Archive for the ‘germany’ Category

Hamburg: New Year’s Eve

Saturday, December 31st, 2005

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The eve of New Year’s proves a worthy opponent. Rain, sleet, and lost members of the science party: we are challenged and Hamburg tests our resolve to celebrate. But the free nature of alcohol and food elevates our spirits. Liberians, Germans and Australians and Ex-Pats strengthen our numbers as we dodge explosives and fireballs en route to the harbor. There I watch the largest privately run fireworks show of my life: a testament of truth witnessed by many screaming ambulances.

I wish people would stop trying to put things in my mouth
— The Skirt
After the 45 minute firework show, the entourage must refuel. We eat at the TGI Friday’s of Hamburg, and I play matchmaker for a man who will forever be known as “The Piz”. Afterwards, The Piz and his date lead me to a dance club that is swarming with people and German oldies that everyone, but me, know the words to. The crowd is a tide, and I am lost at sea, fighting to rejoin my party. Before I leave, I tell The Piz, “It’s time to shift strategies. Buy the other one a few drinks.” I could give no sager advice.

I squeeze through a mass of perfume and floors slick with champagne; I am re-born into the streets, confident that I have helped a friend conquer a woman and a nation.

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I walk past a man sprawled out on the concrete. Empty bottles and stacks of pitty euros surround him. I let the sympathy take hold for a second and then I laugh and the smell of curry wurst distracts me. It is 4am and the party district is packed. Though short on sleep, I manage to push my way through the Ubahn, fake a conversation in German using the name “Wolfgang” and slip into bed before the rising sun turns me to dust.

Popularity: 5% [?]

German Vocabulary

Wednesday, December 28th, 2005

I found this artcle on About.com. I think we should have a contest to see who can use the most of these phrases with native German speakers while on our New Year’s extravaganza. The winner gets to take off my pants.

Popularity: 4% [?]

New Year’s In Hamburg!

Tuesday, December 27th, 2005

ANOTHER UPDATE:
Damien is out, Chris is out. But my good friend from Stuttgart, Steffi, is in! So we are back at eight people!!! However, with Chris out, and Butters car being in questionable level of service, we need to have two backup cars/drivers. If you are willing, post a comment. I just spoke with Elliot and he will aid in driving, provided a car.

Weather Report

Cost Estimates (Per Person) for 8 people in 2 cars


    Room & Board: 148.5 Euro
    Gas: 25 USD
    Parking: 20 Euro€
    Total: ~225 USD

I also investigated the parking situation in Hamburg and it is 20 euro a day. Which equates to an additional 15 to 20 euro for all involved if we take two cars. A slight increase to 20 to 25 euro if we take a third car, disregarding gas costs as well. Regarding Gas: If it costs approximately $50 to fill up on gas, and we take two cars, and we fill up twice, then we spend about $25 on gas per person. If we take a third car (eight people), that increases to $38. Pros: more spacious. Cons: more cars to manage in the caravan, another person who has to be alert enough to drive. My suggestion is that we cram in to two cars, unless we have 10 people, then we should take a third car. No Taco Bell before the trip.
Here is Frommer’s review of the hotel to tide you over.

UPDATE: Kim is out. Also, I have received word via Lindsey that Elliot will be joining us. At nine people, automotive accomodations might be tight. I think we should consider an additional driver and make a decision at the departure point.

We can figure out roomates along the way. Since we are only supposed to have eight checking in, I suggest one hang back (Lisa). You can pose as a random skirt we picked up and brought back to the hotel.

I suggest earplugs for all; Butters hides a chain saw in his septum. That’s sep-tum.

Sarah is bringing iPods for the trip. Car owners: working radios with FM capability required. She’s also bringing a pair of hand radios. I’m bringing my laptop. Who is bringing their camera? I think I need to appoint an ADPE custodian.

I have reserved two rooms. Non-smoking rooms weren’t available. Sorry, but I have made a request. Right now, the following people are confirmed: Sarah, Lisa, Scooter, Damien, Chris, Jimmy, Rico, Butters, Elliot. I have been calling Kim like crazy. With 9 confirmed, the price comes to 135 euro each.

Chris & Butters has offered his automotive services. Departure time on Friday will be 4:30pm from the Ramstein BX parking lot.

The hotel is walking distance from downtown. Hopefully we’ll be able to go to The Reeperbahn.

The Hotel


Hamburg Marriott Hotel
•Hamburg, GERMANY
•Check-in date: December 30, 2005 (Friday)
•Check-out date: January 2, 2006 (Monday)
•Number of rooms: 2
•Guests per room: 4

Room Description
Executive Level Room
•ELEV – Executive Room (1 king or 2 doubles), new revive plush bedding*private lounge access, easy access to high speed Internet

Room 1
Rollaway Bed has been noted please inquire at check in.
2 Double Beds, Non-Smoking Room are not available.

Room 2
Rollaway Bed has been noted please inquire at check in.
2 Double Beds, Non-Smoking Room are not available.

Room Rate Charges Cost per night per room (EUR)
December 30, 2005 (Friday) – December 31, 2005 (Saturday)
(1 night(s)) 218.00
Regular Rate*Executive Room (1 king or 2 double beds), includes Executive Lounge access, 500 bonus Marriott Rewards points
December 31, 2005 (Saturday) – January 2, 2006 (Monday)
(2 night(s)) 188.00
Pure Magic*Executive Room (1 king or 2 double beds), includes Executive Lounge access, 500 bonus Marriott Rewards points Please note: unless specifically mentioned above, the charge per room does not include applicable taxes, fees or surcharges.

