Hi Matralin. You have to be a little thick skinned on TT. Not fair I know, but that is as it is. If I see a question such as yours and I've been to the place, I try to answer with as much brevity as the question dictates.
I visited Europe for the first time last month and flew into Munich. I was with my daughter, who was working there for a week, so spent a lot of time wandering around the city on my own.
Now that I know you are a design student looking at sensory impressions of travelling I can answer more appropriately
My first impression of Munich was it's clean lines and lovely mix of old and new. I fell in love with it. Not really sure of the reason, perhaps the difference from Australian cities and those of Asia.
The paths divided into two (one half for bike riders and the other for pedestrians) was something new and it took a while to stay out of the path of cyclists. Sensory re-ajustment of footpaths and walking on rightside.
I took an open bus ride to get an overview of the city and made a mental note of the places I'd like to return.
Started catching the train too. Great rail system, once you get the hang of it. Fast and efficient.
Relaxation. Marianplatz. I lovely place to wander, people watch and down a beer or two and lunch or dinner.
Sensory stomach overload. The people of Germany eat much bigger meals than we're used to. My daughter and I ended up sharing one a lot of the time.
The people. Helpful and open minded.
Surprise - Naked people sunbaking and playing games in the English Garden. Obviously the German people are more uninhibited that we Aussies.
The people at the company my daughter was working took us out a few times and were obviously very proud of their city ... or perhaps it was in reaction to my daughter and I say we could live here, we love it.
Dachau - sensory reaction of a different kind. Not quite as confronting as S21 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia (that bought me to tears), but a shock after the beauty of the city to see the past of Munich as a reminder of hatred.
I hope my impressions of Munich at least are of some help in your project.
Being originally from Berlin and being asked recently by my publisher almost the same question, though a bit more than three words, I knitted into my short rant about my hometown the following words, which are not really original but everlasting. Since the 1920th or even earlier people describe Berlin as follows:
- Sexy (well, that's my choice of word, previous authors called it spirited, rebellious, dancing on the volcano, always ahead of time etc.)
- forever changing (that is, always re-inventing herself, no matter what history brought over her)
- grumpy (that is, the people always nitpick, complain but deep down have a big heart - heartfelt friendliness wrapped in stinginess or so).
Any help for your project?
Thank you so much!
It's a great help (not least the toi toi toi I guess)
I am from Denmark my self and it's really important to get an outsider's view on stuff like byciclepaths (since I would regard this as a very normal feature without thinking much about it) and how to behave in the sun etc.
I would love more than three words! Of course! I guess I was trying to make it sound easy to help me!
What I have found is that those three words often become somehow a bit of a slogan. I'm at a stage in my process where I need basically all I can get.
It is, however, as important to know who's eyes are seeing! - Actually a very important aspect of my project!
And you point something out, which is so obvious, but none the less, I neglected a bit. - the specific history of a place and how you sense it. The difference between the east and west side of Berlin is of course inevitable.
Carraig, are you in Berlin during this summer? It would be of such a great value, to hear what else you have to say about Berlin!
Matralin, no, I live in Ireland and had my home holiday already in Berlin in June.
I wrote several travel guides on Berlin, none in English, all in German. It's probably no point to give you any links to my books since I assume you don't speak (or read) German.
But if you have any more questions on Berlin, let me know.
I'm killing time on the internet, because I have to update some of my books, the most boring job in travel writing...
And btw it's not one-way, it's quite refreshing to hear qualified questions from people who intend to travel to places I'm writing about.
Which doesn't mean I know everything....
Carraig:
It would be great to come back to you when I have more questions - or get a link to your books!
I'm going to Berlin by the end of August as a part of creating a true sensory image. I guess I'm gonna try put things into color-scales and percentages. Haven't worked it out yet.
I do understand a bit of german :) Can't really speak it though. Been away from it to long.
Georgd:
Nightlife! Ok. How is the nightlife?
Colorful? calm? fast? loud? friendly beers or glow-in-the-dark-technodrinks?
About Berlin:
Art history (the museums are amazing, check out Pergamon if nothing else, but also the Bauhaus, or just enjoy the many architectural styles thru' the city)
Music (Berlin Philharmonic, Jazz, Techno, all genres in between, clubs, cabaret)
Transition (change from divided city to unified city, political change, resumption of Capitol status, etc. etc.)
About Germany:
Language/Literature -- I am a fan. :-)
Music, music, music
Biergarten, espec. in summer.
No, I don't live there, but I used to. I have been to Berlin before and after The Wall. I enjoyed Berlin Philharmonic w/Rostropovich conducting -- totally knocked my socks off. I was a German Lit major and have also studied art history a bit, so in general, the place just makes my heart sing. I studied in Bonn while it was the capitol, and have lived in Heidelberg. If I could figure out a way to legally get a job there in my field w/out working for the military again, I might consider it...
Berlin (my hometown):
- underground/alternative
- creative/artistic
- cheap/spontaneous
Hope that helps!
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