German Transportation is all about Trust

 

 

3AM in the middle of nowhere

Random Observation/Comment #164: The German railway system essentially depends heavily on an individual’s choice of taking risks.  Tickets are purchased in the stations, but the common high security gates, turnstiles, or even railway information centers do not exist.  Everything has been automated on those ticket machines like in the LIRR, except conductors, or any other type of transportation officer, does not always check the ticket.  In fact, the three weeks I’ve been staying in Germany and taking the subway system, I have not been checked once.  After asking some locals, it seems like there are just random checks where some undercover officer in civilian clothes just asks an entire train car for the tickets.  If you do not have one, then you must pay a fine of 40EUR immediately or 70EUR by mail.  It is highly frowned upon to jump trains, but I think a large portion of the population does it.  Do you think it’s worth the gamble?  Like I mentioned earlier, I have not been checked, so I have no idea how these people dress.  Without the need for hourly employees, it seems like the maintenance for this transportation idea is minimal.  This means that less money is required to keep the trains running, which justifies the lower profit from daily usage.  Interesting business model, no?

 

The combination of the S-bahn (over-ground train) and U-bahn (underground train) forms a fairly simple transportation system.  Everything seems to be low-cost and self-sustaining with minimal reliance on the fares.  This makes me wonder about when this company started and where they make their profits.  If the company is government run, I would expect a more thorough wringing-cycle of the shirts on our backs (that analogy describes the government squeezing every last penny for profit from our oranges (which is analogy for “the man always breaking our balls”)).  If this is a private company, I wonder which numbers the accountant used when calculating the time required before a profit is being made after taking into account the expenses in the extra turnstiles and daily employees. 

Perhaps, it is only the large companies in America that pessimistically (or realistically) predict inflation and are encouraged by the government to increase the job market.  Germany is a relatively young nation as a consequence to the wars leading to a drastic change in government.  Given this more forward thinking and an overall greater trust in human nature, I feel more confident that our world is leaning towards a world that is less dependent on the economy.  Of course we’re always going to be stuck in this vicious cycle of working long hours to pay-off our endless debt, but maybe the world will be more readily automated to explore a different purpose (I think my opinion might be directly affected by the zeitgeistmovement).

As I traveled these trains with many other study-abroad students attending Hamburg, I have noticed a few differences in train etiquette.  Young travelers are loud and just plain obnoxious.  It cannot be helped in some drunken rage, but I often see other Germans with a look of embarrassment and dismissal.  I don’t suspect a dead-silent train ride, similar to the normal Underground, because of the seating arrangements, but I still feel a much less energetic crowd despite the design intentions.

On another note, the system saves money by only opening doors when the special button is pushed. If you remember the entry about The Underground/Tube in London, these buttons are not just tourist traps to make you look silly.  I think you would look even sillier just waiting for the door to open and then missing your stop because the flashing green light or manual door does not aid with any Force powers.  There’s no doubt that these trains use much less energy for opening doors at least 60% less (I actually don’t know but I’m guessing), but would this actually justify building the buttons on every door?  These are questions I don’t know the answer to, but I know It definitely makes people much more aware of the stations and it’s also really fun to push buttons.  Yay, Buttons.

~See Lemons Fool the System

I have no idea how to use the ticket machines.

 

I probably missed at least 3 stops because I didn't open the door

 

I pushed the button even if I didn't need to get off. Bad etiquette.

Hamburg Greets Me Temporarily

 

 

beautiful port city

Random Observation/Comment #163: Unpacking my bags in this new place was exciting, yet a little depressing.  Every pair of jeans I folded left me with a smile because I knew that they were crusted with great memories, and I knew they would be there when I make new ones in this unfamiliar country.  The t-shirts and short pants I hung up reminded me that this journey will last for six months from the winter snow through the summer sunshine. The shoes that climbed Fuji-san stood there in their natural pose singing, “I can show you the world, shining shimmering splendid.”  The socks in the drawer whispered, “Slip into me and keep me dry.”  This is when I realized I was losing my grasp on reality.  I noticed how the fully unpacked closet looked a little empty – I think this was the depressing part.

