Thursday, October 25, 2007
i·ro·ny |ˈī-rə-nē; ˈī(-ə)r-nē|
2 [def]:a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to what one expects and is often amusing as a result.
In Dublin, I spent 3 months dodging traffic, weaving in and out of belligerent pedestrians, racing double-decker buses, and ignoring traffic laws not because it was fun (ok, it was a little fun), but because it was necessary. If I didn't do what I did, then I probably would have been hit. As a cyclist (especially one that rides a road bike and wears a messenger bag), you have been targeted by the likes of yellow taxis, green buses, and anyone that has some excess aggression. The Dublin drivers are used to bicycles NOT following traffic laws and therefore come to expect a bike passing you on the right or left, ignoring one-way signs, and splitting traffic. Irish cars and bicycles have evolved and coexisted by the unspoken motto: To each his own. A possible explanation of this riding etiquette is the paucity of cycle lanes or the lack of clear bicycle street permissions despite Dublin's rich history of bicycles. Therefore, our bipedal allies have adapted to riding on crowded streets and, in turn, the city has accepted the fact that bicycles are not "vehicles," and thus general traffic laws do not apply to them.
You probably think I am exaggerating. You probably think I am being extreme. That's fine. We'll talk again after you ride your bike in Dublin. Just beware of Night of the Living Dead reruns playing at your front door...every night of the week. Except these zombies have a more colorful vocabulary than just aaarrrgggh and zzzmmmmaaaahhh.
Enter Portland, Oregon, the Utopia of Bikes; one of the bike-friendliest and bike-progressive cities in the world alongside Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen and Helsinki.
Tuesday I was pulled over by a cop while riding my bike. He wrote me a $250 ticket for rolling through a stop sign where the only other cars involved were the ones in front and behind me.
Now that's fucking irony.
In Dublin, I spent 3 months dodging traffic, weaving in and out of belligerent pedestrians, racing double-decker buses, and ignoring traffic laws not because it was fun (ok, it was a little fun), but because it was necessary. If I didn't do what I did, then I probably would have been hit. As a cyclist (especially one that rides a road bike and wears a messenger bag), you have been targeted by the likes of yellow taxis, green buses, and anyone that has some excess aggression. The Dublin drivers are used to bicycles NOT following traffic laws and therefore come to expect a bike passing you on the right or left, ignoring one-way signs, and splitting traffic. Irish cars and bicycles have evolved and coexisted by the unspoken motto: To each his own. A possible explanation of this riding etiquette is the paucity of cycle lanes or the lack of clear bicycle street permissions despite Dublin's rich history of bicycles. Therefore, our bipedal allies have adapted to riding on crowded streets and, in turn, the city has accepted the fact that bicycles are not "vehicles," and thus general traffic laws do not apply to them.
You probably think I am exaggerating. You probably think I am being extreme. That's fine. We'll talk again after you ride your bike in Dublin. Just beware of Night of the Living Dead reruns playing at your front door...every night of the week. Except these zombies have a more colorful vocabulary than just aaarrrgggh and zzzmmmmaaaahhh.
Enter Portland, Oregon, the Utopia of Bikes; one of the bike-friendliest and bike-progressive cities in the world alongside Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen and Helsinki.
Tuesday I was pulled over by a cop while riding my bike. He wrote me a $250 ticket for rolling through a stop sign where the only other cars involved were the ones in front and behind me.
Now that's fucking irony.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
...baby's got a brand new 'do.
My friend Tessa takes pretty pictures.
Drank spiced apple cider and carved pumpkin of (what other than) the Portland cityscape? Check.
The soon-to-be demolished historic Virginia Cafe (est. 1922) on SW Park. Because we need more "mixed use buildings".
I heart thee.
Drank spiced apple cider and carved pumpkin of (what other than) the Portland cityscape? Check.
The soon-to-be demolished historic Virginia Cafe (est. 1922) on SW Park. Because we need more "mixed use buildings".
I heart thee.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Berlin: Zum Vierten Mal
Click on photos for larger view.
