Palenque's Berlin Journal
Aug 16th, 2006 | 06:35 AM
#141
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,641
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Caroline: yeh to me also the Ku'damm area is one of my least favorite places in Berlin..but perhaps the shops, bright lights, etc. is what the daughters will like better than the Gate area. Young folks in London may like the 'ambience' of Leicester Square but i agree there too that it's very tacky and London could do better.
Aug 29th, 2006 | 09:10 AM
#142
Original Poster
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,641
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Love Parade Dead? Not!
Author: PalQ
Date: 07/17/2006
Berlin's infamous Love Parade ("I met her at the Love Parade..."
has been reincarnated after a two year hiatus and this past Saturday, attracting several hundred thousand mainly europeans to what is billed as the world's largest dance party (and perhaps drug and booze party as well).
Author: PalQ
Date: 07/17/2006
the Love Parade was founded in 1989 and was actually a political demonstration and attracted about 150 people. since then attendance mushroomed and some 8.8 million attendees have been counted since, until 2003, the last time the parade was held. Attendance peaked in 1999 when 1.5 million visitors thronged the Tiergarten, where the parade ends and the debauchery begins. In 2001 the government yanked the Love Parade's political demonstration status and thus the parade itself, not the government, became liable for security and maintenane costs that had previously been footed by the government as it does for bona fide political demonstrations. This caused a serious squeeze on funds and many backers pulled out - indeed in 2004 the plug itself was pulled as not enough funds could be gathered to support continuance of one of the world's largest events. But in 2006 the owner of the McFit fitness chain in Germany decided to take over sponsorship as a way of getting his company's name known across Europe - he donated much of the money needed to get the parade back on the streets this year. Organizers hope to build it again into the mega parade that it was.
www.loveparade.net
Author: PalQ
Date: 07/17/2006
But all is not LOVE with the Loveparade--- its father, Berlin-based DJ Dr Motte - is a vocal critic of this year's Loveparade, saying: "This year's Loveparade is not true to the event's original message of peace and international understanding thru music"
"We wanted to show people a new, peaceful life, under the umbrella of music, everything is much easier."
DJ Motte plans to be out of Berlin during this year's Loveparade!
Author: ggreen
Date: 07/17/2006
Thanks PalQ for posting this! I was wondering what was going on when I saw a photo of a guy at Love Parade on the Yahoo News homepage yesterday. I didn't know it had been restarted... It's a shame that the message has been changed from "peace" and "tear down the Wall" to commercialism. But to be honest it seemed more a commercial-sponsored party than a love-fest when I went...
We went to Love Parade in 2001. After we arrived in Germany, we found out that it was on after the government had first said it would be canceled, so we spontaneously hopped a train from Hamburg to experience it! It was **crazy**, waaay many more people in the Tiergarten than I have ever seen for New Years in Times Square (even in the old unregulated days). And that was off the peak from 1999? Wow.
The Tiergarten and parade route were pretty trashed, and you could see where the government would be concerned about cleaning up and also salvaging the greenery of the Tiergarten. (It seems everyone drinks out of glass in Germany, so lots of glass shards everywhere!)
Anyway, thanks for the update!
Author: PalQ
Date: 07/18/2006
ggreen - thanks for your comments and relaying your experience. I've never been to the Loveparade but love these type of events - peace, love and dope, being a child of the 60s myself. But it's the ideals not the sensory pleasures that i love about these type of communal events.
Meanwhile DJ Motte (aka Matthias Roeingh) laments about McFit taking over control thru their sponsorship -
"Mr Schaller (McFit chairman) is a businessman...he doesn't know what the Loveparade is. The Loveparade is about healing society thru music and nonverbal communication. It's not a marketing parade."
