The best German meal i've ever had, some history, and gas chambers.

OMG, where to begin... After posting last night Bryan and i had went across the street for some traditional fair at the Augustiner. It was a traditional "mess hall" type seating, and if you sat at the back against the wall, you had to walk behind people on the bench to get out! It was great! I had the Brewers Specialty and it was soooooo good (some sausage, meat ravioli, and pork with potato dumpling...mmmmmmm!). I also enjoyed a .5 liter of the hause bier before, another during, and another after the meal! The best meal here thus far. Once we got back to the hostel we had two loads of laundry to finish drying...fun. Though while that was going, i played some table tennis! They guy earlier in the day asked to play and i said "maybe later", so when we got back from dinner it's about 11:30 and he found me in the basement waiting on the dryer to get done...so we played some rounds! His name is Amil and i don't' know where he was from, but he was damn good at table tennis. We played about 8-10 rounds before i relized i would not beat him LOL, but really it was super fun ether way! It was about 1am when we called it a night of table tennis mayhem.

Today we meet at the city center for the Dachau tour. It the one of 3 camps that are still somewhat intact. This was a "concentration camp", not an "extermination camp" more like Auschwitz. Dachau did however had a crematory and gas chamber, which we toured...eerie feelings to say the least. It took about an hour or so to get there, but very worth it. Words cannot describe what i felt while on the tour;it's just one of those things that one needs to experience on their own accord. I took pictures, and can explain more detailed, or the wiki can let you know good facts as well. Our tour guide was the BEST; the same one from yesterday's city tour. Very noble, knowledgeable, passionate, informative, and dedicated to giving the right amount of information and about what had occurred there. She gave both sides to stories, and gave the utmost inspirational words throughout the tour in regards to the historical nature of the events that took place, and what is happening in today's world in relation. The tour lasted about 3 hours and then rode the buss and train back to the city.

We then were starving (ironic, somehow), so we headed to the WORLDS SECOND LARGEST BIER GARDEN. Yea, it was big, and woodsy:) I had some veil sausage and potato salad....oh soo good; and of course a liter of bier:). After that we traveled to the outskirts of town to a legoland (obscure, yes. Awesome, YES!) store and went to a market. Back at the hostel now and burnt out for sure. Now trying to decide on how far south to go tomorrow to see the Alps...but might not depending on the weather as it's supposed to rain:(((( We shale see!

Munich, BAM!

Well, after departing the rest of the group, we headed to the train station for our overnight venture! Is was cramped to say the least (being about 6'3). Those things fit 6 people, 3 on each side from floor to ceiling. There were only 2 others in our cabin. They were middle aged Germans who looked like they were mountain/hiking guys. When we first got in and started to settle in, we could smell something. We both sniffed out pits, then the bedding, then looked at each other and came to the conclusion...enough said LOL! They opened the window so no big deal for the night. I awoke about 8 time during the night due to comfort, turbulence, and the stopping of the train. It was not the best night sleep at all. We made it though.

We arrived at the main station here in Munich at about 8am and then got our barrings with where we needed to go. We got our tickets, hopped on the Sbahn and found our Hostel. We could not check in that early, but could leave our luggage in a semi secure room until we got our room. We then had some breakfast at the hostel (quite good for the price), and to our bewilderment there was a tour of the city starting at 10am! It lasted about 4 hours walking around the city (i still had my HEAVY backpack with laptop...lame) seeing the sights. The tour was absolutely AMAZING! I mean really, really, really, amazing! We saw some churches, places where Hitler had spoke and marched, as well as some other things. Once that was done we got into our rooms (very nice) and got cleaned up. I'm now waiting on some laundry so i cant wear real clothes (i'm in gym shorts in the hostel lobby now). Tomorrow we tour the Dachau concentration camp, and then beer gardens in the evening:) Keep you posted!

Tuesday (Museum Island) and Wednesday, a studio day

Tuesday we met early and headed off to the Museum Island. There are 5 museum there, and one is closed for construction of some sorts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_Island

We started at the Pergamon which had some VERY exceptional items such as the Pergamon Alter and the Ishtar Gate. From there we went to the Neues Museum and saw some great Egyptian items as well as the Bust of Nefertiti. From there the group split. Some went to a couple other of the museums, while a few of us went to a student gallery opening. I went to the opening, and am glad i did. We met Marcus at the Ubahn stop and found the location and had to trek down some stairs into a dungeon like area. We were about 3-4 stories underground in this vast tunneled area with different large rooms. It was crazy. Very sweet works, with different exhibitions (from different students) in each room. For example, one of the rooms had a swing hung from the ceiling (about 30-40ft high) with projectors displaying the videoed movement of swinging. So while you swing, you see the projected movement on the brick wall.

