Warsaw & Oswiecim

Alrighty. This is going to be a long one. So make yourself a nice cup of tea and get comfortable.
I am now back in Berlin after a week-long adventure in Warsaw and Oswiecim, Poland.
Sunday: To start the trip, I took the train from Berlin to Warsaw... Let me paint you this mental picture. Me, on a train, at 6:30am, sick as a dog, for 6 hours... Yummy! It was not pleasant. But, I survived. I was greeted at the train station by Jurek (my father's wife's sister's boyfriend's father) and he took me to my hotel and gave me a basic understanding of the area. I then explored a little bit on my own, went back to my hotel room (which by the way, was fabulous) and crashed. I slept like a rock.
Monday: This was the one and only morning that I slept in. I felt like death. It was extremely crappy. But, I forced myself out of bed and onto the streets of Warsaw. Just a general observation, most of the men I saw, were very... Forward. They are not afraid to tell you what they would like to do to you. This isn't all men... But quite a few. So anyways, I did a fairly in depth exploration of the immediate area of the hotel and train station. That night, I wanted nothing more than to be in bed. So I grabbed a light dinner at a small cafe and turned in early.
Tuesday: I was early to catch my train to Oswiecim at 8. Another wonderful 5 hour train ride later, I was in Oswiecim (commonly known to as Auschwitz). I dropped my bags at the local hostel (in a locker, just to be safe) and went straight to Auschwitz. To say that it was difficult is an extraordinary understatement. The impact of such an experience really is life-changing. I can't accurately express the range of emotions I felt as I walked through. The one thing that really caught me off guard was the lack of respect some people have when they are in such a place. I encountered a group of boys close to my age and they decided it would be funny to imitate the inmates. It made me sick. Of course, the majority of people are very aware of their behaviour in such a place, however, I couldn't get over those boys. So, me being me, I made a few snide remarks on their age / behaviour ratios and went on my way. Being from North America, they understood me perfectly. Now, I would love to be able to say that I took lots of pictures, but something in me was vehemently opposed to doing so. I just don't think that it is appropriate to take pictures of something like that. No image can accurately display the feelings that one gets when Auschwitz. So I apologize. I simply could not do it. After that day, I went back to my hostel, and spent a good deal of the night thinking about human nature and the ability of a person to infilict such suffering onto another. I came to no startling conclusions.
Wednesday: Up early once again. Onto Birkenau... Like Auschwitz, I really don't know what to tell you. There is really no way for me to put into words what it was like. I found myself spending a great deal of time questioning my own personal nature and drive. On some level, all human's have the ability to torture others. The big difference in people is whether or not they choose to use that ability. We are all capable of 'evil' deeds. It is how we choose to deal with this part of us that sets us apart from the monsters of society.
Thursday: After breakfast at a tiny cafe, I hit the train station to go back to Warsaw. Once there, I walked to 'Old Town,' the historic part of Warsaw. Though it was beautiful, I was still in self-examination mode so I didn't really appriciate is as much as I should have. Then it was back to the hotel for some room service and bed.
Friday: Jurek recommended the Polish Rising Museum, so off I trecked. It reminded me a great deal of the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. The feeling was very similar. It was a nice day.
Saturday: Party day! At breakfast, I met Jolene and Marissa, two oil god's daughters from Calgary. They were doing a shopping day nad invited me along. Needless to say I didn't buy anything, but we had a good time. And that night, where better to celebrate than a Polish go-go club? The tequila was flowing and by the time we made it back to the hotel, it was somewhere around 4am.
Sunday: Tequila aftermath + 6 hour train ride = crappy x10354651684518615468. But, I made it through.
So I am in Berlin, planning my next move.
Oh, and by the way, I just recieved my acceptances from Ottawa. One for a major in criminology and one for a major in psychology. Hm... Now I have to decide...

Berlin: bike tours!

So. It has been three days since my mighty bicycle trip around Berlin... Or is it four? Oh well. The point is, my ass is still sore. I woke up that morning to the wonderfully annoying sound of my cell phone, which just happened to be all the way across the room. Yay! So, upon picking up the wretched little thing, I was invited on a bike tour of Berlin by a friend, Daniel. Now, who could resist? Now, normally, the answer to that question would have been a resounding 'ME!' due to my incredible ability to be a horrid bike rider. But, in the spirit of being adventurous, I said yes. Challenge number 1: Finding Daniel's house. Luckily for me, I didn't get lost. Challenge number 2: Actually riding the bike. Yipee. So, after a slightly iffy start, we were off, weaving through traffic like maniacs, as I watched my life flash second by second before my wind burned eyes. Okay. Maybe thats exaggerating a little, but the traffic was... Scary to say the least. So. We did all the Berlin-ish things one can do... Ate curry-wurst, drank coffee, vistited design stores with all intentions of buying everything and shipping it home to decorate my non-existant apartment... It was great. And tiring. So after dinner, games and a movie, I made the epic journey home (in the rain)... And got hopelessly lost. At 2 in the morning. It was lovely. Anyways, made it back to the apartment and crashed. A good day by most standards.

