prepared with tofu as well. The prices are moderate and the menu rich enough to give a second try.</div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-41895026637986150092015-08-02T03:48:00.003-07:002015-08-02T03:48:50.803-07:00Caran d'Ache has its one and only shop in Berlin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYVlKhxFYw9ZLRZ-xQUUq5eokbOK1ESby1SaE_vRvZVuNSimATcOYcRRb5_b8WhZo6WGztJp0_fn0Vjzpe41-m8KAxH7cYTGk32oZ-z430-vSbxx4_jZ4E2072NVewZB96ULDnnTQ_Xc/s1600/DSC00778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYVlKhxFYw9ZLRZ-xQUUq5eokbOK1ESby1SaE_vRvZVuNSimATcOYcRRb5_b8WhZo6WGztJp0_fn0Vjzpe41-m8KAxH7cYTGk32oZ-z430-vSbxx4_jZ4E2072NVewZB96ULDnnTQ_Xc/s320/DSC00778.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Switzerland is famous for its chocolate, watches and gold, but there are many other products sharing the label of high Swiss quality standards. If you are an artist or knowledgeable in things connected to art, you might have a reaction when you hear about <a href="http://store.carandache.com/de-en/?gclid=CM_3vJaZiscCFTGWtAodhWoF8g">Caran d'Ache</a>, the famous brand from Geneve specialized in painting and writing products that celebrates this year 100 of existence. As it just opened its one and only store in Berlin just a couple of weeks back, I hurried up on Uhlandstrasse 19 to visit it. Till now, its products can be purchased from different locations in the city, including from the KaDeWe.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9zFR5PIcSDysEncuw52dREJsG83PIJesjtDWsFfF7LJwGQFbyxwaoHo-wTTldhd4PRiwHrVWsZhf-Lz8DZ20IS3y8hfgK3rGpRe1HCA6Kej_sAvv6egAgznPVijFLpFxoQxLbgKH9M0/s1600/DSC00780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9zFR5PIcSDysEncuw52dREJsG83PIJesjtDWsFfF7LJwGQFbyxwaoHo-wTTldhd4PRiwHrVWsZhf-Lz8DZ20IS3y8hfgK3rGpRe1HCA6Kej_sAvv6egAgznPVijFLpFxoQxLbgKH9M0/s320/DSC00780.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The self-labelled boutique is not only elegant and designed with good taste, but deserves an additional star for the friendly customer service (which given my generally bad experience in this respect in Germany is a great asset). It displays the usual products offered by the company, including the high-end pens that can be engraved and personalized by demand.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NjY5EXuEjsuMYYKkrUuE1SvYcnqiVq-7y_wcDd91dtrI8ssW178J8zMkRt__e96S28z2f81icvRzbsrr3dTKelEZ3UttPgEMSrDLJa__Xq2hP05tdZEmuzpTGWjJYJuBst3_o7rDWBY/s1600/DSC00781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NjY5EXuEjsuMYYKkrUuE1SvYcnqiVq-7y_wcDd91dtrI8ssW178J8zMkRt__e96S28z2f81icvRzbsrr3dTKelEZ3UttPgEMSrDLJa__Xq2hP05tdZEmuzpTGWjJYJuBst3_o7rDWBY/s320/DSC00781.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
All the products are brought from Switzerland, where they have their own manufactury. The prices are a bit more than the average, but if you are really into arts, you may know how important is to sacrifice some daily luxury for quality.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYk1QdBxuQ2F_U_bxEKIACDpsfAltMgA5_bxAsm3hDj77hZomWoAFZYMEav1ipXH5hiaxiBhsZ1pg_nUNRcOHLd3w4Yt-mjgB-Pfhno8vNrFi18coiZYGimzjzdvV2dXgqqa8-z4rNk8k/s1600/DSC00782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYk1QdBxuQ2F_U_bxEKIACDpsfAltMgA5_bxAsm3hDj77hZomWoAFZYMEav1ipXH5hiaxiBhsZ1pg_nUNRcOHLd3w4Yt-mjgB-Pfhno8vNrFi18coiZYGimzjzdvV2dXgqqa8-z4rNk8k/s320/DSC00782.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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As for me, not necessarily an artist and bit the extra-budget mostly dedicated to my trips and foodie experiences, I feel like a kid in the toystore. If needed, which products will tempt me more: those colourful pencils?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAA9GndAak3YsCKl0ZoHxyYc_hq8giiyOz2acPlNWtiVPF3sJI65RJuf7F8hrYB2VJQAju5-2LAZylWP9a58ljW9t6w1e6uMxvsq9POTsEwkPfupZRUj0ZSFjsc_H1GuLsiU7EaWvD8d8/s1600/DSC00784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAA9GndAak3YsCKl0ZoHxyYc_hq8giiyOz2acPlNWtiVPF3sJI65RJuf7F8hrYB2VJQAju5-2LAZylWP9a58ljW9t6w1e6uMxvsq9POTsEwkPfupZRUj0ZSFjsc_H1GuLsiU7EaWvD8d8/s320/DSC00784.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Or rather these metallic shades that after testing on the spot I decided that are one of the best for my secret artistic plans?</div>
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The products are subject to the strictest quality control, both when it comes to the materials and to their source. The colour pencils and inks are systematically tested for their lightfastness. The fountain pens and ballpoints are also verified for their priming quality and routing flow.</div>
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Such products can be matched only with perfect accessories, such this big sharpener suited for the high demands of the Caran d'Ache wood. </div>
