Band of Horses

by Gibson Hummingbird

Just came across the new music video \”Infinite Arms\” by Band of Horses. I really really love this band for their decent music.

I want to ride my bicycle…in Denmark.

by Kaede

During my quite long absence from the blog I have been to Denmark among some other things. I actually was in Denmark by bike. For two weeks. It definitely was an informative experience. First thing I learned is that Denmark is not that even as you might imagine! Second, it‘s not a cliché, all Danes are blond! Third, I seem to be resistant for ticks!

We were nine people, each of us with his or her own everyday-bike. I had a thirty year old city-bike, which was great right until I had to fight the hills at the coast! Well, I lost. But some of us were really brave, they conquered the hills even with a trailer attached to their bikes. Respect. Each of us had tight thighs after that trip!

We slept outside each night, so we had to look out for a place where we could arrange our tents. Which sometimes was quite difficult. Unlike Sweden, Finland and Norway, which are known for the “Allemannsretten“- the freedom to roam-, Denmark has set up this right only for special regions. Nevertheless, we spent some great nights watching the sunset and the starry sky.

My impression of Denmark is that it‘s very neat, but of course we did not see all of it! We passed some bigger towns and some little villages. I was very pleased with the well signposted bicycle routes and really really thankful for the clean public toilets! Each toilet we passed- and we passed a lot ones- was perfectly clean, there was always some tissue and soap and it was always for free! That‘s not understood, especially not when you are living in a city like Berlin.

Riding bike with baggage all day long, one day after another is quite exhausting, especially when it‘s raining. But I think we actually did quite well though we were not trained and especially because we were not that well equipped.

We mainly rode along the coast, which was a great choice because the countryside is really beautiful there and there are a lot harbours for private boats, which is a great opportunity to take a shower and wash your stuff.

I really enjoyed that trip and I definitely will do it again! I have never been on a tour like that before, so I was a bit nervous, but it was much easier than I would have thought. After all I think South- Denmark is a good choice for newcomers in “outdoor- adventures“, because it‘s populated close enough to pass a town with supermarkets and stuff each day.

But for the next trip I will go further…Norway probably!? AND I want to be perfectly equipped! You absolutely need waterproofed bags and clothes! No compromises! And tupperware or something similar for your food. And so many other little things like a pocket lamp or even better a lamp on your forehead and a nice pocket knife and many more. There are two outdoor suppliers in Berlin I can recommend:

www.bannat-berlin.de

www.globetrotter.de

An Englishman in Berlin- Sting live

by Charlie

Ladies and gentlemen, if you ever get the chance to see Sting live, reach out to this opportunity and grab it. Especially when it’s the ‘Symphonicity’ tour.

This man is a genius. There are no words to describe . Or maybe…, goosebumps throughout the whole show!

http://www.sting.com/

…and, please, pay attention to the guitarist Lyle Workman. He is one handsome man… , with the most beautiful hands who have ever held or played a guitar!!!

Come Around Sundown

by Gibson Hummingbird

Yeah, Kings of Leon are back. I really like the new track “radioactiv” from their upcoming album “Come Around Sundown”. Just click here to check out the new video.

Love can conquer it all! …?? ~ A book review

by Maya

Hello darlings. I am back again. I know it’s been a long time but I’ve had a lot on my mind.

I recently returned from my Gran Canaria vacation feeling revived and full of new energy. Somehow this holiday was very different from our previous ones. Gran Canaria is definitely much touristier than Tenerife and Fuerteventura, the other Canary Islands that I have visited so far. We felt that there was not much to discover. That’s why I really had the time to relax on a sun lounger by the pool listening to my brand new ipod and reading. I finally managed to read Benoîte Groult’s famous novel „Salt on our skin” because I really like the movie version. I read it in German since my French is practically non-existent.

The novel is described as a love story between the Parisian George and Gauvain, a Breton fisherman.

Basically George and Gauvain do not have anything in common except their passionate sexual craving for each other. Whereas George is totally influenced by her intellectual upbringing, Gauvain is crude, rather uneducated and thoroughly shaped by his working class background.

One might think that George is a terrible snob and even feel some sort of disdain for her. She feels superior and totally objectifies Gauvain by weighing his intellectual shortcomings against his physical attributes and his sexual qualities. Their relationship starts when both are in their twenties. Gauvain is totally enamored with George. He wants to give up his fisherman’s life, marry George and go to school so he can be her intellectual equal. Although George is still very young she has a more realistic outlook on life and knows that the barriers between them cannot be overcome. She is not blinded by the ideal of unconditional love and knows that neither of them would be happy in a relationship based on compromises. Her decision against marriage lays the foundation for a passionate affair that lasts for 30 years.