So tomorrow morning I am off to Warsaw, Poland... I'm making a two day trip to Krakow and Oswiecimto visit Auschwitz-Birkenau... So that'll be intense. I'll keep you updated.

Berlin: pool hall junkies and flea markets

So this Sunday, I ventured to a flea market... Love at first sight. There was some pretty awesome stuff. A lot of junk, but amidst it, some neat little items. I bought a pair of pants that aren't really pants, but... Yeah. Anyways. We had a pretty low key weekend, which was nice.
And last night I ended up spending most of the night in a pool hall (until 2:30 am to be exact) so needless to say I'm a little tired today. I can now say that it is a proven fact that I am terrible at pool. Luckily, I was playing with someone who will only rub my blatant lack of coordination in my face for a short time before moving on.

Berlin: heavy metal?

Sooooo... I have officially attended my very first heavy metal concert. And let me tell you, it was an adventure. Daniel called and asked if I'd like to go so of course, I said yes. I think the reason I said yes was to go in Natalia's honour... (I'm bringing you home my ticket stub dahlin'). We met Nico at a bar before hand and then continued to the ''concert hall.'' The line-up for the night? Cannibal Corpse followed by Children of Bodom. So my only question (that I never actually asked) was: isn't a bodom something you make coffee in? Or is that a bodum?? Hehe. Anyways. I was lucky that Daniel and Nico are both fairly big guys, because when Nico decided it would be a good idea for me to get out in the middle of the mosh pit, they were the only things keeping me from being crushed. So, after one round of that, I decided I was head-banged out and retreated to the back. Now, as a fairly well rounded musical person, I can see the intrigue in the music. It wasn't half bad. Once we left the concert hall (I'm not going to go into specifics) we hit a bar, had a beer and then made our way home. All in all, it was a pretty decent night.

As for travel plans... I have now booked my train tickets to Warsaw and back to Berlin. I'll be there from February 8th to the 15th. I am staying with Paul's sister (who speaks English!!) sp that should be fun. Then I'm thinking I'll do some more travel in Germany or to Switzerland. One step at a time...

Berlin: music ...

So, I have had a lot of time on my hands lately and have therefore been putting it to good use exploring music. It's incredible how many European bands I have never heard of. Well, maybe it's not. I do after all live in Minden. I consider myself fairly musically well rounded, and here I am expanding my horizons. These are the ones that I knew, but didn't really know.

Discovery numero uno: As anyone who knows me can tell you, I am mindly infatuated with Tom Waits. I was familiar with the song Rosy's Arms, however I really never sat down to listen to it carefully. So a few days ago, I rented a French film called Prenom Carmen by Jean-Luc Godard. First off, if you can get your hands on it (it was made in 1983), do it. Secondly, Rosy's Arms plays over a beautiful scene and it caught me off guard as I listened to it. So, when I finished the film, I played it several times. It is painfully beautiful. Even if you aren't a Tom Waits fan, listen to the lyrics.

2: Neil Young. I was a hater. No joke. Couldn't stand him. And then, once again, I actually listened to him. Brilliant. Though The Painter remains my favourite Neil Young song, Ambulance Blues runs a close second. It has obviously taken me years to get past his voice, but it something that grows on you. Never thought I would say that.

Trois: Veedon Fleece & His Band and The Street Choir by Van Morrison. I've always loved Van Morrison. TB Sheets is right up there among my favourite albums ever, but these two albums blew me away. His Band and The Street Choir came out in 1970 and Veedon Fleece in 1974 so both are in his earlier work. I think the one song that stands out the most for me from Veedon Fleece is Linden Arden Stole the Highlights. The story is amazing and only Van Morrison could romanticize something of that gravity.

4: Tracy Chapman baby!! Once again, I've been a Tracy Chapman fan for a long time, but the collection here at the house is phenomenal. She's just epic. There is no other way to descibe her.

