The Berlin TV Tower

The Berlin TV Tower (Fernsehturm) is the center point of Berlin. This golf ball look-alike is stuck on a 365 metre tall stick planted in Alexanderplatz. It features a 360 degree view of the Divided City at 204 metres.

Some interesting facts about the Space Needle of Berlin:
- It was built in 1964 and took 4 years to build
- It is sometimes referred to as the Telespargel, "tele-asparagus", by East-German journalists
- Bloggers (apparently) have begun referring to this tower as Death Star from Star Wars (I like golf ball on a stick personally)
- When the sun shines brightly on the observatory, the glass reflection appears as a cross. This phenomenon is referred to as the Pope's Revenge because the communist government suppressed the church during its atheist regime

Technically we saw this on the second day, but seeing as our Monday arrival was darkened by the rising moon, it was really the first thing we saw. Two elevators take observers up to 204 metres. People then proceed to press their noses against down-slanted pains of glass for views of the intricate labyrinth of Berlin's infrastructure. Most all buildings worth their weight in tourist attraction can be viewed from the tower and if you don't have the eye to find them, maps along the railing clearly point them out in German, English, and French.

The tower also offers a cafe hovering a mere 3 metres higher, a gift shop by the toilets, and a bar for the husbands who were quite clearly dragged there by their busy-body wives. Fog covered the city during our visit so extremely distant sights where hidden from our optic nerves, but non the less, the view was spectacular. The city layout is nothing of a grid-block American city. Buildings are rounded to fit the winding streets and nothing is shorter than 5 stories. Tourists also get to view the milling-about fellow tourists down on the court area in front of the tower. Besides the view, the largest attraction to the TV Tower is the location of a Starbucks in its base(my personal favorite because Denmark lacks the existence of the five-dollar coffee wonder we call Starbucks).

Berlin - The Divided City

Berlin, winter holiday 2009, was amazing, spectacular, astonishing, impressive, wondrous, stupendous... the list goes on and on. Never before have I visited a city that can just take one's breath away in not just shear volume, but also history and landmarks as Berlin.

Nicknamed the Divided City, Berlin is home to about 3.4 million people over an area of 344 sq miles that dates back to 1192. This city has seen almost 1000 years of history, most notably WWII and its involvement with the Soviets. Creditable landmarks which distinguish this city from other European metropolitan areas include the reminisce of the Berlin Wall (Berliner Mauer), the Brandenburger Gate, the Reichstag building, the Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom), the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Schloss Charlottenburg (largest palace in Berlin), the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church (the Old Tower), the Zoologischer Garten Berlin (home to Knut), the Berlin Hauptbahnhof (largest crossing station in Europe), Siegessäule (the Victory Column), Alexanderplatz, Gendarmenmarkt, and Potsdamen Platz.

All in all, mix together almost 1000 years of history, 170 museums, 108.509 dogs, 424.590 tree lined city streets, and more graffiti than LA and New York City together could handle and out pops Berlin, the capital city to Germany – Denmark’s source of cheap liquor.

Each day I will be doing a post on each of the 11 new photo albums I have posted in order to better display the over 300 photos which I took. This starts tomorrow so be on the lookout each day for something new and inspiring from yours truly.

A/N: this is my 100th post!!! *pats self on the back*

Some FYIs

Well, I get another week for holiday! Week 7 is desinated winter holiday here in Denmark. My family and I are taking to Berlin, Germany for the week. Obviously I haven't left yet, but this is just an FYI so you all can get prepared for some serious posting on my venture into the capital of Germany.

I most likely will not have internet so I'll do my best to order my pictures and write boring ol' Word documents so I can get my trip up to you quickly upon my return.

Also, here is a basic outline of my coming adventures in the dwindling months I have left.

• Week7 - Berlin
• Week12 - Rebbecca's visit
• Week 14 - possible trip to Czech Republic (this is way up in the air)
• Week 15 - holiday in England
• Week 22 - holiday (Jyllandstur even though I'm not going)
• Week 22 - Jelling Music Festival (3 days)

Americanism

Yesterday I went to speek to a school about myself and my country. Quite an honor to be a guest speaker of my country even though it was to only 100, give or take, students. So, I talked a little about myself, showed them some pictures of the Mojave, bored them with information about school and sports, and concluded with a little bit about being an American. Following this 40 minute or so lecture, I was asked questions. Luckily they didn't ask anything too indepth, such as what caused the financial crisis or what our president will do. Mostly the questions were of my opinion on various things included weapon possession, but one questions did stump me. Surprisingly, that questions was this:

Can you give an example of American culture?

And honestly, I couldn't. It wasn't later that someone gave me the suggestion of Thanksgiving or the fact that we tend to excentuate our holidays, but in truth, it got me thinking. Truely, what is American culture?

