What to see in Berlin, Berlin blog

Alright, we’re only halfway through the year, but there are so many cool new gadgets and scientific breakthroughs that 2010 is shaping up to be a geek’s dream.

1) The Planetary Skin

Because data about carbon emissions and pollution are gathered by a bunch of different sources, it’s always been really difficult to get a birds-eye-view of exactly how our little blue home is coping. Last year, Cisco and NASA got together to develop a kind of dashboard that details where the energy-use hotspots are, which countries are spiking in their environmental pollution and where the major carbon emissions are coming from. It’s kind of like Facebook for planet Earth.

2) The Yike Bike

Pioneered in 2009, and finally out with a beta launch of products across Europe, the Yike Bike is an environmentally-friendly cross between an electric wheelchair and a kids scooter. Fully electronic, incredibly light and very small, the Yike Bike is little more than a seat on a couple of wheels that look something like the old Penny Farthing bikes. Reaching speeds of up to 20km per hour, these babies can be easily carried (handy for elevators and trains) and run off a small, rechargeable battery. Public transport tailor-made for the individual

3) The Smart Thermostat

Still on the Green-Theme, the smart thermostat is an inexpensive display that tells you exactly how much energy your home is using, in which areas. It’s based on the mileage/fuel-use gauge that sits on the dashboard of your hybrid car, and as well as helping to save the planet it’s also pretty handy for calculating your energy bills. Good incentive to wear a jacket instead of cranking up the heat.

4) Class of One

Finally, schools are catching on to our modern-day desire to have everything personalised and individually tailored. Using lesson-plans that work a bit like a Playstation (beat one level, then move on to the next), some high schools in New York are testing out a software/hard-copy package that lets kids learn and progress at their own rate, instead of either being left behind or being bored in a same-age class of 25 or more other kids.

5) Vertical Farming

For those of us living in tiny apartments, the new hydroponic shelving system designed by Texas company Valcent is a god-send. Rather than growing things on one level, space is now used upwards to increased yield by 600 per cent per square meter. And with the earth’s usable agricultural space dramatically diminishing, this dirtless way of growing food (as well as pretty flowers) may just be the best new way to provide cheap and easy food sources for developing nations.

6) SixthSense

Also called ‘enhanced reality’ SixthSense is an initiative by those crazy geeks at MIT. Using a mirror, a camera and a pocket-sized projector, SixthSense makes the entire world your computer without the need to carry a monitor or keyboard. Projecting a numeric keypad (or full keyboard) on your palm to interact with your mobile phone and internet service to make/receive/send calls, emails and Facebook updates may sound like science fiction. But it’s here, in 2010

7) 3D Scanning and measuring

Alright, not the most exciting thing ever invented, but the billions of dollars in natural resources that are wasted each year thanks to inaccurate measurements have been eliminated thanks to Albert Markendorf and Raimund Loser. Loser was the main force behind the real-time digital three-dimensional imaging technology, developed while the pair where renting apartments in Berlin, and resulting in their being awarded the European Inventors of the Year award for 2010 by the European Commission.

Every culture is individual and interesting on its own. Spanish culture is truly diverse in all its manifestations, be it the food, literature, cinema, etc. This is why the Spanish embassy in Berlin decided to open a special program titled “Spain: New urban cultures”.

The exhibition that is going to take place between July and August and will offer a wide range of cultural events, such as art shows, concerts, meet ups and even culinary events, where you can actually taste the Iberian country. The project started last year and the first presentation was held in Tokyo. And due to the great success they had in Japan, they decided to do it in Germany as well.

The Spanish embassy decided to take this event to Berlin, because this city has become one of the most important cultural capitals in Europe, a globalized city, where you can find people all over the world, making it the perfect place to divulge Spanish culture in its maximum splendour. The idea behind the programme was to promote the different artistic expressions that have risen in Spain and, hopefully, stimulate interest in Spanish art among the German audience.

When speaking of “Urban Culture” the creators of the programme refer to the different manifestations of emerging art, such as design, cinema, architecture and fashion coming from an urban background.

If you don’t want to miss “Spain: New urban cultures” and not only get to know the German capital, but also enjoy Spanish culture, rent apartments in Berlin and go to this fabulous event.

If you like the swinging, don’t miss the Avarus swinger club, with a lush spa ready for the hottest nights in Berlin.

To get the most out of its hedonism, the Avarus dress code requires seduction. Suggestive underwear or attire that bares a lot of skin is ideal for generating an erotically charged atmosphere in which swinger atmosphere can flourish. This applies not only to women (as often happens in other clubs) but is also expected that men will wear their best clothes.