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The opening of Berlin shop is outlined by a special collection of very colourful pens, featuring the famous symbol of the city. They look light, practical and with an elegant touch. </div>
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The name of the company, Caran d'Ache is the pen name of the Russian-born illustrator Emanuel Poire. It comes from the Russian word of Turkish origin, <i>karandash</i> (<i>kara</i> means black in Turkish) and has to do with the material the graphite is made of. The graphite displayed in the shop is made of a natural material found in the mountains of Switzerland which served as the inspiration for the firt pencil factory in Switzerland, opened in 1915. </div>
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Their products were close to the heart of many artists, among which Picasso too, to whom is dedicated a full special collection of pencils. </div>
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As I was still wandering around the shop, thinking what exactly would love to bring home, I discovered this huge box, with all the drawing materials needed. As it costs around 5,000 Euro, it seems that I would need a lot of extra jobs to save money in the next years.</div>
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I did not ask further about prices, but one day, when will have again my own business, would like to sign with such a distinguish fountain pen. Maybe will add the website of my travel blogsite too...<br />
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Was not easy to leave the shop, but after all, I know where I can find a serious slice of Swiss life. As usual, keeping Switzerland close is a good resource for inspiration and hope for the best. </div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-30612027238255130682015-07-25T12:43:00.001-07:002015-07-25T16:01:55.113-07:00Welcome to Berlin, European Maccabi Games!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTWRqvBDEoesx70NsMacgq4NfFhbt9QvHzQfxOKMHr6euDE-KcAP2q6MARgVJBDZzesyWb5uTnW459xd2VCNEGDL7AiPxnI9GeUa7E3YaPk_G8GUYZJFphC9LUKgEJFEUhTIyIOCPIKg/s1600/DSC00686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTWRqvBDEoesx70NsMacgq4NfFhbt9QvHzQfxOKMHr6euDE-KcAP2q6MARgVJBDZzesyWb5uTnW459xd2VCNEGDL7AiPxnI9GeUa7E3YaPk_G8GUYZJFphC9LUKgEJFEUhTIyIOCPIKg/s320/DSC00686.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've been around Olympia Stadium area several times, but never was motivated enough to enter the stadium and eventually take a tour of the place. It is not necessarily because my limited sport knowledge, but because the place in itself did not inspire me. This time, on a rainy Sunday, I finally found a reason to head, together with an impressive amount of people obviously more interested about sport life than will ever be. </div>
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From the train station, brownish brick bridges in the middle of a small forest help us to not get lost. All you have to go is so follow the large path and the big signs.</div>
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Breathing the fresh air of the small forest, you may want to get lost and slow down. After all, it is just a peaceful non-working day and nothing can bother my serenity.</div>
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But once out of the woods, you are faced with the reality of a different time and kind. The massive construction with the olympic circles hanging between the two pillars was inaugurated on the occasion of the 1936 Summer Olympics that played an important role in the power coreography of Nazi propaganda. Guided or individual tours are available round the week and I am going too through the gates of the entrance. </div>
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The first benchmark: the Southern Stelae for the Olympic Champions. Each stelae is representing a sport represented by the craved image of an athlete in the Greek style with the name of the German winners inscribed on the other side. Among them, Alfred and Gustav Flatow, the two gymnasts of Jewish origin that perished at Terezin. New champions were added after 1945. Since 1997, the Reichsportfeldstrasse nearbz, was named for the Flatow cousins, who won at gymnastic games at the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.</div>
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I did not expect to see such a display of totalitarian art. The discus throwers statue by Karl Albiker is such an example, presenting the new type of man of the Nordic race imagined by the crazy totalitarian regime.</div>
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Another example is the Olympic Bell decorated with totalitarian symbols in the front of which many visitors are nonchalantly taking their selfies. It was displayed between 1936-1947, and rededicated in 1982 in the memory of the victims. </div>
