Travelling Studies

With about 3,400,000 inhabitants, Berlin is the largest City in Germany. It is 38 kilometres long and 45 kilometres wide. Consider that Berlin has a lot of suburbs and districts. As you know, the city was divided in its history. You will still recognize that there is/was East-Berlin and West-Berlin so it has a “City East” and a “City West”.

Arrival is possible with four different options.

1. By aircraft - Berlin has three airports.

2. By train - it’s a junction of the German Rail Network. Example, the station “Bahnhof Zoo” is located within Belin Mitte (City East), thus you have “instant access” to a lot of sights and pubs.

3. By Car - All motorways to Berlin lead to the “Berliner Ring”. From there you can get to the inner city on various access roads.

4. By Bus - it’s a well-priced and comfortable way to travel to this (or any other) city. The “Zentraler Omnibusbahnhof” (ZOB - Central Bus Station) is situated near the Exhibition Centre (ICC), in Charlottenburg, City West. From there, you have connections to over 350 destinations in Germany and Europe!

Now, shall we get started? Okay, c’mon, take my hand, let’s go sightseeing!

Reichstag

The Reichstag was constructed from 1884-94 by Paul Wallot, is the seat of the German Bundestag or federal government and, with its new transparent dome, one of the biggest crowd-draws in Berlin. Its colorful past reflects the turbulence of German history since the 19th century. From 1994-99, the Reichstag was reconstructed and extended by the Architect Sir Norman Forster. He decided to add an accessible transparent dome, in which you can walk through and “participate” and view how political decisions are made. One says, “We (the government) want to show that we have nothing to hide”.

Friedrichstrasse

This is the most legendary street in the whole city. It combines the architecture of the New Berlin with the tradition of the “Golden Twenties”. In the Twenties, the 3.5 km long street was the location for pleasure palaces, cafés, theatres and variety theatres such as the famous “Wintergarten”. After the division of the city, the Wall also cut through this street. The world famous Checkpoint Charlie was located at the border of the districts of Kreuzberg and Mitte and thus at the border of East and West Berlin. Not only visitors but also the employees from the new, chic offices, agencies and media centres all enjoy the urban spirit and New York flair of the new Friedrichstrasse.

Checkpoint Charlie

From 1961 to 1990, Checkpoint Charlie was the only border crossing point for the Allies, foreigners, employees of the Permanent Representation, and officials of the GDR. And it was the place where Soviet and American tanks stood face to face. Today, the checkpoint is commemorated by a border sign and a soldier’s post.

Stuck for a moment, the second part arrives soon Then you can go on with your Berlin Sightseeing Tour. In it we will go to places like the Alexanderplatz, the Brandenburg Gate, and the Museum’s Island.

Kind regards,

Marcus Hochstadt

There is simply a plethora of wonderful things about living in Mexico-the consistently calm climate, the cheap cost-of-living, the best foods on the planet, dodging dog-poop on the sidewalks. These are just a few. By far, the most amazing thing deserving the highest adulation is the Mexican people.

When we moved to this little town of Guanajuato, we were accepted, without a noticeable exception, into the lives of our neighbors as if we were their long-lost distant cousins from America who had finally found our way back to our real home-Mexico! The butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker all took it as their responsibility to watch out for the new gringos in the neighborhood and turned out to be protective of us.

After our first six months of living here, we had to go to San Antonio, Texas, to visit a terminally ill friend. On our return, the produce guy came running out of his store, virtually in tears, to see us. The little old abuela (grandmother) who owned a little snack shop did the same. They both expressed the fear that, since they had not seen us in days, we had to go back to the U.S. and neglected to say good-bye to them. They were worried, they said, about us!

When was the last time you walked into the supermarket and had the produce guy, or any store personnel at all, run up and embrace you tearfully because he had missed you? Would the word, never, be accurate?

We are wondering if our neighbors in Kansas City yet know we have left America and moved to Mexico in August, 2003.

In our former neighborhood, we did have some trouble with some neighbors who were not liked by anyone at all. They had two wild and savage French poodles that would turn any dog lover into a dog hater. I wanted to kick them each time I saw them. They would be running loose when we would try walking by the house-they attacked us often.

In desperation, we told the neighborhood Internet Café owner of our despair. He told us not to worry; his wife would take care of everything. And she did, too!

She gathered a little confab of neighborhood ladies and stormed the house where these two evil curs lived. She chewed the dog owners up one side and down the other. She informed them that these two gringos were a part of the neighborhood and demanded we be treated accordingly.

Can you even fathom that happening in America?

Sadly, we left that neighborhood for a quieter one where we’ve been just as accepted into the neighbor’s lives and homes.

We contracted some intestinal ailment shortly after moving to our present neighborhood. Our landlady, who lives on the same property, got wind of it and was soon on our doorstep to nurse us back to health with herbs that did work to heal us!