The most fascinating aspect of the novel is how easily George embraces their affair. Although George is in a relationship with Sydney she is free from any moral considerations. Whereas Gauvain is struggling with feelings of guilt and shame, George simply accepts her lust for him and does not even try to deny her feelings.

A reviewer at www.amazon.com expressed her regret that the two of them couldn’t spend their lives together. In my opinion saying something like this means that one hasn’t understood the novel at all. Groult is a feminist writer and it wasn’t her intention to write a love story. The novel isn’t exactly about love. Much more it is about physical lust and female sexuality. It is a portrait of a modern and independent woman who embraces her sexuality, knows what she wants and is not afraid to take it.

A special treat in autumn: Federweisser and Zwiebelkuchen

by Charlie

Ladies, here comes my ultimate hint how to spend a sunny fall afternoon: find a nice restaurant that serves Federweisser and Zwiebelkuchen, grab a chair and a table in the sun and just e-n-j-o-y!!!

Federweisser is an alcoholic beverage that earlier was very popular in and around wine- growing regions. Nowadays you can get it almost everywhere.

This special wine is the product of fermented freshly pressed grape juice made of grapes that lack the potential to produce a high quality wine.

Federweisser tastes good with heavy, savory food. In Germany it is a tradition to serve it with Zwiebelkuchen.

by Gibson Hummingbird

Have you ever seen people running to the airport and then through the airport in order to catch a flight??? Well up until this week I’ve only seen this on TV. I went on a two days trip to London with two of my best friends and after a day of hardcore sightseeing and one day of strolling  through Camden town we headed to St. Pancras Station where we actually wanted to get on a train going to Luton airport. We got told by midland train staff to catch the train on platform xx, so that’s what we did. Just to be 100% sure that we were on the right train we asked a women working in the train if we would stop at Luton airport parkway. Her answer was “YES”. Ok, so we were leaving London City…after about 20minutes we kind of got suspicious if we were on the right train or not. And yeah after some time we could see Luton Airport Parkway and then we could see how the train passed the station without a stop….OMG…I couldn’t believe it. We actually didn’t freak out right away just after we got told that the next stop would be in about 15minutes. And we only had 45minutes left before our gate got closed.  Horrible, well the next stop was in Bedford (at least now I know where Bedford is ;))and of course we took the train going back to Luton again….it was an endless train ride and this time the train actually stopped where it was supposed to. We got to the airport…running like maniacs and at the stroke of 6:45pm we got to security. First we were relieved but after seeing the endless crowd at security there was no way we could have made it to our plane. We only had 30 minutes before take off…so after 15 minutes of standing in line I run up to a lady working at security, telling her how lost we were. Her reaction: “oh, honey I think your gate is already closed and the plane is on the runway.” God, I couldn’t believe it! Well, they let us through security and we just run to the gate…and tada our plane was still there. You cannot imagine how happy we were 😉

Update your closet – pep up your mood: with the new fall collection by Boden

by Charlie

My dear goddesses, now that the grey and oh so often cold fall is right around the corner, I think it’s time to renew your wardrobe and cheer up your mood. And what could work better than floral prints, the most elegant dresses and coats, cozy cashmere knitwear and some really fashionable accessories – and all that within reasonable prices?!!  Simply klick on Boden Autumn 2010 and discover their new collection. If I were a millionaire I would invest in almost every second item, but I am not ;-). Therefore I have to decide.  But what will I pick? What will I pick?

St. Petersburg’s “White Nights”

by Charlie

“I have a dream” – Martin Luther King.

“I had a dream…”- Stephenie Meyer

These most famous phrases have caused some really big changes in some people’s life. 😉

The dream of which one of my colleagues told me the other day was not as significant but it reminded me of a phenomenon and a city I really hope to visit one day. I am talking about St. Petersburg in Russia and its “White Nights”.

St. Petersburg is the world’s most northern city with a population over one million and every year in the summer you can be part of this wonder of nature which occurs from beginning of June till middle of July.  Although this phenomenon is not unique to the city, no other northern town is that known for this event.

From the beginning of the sunset the sun does not descend below the horizon enough for the sky to grow dark. During this twilight the sky seems to glow silver, hence the name “White Nights”.

Even in August you can experience this spectacle.  In the beginning of the last month of the summer it is still not completely dark at midnight.

flower project – day LXVI

by Charlie

Despite some lack of care due to some travelling it’s growing and growing… 😉