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The massive lime stones the stadium and the adjacent buildings are made of creates a certain heavy ambiance where you feel overwhelmed and dimminished.<br />
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After the Nazi Olympic games ended, the names of the German winners, but also of the representatives of the German establishment were inscribed in stone. After the war, they were removed. May be erased from the book of life for ever for their evil deeds.... </div>
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The Olympia Stadium complex is covering 1.32 square meters, with a capacity of around 100,000 people. It includes the Maifeld - with a 50,000 people capacity, the Waldbühne amphitheater - 25,000 capacity - as well as facilities for tennis, football, swimming and hockey. This massive horse is another example of totalitarian art, with the animal in a rigid position, completely subordinated to the force of the human. </div>
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The long corridors are empty now, leaving the visitor alone with its thoughts. There is so much negative energy around. Someone coming here to attend a sport event, like one of the sport shows of Hertha BSC whose souvenir shop is situated nearby, will definitely have a different feeling crossing these halls. </div>
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And there is the stadium, one of the biggest I've seen in Europe - not that I dedicate too much travel time to visiting famous stadiums anyway. After being used for a long time during the 1930s and 1940s as a display of totalitarianism, it recovered its glory in 2006, when used regularly for the FIFA World Cup Games. The initial plans and structure were kept, and new modern facilities were added.<br />
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In only 3 days, this haunted place will host for the first time the <a href="http://www.emg2015.de/">European Maccabi Games 2015 - the Jewish Olympics</a>. The Jewish European sporting championships is held every 4 years in a different European city, with an attendance of around 2,000 Jewish athletes from 37 countries. In a place where the Jewish athletes were banned from attendance and in a country where after 6 million people were killed, later on, in 1972, Jewish sport players were murdered by terrorists at the Munich Olympics, Rabbi Yitshak Ehrenberg will say the kaddish (Jewish prayer for the death) for all the Jewish victims. </div>
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The entrance to the sport competitions is free. </div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-38948516678281478132015-07-22T22:56:00.002-07:002015-07-22T22:56:32.889-07:00Summer of pop-up stores<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjssE5HOKWMENq7gU1nFzuf7KE-xDcqB6oMdFJRZHYv51I1lq_BiAHBgifstTZSSyALcprAtZhpNYrMH0zNdV4uAshFUR36KED8e-RWF92PPID9jetEsb-aKtLrjXG-YgtxH3FmPWhMM/s1600/DSC00731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjssE5HOKWMENq7gU1nFzuf7KE-xDcqB6oMdFJRZHYv51I1lq_BiAHBgifstTZSSyALcprAtZhpNYrMH0zNdV4uAshFUR36KED8e-RWF92PPID9jetEsb-aKtLrjXG-YgtxH3FmPWhMM/s320/DSC00731.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It is plenty of pop-up store in the Eastern part of Berlin, but thanks to the creative people from <a href="http://foreignerinberlin.blogspot.de/2015/07/impressions-from-fashion-week-it.html">Bikini,also in the West</a>. The temporary fashion spaces are becoming not only places to trade merchandise, but also to offer inspiration and creative energy. Brunnenstrasse 190 is hostign till July 31, <a href="http://www.popupfashionberlin.com/">Popup Fashion BLN</a> and went this week to have a look around.</div>
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The space is big enough to accommodate a lot of people and different kind of tailored products, from evening gowns and glittering rocks to jewellery made practically out of everything.</div>
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There is even a Japanese-inspired corner using traditional kimono textures for bags - love them - or caps. The prices are medium to high, the usual average in an area with many cretive hubs and tailored unique fashion.</div>
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For the environmental aware, there are home-made Brazilian soaps that look like tempting pieces of chocolate. </div>
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Near by, at no. 195, a different pop-up store is aimed to create no only shopping temptations, but also to bring a piece of Japan to Berlin. Connecter Tokyo Pop-up Store aka. Tokyo meets Berliner is open till the beginning of August.<br />