 

The university I’m attending at Hamburg has a wonderful “buddy” program where responsible students in your field take the important ambassador role by helping you with the language and take care of the laundry-list of errands required to settle into this new environment.  Enrico and Ilona picked me up from the airport and spent the following few days answering my endless barrage of questions and passing dry uneventful days along my side.  They have never stopped being a useful resource and good friends, and for this, I owe them a great deal of thanks.  It is definitely a relief knowing that my colleagues and new friends are willing to accept my quirky personality and American ways.  Thankfully, their English is amazing or else there might have been a Japan-Airport-incident relapse (those conversations were more like a continuous game of charades).

After unpacking my bags and meeting new roommates (in my living quarters for the next 5 months), I took some time to absorb the indescribable feeling of adrenaline.  I lay on my bed while staring at the ceiling and just wriggled with excitement.  Endless plans raced through my mind and my world became a beautiful performance of fireworks.  I wanted to find a metaphorical bottle to keep some of these overwhelming emotions for another time, but the only thing I had in arms reach was some pen and paper.  I scribbled in a pseudo-random-fashion, yet the lines looked so happy.  I think I should submit it to modern art.  However, when I flipped the sheet over, my emotions changed a little bit.  I drew another set of lines and scratches that resemble the word, “DAMN.” Unfortunately, I scribbled on a very important piece of paper.

I tend to fall into a series of odd behaviors when I arrive in a new, temporary home.  Compared to the week before in London, it’s noticeably less exciting.  In the back of my mind, I don’t feel rushed to do anything, so I allow myself a lot of time to do nothing.  Of course it’s not “doing nothing,” but it definitely is doing something that doesn’t require me to be 6 time zones away in a foreign country.  Sometimes I lose the initiative to seize the day when I know tomorrow will be another one surrounded by the same things.  It wasn’t until my 4^th year living in Manhattan that I realized that the freedom would soon be gone.  There are many terrible tourist-mentalities involving cheesy photographs and frivolous spending, but the one I missed while in my bubble was the tourist curiosity.  When I know I’ll only have four days to spend in a new country, I am filled with a new purpose.  Although the task “have fun” is not explicitly written, I feel the need to explore and take advantage of every moment.

The next days were focused on completing the visa, banking, cell phone, insurance, and other details before leaving to Switzerland. Since I had four days here before a week in Switzerland and then the beginning of the research, I experienced the most of Hamburg during two days.  I took random walks and saw the main port area in a quick walking tour (al Enrico y Ilona).  The port view during sunset was, to put it simply, a soothing sight.  It was during this time where Enrico, Ilona, and I “chatted” the most, so I told and heard plenty of interesting stories.  Their welcome has started a very good reputation for the German people as a whole.

Since I am staying near Berliner Tor, I followed a nice day trip walking: north towards Alster Lake, circling across the bridge towards the town hall area, walk around the town hall, and walk all the way back to Berliner Tor.  I wasn’t especially impressed with this walk (probably because London spoiled me), but the weather smiled upon me.  The walk was a little windy, but the sun brightened my day.  I had real German wurst for the first time from a corner shop called MoGrill – believe me when I say that it puts any barbeque to shame.  How do they make the skin so crunchy, yet after the initial crispy bite, each additional chew is an explosion of juices and actual meat textures.  Needless to say, the minimal oil usage and maximum flavor of fresh meat was delicious.  It beats the pig knuckles and leftovers in whatever we call a New York hotdog.

Another must-taste around the Hauptbahnhof station area is the Gelato Ice Cream in the Europe Passage.  It’s 1 EUR for one scoop and 2 EUR for 2 scoops of any of their 32 different flavors.  It was difficult to narrow down my choices to a scoop of Cookies and a scoop of Cream, but I knew this would be on my Frequently Visited List.  Even in the cold weather, everyone was eating ice cream and holding tightly to their scarf.