Brandenburger Tor. This gate marks the beginning of the famous street Unter den Linden (Under the Linden Trees).
Hackescher Markt. The disco is alive and well in Berlin (as is the punk scene-YAY!).
Staats Charlottenburg Bibliotek (Library)
The best mode of transportation featuring Schloß (Castle) Charlottenburg in the distance. During my last day in Berlin, I rented this bike and had the most fun in 3 hrs re-discovering the city than I've had in 2 months living in Dublin.
***
"Some things are best seen from the seat of a bicycle."
Brandenburger Tor. This gate marks the beginning of the famous street Unter den Linden (Under the Linden Trees).
Hackescher Markt. The disco is alive and well in Berlin (as is the punk scene-YAY!).
Staats Charlottenburg Bibliotek (Library)
The best mode of transportation featuring Schloß (Castle) Charlottenburg in the distance. During my last day in Berlin, I rented this bike and had the most fun in 3 hrs re-discovering the city than I've had in 2 months living in Dublin.
***
"Some things are best seen from the seat of a bicycle."
Berlin: Zum Dritten Mal
Schloß Sanssouci, Mausoleum
Former East Berlin. I had the chance to stay in West Berlin with my cousin and also near here with a friend whom I met at CMWC.
East Berlin Propaganda
Waiting for the S-Bahn, Alexanderplatz, 8:30am
Alexanderplatz, 8:31am
Holocaust Memorial with the famous Hotel Adlon in the background (pale green roof). My great grandmother spent her honeymoon in this hotel. It's been said that the current rate for a grand suite costs €18,000.
Lone Remnants of the Wall
The famous (and infamous) Potsdamer Platz
***
Fitting that today's randomly chosen Wikipedia article dealt with the Third Reich and Nacht der langen Messer.
Former East Berlin. I had the chance to stay in West Berlin with my cousin and also near here with a friend whom I met at CMWC.
East Berlin Propaganda
Waiting for the S-Bahn, Alexanderplatz, 8:30am
Alexanderplatz, 8:31am
Holocaust Memorial with the famous Hotel Adlon in the background (pale green roof). My great grandmother spent her honeymoon in this hotel. It's been said that the current rate for a grand suite costs €18,000.
Lone Remnants of the Wall
The famous (and infamous) Potsdamer Platz
***
Fitting that today's randomly chosen Wikipedia article dealt with the Third Reich and Nacht der langen Messer.
Berlin: Zum Zweiten Mal
Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Main Train Station)
The Reichstag, Seat of German Parliament. It was located directly next to the Berlin Wall.
Permanent Reminder of the Berlin Wall. This narrow strip of bricks bisects the city irrespective of erected buildings, recreation parks, major intersections, or foot paths. It is unsettling to watch cars zoom over this deathly landmark without a second glimpse, yet enlightening to see that people can adapt, times can change, and a city can move forward, but always with its history just at its feet.
Fredericks Straße, Statte Mitte (City Center)
Gendarmenmarkt, Französischer Dom (French Cathedral). Its counterpart, the Deutsches Dom, is located opposite the grand plaza.
Bundesplatz at Sunset. My cousin lives just off this station.
Staats Bibliothek am Unter den Linden (Berlin City Library)
Deutsches Dom on the Spree River (German Cathedral)
Drinnen Der Holocaust-Turm von des Jüdischen Museums Berlin/ Inside the Holocaust Tower of the Jewish Museum. An artist's interpretation of being trapped in the Holocaust; erected as a remembrance to the Holocaust survivors. This picture was taken from a far corner or the irregularly-shaped tower and looking up 50 feet toward the only source of light. It's dark, cold, and barren.
Leerstelle des Gedenkens "Gefallenes Laub"/ Memory Void "Fallen Leaves" exhibit. An artist's interpretation of the victims of the Holocaust. You actually walk on top of the metal faces which form an unsteady foundation across the grey concrete. As you walk, the faces hit one another making a desolate clinking sound and eerily echoing up through the narrow chamber.
