BERLIN

I just recently returned from (in my opinion) the most amazing city ever. Amazing architecture was everywhere, people were nice, the weather was great, food was tasty and very sizeable. The beer and sausages were as advertised -- delicious. I put sauerkraut on everything. The city was clean, full of public spaces everywhere for people to just chill. You got the sense of it being somewhat touristy, but you didn't really see it -- everyone just seemed like they were there to hang out and enjoy it all. I fit as much activity into those 3 days as i possibly could. One of the greatest trips I have ever been on and I recommend everyone to visit this place some time.

German language is interesting -- I tended to impersonate it as continually hacking up a lung

Luckily, everyone spoke really good English :)

The boys - Paul, Zak, and Kwon

Sweet train station!

shootin photos inside the train station

Inside the SONY Center -- basically just commercial office space in a circular plan with a large courtyard in the middle covered with this magnificent thing

Our first buffet since being in Europe -- it was interesting to say the least

Mowing down our buffet

First German beer (in Germany)

Neat theater - recalling memories of Eero Saarinen's church design in Columbus, Indiana

I have no idea why this plane was on top of this building....

Finally got me some Mt. Dew --- ohh and it was gooooooood

This whole area was designed by Renzo Piano!

Hmmm --- wonder who designed this? --- Mies Van Der Rohe

Library ---- it was a bit odd, but I liked the light quality in it 

Another interesting theater -- check out that color!

Lots of modern/contemporary architecture everywhere -- my mind almost exploded

Check this

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Germany

Heading off to Berlin, Germany today for 4 days --- top of my list of many, many things to see there is the Jewish Museum designed by Daniel Libeskind. I did a lot of research on his buildings last semester when doing my museum project as well as my historical preservation class. Can't wait to get there already!

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Field Trip! (2)

Villa Adriana was a housing complex for Hadrian in the 2nd Century. Designed mostly by Hadrian himself, this complex is unique in that most of the complex was designed by the Roman Emporer. Once Rome came into being one of the European's greatest power, they soon developed the same love for luxury as the Greeks did, so many Emperors during their time would have lavish villas like this. In touring places like this you have to use your imagination a lot to try and piece together what these structures would have looked like because, go figure, after almost 2 thousand years they have been through the ringer...

model of the complex

Professor Francesco explaining the design

Adam doing his photography thing...

This theater was surrounded by a moat!

Public Forum

Another fun little sketch  :)

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Field Trip!

Last friday my class and I headed out to see Villa d'Este and Villa Adriana; a couple really neat old Roman houses -- or should I say complexes?

Villa d'Este was a house complex built for Cardinal d'Este in the 16th Century, who after not receiving a vote to papacy (to become pope) moved to this countryside estate to govern the city of Tivoli in which the housing complex is located. Pretty neat place! Check out all of the crazy 16th century fountains -- back then, a showcase of water was a sign of strength and power, so this guy must have been pretty legit.

Fun little sketch  :)

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Sharps and Flats

Music in Piazza S. Maria

when the parents were in town we had dinner at a restaurant facing this piazza, street musicians play here a lot -- and it's Mike and I's favorite spot to play. Jammed out there the other night it was great --- once again we didn't make any money, but received leftover bread from some crazy (most likely homeless) girl. Also, got kicked out by the cops there because people were apparently trying to sleep on a Thursday night at midnight, go figure...

Photography provided by Adam Aalgaard:

rockin out at the tram stop prior to our big gig

Playin under the lights

Lovin it

Things to note:  The girls behind us loved us, they spoke English, but they were from Germany

The semi - creepy Italian dude to the right actually knew how to play guitar and taught mike "Hey Joe" by Jimi Hendrix, as well as "Heart Shaped Box" by Nirvana, but as you might imagine, didn't really know the lyrics...  fun times!

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