5: Classical Music... I've always liked it. But it wasn't until I sat down with Debussy's Collection by Ronan O'Hora. It really is stunning.

So that is the extent of my music review today. Now onto books? Nah. Another day.

Anyways. I am currently organizing my trip to Warsaw. I believe the tickets are to be purchased on Friday. Yay!

sometimes you just have to believe in something...

So I just looked out ''my'' bedroom window... And this is what I saw.

and a magpie's wings; and tie 'em to your shoulders and your feet...

Today was probably the most emotional day so far for me. I ended up visiting Sachsenhausen, a WWII concentration camp just outside of Berlin with Frauke's parents. There are really no words to accurately describe such an experience. But here goes.
I used to believe that the term ''deafening silence'' was a serious cliche... It's amazing the effect one day can have on such beliefs. As you approach the gates holding the infamous saying ''arbeit macht frei'' (work makes you free) you begin to prepare yourself psychologically and emotionally for what you are about to see. But there is no preparation. You step through with the knowledge that thousands took those same steps and would never again see the outside world. To be able to walk so freely in and out feels wrong. Many of the barracks are no longer standing, but as you stand in the open area, you feel so enclosed, so trapped. And the silence. Everyone fears speaking in such a place as there are no appropriate words. And thus the silence encases you. Each step you take, you become fully aware that someone most likely died right where you stand, so you fear standing in one place to long.
There is a weight on your soul in any place like this. I stood before the monument in the centre of the camp and thought to myself, ''Here you are, all of 18 years old. So young and so dumb.'' We all think we are so smart, basking in the glory of how easy our lives have become. But how often does it cross our minds that there is a cost to all this freedom. I stood in front of the clothes of a 16 year old boy. He died there in 1944 because he had no food. And I couldn't help but thinking, ''Maybe he never kissed a girl. Hell, he'll never get to have sex.'' Such trivial things to think, yet look at the emphasis put on such things in today's society. But then it hit me. He died of starvation. It is still happening in our world today. Of course it is not in the same circumstances. But we feel such pity, such grief for those who were forced, so to speak, to stave to death, yet now we let it happen all on it's own because we are simply too lazy to acknowledge it. What the hell does this say about us?

Berlin: more pictures

So, while exploring Berlin, Frauke and I ended up in a fantastic artist village...

In a huge courtyard, every wall you look at has some insane graffiti.

... to all and to all a goodnight. This is on the side of an old bus.

Just some of the cooler stuff on the walls.

A semi-shot of the bar in the village. At night there are bonfires and drinks all around.


The body of an old plane. Apparently it used to be stuck in the ground but it has obviously been extracted.

More graffiti.

My personal favourite just because the shape of the building is already so cool.

Scrap pipes and such. All of this will at some point be turned into sculptures.

Some crazy mechanical graffiti.

The handmade barstools.

A lovely giraffe sculpture that just happens to be eating the tree.
Just a cool building that I saw while wandering.

I have a strange fascination with trees... Obviously.

The most odd tree I have seen thus far.

A van (that still runs) in the village.

Berlin: once upon a time...

So. Here it is. I'm feeling a little... Frozen. I'm kind of here in my little semi-comfort zone, unsure of my next step. Right now I am just trying to refocus on why I am here and what I am hoping to gain from the trip.
I've always prided myself on being very level-headed and comfortable with who I am. That isn't about to change. But there are things about who I am that I am starting to question. I used to think that I am happy with my own company. Well, there is no better way to test that theory then to stike out on one's own on a different continent. Right? So here is where I am on that. I didn't realize how lonely it gets. I don't mean immediate contact with other people. I mean being able to reach out to someone at anytime. The limitations on phones and such... It's strange more that anything.
Then there is the topic of safety. There hasn't been a time that I felt as if I was in danger or that something bad was going to happen. However, the feeling of impentitrable safety is gone. There is a possibility that something could happen. Not that I think it is (don't freak out Mom). It's as someone has taken a filter off of my world. The bad can get at me. If I let it. Note to self: don't let it.
So I realize that at the moment I sound a little bit looney. Hehe. Well, who knows, maybe I am.
Soooo... I'm thinking that the next item on the adgenda is a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp in Oswiecim. Frauke's sister's boyfriend has a sister in Warsaw so I'm thinking that I'll head there for a few days and then to Oswiecim.
Anyways. Off to dinner.
Ciao.

Berlin: pictures

So here is just a little tease of some of the shots I have so far...