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I was disappointed because I was expected a bigger space, but still it is enough to exhibit gorgeous dresses with manga motives. The colours are so pleasant and fashionable that I would love to buy them all.</div>
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And if I want some pancakes with honey to dress my feet, I know from where I can bring a bit of extravaganza into my life. It is never too late to dramatically change my style and a Japanese pop-up store is the right place to start the rewamping. </div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-82964878680331286492015-07-22T22:29:00.002-07:002015-07-22T22:29:44.670-07:00Iranian graffiti at SomoS gallery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Everyone is speaking a lot about Iran today and politics are always on the top of my interest list - equal place with travel - but there are also other things that the Persian culture can offer: the talent of young free minds, and the very tasty food. This Monday, I started my week visiting an interesting graffiti exhibition with works of Iranian artists, at <a href="http://www.somos-arts.org/cocreating">SomoS</a> gallery at Kottbuser Damm. </div>
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When thinking about graffiti, the first thing it comes in mind is the street art, isn't it? This exhibition brought motives and works typical for the street art in the closed space of the exhibition. Local urban symbols and various messages of peace in Persian are part of the graffiti on canvas works. </div>
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The space, hosted at the first floor of a building, was crowded with people, some of them artists themselves keen to offer more details about their work. Images on a musical background are projected on a screen, but unfortunatelly there is not too much to find out about how it really feels to be a graffiti artist in Tehran. Probably many of them already left the country, as I bet it is not that easy to make your free creative way there without freedom risks. </div>
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There are not too many works displayed and wished there are also other events on the same topics organized on that occasion, such as short presentations and open workshops with the artits. SomoS Gallery is an open creative space offering exhibition space to artists, meaning 'we are', in Portuguese.</div>
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The exhibition can be visited till the beginning of August.<br />
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This was the first event dedicated to Persian graffiti and hope that Berlin, which hosts many young Iranian artists, will offer even more special similar events. As I was able to see during my short visit at SomoS, there is a huge interest for this part of the creative world and I hope not only for the opportunity offered to the West to make businesses with a very politically incorrect regime. </div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2816258974103365482.post-51907587555433081062015-07-12T01:17:00.000-07:002015-07-12T01:17:24.173-07:00Impressions from the Fashion Week: IT couture in trends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Berlin fashion is always a special way of being. It might not be as glamorous as in Paris or Milan or bold like in New York City, but it has its own branding and can be easily recognized by the knowledgeable eye. With the Fashion Week in the making the last days, I decided to pay attention to something more specific, beyond the usual catwalks presentations (not that I don't like it). My evening journey lead me to the Microsoft Eatery special presetation, the Bikini Berlin pop-up stores and ended up in my favourite shopping place in the West: KaDeWe.</div>
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At the Digital Eatery on Unter den Linden, a special experiment was in the making: an exhibition of fashion items inspired by the IT industry. As my last extensive fashion experience covered the green side of the fashion, I was curious to find out what it is about in this case: From the entrance, I was welcomed by necklaces and rings inspired by the neuronal system. Totally unexpected, I may confess.</div>
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The aim of the event was to award the best fashion projects inspired by tech. The approach is part of a larger city branding idea labelling Berlin as both an IT and fashion center of the world. In its advantage is playing the (still) affordability and good location as well as the various incentives given by the local authorities. </div>