Wikipedia devides the Culture of the United States into literature, television, dance, visual arts, theater, cuisine, fashion, and pop culture. Wikipedia also divides society into; social class and work; race; group affiliations; technology, gadgets, and atutomobiles; rugs, alcohol and smoking; sports; food and clothing; education; languge; religion; housing; gender relations; death rituals; household arrangements; and regional variations. Are all of these things culture or just a part of culture? What is culture? Can such a thing be defined? Does it change? Can you generalize?

The answers (as stated by my opinion): All of thoes things are merely a part of culture, it is what makes up culture. Culture is just a way of life. In all reality, it can't be defined. Of course it changes. Generalizing can only be done to a certain extent.

So, American culture; a delectable mix of cultures around the world. Imagine every country's culture being a colout. Now mix all of thoes colours together. Chances are you will recieve gray - one big blob of gray. That gray - the culture of America, or at least as seen by my eyes.

Super Bowl XLIII

As the AFS winter camp came to its ends, Kyle Shriver and I had decided to watched football's game of the year together. It was a late night for us. Kick off, though early for America, didn't occur until 12.30 in Denmark. The game concluded at 4.15 with a spectacular win by the Steelers. Much can be acredited to Ben Roethlisberger, who I heard much of that night due to the fact that he bought Kyle a PS2 five (or however long) years ago. Unfortunately this wasn't Polamalu's game. Most dissapointing though, was the lack of American commercials. Don't get me wrong, there were plenty of commercial breaks, but only about 5 constantly repeating Danish commercials ran. Half-time also lacked especially seeing as I slept through it.

As you would imagine, school wasn't a priority for me especially seeing as I was 30 min south of my home, where Kyle lives. It was worth it though. Our day didn't begin until noon and was begun with a long walk to Vejen, where the train station is.

People are fish and air is water. Swimming up stream:
difficult. Walking upwind: impossible.

Odd thoughts, thoes are, but completely fitting to the walk we walked. I don't ever think has there been a time that wind has been that cruel to me. It was strong and constant and chilling to the bones. My body spent the entire train ride home warming up. I'm just glad I didn't have to walk that hour home like Kyle. Hopefully you didn't loose any fingers to frostbite in the endeavor, Kyle.

*spelling errors, I know. Just pretend they were right and move on.

Project Wall --> Do Your Part!

I've come to realize while I’m here that not only am I gaining an experience of a life time and a new family, but also friends from around the world. This reminds me, though, of all of the friends and family I already have all around the world. It’s something I’ve become very thankful for especially because of the traveler I have become.

What is Project “Wall”?
Excellent question. Project “Wall” is my attempt to gather a postcard from every person I know (friend or family) of their home town or area they are from. It is quite ambition, but I’m ready for the challenge.

Why a postcard? Can’t I just send a letter or something?
Well, anyone who knows me very well knows that I collect postcards. This is just one of the reasons. There are many. A postcard is meant to give a general overview of the city or area. Cards are usually for special occasions. And no, you can’t just send a letter. You may, however send one in addition to a postcard :D

Why “Wall”?
I have only one completely perpendicular wall in my room. It is behind my desk. I’ve started to put up a few pictures I brought with me and the few postcards I’ve gotten along with Christmas cards. I didn’t think about filling up the wall until the Christmas cards started to roll in. That’s when I decided to put more meaning behind the wall. I want to be able to really see the world if only through pieces of paper. I know now that I have tons of family and friends from all over the world.

So, to where must I send this postcard?
My address of course :D From the time you receive this until the 30th of June, Denmark will be my home. From that date onward, I will be back state side.

Denmark Address:
Hesselkær 5
7100 Vejle
Danmark

What is on the Wall now

Århus Domkirke --> the Cathedral

(Yes, I know this picture looks a little off in the middle. The stiching wasn't so good, but you get the picture.)

Århus Domkirke (cathedral) is the longest and tallest cathedral in Denmark. It is situated in the heart of the city surrounded by the labyrinth of antiguity. The actually age of the church is a bit specuality, but then again anything as old as they guess has room for error in my opinion.

The building of the church began in 1190 after the original timber structure burned down to the ground and was complete in 1300 in the tradition style. Later that century the church was, again, up in flames along with a good portion of the city and left abondoned until 1449. By this time the Gothic style of architecture had meandered its way up to Denmark. The church was rebuildt. It was until 1500, that the bishop demanded a larger church. The cathedral was expanded to stand at its current measurements of 93 m long and 96 m tall with the ability to sit about 1.200 people.

Much of the interior is covered in hand painted frescos done between 1470 to 1520. Since the Reformation many of the frescos have disappeared from the white walls, but the Århus Domkirke still has the greatest quantities of frecos in Denmark. The alterpiece is one of Denmark's great treasures by Bernt Notke dedicated on Easter Sunday in 1479.