One of the main attractions of Avarus is its spa facilities, steam bath and Jacuzzi. Get ready to relax and experience sexual ecstasy in the water.

Inform yourself beforehand, to know the rules of etiquette or see if there are special events. The club has a packed agenda filled with thematic activities. There are bisexual nights, explosive parties or events that combine succulent chocolate and the sauna so that everyone can melt with pleasure, make Avarus a true temple of pleasure.

Although ticket prices can vary depending on events, they are generally between 40 and 60 euros per couple and include all the drinks except champagne and cocktails.

While some might consider it sexist, single women are free or pay 10 euros on weekends, while men must pay between 80 and 110 euros to enter. I imagine that this way of charging the entry is a way to maintain a balance between visitors, since, even though women have the same intensity of desire, it is true that there is a strong social taboo against visiting swinger clubs alone contrary to many men who, on the surface, have fewer inhibitions about the subject. On the other hand, for those with a group of swinger friends who want exclusivity, there exists the possibility of private parties at the club.

In Avarus, they reserve the right to refuse admission to drunk or “bedraggled” people Also, prostitution is prohibited which promotes a great atmosphere for genuine visitors.

There are condoms available, but always better to bring your personal favourites. They also recommend bringing a towel for use in multi-bed seats in play areas. A silky sheet appears to be a good alternative or addition to the towels, and will further stimulate the senses.

For any other questions that may arise on your first visit to Avarus, write or call the staff with any questions beforehand. Getting involved in the details can help us have the best experience, full of delight that Swingers exchanges can offer.

Finally, we should mention that, unlike other swinger clubs in the world, Avarus has no rooms for the night; hence it’s a good idea to rent one of the apartments in Berlin and perhaps share it with new friends.

September 10 and 11 get ready for the 5th edition of the Berlin Festival, which promises to be one of the best musical events of the year. It’s not just the fabulously curated line-up of bands, but also because it will take place in one of the most music-forward culturally propulsive cities in Europe today: Berlin.

This edition features, like every year, an exquisite list of bands interspersed with the darlings of the indie dance-pop and IDM scene such as the Editors, Hot Chip, LCD Soundsystem, Peaches and Soulwax.
Here, briefly, three of the most interesting Bands set to play:

Seabear: This Icelandic group spins melodies with an exotic chill, and is sure to be a hit with well-informed festival-goers lovers of experimental pop, seasoned to perfection with references to the mythical Bjork and Sigur Rós. Indie-folkist Seabear, masterfully toe that fine, but devastating line between bland and melancholy.

Lali Puna: A musical project with more than 11 years under their belt is a favourite among electrotwee fans for their characteristic sixties pop infused with the sweet crunch of an electronic sound, a note apart from techno. Led by Valerie Trebeljahr, the band has just released their fourth album entitled “Our Inventions” which will be presented at the festival to the expectant public and critics.

Junip: Though it might seem like he’s been lying low for a while, the Swedish songwriter Jose Gonzalez, returns to give signs of life. He will be returning to the stage with his band Junip, which he founded in the late ’90s and made his first album. Luckily for us, because we missed the sweet voice of the melancholy Swedish crooner.

For more information about the festival and ticket prices, check out the event web-site:http://www.berlinfestival.de. And for comfortable accommodation to relax after a few days filled with musical frenzy, rent apartments in Berlin.

Stolen work of russian artist Levitan found after over 10 Years.The story began more than a decade ago, when somebody stole a painting by the famous Russian painter Isaac Levitan. Recently, the National Bureau of Interpol in Russia announced that they found the work in question in London.

The painting is named “Path” and was stolen from a private collection. Now, a decade later and after its discovery by government agents it is the process of being returned to its country of origin to be part of a public collection.

The work in question depicts a meadow with a cloudy sky and trees in the distance.

Isaak Ilich Levitan, was born in Kibartai in 1861 and died in Moscow in 1900. He was one of the most important artists of the region and was greatly influenced by Corot and the aesthetics of the Barbizon school, a group of French painters who lived in the Barbizon village near Fontainebleau Forest. At present, the minor planet “Levitan 3566, which was discovered by astronomer Lyudmila Zhuravlyova in 1979, is named in honour of the Russian painter.

Most of his works depict landscapes of beautiful Volga region that had the, the largest European river which rises from the Valdai Hills and flows into the Caspian Sea. The colours and style he achieved later inspired famous artists such as Dali. In addition he also painted large landscapes of the capital of his country. You could rent apartments in Berlin to reflect on the nature of art and beauty and follow his footsteps.