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As for the host of the evening, the Microsoft Office in Berlin, it shows another example of smart adaptation to the needs of the city. <a href="http://foreignerinberlin.blogspot.de/2013/12/afternoon-coffee-at-digital-eatery.html">The Digital Eatery</a> - that I visited two years ago, when was a fresh entry in the foodie landscape of the centrre of Berlin - tries to turn into a creative brain-storming venue - an art exhibition inspired by Excel tables will be open soon as well as series of seminaries dedicated to the transatlatic relations. </div>
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The projects nominated covered a lot of medical applications - such as the emergency apparel by Katharina Boedies, featuring a jacket with a button that can help you get the first aid, activity tracker for kids (Dongji), special cloth item aimed to help the patients with dementia (Spur by Julia Danckwerth that received one of the first prizes). The fashionable distance control jacket (in image) by Gabriel Platt is another ingenious combination of practical ideas and fashion: the jacket helps the woman wearing it to prevent a possible attack, by issuing a high voltage wave. </div>
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Fashion-wise, I did find fascinating all the projects combining technology and elegance, such as the warm scarf by ElektroCouture (what you need in Berlin during the long cold winters) or my favourite, the various IT displays from the collection of Veronika Aumann. The other winner of the first prize, Mi.Mu team for gloves for music is another SciFi dream come true: motor bike style half-finger gloves that can control the from short distance various instruments and sounds. More high-tech than fashion, but still incredible in terms of achievement.</div>
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The jury deliberation time was filled in with a special music and visual art moment offered by Parasite Single.<br />
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After the ceremony was over, I finally had the time and space to have another look over the projects. There are so many smart ideas in the air, but I am still a big fan of classy examples. But if you can add some smart colourful circuits to your elegant night gown, why not?</div>
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The next day, I continued the search for new samples of fashion at<a href="http://foreignerinberlin.blogspot.de/2014/04/will-bikini-berlin-revolutionize.html"> Bikini </a>Berlin, a shopping destination that I visit quite often. Special preparations were made for the Fashion week too, such as a big wooden skeleton where people can share on post it notes various impressions about fashion.</div>
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Most of the shops here are pop-up stores and thus I have always new reasons to pay a visit. This bag made of photo films literally took my breath away. Call it creative feelings.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQVNpvlx3nMNCTpMXI-eR0aSWN4yBe_pRgByJ3Z1qCFhYdMvC7_EHeVoVsUjnubtfbgvMePvuJ-1M_tyq33KlM8Reo58W33ZpxqiUxqY5kLxnGGhahED2IaTSl86UIl8HL-A4EqRSTRc/s1600/DSC00641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQVNpvlx3nMNCTpMXI-eR0aSWN4yBe_pRgByJ3Z1qCFhYdMvC7_EHeVoVsUjnubtfbgvMePvuJ-1M_tyq33KlM8Reo58W33ZpxqiUxqY5kLxnGGhahED2IaTSl86UIl8HL-A4EqRSTRc/s320/DSC00641.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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What about this beautiful dress, combining Oriental silks with canvas inspiration?</div>
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Or this beautiful pastel paintings of a jacket?<br />
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The pop-up stores abound in samples of creativity, from shape-changing jewellery to various head coverings and lots of dresses.</div>
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If I would have been on a shopping mission, would have had a lot of pain to make the right choice.<br />
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There are not only the products displayed who are interesting, but also the entire design setting which is attractive.</div>
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The next stop: the KaDeWe, where the lobby is covered in beautiful flowers and stylish dresses. Most of the designers belong to the Made in Berlin brand.<br />
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Out of all the fashion samples I saw in the last days, here is where there are the most wearable options. </div>
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As for now, I am just a visitor and a passionate photographer, trying to catch the grace and elegance for a blog post. The creative brain storm of the last days gave me a lot of inspiration though that I hope to better use one day. </div>
ForeignerinBerlinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644262316819459207noreply@blogger.com0