We had some thief wannebee try to enter the house with me standing in the kitchen. He calmly walked off once seeing me. I told a neighbor minutes after the event and she went into action.

All the neighbors showed up to catch and thrash the long-gone intruder. One fellow crawled on the roof of our house to see if the thief could be hiding. The ladies calmed us and offered us tequila for our nerves. One lady was going to bring her dog over to spend the night with us. They stayed with us for as long as it took for us to be comfortable.

The would-be thief got away.

The people here are dazzling and remain so in our estimation. We have grown accustomed to this communal fellowship and would never consider to going back to a country where this type of community is long forgotten.

Cologne Germany — do you know of the first given name of the oldest German city? Do you know how long it took to build its Cathedral? Do you further know what its scariest natural disaster is? Read on…

Cologne Germany (Köln) is the oldest so the first German city. When it became city in 50 A.D., it bore the name Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium (CCAA) because of the Roman Empress Agrippina.

Cologne is catholic and had a bishop as early as 313. In 785, it became the seat of an archbishop. The Archbishop of Cologne was one of the seven Electors of the Holy Roman Empire. He ruled a large area as a secular lord in the Middle Ages, but in 1288, he was defeated by the Cologne citizens and forced to move to Bonn.

Cologne Germany was a member of the Hanseatic League. It became a free city officially by 1475, but lost its free status and regained its archbishopric during the French period. In 1815, at the Congress of Vienna, it became part of the Prussian kingdom.

The start of building of Cologne Cathedral was in 1248, abandoned in the mid-1500s, and finished in 1880. That took 632 years; think about that… Just visit http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/cologne-cathedral.html for a side step to the history of Cologne Cathedral.

During the 19th and 20th century, Cologne incorporated numerous surrounding towns, so that it had a population of 600,000 inhabitants by the time of World War 1.

In World War 2, Cologne Germany was repeatedly bombed. The Cologne Cathedral received 14 hits by aerial bombs, but luckily didn’t collapse. When the city was in ruins — see picture at http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/cologne.html — it took some time to rebuild it, but afterwards its buildings and population grew again. So since 1975, the population of Cologne Germany always lays around 1 million inhabitants.

So much the Rhine of the city brought prosperity and quality of life, so feared is its flood. The worst flood ever registered occurred in February 1784. After an extremely long and cold winter the temperature jumped deep down. The Rhine river had frozen over and the thaw as well as the breaking open ice provided firmly for a record water level of 13,55 m. That was ten meters above the normal level!

The tides, on which heavy ice floes floated, devastated far parts of the development of the banks and all ships. 65 people died. The district Mülheim on the right Rhine side was completely destroyed.

In more recent time, a flood protection concept plans the establishment of sheet pile walls. That should protect old town up to a level of 10 meters against inundations. Still, old town consists of a magnet for floods.

Despite of this, Cologne is well-known as the Fun City of all German cities. You go into a tavern and do not know anybody, and you go out with a lot of friends. It’s very easy to come in contact with Cologne people. In February, during Cologne Carnival, the whole Rhine land celebrates for at least six days — with tons of sweets and kisses.

Kind regards,

Marcus Hochstadt

© Copyright http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/ All rights reserved

Cologne Germany — do you know of the first given name of the oldest German city? Do you know how long it took to build its Cathedral? Do you further know what its scariest natural disaster is? Read on…

Cologne Germany (Köln) is the oldest so the first German city. When it became city in 50 A.D., it bore the name Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium (CCAA) because of the Roman Empress Agrippina.

Cologne is catholic and had a bishop as early as 313. In 785, it became the seat of an archbishop. The Archbishop of Cologne was one of the seven Electors of the Holy Roman Empire. He ruled a large area as a secular lord in the Middle Ages, but in 1288, he was defeated by the Cologne citizens and forced to move to Bonn.

Cologne Germany was a member of the Hanseatic League. It became a free city officially by 1475, but lost its free status and regained its archbishopric during the French period. In 1815, at the Congress of Vienna, it became part of the Prussian kingdom.

The start of building of Cologne Cathedral was in 1248, abandoned in the mid-1500s, and finished in 1880. That took 632 years; think about that… Just visit http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/cologne-cathedral.html for a side step to the history of Cologne Cathedral.

During the 19th and 20th century, Cologne incorporated numerous surrounding towns, so that it had a population of 600,000 inhabitants by the time of World War 1.

In World War 2, Cologne Germany was repeatedly bombed. The Cologne Cathedral received 14 hits by aerial bombs, but luckily didn’t collapse. When the city was in ruins — see picture at http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/cologne.html — it took some time to rebuild it, but afterwards its buildings and population grew again. So since 1975, the population of Cologne Germany always lays around 1 million inhabitants.