Unfortunately, these short few days of seeing Hamburg would be the most in-depth days since I’ve been here (I am writing this 3 weeks behind).  In this temporary visit, I saw the port city area and followed a full walking-day.  Despite the frequent good weather during the weeks with my research project, I was still very reluctant to leave my obligations and enjoy the new city.  The days of perfect walking weather just withered away with all chances of exploration.  These were probably some of the most depressing moments in front of my computer.  The warmth of the sun and clear skies seen through those tall office windows made me yearn for freedom.  The funny thing is that cloudy skies and rainy weather has the same effect.  I switch from wanting to be as free as the clear skies to feeling depressed from the dark clouds.  I think this was most likely my procrastination speaking for all normal bodily functions

~See Lemons Taste Test Hamburg

 

my camera was hungry for closeups

London Optimized Date Trips

 

 

follow the bankside for a good time

Random Observation/Comment #162: Relationships start in the weirdest ways, such as sparking a conversation over common interests in Live Action Role Playing (LARP-ing), or helping an old lady cross the street who has a beautiful granddaughter.  I hope my last first-date involves an interesting story that can only be invented by this crazy world of probability.  Maybe we would meet while donating blood on Valentine’s Day, and I would have a charmingly playful conversation with her in the seat next to me.  I’d pick up the pink glove she accidentally left behind and try to organize a mingle event with hopes that she would attend.  Unfortunately, I would act awkward and be the regional manager of a Paper Company in Pennsylvania, but it would be like a modern-day Cinderella (The Office reference, btw – I wouldn’t expect my Mom and Dad to get it).

 

First dates have become more of a sport for the new generation of teenagers.  It’s understandable to invest the time and effort to get to know someone you may (or, most probably, may not) spend the rest of your life with, but some people feed on the thrill of meeting a new person and talking about themselves.  It’s shouldn’t be the idea of buying dinner and sleeping with them; there needs to be a mutual attraction and you should genuinely want to find out more about the other person.  In many cases, it’s similar to an interview, but hopefully the other person isn’t mentally checking off boxes (they probably are).

These first dates (where you gauge whether or not this person is psychotic or just slightly mental) are crucial for both parties.  This is a mating ritual; and like all mating rituals, it requires an extra effort to show the best of your personality.  However you choose to bulk your chest and “strut your stuff” is completely up to you, but hopefully this entry can, at the very least, help by parting some advice on the location and activities for this business.  Although I have countless ideas for NYC, I will focus on London. 

As I mentioned in earlier entries, I tend to judge the potential of the city I visit by the number of date-trips I can imagine from a few walkthroughs.  London (in good weather) has surprised me with a large number of beautiful scenes and romantic walks that serve as a wonderful backdrop to a stimulating conversation.  Needless to say, many of the first dates I prefer involve a level of audible communication.  Although Broadway shows (if you’re rich), the movie theater (if you’re not as rich), and free underground concerts (if you’re poor or you’re just into that scene) can be great ideas for dates, I’ve found that they do not offer enough aural room to get to know the other person.  If I spent the bulk of my money on such activities for first dates, my wallet would be inhabited by cartoon moths and dollar bill ghosts with wings accompanied by depressing violin solos.  Instead, I rather invest my money in food.  As a side note: Call me old fashion, but I was just brought up with the idea that no matter how much of a poor college student this guy is, he must pay for the dinner (In my fantasy world, the girl does not make a big deal out of me paying dinner, but offers to pay for dessert or buy me a drink later).

Keep in mind that this idea of a first date focuses on optimum conversation time.  I would suggest the movie thing if the awkward silences occur too often.  In the case where the silences are just unbearably painful to imagine in third person, the relationship will probably be an epic failure anyway.  I’m a firm believer in some sort of chemistry that requires more than just getting lost in each other’s eyes for hours at a time.  As just some basic advice on conversation topics, try to avoid stressful areas like repetitive work (unless they love their job) and focus more on hobbies and goals.  Everyone has some sort of goal in their life, and you’d be surprised at how many stories people have about almost everything.  I’ll leave the details of sweet-talking for another entry – good luck.

Just to clarify: my definition of a date is when only two people are participating in an activity together with knowledge that they are (mutually) interested in each other.  I don’t count “dinner with 8 people where I’m talking to her most of the time” a date.  That is all pre-date status, and I leave the technique of seeing the signs and asking this girl out, for another time. 

Anyway, the dates I suggest will fit the following general outline: walk around towards a planned destination, attend the activity, have dinner at a decent place, have dessert at another place, and walk the girl home.  Note that the main dependency of these dates is the weather, but I will offer alternatives.