East Berlin
Schloß Sanssouci (1745-47), former summer palace of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, at Potsdam.
The Reichstag, Seat of German Parliament. It was located directly next to the Berlin Wall.
Permanent Reminder of the Berlin Wall. This narrow strip of bricks bisects the city irrespective of erected buildings, recreation parks, major intersections, or foot paths. It is unsettling to watch cars zoom over this deathly landmark without a second glimpse, yet enlightening to see that people can adapt, times can change, and a city can move forward, but always with its history just at its feet.
Fredericks Straße, Statte Mitte (City Center)
Gendarmenmarkt, Französischer Dom (French Cathedral). Its counterpart, the Deutsches Dom, is located opposite the grand plaza.
Bundesplatz at Sunset. My cousin lives just off this station.
Staats Bibliothek am Unter den Linden (Berlin City Library)
Deutsches Dom on the Spree River (German Cathedral)
Drinnen Der Holocaust-Turm von des Jüdischen Museums Berlin/ Inside the Holocaust Tower of the Jewish Museum. An artist's interpretation of being trapped in the Holocaust; erected as a remembrance to the Holocaust survivors. This picture was taken from a far corner or the irregularly-shaped tower and looking up 50 feet toward the only source of light. It's dark, cold, and barren.
Leerstelle des Gedenkens "Gefallenes Laub"/ Memory Void "Fallen Leaves" exhibit. An artist's interpretation of the victims of the Holocaust. You actually walk on top of the metal faces which form an unsteady foundation across the grey concrete. As you walk, the faces hit one another making a desolate clinking sound and eerily echoing up through the narrow chamber.
East Berlin
Schloß Sanssouci (1745-47), former summer palace of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, at Potsdam.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Guten Abend, Berlin!
This time I have a good excuse for the dearth of posts: I've been visiting my mother's side of the family in Berlin.
The last time I was in my Vaterland, I was wearing bright white keds with mis-matching brightly colored socks, tight-rolled jeans, a fake silk green windbreaker and a side ponytail (with scrunchi). I was...stylin'.
I just returned from a half-day trip to Potsdam to visit Schloß Sanssouci, the favorite home of Frederick the Great (the II). The castle is situated on top of a hill overlooking Potsdam with a grand fountain and rotunda at its feet and sweeping staircase leading up to the main entrance. The color of the castle alone is remarkable-sunshine yellow with gold accents. It was built true to the Baroque architecture of the 18th century; gods and goddesses caress every corner of the exterior and stand at attention on castle walls. It is quite impressive for a castle that is only one story high.
Ok, I really wish I could continue writing about my adventures in Berlin. Differences between Former east vs. New Age West Berlin, Brandenburger Tor, the remains of the wall, and the stunning architecture (and the Apfelstrüdel, Kirschstrüdel, Döner Kabobs and Milchreis!), but I must go and meet my family für eines echtes Deutsches Abendessen!
Viele Grüße
Tschüß!
The last time I was in my Vaterland, I was wearing bright white keds with mis-matching brightly colored socks, tight-rolled jeans, a fake silk green windbreaker and a side ponytail (with scrunchi). I was...stylin'.
I just returned from a half-day trip to Potsdam to visit Schloß Sanssouci, the favorite home of Frederick the Great (the II). The castle is situated on top of a hill overlooking Potsdam with a grand fountain and rotunda at its feet and sweeping staircase leading up to the main entrance. The color of the castle alone is remarkable-sunshine yellow with gold accents. It was built true to the Baroque architecture of the 18th century; gods and goddesses caress every corner of the exterior and stand at attention on castle walls. It is quite impressive for a castle that is only one story high.
Ok, I really wish I could continue writing about my adventures in Berlin. Differences between Former east vs. New Age West Berlin, Brandenburger Tor, the remains of the wall, and the stunning architecture (and the Apfelstrüdel, Kirschstrüdel, Döner Kabobs and Milchreis!), but I must go and meet my family für eines echtes Deutsches Abendessen!
Viele Grüße
Tschüß!
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