So much the Rhine of the city brought prosperity and quality of life, so feared is its flood. The worst flood ever registered occurred in February 1784. After an extremely long and cold winter the temperature jumped deep down. The Rhine river had frozen over and the thaw as well as the breaking open ice provided firmly for a record water level of 13,55 m. That was ten meters above the normal level!

The tides, on which heavy ice floes floated, devastated far parts of the development of the banks and all ships. 65 people died. The district Mülheim on the right Rhine side was completely destroyed.

In more recent time, a flood protection concept plans the establishment of sheet pile walls. That should protect old town up to a level of 10 meters against inundations. Still, old town consists of a magnet for floods.

Despite of this, Cologne is well-known as the Fun City of all German cities. You go into a tavern and do not know anybody, and you go out with a lot of friends. It’s very easy to come in contact with Cologne people. In February, during Cologne Carnival, the whole Rhine land celebrates for at least six days — with tons of sweets and kisses.

Kind regards,

Marcus Hochstadt

© Copyright http://www.smart-travel-germany.com/ All rights reserved

Hamburg has 1,734,000 inhabitants. They all want to have fun, excitement, and occupation. You too? Great! Then read on.

1. Speicherstadt

The historical Speicherstadt in Hamburg is the largest warehouse complex in the world, and one of Hamburg’s landmarks and indisputably sightseeing highlights.

The century-old Speicherstadt is located in the Free Port between the Deichtorhallen and Baumwall. It was built at the turn of the century in red brick, typical of northern Germany, with gabled roofs and small towers, which are beautifully reflected in the canals they border. And during night it’s even more beautiful, because buildings, bridges, and canals are lighted. The illumination makes the warehouse complex an impressing place of mystery and dream.

You should plan to go on a harbour tour to see all the details. There is a Captain. His name is “Pruesse,” and he takes off daily from the Landungsbruecken (landing stages). Inform yourself in advance if ebb and flow allow the tour, and when he does start.

2. Town Hall

The Hamburg Rathaus (Town Hall) was built 1886 - 1897 with a splendid sandstone construction in Neo-Renaissance style. After the Town Hall burnt to the ground in 1842, the town council moved into temporary quarters in the former orphanage, after that into the building of the Patriotische Gesellschaft. This temporary solution lasted over 55 years!

The new Rathaus was inaugurated in 1897. It stands on over 4000 oak posts. Very much in contrast to the Hanseatic style, the Town Hall gleams with an elaborately ornate façade which is graced by a total of 20 statues of the Kaiser. It dominates the city centre with its impressive architecture. It is the seat of the city senate and the municipality of Hamburg and has 647 rooms!

The grand banquet hall in the Rathaus is 46 metres long, 18 metres wide and 15 metres high. Five huge paintings depict the history of Hamburg from 800 to 1900. The three chandeliers, each with 278 bulbs, weigh 1500 kilos apiece!

3. Jungfernstieg

This story is amazing: In the old days, families went here for a walk on Sundays and brought out their unmarried daughters (Jungfer - virgin)!

The Jungfernstieg is still something very special, not only because of its ideal situation on the banks of the Alster Lake. For Hamburg residents, it is above all the historic importance of the promenade which plays a significant role.

Today, everything here revolves around shopping in big department stores and luxury boutiques. The famous Alsterhaus and places full of tradition such as Streit’s cinema are also worth seeing. And if you are hungry or just want a refreshment, you can go to the Alsterpavillion. Sit down, watch other people, and relax. Amazing.

4. Fischmarkt

The Fischmarkt is not only famous here in Germany but in the entire world. When you are there you will know why. We call them “Marktschreier,” or Market Screamer. Men and women who has an ostentatious job. All the time. Their entire life.

You can watch them every Sunday morning from 5 to 9.30 a.m. (7 to 9.30 a.m. from Nov. 16.th to Mar. 14th). Since 1703, customers come from near and far to bargain with vendors praising wares of virtually every type at Hamburg’s oldest, most traditional open-air market

5. Landungsbruecken (Waterway Station)

The 700 metre-long floating dock at the underground station Landungsbrücken is Hamburg’s waterway station. This is where harbour tours start.

The first Landungsbrücken were built in 1839 and served as moorings for steamers. They were erected at the edge of the harbour because it was possible to load coal there, which they needed for their engines. Since they sailed with stoked fires onboard, they posed a cauldron of dangers for the harbour. Another reason for the erection of the Landungsbrücken for the steamers at the harbour’s edge.

From 1907 to 1909, an entire waterway station grew out of the first Landungsbrücken. In the Second World War, the Landungsbrücken were seriously damaged. The moving pontoons of today have existed since being rebuilt between 1953 and 1955.

Today, colourful souvenir shops offer waterfront memories to buy, and cosy fish restaurants serve as much fresh plaice or North Sea shrimps as you can eat. The tower on the eastern side indicates the water level as well as the time, and the ship’s bell tolls every half an hour.

So, that’s it. Have a great day!

Marcus

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