Wednesday we had studio time all day, and a clean up time towards the end of the day. A group of us got some Indian food for lunch several Ubahn stops away, and it was super tasty! Broccoli Lamp Curry:) After the clean up, we then headed to the area we needed to be in the evening for a tour of an artist residence. We got some Mexican foods (very good as well), and then headed not far to the gallery/studio spaces. This place was CRAZY. The building was an old brewery from the 1890's, and had been vacant for some time. A lot of the building is still in original (decayed) shape, but other gallery areas have been created and refurbished. Good stuff to see indeed! I will have to share pictures of this crazy place...

Tomorrow Bryan and i head to Munich on an overnight train. The rest of the group leaves VERY early Friday morning. I will still be updating this for the rest of the travels, so stay tuned!

Sunday funday, Monday Critique day:)

Sunday was a good sleep in morning...Well needed for sure. It was another day to see some sights. Bryan was gung-ho to see the Bauhaus museum so we hit that up first; though along the way we stopped at a gallery that has my last name in the title! It was closed, but it was fun to check out none the less. The Bauhaus was very informative. We got in for cheap and it included an audio tour. Not super big, but a good retrospective about the history and methods taught there. It had some very good examples of the different working methods, concepts and mediums. From there we headed to the Holocaust Memorial and took tons of photos. Then we got some food at the giant Sony Center and then headed to the studio to do work. I'm a little under the weather so "tried" to get a full nights sleep...

Monday we critiqued all day, with a break for lunch. Jayson from the Workstadt was there as well and he added some good feedback and insight. I feel the session went good (personally), but others were a little more frustrated from the results. It was a long day, but it had to be done. It's crunch time now, as we only have 1.5 more days of actual studio time here in Berlin...yikes!

Tomorrow we visit the famous "museum island". Fun times await! Hope all is well in the sweltering Iowa:)(I'm still wearing a sweatshirt daily LOL)!

Friday and today (Saturday)

Friday was some good studio time in the morning. Making progress there, but still my work still needs progression. We have a critique on Monday, so i need to have some more finished pieces for my body of work. I have about 5 pieces in progress, but they are close to coming to a point of satisfaction for the most part. OK, back to Friday, after the studio time we met Marcus at a Ubahn stop and then traveled to an art school for a tour. It was good, lots to see. It's a little different way of education for sure, as it looked very intensive, but i think that's a good thing. The tour was long, and not guided the best (the tour guide i thought was the grounds keeper at first, but it worked out fine LOL), but it was a great look into what it's all about. we then visited the MMX gallery space and had an artist talk from a guy that was originally from Iowa... He had some very interesting points about his work, and a good viewpoint about making it in the art world. After that we disbanded. We went to an artist tower where some underground artist "squat" at. Interesting work, and very diverse. I participated in a dance project there, and was videotaped for their Master Thesis...was interestingggg and fun. A small group of us then went to a great authentic German food place (sooooooo goood), and then went back to the apt and finished the night at the hookah bar.

For today (Saturday) we meet at the Koffee shop at 930 and decided on what sights to see for the day, and broke up into some smaller groups and hit the town. Bryan and i hit up the Check Point Charlie area, then the Brandenburg Gate are where there were fragments of the wall we saw, as well as a Dali exhibition. We then traveled to the Capital, but the line was waaay to long, so we'll go back. We then met up with some others at the Festival Of the Worlds...or something like that. It's a giant celebration (relating to the diversity within Berlin) with vendors everywhere. It was sooo packed, it was just not that enjoyable. So we got some food and jetted out of there and headed back to the apt. I then went back out with Bryan to find the North Face store. We never found it, but did find a giant mall that had some North Face packs. Now back at the apt and exhausted (getting a sore throat now...great)....but will be headed back out shortly! Might sleep in tomorrow...we'll see.

Tuesday, Wednesday, and lets add Thursday too

Tuesday we met at the studio in the morning, worked for quite a while, then met with Marcus across town to visit some galleries in the afternoon. The galleries were out of this world. Words cannot describe (well they can, but for time sake, i will have to post the pictures soonish) what we had seen. It was crazy; but i'm glad we were able to see it. It's definitely quite the eye opener. Some are conceptual pieces and most are kinda far out. Way spacey shit. Definitely thought provoking on many levels, as well as visually graphic.

Wednesday: studio time in the morning. Getting some progress there that's for sure, but it still seems a little slow going. Wednesday afternoon we meet Marcus and traveled a block down to a "Werkstadt" (workspot), which is a non-profit artist community. It has different areas to work in for different mediums, a small bar and lounge, and gallery space on the walls. It was a really nice place! We had an artist talk there, and well as Marcus' talk about his work-very interesting! He relates natural cycles of the earth sciences into his work, all in closed systems which are very visually captivating. After that tour and talk we went back to the studio for a bit and then headed back to the apt after stopping at the market. Later that night we saw RJD2 in concert, which was one of the best concerts i have ever seen in my life! He controlled 4 turntables, some mixers, his computer, and an MPD all at once. Crazy!