• A stroll along the Southern Thames River – On a Thursday, Friday, or weekend, meet for lunch in Borough market near the London Bridge station.  The day plan is to walk around the Tate Modern and then along the Southern part of the Thames towards the London Eye.  This is a bit of a long walk, so get some soup or coffee at “Eat” or any other poshy looking place along the path is fine.  I would suggest timing the walk around Buckingham Palace to see the sun start setting around 5PM.  The sight from the London Eye is beautiful when the overcast is perfect.  Since the girl (or me) has a camera, take your time with a few pictures and walk at a slower pace.  Benches along the waterway offer a beautiful view and ample time for the “stretch to put your arm around her” move (don’t accidentally knock her out with your elbow).  I don’t have many suggestions for dinner, but I’m sure there’s a “Yelp London edition” somewhere.  The night walk back along the Southern Thames is romantically filled with beautiful lights hung on the trees or reflecting off the water.
• A stroll along the Northern Thames River – Start near Tower Bridge on the East and walk West through the Old City of London towards Trafalgar Square.  For less walking, start near the Monument stop and then walk West through the narrow streets.  I’m not sure about the romance factor, but pubs actually offer a nice selection of lunches.  Usually dates lean towards afternoons, so this probably won’t be an issue.  To reach Trafalgar Square near the National Gallery, you will pass St Paul’s Cathedral.  The lazy can just take the tube and walk the National Gallery.  Before dinner, walk around Covent Garden.  I would suggest trying a place in Brick Lane for some Indian curry for dinner, but that lasting taste may not be ideal (Be prepared with gum?).  If Brick Lane is a little far, Piccadilly Circus is always a great choice at night.  It’s the Times Square of London and really adds to the atmosphere.
• Regent’s Park and Wax Museum – Start with the wax museum and spend the day taking pictures with these celebrities.  The common “dry hump every wax figure” is a great way to loosen up the atmosphere – pictures and hilarity ensue.  The afternoon, I would spend strolling Regents Park and maybe Regents zoo.  Zoos are such fantastic dating locations (besides the random putrid smells).  Everybody has a favorite animal, so I’m sure you’ll find at least a smile somewhere.  I actually found a great place around Regents Park for dinner called the Sea Shell of Lison Grove.  The fish and chips there are the best I’ve had in my life.  Since it is a local favorite, it gets very crowded around 6:30PM so I would suggest arriving at 6.
• Hyde Park and Museum area – Depending on the type of girl, she may or may not appreciate walking around museums all day. Also, depending on your topics of interesting conversations, this museum idea could be just painful to watch.  Regardless, I will suggest an early afternoon at the science museum and a late afternoon stroll through Hyde Park.  The science museum was specifically chosen for some of the neon lit areas.  In addition, the different toys in the cases really bring back memories and stories about our younger years.  Just seeing the old Atari video game console in the window sparked a more playful personality. This open conversation about the little things triumphs the barrage of interview questions.

Walking through this city alone made me sigh a few times and think about old relationships.  I didn’t really know what to do with myself except enjoy the present scenery and hope that I will, one day, be able to share this moment with someone else besides my camera.  I imagine these places will just give an overall new feeling and context for each location.  Sigh.  At least there’s something to look forward to.

I have many more ideas, but I think this is a good start.  This entry is getting too long anyway…

~See Lemons A Little Lonely

 

This walk is much more beautiful with someone around your arm

London Museum Overviews

 

 

British Museum: I waited a good 10 minutes for this. I'm glad she stood there.

Random Observation/Comment #161: I’ve always enjoyed walking unfamiliar museums alone.  My first sweep through the exhibits would become very boring for someone else because I have a terrible habit of reading the descriptions for what I consider “freakin’ sweet.”  After carefully reading the description, I take a picture of it from different angles and try to imagine myself in the previous time period.  Even science museums offer many new facts and interesting methods of demonstrating our evolution of understanding.  The subsequent times returning to the museum, however, is much better with friends.  On the other hand, art exhibitions should be a much more social gathering.  I’ve had days where I go to the MET by myself and just sit in the Roman section with the beautifully lit white room meticulously detailed with marble pillars and columns, but for the most part, I enjoy discussing art pieces with other people.  The open-ended interpretation of the art from today and 5000 years ago beckons a few short lines sharing how each piece talks to you.  It’s really quite fascinating.