Author: PalQ
Date: 07/17/2006
Berlin's infamous Love Parade ("I met her at the Love Parade..."
has been reincarnated after a two year hiatus and this past Saturday, attracting several hundred thousand mainly europeans to what is billed as the world's largest dance party (and perhaps drug and booze party as well).Author: PalQ
Date: 07/17/2006
the Love Parade was founded in 1989 and was actually a political demonstration and attracted about 150 people. since then attendance mushroomed and some 8.8 million attendees have been counted since, until 2003, the last time the parade was held. Attendance peaked in 1999 when 1.5 million visitors thronged the Tiergarten, where the parade ends and the debauchery begins. In 2001 the government yanked the Love Parade's political demonstration status and thus the parade itself, not the government, became liable for security and maintenane costs that had previously been footed by the government as it does for bona fide political demonstrations. This caused a serious squeeze on funds and many backers pulled out - indeed in 2004 the plug itself was pulled as not enough funds could be gathered to support continuance of one of the world's largest events. But in 2006 the owner of the McFit fitness chain in Germany decided to take over sponsorship as a way of getting his company's name known across Europe - he donated much of the money needed to get the parade back on the streets this year. Organizers hope to build it again into the mega parade that it was.
www.loveparade.net
Author: PalQ
Date: 07/17/2006
But all is not LOVE with the Loveparade--- its father, Berlin-based DJ Dr Motte - is a vocal critic of this year's Loveparade, saying: "This year's Loveparade is not true to the event's original message of peace and international understanding thru music"
"We wanted to show people a new, peaceful life, under the umbrella of music, everything is much easier."
DJ Motte plans to be out of Berlin during this year's Loveparade!
Author: ggreen
Date: 07/17/2006
Thanks PalQ for posting this! I was wondering what was going on when I saw a photo of a guy at Love Parade on the Yahoo News homepage yesterday. I didn't know it had been restarted... It's a shame that the message has been changed from "peace" and "tear down the Wall" to commercialism. But to be honest it seemed more a commercial-sponsored party than a love-fest when I went...
We went to Love Parade in 2001. After we arrived in Germany, we found out that it was on after the government had first said it would be canceled, so we spontaneously hopped a train from Hamburg to experience it! It was **crazy**, waaay many more people in the Tiergarten than I have ever seen for New Years in Times Square (even in the old unregulated days). And that was off the peak from 1999? Wow.
The Tiergarten and parade route were pretty trashed, and you could see where the government would be concerned about cleaning up and also salvaging the greenery of the Tiergarten. (It seems everyone drinks out of glass in Germany, so lots of glass shards everywhere!)
Anyway, thanks for the update!
Author: PalQ
Date: 07/18/2006
ggreen - thanks for your comments and relaying your experience. I've never been to the Loveparade but love these type of events - peace, love and dope, being a child of the 60s myself. But it's the ideals not the sensory pleasures that i love about these type of communal events.
Meanwhile DJ Motte (aka Matthias Roeingh) laments about McFit taking over control thru their sponsorship -
"Mr Schaller (McFit chairman) is a businessman...he doesn't know what the Loveparade is. The Loveparade is about healing society thru music and nonverbal communication. It's not a marketing parade."
Sep 15th, 2006 | 06:41 AM
#145
Original Poster
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,641
Likes: 0
laartista, poutine thanks for you generous comments.
S-BAHN/RAILPASS CORRECTION
Above i wrote that S-Bahns in general were valid with railpasses valid in Germany (eurail, German, etc.) but this seems to be so only on some of the S-Bahn lines. Word from German Rail indicates that a railpass in Berlin is good on S-Bahn lines that connect mainline train stations - thus the one running thru the heart of Berlin is valid as it connects several main train stations. But some S-Bahn lines apparently are not.
Best to ask the ticket window if not sure. There are no conductors on S-Bahn lines but plenty of spot checks with fines. Currently you need no ticket with a pass to board S-Bahns, you just clambor aboard as there are no automatic barriers to pass thru.