Thursday, today. Today we had a late start due to the concert last night. Had some studio time, then met up with Marcus at Check point Charlie to visit some galleries around that area. We then headed back to the studio (after getting some food), and then continued to the werkstadt for an artist lecture. The lecture was very informative. She is an artist that has lived in many areas and now in Berlin for 3 years. Interesting work relating to psychology and photography and ink paintings. After that we went back to the studio and worked a bit more. Then headed back to the apt, got our laundry and went to the wash. About another 1.5 hours later from that, we are back at the apt. At least it was some good sketch time while waiting for the laundry. In for another long day tomorrow! Good night!

Sunday/Monday

Sunday:

We slept in a bit, as we (the peeps on our room) decided to go to the studio in the evening after the afternoon jaunt. The afternoon jaunt consisted of going to a flea market type thing that was very interesting. It was more of a carnival with live music than a flea market, but a good cultural experience none the less. Tons of food (German carnival food), vendors, and odd things for sale. I had a bratwurst and some ice cream...mmm! The group then split up. Some went to Check Point Charlie, and other places. I went with Ken to where he had stayed (towards the outskirts of town), to visit the people he had stayed with when previously in Berlin. At first they were not home, but they were walking up shortly after we had arrived! What a co-incidence. We stayed and talked a bit, then headed back to the studio at about 730. No one was there, but a couple showed up shortly after. That was about it for the day. Going to the outskirts of town was great. Very nice countryside to see. Very nice traditional German village landscapes.

Monday:

We meet at the studio in the morning, then a couple guys and i ventured out to get tickets to RJD2 on Wednesday night. It was an adventure, but we found it just fine. We could not find any store front so we asked around and had to get the tickets from this record store across the street, which was a bomb store! Along the way back to the train station we stopped at a super sweet Indian food joint and had some mutton broccoli with garlic naan and a beer+sprite. It was the second best food yet! We then headed back to the studio by 4 to go to the Guggenheim for free Mondays! It was a great show. Very comtemp, but sweet collage work and watercolor. Interesting themes. After that a small group went back to the studio to get some supply's and then head back to the apts for a briefing. There we go, i think where up to date. Ready for a packed week, and to get busy on some work.

I'll get more pics up if not tonight, tomorrow night. It takes a while to upload here. Bye Bye!

Saturday

The days are all starting to run together. It feels like I've been here for over a week now (though it's only been 4). I have no watch to tell time, which makes for LONG days, and no relevance for time. It doesn't get dark until about 930-almost 10, which in turn makes for a late night as well usually. This has been a great trip thus far, and i don't see that changing at all. It's a great group of artist here, and everyone gels good together.

Saturday we meet at 9 at this breakfast kaffee, got some drink/food and headed to the studio. We all worked until about 1, then a group of us hopped on the subway to go somewhere different to get food. We ended up not finding food in a timely manner so the group split up. We then meet back at the studio, and all headed back out to go to a gallery visit in the later afternoon. The visit was SUPERB! The absolute neatest works, that are privately owned in this 5 story warehouse that was completely renovated to house this large family collection that changes every year. Tons of top notch, interesting, and inspiring contemporary art. After that some of us got cut off from the train (and the rest of the group) and we just stayed in the area that the gallery was, and visited some shops and had a great dinner. I had some beer mixed with cola for the first time, which was GREAT! apparently that's some hot shit over here, and now i know why! We then headed back tot eh apts, and then traversed the town a bit more, but by that time it was already about 11pm. We didn't get back until 3am. We stopped at a couple Ubahn, and Sbahn stops to see what was around them (and BTW there was a football game that just got out so lots of cheering and singing!), but just ended coming back to a familiar area that we had been before. I did have time to blog last night, so here i am now. It's Sunday morning, and we are about to head out to go to a flea market type thing and then head to the studio for the rest of the day.

Also, without having cell phones as well it's quite the test of communication! It's like the olden days when cell phones were nowhere to be found. It's fun in my opinion, as we have to be good communicators with setting rondevu time and so forth. I'm finding a bit hard to get very deep into my work, but it's getting better. There is so much to absorb in the city and to transcend that into work and be difficult at times. And just getting into the "zone" to create has been a struggle, but it's getting there. This next week i think will be very productive! Talk later.

Day two, still getting acquainted.