Recently we told you about a dining trend called “Supperclubs”. Let’s stay on the terrain of latest crazes in the dining culture and let me enlighten you on “Dining in the Dark” (Yes, that word play was totally intended!).

This trend started in 1998 in Zürich, Switzerland when 4 blind people opened a restaurant and named it “Blindekuh” (German name of the game Blind Man’s Bluff). The concept is based on the idea that you will eat in a room that is pitch black dark and you won’t be able to see a thing. And it is a known fact that once you can’t rely on one of your senses, the other ones will compensate and intensify. The waiter, who is usually blind, will welcome you at the door and guide you through your table. You just have to put your hand on his shoulder and follow him.

Can you imagine taking a date out in a restaurant like that? Talking about a blind date (Sorry, had to…!). The fact that you won’t see anything can be a little disorienting I can imagine: Looking for the napkin or silverware and actually using the silverware, with no idea what you are about to eat, possible food stains- but an upside is that the food might taste better, because when you loose one sense your other senses are heightened…

On a social level this can turn out to be quite interesting as well, I’m sure. If you can’t rely on interpreting someone’s facial expressions or gestures, you might just have to resort to getting a little touchy-feely. You can definitely heat up things with a handjob under the table. Well, the good thing in this case is that it stays discrete.

By now there are several dining in the dark restaurants in Europe and the US. There is one in Berlin that is called UnsichtBAR (German for “invisible”). I highly recommend renting Apartments in Berlin to see what this is all about. Maybe it will inspire you to continue this journey of senses and give you some ideas in the bedroom as well.

Apparently dining out in a fancy 5-star restaurant is old news. The latest trend is underground supper clubs or guerrilla dinners. In fact some might even refer to it as a whole underground restaurant movement. The revolution finds more and more supporters but what does it exactly entail?

Like the name already says, it’s kept under wraps and it seems to be within a legal grey area. People organize dinners in their private apartments but it is not a regular dinner party with your best friends, it’s a whole new food experience. Dates are posted on blogs or Facebook groups etc. If you are interested you sign up via email, and space is limited. Payment usually happens in advance and you don’t get the address of the location until 24h before the dinner. It sounds more and more like a top secret mission to me…

Once the address in hand you find yourself in front of the door of someone’s private home. You enter and you experience a little bit of a thrill, because you are doing something forbidden, you have no idea who else will come to this dinner and what’s on the menu. Two things are sure, though: It will be an eclectic, interesting mix of people and the food will be outstanding.

The hosts of these guerrilla dinners have meticulously planned out the whole evening. Their passion to cook and their love to entertain and be the host inspired these dinners despite the lack of having a proper restaurant license. A dinner at such a club is pricy ,at about 50€ per head but it sure is worth the experience.

“The Shy Chef” is a well-known guerrilla cook in Berlin so check out his blog for his next dinners and see if you can snatch a spot at his exquisite table:http://theshychef.wordpress.com/.
Since there hasn’t been an underground bed and breakfast movement yet, the best choice for accommodation is to rent apartments in Berlin.

Here comes the disclaimer: We are NOT encouraging you to kill anyone, or try to hide it if you do. Kids, do not try this at home.

First, you need to take care of any identifying features. Face, fingerprints, tattoos and birthmarks – they all have to go. Burn ‘em or smash ‘em, doesn’t matter. If you want to dump the body whole, make sure you then dress it in clothes from a second-hand store (that you have never touched with un-gloved hands) and dump it in a bad part of town.

Next is the smell. If you’re keeping a body around the house for a while you will need to make sure it doesn’t smell. Drain it of all blood and other fluids by cutting it open and performing CPR. Make sure you do it in an easily cleanable place (the bath is perfect). Half-fill the bath with bleach (to disguise the smell of old blood, and to help with the cleaning). Once the fluids are drained, the body will keep a little while longer. Don’t use preservatives like formaldehyde. Although they will give you more time, they have a distinct smell of their own. The neighbours will notice.

If you’re old-fashioned and want to bury the body, try to seperate it into parts. This is not as hard as it sounds and doesn’t require a chainsaw. Think of it as a big chicken – a knife and plenty of energy is all you need. Cut it into six parts: The head, the torso and two arms and two legs. Bury each part in a different place (someone going to the same patch of forest six times in six nights is a dead giveaway, no pun intended). Digging a deep grave for one arm is a lot easier than digging a deep grave for an entire body, so you should be able to do this quickly. Do the digging around 4am, when the human body is sleepiest, and people are less likely to wake up. Store the other parts in plastic wrap in the freezer until you are ready to bury them.