S-BAHN/RAILPASS CORRECTION
Above i wrote that S-Bahns in general were valid with railpasses valid in Germany (eurail, German, etc.) but this seems to be so only on some of the S-Bahn lines. Word from German Rail indicates that a railpass in Berlin is good on S-Bahn lines that connect mainline train stations - thus the one running thru the heart of Berlin is valid as it connects several main train stations. But some S-Bahn lines apparently are not.
Best to ask the ticket window if not sure. There are no conductors on S-Bahn lines but plenty of spot checks with fines. Currently you need no ticket with a pass to board S-Bahns, you just clambor aboard as there are no automatic barriers to pass thru.
Sep 18th, 2006 | 01:46 PM
#146
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Hi Everyone!
I just got back from Berlin and Paris of which I spent 6 days in each city. I went solo to Berlin before I met my husband in Paris. The first time to both of these cities and I must say I love Berlin. Since I love visiting museums I enjoyed all of them in Berlin especially the Bauhaus archives and museum. The history involving Berlin is amazing. I stayed at the Berlin Marriott which was next to the U-Bahn and navigating around town was no problem. I love the subway system but I also feel it is a great walking city. I can't wait to go back!! This place is well worth visiting if you enjoy a cultural event. I got the Berlin Pass which is well worth it since I got into many museums. If you want more info about my trip you can e-mail my home address at [email protected]
I just got back from Berlin and Paris of which I spent 6 days in each city. I went solo to Berlin before I met my husband in Paris. The first time to both of these cities and I must say I love Berlin. Since I love visiting museums I enjoyed all of them in Berlin especially the Bauhaus archives and museum. The history involving Berlin is amazing. I stayed at the Berlin Marriott which was next to the U-Bahn and navigating around town was no problem. I love the subway system but I also feel it is a great walking city. I can't wait to go back!! This place is well worth visiting if you enjoy a cultural event. I got the Berlin Pass which is well worth it since I got into many museums. If you want more info about my trip you can e-mail my home address at [email protected]
Sep 19th, 2006 | 08:49 AM
#148
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,254
Likes: 0
PalQ - on our trip in July, we also purchased the Berlin Pass. I tried to find my info on it, but somehow that did not make it home.
As I recall, when we were in the Pergamon looking at all the ticket prices, down on the bottom of the list was a 3-day all-inclusive pass for most, if not all, museums in the area, including the Sanssouci and Charlottenburg. My DH recalls it was about 15 Euros for the 3 days. It was a great value, as I think a single entry to a museum is like 8 Euros.
We would just present our card, then they would give us a different ticket to go through the magnetic reader for that particular museum.
We visited the Museum Island area (Pergamon, National Gallery, Egyptian & Papyrus Museum) Kulturforum museums (Gemaldegalerie, Kunstgewerbemuseum (sp?); Sanssouci Palalce, Neue Orangerie, Old Orangerie, Neue Palais; Schloss Charlottenberg, Belvedere - all these were included in our pass. I'm sure there were others but these are the ones I remember.
Excellent value - excellent museums and spectacular palaces!
Our trip included Prague, Dresden, Berlin and Switzerland. I'm still working on the Swiss trip report, but the rest is done if you feel like reading. I won't give the link here because I don't want to hijack your great thread. But I'm sure you could find it if you click on my name.
Thanks for all your work!
As I recall, when we were in the Pergamon looking at all the ticket prices, down on the bottom of the list was a 3-day all-inclusive pass for most, if not all, museums in the area, including the Sanssouci and Charlottenburg. My DH recalls it was about 15 Euros for the 3 days. It was a great value, as I think a single entry to a museum is like 8 Euros.
We would just present our card, then they would give us a different ticket to go through the magnetic reader for that particular museum.
We visited the Museum Island area (Pergamon, National Gallery, Egyptian & Papyrus Museum) Kulturforum museums (Gemaldegalerie, Kunstgewerbemuseum (sp?); Sanssouci Palalce, Neue Orangerie, Old Orangerie, Neue Palais; Schloss Charlottenberg, Belvedere - all these were included in our pass. I'm sure there were others but these are the ones I remember.