We met early today at the coffee shop, and i had a chi-latte. It was superb. We then went to discover the art store, as we have not had time to do that as of yet. The store was amazing. Lots of selection, and it put to shame any other art store i have been to as of yet in my life! They did not take any form of credit cards (other than dutchbank), which was a hassle but we dealt with it. From there we traversed to a used clothing store that spanned 5 stories and yet only had about a story and a half on menswear. We then headed to meet Marcus at a Ubahn stop, and then proceeded to check out lots of galleries in that area. We spent all afternoon and into some of the evening going from gallery to gallery. Some were nice, sweet, lame, amazing, and all in between. We had a gallery talk at one, which was very informative. It was a non-profit gallery, which had differing subject matter than the other galleries, but was still very interesting. After that trek we got some food. Lots of Turkish foods in the area, so that was the fare for the evening. Falafel never gets old, and it was the best i have ever had! We then got back to the apt, and then ventured out on the town for the evening. We discovered the coolest artist community EVER! I will get those pics up tomorrow. It was nothing like i had ever seen before. About 6-7 stories of complete artistic dedication. I saw the absolute best collage work i have ever seen in my life. We then continued to venture, and then called it a night, to retreat to the apts and eat some leftover Chinese food...oh so tasty! Sorry it took so long to get the pics posted, but they took a while to upload. Enjoy! I will get more up tomorrow from today's observations.

Day one, in the City.

Where to begin... Last night one in the group was having a birthday, so we discovered a Hookah bar, which was quite enjoyable. It was a good atmosphere, with some chill music not too far from the Hostel that some of the students are staying at. After that, we awoke in the morning to be ready @ 930 for the days venture. Some had a late start in the morning and originally we were going to the art store, but it was a holiday today (man day, yes man day) and lots of stores were closed. So, we skipped the art store and meet several Ubahn stops away with Marcus (our Berlin connect) to get into our studio space. We then got acquainted and started working. We then got some food at a Chinese food place, which was pretty bomb! Then we traversed back to the studio, then back to the apts. Though, because of Man day, we encountered some drunkards on the UBahn...it was damn funny. One guy could barely stand up and the moving train did not help his situation. Lots of moving around today. Had some fun language interaction at lunch and dinner, which was a struggle, but doable. Tomorrow we meet early, and then go to the art store, and get to work. I'm going to upload some pictures nowza!

BTW, i like that none of the dogs here are leashed. It's pretty relaxed in those respects, and the dogs are super, uber, trained.

Germany at last!

Well, we made it. We woke up late in our hotel in Paris (after a couple drinks last night), but made the bus to the train and arrived at the right gate in plenty of time. The flight was good, while Ken (our Professor/Guide/facilitator) passed around a legal pad "blog" that had different questions relating to the art field we had to answer. Got some juice and pretzels, and by the time we knew it...BERLIN. Surprisingly, to our amazement, after all the flight confusion we did in fact have out baggage! It was on the conveyor shortly after we got off the plane. We were all shocked, considering what we had been through. We then proceeded to hop on the bus, then to the Ubahn (with several on's and off's). Then we had a several block walk to the apartments in east Berlin, but we could not get in without our contact here in Berlin. Fortunately the manager was here and saw us on the video monitor and let us in. We then got settled in, but the other 1/3 of the group went on to the hostel where they where staying at. From there, the ones staying at the apartment (including myself) went to the market, which ended up being a "dollar store" type market...interesting type things there...Butter, eggs, cheese, and other items that i would consider "perishable", but they were just sitting out int he open. It seemed like everything in the store was processed and ready to eat...boxes of premade sandwiches and hamburgers. However, i did get a giant Ritter chocolate bar for dirt cheap and some Nutella:) We then had no way to connect with the other group at the hostel, but somehow we all meet up back at the apartment, and then got some Turkish and Italian food. This brings things up to date. Very full now, and sleepy. It's about 730 now, and we are all going to take it easy tonight...and prepare for the next day (along with a little celebrating for a birthday of someone on the trip). Tchau!!!

P.s.
Photos later tonight.

Germany, not yet. Lets take a crash course in French! FRANCE, WE COME FROM FRANCE!

Thanks Chicago, you suck. Our connecting flight was canceled to London, which created a huge layover, and a new connection to Paris. More problems in Paris to get our flight to Berlin, which thus turned into an overnight stay, which is where i am now; Hotel Park Inn. We leave for Berlin in the morning. Once we arrive, i think we will go to some art stores, familiarize ourselves with the area, and take it easy. The past two days of air travel have been a little brutal, stressful, and just plane LONG (we are airport hobos by now, though people ask us for change...). Keep you posted when we arrive in Berlin, and what hurdles we have to jump over between here and there. Oh shit, low battery. Farewell!