Over all this is the most stunning church I have ever stepped foot in. I spent probably an hour warming my toes and took just shy of 160 photos. It is a place of great magnitude and the capability to captrue the attention of any traveler.

I think churches hold a lot of history to an area especially where they are old. It is something American truely lacks - the down right old. There actually a lot of churches in Denmark. This I found surprising becaue though about 95% of Denmark is 'religious' almost no one goes to church on a regular bases. Come to find out, in Denmark's earlier years, there was a law that made people go to church faithfully or other wise suffer some form of punishment (a large fine I believe). Pretty interesting really.

Again, I urge you to visit here to see more pictures and with better quality. Just click on the slide show button, sit back, and watch the pictures roll past at a controlled pace.

The Capital of Jutland --> Århus

Århus is the second largest city in Denmark and often refered to as the "Capital of Jutland". More than 300.000 people live in the city and an additional 500.000 people in the surrounding area. It is home to more than 1.300 years of history and some of Jutland's main attractions.

My adventure of Århus (also spelled Aarhus before the spelling reform in the '70s) was one of uncharted spontaneity. After my return from Haslev (mini-stay) I came to the realization (yes, exchange is all about them) that I had seen very little of my own neighborhood. Århus is only a 40 minute train ride north (about 10 bucks one way). With that I packed a lunch, umbrella, and put on my walking shoes. It also provided an excellent opprotunity to really take my new camera for a spin.

I arrived early and just took off. I had no map and really little idea of what I wanted to see. I staid mostly around the walking street as that is the main stream area. What is truelly attractive about this city is the canel that runs right through the gågade (walking street). Buildings stand tall around cobbled ways, creating a labyrinth of shops and people. It is so European and foreign to the average American. There are times when one has to pinch oneself to really make sure they are there.

After a few hours of taking pictures (batteries last longer when you stick them in your gloves before hand :D) and walking around aimlessly following the stream of natives, I decided to conclude my ture before any casualties of the toes occured. Come to find out that I missed a lot of the good stuff during my travels. The famous Aros (art museum) Museum, and government buildings worth seeing are actually in the opposite direction of the way I went. I guess another return visit is in order.

I strongly urge you to look here for pictures of Århus. They are large images so viewn there is best. Click on slideshow and be slightly patient. Enjoy!

Vejle - My Home (Part 1)

In the words of Emily Dickinson, "Where thou art - that - is Home."

There is no Exchange Student 101 class we can take or an Idiot's Guide to Living Abroad, but there are some basics we all come to learn and pass on. Home is one of them. A house isn't a home unless it has soul; so many say. The soul, though, is in the people, so in corrolation with this we say: Home is where you live. Well, I live in Vejle, Danmark, so that is my home. For the past 5½ months I have called this city home and for the next 5½ I shall continue to do so.

Vejle is not by any means a 'large' city, but it is also not the common 'small' city either. Here we live primally with two Føtex stores, a large shopping center, a train station with more than one platform, and enough art to fill a museum. Home sits nestled bellow Denmark's only gentle rolling hills, squashed up to a fjord, carefully being watched under the all seeing eyes of the great Windmill.

I won't tell you much of it now becuase, honestly, I haven't really taken any of the 'good' pictures yet. All I've done is give you a preface that includes a bunch of variously done shots of churches. However good my photography skill may or may not be, Vejle isn't just made of churches though it has three/four large ones.

So, until Day 2 - Skål (cheers)!

A New America

My body tingles as words of reasurance tripple from the mouth of America's future. Nothing short of the end of the world could have moved me from in front of the telly on 20. jan 2009 at 1700 hours. It was, and still is, history.

High hopes were made for the inaguration of the 44th president of the United States of America, and boy were they met. Having witnessed this event from afar makes it no less important, but if anything all the more special. I believe that we can expect great things from President Barak Obama.

This was, though not in the literal sense, my first presidental election. The beginning of both the Clinton and Bush Administrations are but distant and unimportant memories from my early childhood. This; however, is a memory not soon to be forgotten. It is a historic moment for my Western nation. People said it would never happen, I admit myself to being one of thoes cynics, but it has happened - America is now led by an African American.

Obama will be faced with the daunting task of piecing together again our crubbling nation. We have more problems now than we have had in a long time. Our health care system has failed, our education system has gone down the drains and out to sea, our economy is in crisis, and our country at war. There is no time for Obama to dilly-dally in the White House. We need to restore the world's image of America and right the wrong that the previous administation has done. We need to fix our homeland problems and prepare ourselves for a prosperous future. The man for the job now sits in the Oval Office. God bless President Barak Obama.