Excellent value - excellent museums and spectacular palaces!
Our trip included Prague, Dresden, Berlin and Switzerland. I'm still working on the Swiss trip report, but the rest is done if you feel like reading. I won't give the link here because I don't want to hijack your great thread. But I'm sure you could find it if you click on my name.
Thanks for all your work!
Sep 19th, 2006 | 09:09 AM
#150
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,254
Likes: 0
Somehow I feel uncomfortable doing this, sort of self-aggrandizing in a way. But here goes:
http://tinyurl.com/ftnkw
http://tinyurl.com/ftnkw
Sep 19th, 2006 | 02:06 PM
#151
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,254
Likes: 0
PalQ - upon further thought, I am unclear whether the Sanssouci was included in the pass. It could be that was a separate admission charge. My notes are unclear and my mind is foggy about that. Sorry about any confusion.
But I do remember for certain that Schloss Charlottenburg was included.
But I do remember for certain that Schloss Charlottenburg was included.
Nov 15th, 2006 | 08:41 AM
#152
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 0
Kopp: 102 degrees in Berlin! Hard to believe - guess i'd guzzle even more German beer than ever! thanks for info on Berlin Pass.
REICHSTAG UPDATE:
Apparently the Reichstag climb is as popular as ever - friends just e-mailed me about their current Berlin trip and said even in November they had to wait one hour to get in. Lines in summer must be really bad.
CENTRAL TRAIN STATION UPDATE
All reports have Berlin's new main station, near the Reichstag area, being a smashing success - it's supposed to be the biggest train shed in Europe now, replacing Leipzig in that stat i think. Everyone who visits Berlin will enjoy a look at this glass and steel marvel!
REICHSTAG UPDATE:
Apparently the Reichstag climb is as popular as ever - friends just e-mailed me about their current Berlin trip and said even in November they had to wait one hour to get in. Lines in summer must be really bad.
CENTRAL TRAIN STATION UPDATE
All reports have Berlin's new main station, near the Reichstag area, being a smashing success - it's supposed to be the biggest train shed in Europe now, replacing Leipzig in that stat i think. Everyone who visits Berlin will enjoy a look at this glass and steel marvel!
Nov 15th, 2006 | 10:50 PM
#153
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,801
Likes: 0
Don't count me in as one of Central Station's fans!
The structure suffers significantly from Deutsche Bahn's messing with the architect's original plans - its proportions are indeed utterly unbalanced.
The interior boasts a number of shops but lacks good signs and is not very transparent.
For security reasons, I presume, there are no lockers - only a manned baggage deposit. Dropping a bag there (at a steep fee of EUR 3.00 per bag, if I recall correctly) can take as long as 30 minutes due to long lines.
Overall not a smashing success in my book.
The structure suffers significantly from Deutsche Bahn's messing with the architect's original plans - its proportions are indeed utterly unbalanced.
The interior boasts a number of shops but lacks good signs and is not very transparent.
For security reasons, I presume, there are no lockers - only a manned baggage deposit. Dropping a bag there (at a steep fee of EUR 3.00 per bag, if I recall correctly) can take as long as 30 minutes due to long lines.
Overall not a smashing success in my book.
Nov 16th, 2006 | 06:45 AM
#154
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 0
hsv- thanks for your impressions on the new train shed. I'm probably going to make a journey to Berlin in January, i hope, just to see the station and see for myself - but i've heard about the snafu between DB and architect - still when i was in it a few years ago when the S-Bahn was already running thru it it seemed awesome enough. Guess i'll see in a while. Certainly makes rail travel easier than the cramped platforms at Zoo station, now i guess a regional train station and for north-south trains, etc. No lockers! Wow, i thought every German train station had lockers but i understand why here they may not. thanks for your report.
Nov 16th, 2006 | 11:55 AM
#155
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,801
Likes: 0
Another handicap the station suffers from is that it is still basically in the middle of nowhere. Basically it's only convenient for the parliament and its MPs.
