First I should quickly summarize my time in Köln for the Amphi Festival in July. After a 6 hour train ride to Köln with 3 really special friends, lots of silly games to pass the time, some teasing and lots of laughter, we finally arrived. Köln is best known for it's magnificent Kölner Dom in the city centre:
Construction began in 1248 and took, with interruptions, until 1880 to complete. It is 144.5 metres long, 86.5 m wide and its towers are approximately 157 m tall. The cathedral is one of the world's largest churches and the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe.
Here are some other sights we took in on our leisurely day wandering the narrow streets of medieval Köln:
The Hohenzollern Bridge was one of the most important bridges in Germany during World War II; even under consistent daily airstrikes the bridge was not damaged badly. On 6 March 1945, German military engineers blew up the bridge when Allied troops started to conquer Cologne. Since 2008 people have placed "love padlocks" on the fence between the sidewalk and the tracks.
Antique shop we passed by, noticing a doll with an iron cross draped around it's neck... odd, to say the least.
Rather than bore you with a bunch more concert photos, I'll just share with you some of the people and friend I was with and a view of the Dom from the "beach" at Amphi:
Day at the "beach"...
The whole gang!!! What fun we had sheltering ourselves from the rain with a canopy of umbrellas!
Beautiful Anne and I on day two at Amphi.
In July I also met a very loverly and wonderful costume designer (and her crew of delightful ladies!) who was kind enough to take a chance on an ex-pat and bring me onto her costume team, despite my lack of fluent German. I am forever in debt to her for her advice and help and patience with me learning to do my job... in Deutsch! I learned a lot, met a terrific group of people who appreciated my being there, and expressed their sadness when I was not. I felt really accepted and loved on "Wechselspiel". I now have an official German film credit for my CV!!! Woohoo! (Thanks to B for the introduction).
August saw the start of another German course... which I passed... I've now completed 3 levels of German leaving another 9 more to go! (eep!) With any luck my budget will allow me to take at least another 2 levels before year's end. *daumen drücken* (fingers (well thumbs really) crossed). Meine Lehrerin (teacher) says I'm the strongest in my class, but I have a hard time believing it. I know I have *definitely* improved since I landed in Berlin, but still struggle with listening sometimes. It helps to have wicked friends who are here to help and not laugh at me too. :)
Now for some eye candy and history:
Reich Eagle on side of Columbiahaus Concentration Camp from 1933. Up to 1936 the Tempelhofer Feld was situated here. Used by the SS and the Gestapo for 8,000 political prisoners. Also was used to train commandrs and personnel how to torture. This building stands across from Tempelhof Airfield and is about 3 blocks from my flat in Neukölln. You can also see the eagles on the Tempelhof Airfield building.
Steel sculpture commemorating the Columbiahaus prison.
Berlin Airlift Monument on Platz der Luftbrücke in front of the airport, displaying the names of the 39 British and 31 American pilots who lost their lives during the operation, and symbolising the three air corridors.
Tempelhof Airfield - 1935-41. Would have been at the end of the North-South Axis of the Third Reich's new "Germania". Tempelhof was designated as an airport by the Ministry of Transport on 8 October 1923. The old terminal was originally constructed in 1927. In anticipation of increasing air traffic, the Nazi Government began a massive reconstruction in the mid-1930s. Today the airfield is closed for it's original use, but was opened in May 2010 as a city park for the people of Berlin. We have grilled there a few times now and also gone for bike rides.
Tempelhof Airfield - Reich Eagle in "Eagle Square" in front of the reception building. Originally it sat 45 meters high on the roof of the reception area. It was presented to the Americans for West Point Academy, but they returned the head back to Berlin. (where is the body?)
This wraps up July and August.
Things I am currently looking forward to in September:
1. My parents, Rachel, Kely, Bruce & Maddy arriving in Berlin.
2. Seeing OMD for the first time with fellow OMD fans Bruce & Maddy.
3. E-tropolis.
4. Drop Dead Festival.
5. Seeing !Bang Elektronika
6. DJing with DJs BGleiter, Ben Bloodygrave and Ansi @ Blue Wednesday.
It's going to be a wonderfully busy month!!!
<3
Devi
