Working around Unter den Linden

I have not been in the Unter den Linden/Friedrischstrasse area for a couple of weeks, but I noticed some massive works around. Practically, due to the works at a new/old U-Bahn station, you will cross the Unter den Linden direction Galeries Lafayettes, near the construction works. There is always something to build in this city but especially in the domain of transportation. Even though they found some creative pavillions allowing you to go safely to do your shopping without looking around at the construction site, it is still not a good memory for someone visiting the city for the first time. 

Startups on show in Berlin

Was a long way to go from Tempelhof airport to the hangar where the fair was hosted,

I've read several times various news and features about how Berlin is the hot place for startups in Europe. I have a different opinion, but I am still open to any change of opinion, and this is one of the reasons I've visited at the end of the last week the start-ups fair that held in the old Tempelhof.

The first hand conclusion: impressed. Maybe I was disconnected from the local realities for a couple of months or maybe I am more used with the Berlin culture, but now I must say that I give more than one chance to the German startups than 6 months ago.

Doubtful taste, but still funny

Lots of interests and interesting people

First, the organization of the event was very good: a lot of info and guidance offered in English and German. The space was not very big and somehow crowded, even though it was 2pm when I visited, but there were events going on permanently: seminars, workshops, free consultation, advice, presentations, discussions with the media.

After, there were a lot of materials and media products, including a variety of publications and reviews, completely for free. Each company with a stand was able to offer not only a business card, but wanted to get involved and interact with the visitors. Practically, even if you did not want to talk with the representative of a certain company, at least for politness you might be requested to have a basic exchange. 

Another aspect that I appreciated was the diversity of participants: from banks to chambers of commerce and associations of ethnic minorities. Overall, an interesting experience for both companies, and people looking for ideas to finance and promote their small companies or startups. 

Busy days of networking

As usual, Berlin continues to surprise me from time to time. 

Autumn in Dahlem

Dahlem-hip with autumn reflexes

Dahlem-Dorf the country life in the bourgeois milieu

If it is something I love about autumn, this is the diversity of natural colours

A curious eye around the campus of Technische Universitaet

One week ago, the weather was gorgeous: mild, sunny, and if not the yellow leaves all over the place I would believe that it is spring. But it was clearly an illusion, as yesterday evening and today I started to read more and more news about the snow in the South and even in Cottbus. I do not have too many plans for the winter - at least not in Germany - , but I wish that the weather will stay for a couple of weeks sunny and pleasant enough to continue my active work as a photographer and Berlin chronicler. 

The golden eye

Wherever you go in Mitte, you will easily see the profile of the Oranienburgestrasse Synagogue. For Berlin, it could be considered a symbol of both the past and the present. Jewish life, and especially observant Jewish life is growing up again, despite the dangers, anti-Semitism and willingful assimilation. 

Even though the synagogue it is on the other end of the town and was there only as a visitor, each time I go around, and see the profile of the Maghed David in the area, I think that we are more powerful that our haters.

The festival of lights: A bit disappointed

Back in the business of the busy city of Berlin, I decided the last week to have my usual late evening tour on Ku'damm in order to observe the latest colours of the festival of lights. My enthusiasm for those events faded slightly compared with my first edition - when I run for 10 days all over the city to picture the beautiful lights. 

As I was more than usual out of time and not too mobile, I only wanted to take a tour around my lovely Ku'damm. Besides the pleasant walk, I must confess that I was not impressed at all by the offer: compared with the last year, there were too many commercial outlines and almost any free creative lights. 

Thus, I prefered to do not continue the exploration and only take two pictures from this year's edition. I have no idea where the wind will take me the next year, but I already have some elements of comparing the various editions. Could be interesting for the sake of the writer. 

Rolex was one of the many shops featured this year. Spectacular solutions unexpected too much advertising. Should I read some message about the economic crisis here?

The entrance to the Zoo, late in the evening when the animals are enjoying their privacy.

Back to the Berlin life!

I did not have too much fun to update the blog in the last months. And, in fact, did not went too far with the discovery of Berlin lately. The spring was fast and rainy, the summer non-existent and now I am already in the middle of the autumn not ready to welcome the winter.

I continue to protest against the bad weather and the scarcity of jobs, and when I was in the city, spent a lot of time reading indoors or in the garden or by learning something new. A quiet coutryside life in the middle of the big city. 

However, at least for the next 3 months, will continue to post more often, mostly pictures and stories about the city. My book about the travel adventures is advancing little by little, and the photo book will be ready probably in one month. 

Thus, I should have a serious motivation to increase the number of posts and to write more about Berlin. 

Keep in touch!

New Berlin airport opening delayed - The Local

New Berlin airport opening delayed - The Local
Funny is that many airline companies have announced since January that they will not operate at their usual locations from June. Most probably, the delay will cost more the airline companies as well.