The best thing about it, I guess, is the ICE train to Hamburg ;-)!
The best thing about it, I guess, is the ICE train to Hamburg ;-)!
Nov 21st, 2006 | 06:21 AM
#156
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 0
BERLIN'S DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS MARKET
Christmas markets are a time-honored and festive tradition throughout Germany. But Berlin's Weihnukka Christmas Market is the only Christian-Jewish Christmas Market in the country. (Dec 3-31 at Berlin's Jewish Museum.)
Anyone know more about Berlin's more traditional Christmas Market - i may be in Berlin in December and have no idea of what if any kind of Christmas Market may await. I'm going mainly to see and experience the new central train station, warts and all i guess but i do like these Christmas Markets - and especially their spicy Glugh (sp?) Wein - served piping hot.
Christmas markets are a time-honored and festive tradition throughout Germany. But Berlin's Weihnukka Christmas Market is the only Christian-Jewish Christmas Market in the country. (Dec 3-31 at Berlin's Jewish Museum.)
Anyone know more about Berlin's more traditional Christmas Market - i may be in Berlin in December and have no idea of what if any kind of Christmas Market may await. I'm going mainly to see and experience the new central train station, warts and all i guess but i do like these Christmas Markets - and especially their spicy Glugh (sp?) Wein - served piping hot.
Nov 22nd, 2006 | 04:09 AM
#157
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,282
Likes: 0
How interesting ! Will look forward to hearing of your experiences. I haven't yet been to a German Xmas market - except the wee one here !
As you may remember, we loved Berlin last April (2005). We had planned to go again last month but the Kirov Ring in Cardiff next month was a bigger draw for DH so we changed our Berlin flights to March (the latest we could get). I've booked the City Partner Hotel Am Gendarmenmarkt at €88 pn for a double - do you know it if so is it OK ? Not exactly where I'd like to be but close enough, I think. (Looking forward to those enormous grillhaxe dinners in the Nikolaiviertel pubs
)
All the best, Caroline
As you may remember, we loved Berlin last April (2005). We had planned to go again last month but the Kirov Ring in Cardiff next month was a bigger draw for DH so we changed our Berlin flights to March (the latest we could get). I've booked the City Partner Hotel Am Gendarmenmarkt at €88 pn for a double - do you know it if so is it OK ? Not exactly where I'd like to be but close enough, I think. (Looking forward to those enormous grillhaxe dinners in the Nikolaiviertel pubs
) All the best, Caroline
Nov 29th, 2006 | 11:54 AM
#158
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 0
Dear Caroline:
thanks again for your nice comments. I know nearly nothing about hotels so i can't comment - the location to me would be great - in old East Berlin which fascinates me more than West Berlin.
I think Berlin would be infinitely nicer in April than October for some reason - flowers popping up, etc. but a trip there anytime is a treat.
Sincerely, PalQ
PS - I've never experience Edinburgh Hoogamany (sp?) and won't this year but will sometime soon - it must be the greatest atmosphere in one of the world's most beautiful cities!
thanks again for your nice comments. I know nearly nothing about hotels so i can't comment - the location to me would be great - in old East Berlin which fascinates me more than West Berlin.
I think Berlin would be infinitely nicer in April than October for some reason - flowers popping up, etc. but a trip there anytime is a treat.
Sincerely, PalQ
PS - I've never experience Edinburgh Hoogamany (sp?) and won't this year but will sometime soon - it must be the greatest atmosphere in one of the world's most beautiful cities!
Dec 5th, 2006 | 04:21 AM
#159
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,282
Likes: 0
Hi PalQ and thanks. Do you know yet if you'll make it to Berlin this month ?
I guess Edinburgh's Hogmanay is OK if you don't mind partying outdoors amid huge crowds + terrible weather, then having to walk home - but I'm probably just showing my age
I guess Edinburgh's Hogmanay is OK if you don't mind partying outdoors amid huge crowds + terrible weather, then having to walk home - but I'm probably just showing my age