 

While I was in London, I visited the British Museum, Natural History Museum, and Science Museum.  Each of them was special in their own way, but I did feel an urge to get some fresh air after 3 hours of going through the aforementioned routines.  The pictures were plentiful and I really appreciated the overall layout of their sections.  Even though most of these museums did not have a particular preferred ordering or logical explanation for their layout, all the exhibits within their own room were, at least, relevant.

 

Great architecture

I entered the British museum from a side entrance, so it really gave a terribly simple first impression.  I wondered to myself how I was going to spend the next three hours in this place to stay on schedule for a relatively productive day.  To my pleasant surprise, a blinding white cylinder with a very modern feel to its interior design greeted me after walking up the stairs.   Now that I think about it, I’m glad I entered the side entrance first because that wow-factor added to the experience.  It’s like, starting with the bad news first and then finding out the good news was that the bad news was a lie.  The glass ceiling and open space not only made me amazed at its architecture, but also made me feel happy.  It was inexplicably welcoming. 

Centuries of art surrounded this connecting room and I couldn’t help but notice that it gave that cleansing effect.  Traveling from one side of philosophy to the other side of ancient roman sculptures, I had to pass through this white room.  It included a dining area and noticeably had the most people conversing about art and meeting for the day ahead.  The air was so vibrant in contrast to the silent scrutiny to detail behind the glass cases.  I truly loved the design, and the history itself was designated impressive-sized wings as well.  It’s interesting how I saw the entrance last.  Overall, it’s a sight worth seeing (plus, it’s free).

The windows are so well placed

The second day, I visited the Natural History museum near Hyde Park.  It’s attached to the “museum section” of London near the Science museum and Royal Albert Hall.  This museum should probably be renamed the Tribute to Charles Darwin Museum because that’s exactly what it represented.  From the outside, the central architecture is most impressive.  I had a field day just walking to the top and taking pictures of the curves and bends in the stone steps.  I saw a few architecture students sketching these designs and making masterpieces with simple shading techniques. 

The positioning of the windows at the top was perfect and surprisingly lit up the entire main hall.  The four sections of the museum also connected to this major area so the journey through this stone magnificence was required.  It was a different feeling from the white marble in the British museum.  The old brown stone gave it that historical tone.  Just walking in and seeing the dinosaur bone reminded me of the entrance to the Natural history museum in NYC.  It was, to say the least, quite impressive. 

I arrived quite early so the room was mostly empty when I took my pictures.  Later in the day, the tourists and elementary school tours arrived for their little adventures.  In fact, I got a free ticket to the Charles Darwin special exhibit because this high school teacher had extra tickets to distribute.

The content of the museum would be shadowed by the museum in NYC, but it was still entertaining to walk around.  I took many pictures, but it was less interesting that I expected.  Perhaps my comfort museums in nature and science just don’t push my buttons the same way.  It’s like my brother says, “I like pain because it makes me feel alive.”  It seems I tend towards discomfort because it gives me a wider perspective of colorful unknowns I’ve never learned about.  This probably explains why I have a long list of hobbies, yet for none of them would I consider myself an expert (there’s definitely a grammar problem there).  Overall, I loved the dinosaurs and the design, but it did not surprise me.  I think I may have grown out of the “ooooo, a manatee!” phase in my life.

 

Indeed.

The final museum (visited on my second day) was the Science museum.  This one was the most interesting in content, but not exactly my favorite.  It was nice to walk around reading the small little nuggets of information that conveyed that overall theme of the museum, but it just didn’t impress me.  I didn’t feel like I learned anything new after coming here.  I basically just saw some stuff in a case and nodded my head at a slightly faster pace than usual, thinking, “it’s nice that they got a hold of that.”  The exhibits were very well presented and clearly separated into different sections with another impressive open space in the center, but there must have been something missing.  As I read most of the material, it didn’t make me day dream.  Yes, there were really interesting timelines showing the evolution of human thinking, but I basically knew it.  The science impressed me, but my heart wasn’t inside the descriptions.  I guess after all that time of looking at artifacts and living the history, I so dearly wanted to live in the past.  Instead, I needed to shift the gears in my mind to appreciate the present and realize technological evolution.  Perhaps, I overanalyzed the situation.

