DRESDEN

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"The Elector and ruler of Saxony Frederick Augustus I became King August the Strong of Poland in personal union. He gathered many of the best musicians, architects and painters from all over Europe to Dresden. His reign marked the beginning of Dresden's emergence as a leading European city for technology and art."

"Dresden in the 20th century was a leading European center of art, classical music, culture and science until its complete destruction on February 13, 1945. Being the capital of the German state of Saxony, Dresden had not only garrisons but a whole military borough, the Albertstadt. This military complex, named after Saxon 

 King Albert, was never targeted in the bombing of Dresden."

"During the final months of World War II Dresden became a safe haven to some 600,000 refugees, including women, children, and wounded soldiers with a total population of 1.2 million. Dresden was attacked seven times between 1944 and 1945, and was completely occupied by the Red Army after German capitulation."

"Dresden is one of the greenest cities in Europe, with 63% of the city being green areas and forests."

-wikipedia-

A SIREN IN THE DISTANCE

Another destination to hit while in Berlin, Germany is the Zoologischer Garten. It is was really inexpensive to get in and the zoo/garden was immense enough to keep you entertained for the whole day. There were animals of all sorts from different countries of the world. 

While I was walking along the path of the garden, I heard a sound that I thought sounded a bit alien. It was weird because I found myself chasing this Siren. I finally found the animal, but I can't recall the name of the bird...at least I captured the voice of this siren for you to hear.

FLEA MARKET

If you ever get the chance to visit Berlin, Germany, I highly recommend strolling through Bernauer Strasse. This area of Berlin is known for their flea market and I see why. It's an open air market with tents, tables and booths displaying arts and crafts, photographs and books, clothes and antiques, and of course food. There is definitely enough to please everyone.

POINT OF INCEPTION

I'M A BIG FAN

Wind power has been used as long as humans have put sails into the wind. For more than two millennia wind-powered machines have ground grain and pumped water.

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During our travels across Germany, I noticed that the landscape had windmills scattered throughout. The country is proactive of the Green movement and have been for many years. While talking to a German gentleman at the Golden Leaf Hotel in Stuttgart, he explained that the windmills and solar power combined  

 make up about 17% of the energy used. In my opinion, harnessing the natural elements seems to be a highly efficient system.

CONTEMPLATIVE CORY

CAN YOU FEEL IT

Daniel Libeskind is the architect of the Jewish Museum in Berlin. The space is designed to be very experiential. For me the space conjured up certain feelings within me and brought me closer to those it memorialized. The building takes and disorients, creating a sense of hysteria within each and every person. The concrete material used on the interior is perfect for creating an oppressed and cold environment. Light is brought into the building through controlled placement of slits, enhancing the power of light to our senses. The details are clean and precise, and the purity of the space is enough to explain the story emotionally. I have a new found respect for Libeskind.