Dissolving in lime is a popular way to dispose of a body. No, not the kind of lime you use for Mojitos. The kind of lime that will dissolve your own skin if you’re not careful. It will take a lot of lime to do this, so spread your shopping around several gardening stores. Do this in a large barrel or other suitable container, preferably a long way from your house – this stuff stinks.

An alternative to this is to cut the body into very small pieces and feed it down the drain with lots of Drano. This will take weeks, or months, depending on the size of the body, so it is only an option for people with plenty of time on their hands, and lots of privacy. It is also only an option for places with good plumbing, like those you find when renting apartments in Berlin, so ensure that your pipes are good, or take the toilet off to access the large sewer drain beneath.

If we want to know and enjoy the “ultimate” in dark culture, whether its gothic, dark, electro, ebm, darkwave, death rock, and so on, the place to be is Germany, especially in spring and summer, where there are two of the most important festivals on the worldwide dark scene, Wave Gotik Treffen and M `era Luna.

The first of these festivals has been around officially since 1992 in the city of Leipzig, just an hour and a half from Berlin. In the first edition of Wave Gotik Treffen there were more than 200 bands playing all styles and genres of dark music, and more than 20,000 people from around the world came to witness the event. The public has grown over the years and it has become an attraction for thousands of tourists who visit the city annually between the 20th and 24th of May.

The festival is now the most important event in the Goth subculture and organizes events of interest for all sorts of fans of the Goth subculture as well as others: there are works of theatre, classical music, baroque, opera, medieval, themed parties, on more than 12 sites which are distributed throughout the city during the 4-day festival.

The festival M `era Luna takes place in the city of Hildesheim on August 7th and 8th. If you are interested in travelling to Germany, take a stroll through the beautiful city of Berlin and rent apartments in Berlin to enjoy excellent music and all the attractions of dark culture before setting of on your dark adventures. This year will feature bands like Placebo, The Sisters of Mercy, Nitzer Ebb, Skinny Puppy and 31 other bands featured in the two scenarios from the exhibition “Flugplatz Hidesheim – Drispenstedt”, a former Army base that is just outside of the city and has all the necessary amenities to house the two-day festival.

Prices of both festivals are very economic, 80 euros for the Wave Gotik Treffen and in the case of M `era Luna, 70 euros for both days. The connections for both cities from the capital Berlin are very good and the hotels and camping areas within the precincts of the festivals have everything you need to be comfortable and to enjoy a pleasant stay. Camping during the festival costs extra.

Germany is the centre of global dark and gothic culture and its festivals are a treat, with excellent organization and the best shows on the worldwide scene.

Standard vacation practice means buying some souvenirs of the trip: a few postcards, a poster, a shirt, and once upon a time, oils, wines, cheese, spices and other food (and liquid! Before the regulations about what you could carry on got to be so strict). Nowadays, we are travelling (and moving,) much more than before, hence a tattoo can be an ideal reminder of our travels: they don’t weigh anything, you can’t break in the suitcase or a move and you can always get on the plane with one.

In Berlin, you will find a variety of artists who are true tattoo masters that can provide you with a phenomenal memory of a trip you’ll never lose. Some tips on tattoo tourism:

1. Please contact the artist via myspace or email to set an appointment and talk about what you would like to tattoo, the price and how many sessions it takes to complete the tattoo, before planning any trip.

2. Tattoo tourism and beach vacations are not a good mix, avoid the sun and the beach until the tattoo is completely healed.

3. It is always a good idea to rest and eat well before and after getting a tattoo, and follow the tattooer´s instructions to take care of your tattoo.

Berlin has some incredible choices for tattoos. Perhaps the most famous is the Mistress of realism Miss Nico, owner of All-Style tattoo. If her waiting list (1 or 2 years) is too long for you, consider getting work done with the Tattoo Obscur team. They are known for their unique designs and super-modern style. Berit has Uhlhorn, Zoe Thorne, Sara Rosenbaum and Julie Toebel are capable of realizing a wide variety of styles, especially the tattoos inspired by screen printing and realism. Another good bet for a variety of styles is Berlinink

If you like the old Japanese school or contact Lu’s Lips. He doesn’t do conventions, so if you want a tattoo by him, you have to go to Berlin. Rent apartments in Berlin and get ready to show off an incredible piece of art when you come back.