I was actually quite surprised with my choice that the British museum was the one that was the most enjoyable of the three.  I know many people would disagree and look at me with puzzlement how a scientist and engineer can like ancient history more than his passion and roots, but I had to go with my mood.  I looked at artifacts with amazement, and it made me more curious.  My alternative mindset in the science and history museums was filled with such unwarranted scrutiny and judgment.  I couldn’t stop myself, and after some time, I had to rush it.  I probably would have enjoyed the science and history museum with people, but as a solo-traveler, I preferred the British museum.  On the other hand, the Science and Natural History museums are both in the same area so it helped me burn more time.  In addition, these museums are much more interesting for photographers.  I think I took more pictures that day than any other. 

All three museums represent evolution: civilizations, art, technology, and natural.  They have their own style or representation and you’ll definitely learn something new.  I’m glad I saw all three because it would be very difficult to solidify an opinion without a taste from each plate.

~See Lemons Museum Hunting

Evolution at its best?

Aimless Walking

 

 

Yay, close focus.

Random Observation/Comment #160: True aimless walking can be discovered deep within a park.  Parks are usually much more beautiful during the summer, but the lack of people during the clear skies made it a plausible date location.  The few flowers that I did see got my (camera’s) undivided attention.  It was peaceful walking around while listening to a deep British voice telling you about the Discworld.  I considered practicing German or brushing up on some Japanese, but I wasn’t in the mood for languages.  I had a better time forming the in-depth descriptions in my mind.  The characters are so well-developed and consistent that I couldn’t help but predict their next actions.

 

Separately, walking parks and roaming museums would be boring as full-day activities.  Even as an avid museum-goer, there’s only so much history you can absorb before your brain melts.  Likewise, walking around parks is very relaxing, but could become unbearable without company (there are only so many conversations I can have with myself).  However, doing half-days of each was a great strategy for balancing the nature and knowledge lovers.

I’ll devote this entry to the two major parks I visited, but my day trips consisted of:

 1) British Museum + Regents Park,

2) Science Museum + History Museum + Hyde Park

These parks and museums are in close vicinity so this would save money on buying tube tickets.  Because of my love of walking, I just spent the whole day walking to and from Regents Park to Hyde Park (which would be the equivalent of the distance between Central Park and Union Square).  I would not suggest doing this without someone to talk to or some relaxing music.

The parks both had grass, trees, open fields, and randomly scattered statues, but they were unique in their own way.  Regents Park had fewer statues and a much nicer walking path surrounded by neatly trimmed bushes.  All of the paths have park benches on either side and the end usually leads to a large fountain.  As you walk farther northwest, the park looks less scenic and transforms to a large sports field.  You can fit about 6 football fields in a grid formation, so you can imagine the number of teenagers that take advantage of this space.  Further north is the Regents Zoo, which I didn’t visit, but it looked –well, like a zoo, from my research.  Seeing the museums in the morning and saving the parks in the afternoon allows the chance of watching the sun set and sky pass through the most beautiful blends of orange and red.  The large field in Regents Park really shows an unreal 360 view without buildings or trees.

 Hyde Park has many more statues; most notably the Royal Albert golden monument across from the Royal Albert Hall.  I bet there’s a very interesting story about how it was built or what it represents, but to me, it just looked massive.  The gold statue in the middle is probably 3 meters tall, so the whole thing is at least 5 stories.  The statue overlooks the Royal Albert Hall, which is an impressively large dome.  With different trimmings, it could be a nice concert hall or coliseum.  Although the walk was not quite as dramatic as Regent’s Park, it was still a nice park with a few lakes and rivers along the sides.  The wildlife was mediocre, but I wasn’t really expecting an episode of animal planet in the middle of a large city.  It was a much needed change in atmosphere, and I would definitely suggest incorporating these nature walks into itineraries.

If I had to choose between the two parks, I would probably prefer Regents Park.  I know many would disagree, but I just had a better vibe about the different sections.  I think I will have a better idea of this comparison when I actually see some flowers when I return in the summer.

~See Lemons Walk the Parks

It's hard to miss. It needs a scale.

sunset by the underground near regents park