Rate Rules Additional Information
!!! Executive Lounge at the Hamburg Marriott Hotel !!! All Executive Rooms on the 5th floor include upgraded amenities,
non alcoholic beverages and beer from the minibar, access to the Executive Lounge and high speed Internet access in the room at no extra charge.

Our Executive Lounge offers free features like a continental breakfast, soft drinks, coffee & tea, an afternoon snack and
a cocktail hour including beer, wine and assorted spirits. high speed Internet access, different magazines and newspapers
will also be available.

!!! Executive Lounge at the Hamburg Marriott Hotel !!!
All Executive Rooms on the 5th floor include upgraded amenities, non alcoholic beverages and beer from the minibar and access to the Executive Lounge.

Our Executive Lounge offers free features like a continental breakfast, soft drinks, coffee & tea, an afternoon snack and
a cocktail hour including beer, wine and assorted spirits. high speed Internet access, different magazines and newspapers
will also be available.

Holding Your Reservation
We will need a credit card number to reserve your room.

Canceling Your Reservation
You may cancel your reservation for no charge until 6 PM hotel time on December 30, 2005. Please note that we will assess a fee of 676.80 EUR if you must cancel after this deadline. If you have made a prepayment, we will retain all or part of your prepayment. If not, we will charge your credit card.

This fee equals 90 percent of your room charge for your entire reservation.

Modifying Your Reservation
Please note that a change in the length or dates of your reservation may result in a rate change.

Tax Information
CURRENCY RATES QUOTED IN EUR – EURO AND INCLUDE TAXES
TAXES & SERVICES INCLUDED 16 PERCENT VAT

Directions


    9 Bear RIGHT (East) onto A63 69.0
    10 At Exit 2, take 2 [Autobahnkreuz Mainz-Süd] (RIGHT) onto A60 [E42] 16.7
    11 Road name changes to E42 [30] 1.5
    12 Merge onto A67 [E35] 4.9
    13 Take Ramp [1] (RIGHT) onto A3 [E42] 7.7
    14 Keep RIGHT onto Ramp [Anschlussstelle Frankfurt am Main-Flughafen] 0.9
    15 Keep LEFT to stay on Ramp 0.4
    16 Keep RIGHT to stay on Ramp 0.6
    17 Keep STRAIGHT to stay on Ramp 0.5
    18 Take Ramp (LEFT) onto A5 [E451] 126.6
    19 Merge onto A7 [E40] 224.8
    20 Keep RIGHT onto Ramp [Autobahnkreuz Hannover/Kirchhorst] 0.2
    21 Keep LEFT to stay on Ramp 0.4
    22 Keep LEFT to stay on Ramp 0.6
    23 Take Ramp (LEFT) onto A7 [E45] 119.4
    24 Keep LEFT onto Horster Dreieck 2.6
    25 Merge onto A1 [E22] 13.0
    26 Keep STRAIGHT onto A255 3.3
    27 Road name changes to B4 [B75] 3.2
    28 Keep RIGHT onto Amsinckstraße 0.2
    29 Turn RIGHT (North) onto Klosterwall [Ring 1], then immediately bear LEFT (North) onto Ring 1 [Wallringtunnel] 1.0
    30 Road name changes to Lombardsbrücke [Ring 1] 0.5
    31 Keep LEFT onto Ring 1 0.1
    32 Road name changes to Esplanade [Ring 1] 0.3
    33 Road name changes to Ring 1 [Stephansplatz] 0.0
    34 Turn LEFT (South) onto Stephansplatz 0.1
    35 Road name changes to Dammtorstraße 0.2
    36 Bear LEFT (South) onto Gänsemarkt 0.1
    37 Road name changes to ABC-Straße 0.0
    38 Bear LEFT (South) onto Hohe Bleichen to Hamburg Marriott Hotel 0.0
—>

Popularity: 6% [?]

iTunes Auf Deutsch

Monday, December 12th, 2005

I acquired a German iTunes account today and now have access to volumes of David Hasselhoff. Yet, I’m most excited about the dance music I’ve been hearing over the past three weeks. I just wish I could have used my American account to purchase the music. It was a small hassle to register with firstgate.de but it will be well worth it during the next house party.

Popularity: 12% [?]

World Cup 2006

Friday, December 9th, 2005

Kaiserslautern: USA vs. Italy 17 June 2006. Wow! I am so there!

There are four matches total. Ktown is going to rake in some big money. Australia, Japan, Italy, USA and Spain. Another bonus: dramatic influx of cute foreign girls!

Popularity: 6% [?]

Choices

Tuesday, September 20th, 2005

There is a car show in Frankfurt this weekend that is apparently bigger than the annual show in Detroit. And then there is Oktoberfest in Munich.

Initially, I thought about moving myself next weekend, but when faced with the possibility of having fun this weekend instead of packing, I choose fun instead. I need it.

And then there are the electronics I love so dearly. I worked with high-end DV cameras back in college (it wasn’t so long ago) and I have dreamed of buying one for myself. Hell, I’ve never owned my own video camera and maybe now is the time to start producing mini-documentaries / shorts.

I just came up with another great idea. Instead of spending $2k on HD camera, I coudl buy a cheaper camera and some mats for a small jujitsu studio in my new home. Afterall, it will be very difficult to deliver HD footage over any medium besides optical disk.

And then there is the issue of my impatience and the excitement of having a new gadget to document my adventures.

Popularity: 4% [?]