I HAVE MOVED!!!!!

Unfortunately, my time with blogger has expired. I have moved to wordpress and I am in the process fixing my blog. the new site is meetgabbyro.wordpress.com. I am still figuring out a few things, but I am also posting along the way. To stay updated with me, please click the follow button, where you will be notified of my most recent blog post. Thanks so much! :)

Goodbye, Berlin!

Wrapping up the last few days in Berlin were like watching the end of your favorite movie. You know it's all about to come to an end, but you can't stop it. Instead, you look forward to the next to time you will watch it again.

In my last three days of the trip, I attended a carnival, made my own Ritter Sport chocolate candy bar, explored the luxurious world of MercedesBenz dealership, visited the Tiergarten, and had dinner inside of Germany's tallest building, the TV Tower.


The culture of carnivals was sooo much fun. The streets were filled with people singing, laughing, dancing and drinking-lots and lots of drinking.
The celebratory atmosphere wrapped me up and I had no choice but to join in. My friends and I stuck around for four hours of trailing street performers, eating some of the world's tastiest ethnic dishes, chugging down drinks, and shopping through a host of vendors. The skies were piercingly blue and the sun came out to play. The day was perfect and it was one I am sure to reminisce over years later. 

One of my favorite unscheduled activities in Germany waRitter Sport to make my own chocolate bar. Known for providing some of the most delicious chocolate in Germany, Ritter Sport did nothing short of just that. I made my own chocolate bar starting with a base of rich and smooth milk chocolate and topping it off with caramel roasted almonds, dried strawberries, and sprinkles. It was yummy and it only cost me about 5 euro. But surprisingly the chocolate wasn't the best part. The store design was unlike anything I've ever seen in a chocolate store. Upstairs was a chocolate museum. It showed how chocolate came about and even had videos for kids. There was also a mid-sized restaurant serving everything from pasta to the most delightful treats. This rainbow designed store definitely colored my experience with fascination and deliciousness!

 Ever since I saw MercedesBenz World listed a visiting option, I immediately started envisioning myself in a series of luxurious cars.

I had y mind set on one automobile in particular and that was the ever so popular G class, also known as the G-wagon. I've seen numerous celebrities sporting these jeep-like vehicles (mostly women) and I grew a liking to them, so you can only imagine how excited I was to get inside of one. I climbed right in to the first one I spotted and man did it feel good. If I had more time I would've asked for a test drive, but I was satisfied with the view of me sitting inside. The entire dealership was huge and had everything from a playground to the oldest models of Mercedes. It was really fancy, which may be a reason why there are more Mercedes in the city than any other car. 


Across the street from Mercedes World was the Tiergarten, Berlin's largest public park. The scenery is jaw-dropping and breathtaking. The environment was calming and peaceful enough to throw away all cares and float in the wind-and that is exactly what I did. 

Finally, my last day in Berlin. I was sad to see the day come, but welcomed it with open arms.

My experience at the TV Tower restaurant was phenomenal. As I sat in my chair-which revolves around the entire tower- I sipped my wine and thought about everything that I've done within the past week. It was truly an amazing experience. It was a life changing experience and I would encourage any and everyone to study abroad. The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page -Augustine of Hippo. I've taken so much from this trip and this is only the beginning of my sightseeing adventure. 

Thank you for following along and staying updated on my trip. I appreciate all of the comments and I will have more videos on my YouTube channel. Be sure to check them out. 



Here are a few clips and pics:

Trying Crem brulee for the first time

How my Ritter Sport chocolate was made

      

 A trip to Mercedes-Benz World

Daily Cocktail at the TV Tower

A Mercedes show car covered in graffiti-styled paint

Meet Christina Knobbe

For my photojournalism class that I'm taking while overseas, I had to find a subject-someone from Berlin- and ask them about their perspective of Berlin. While walking through the Hackkscher Markt I ran across this woman. 

Christina Knobbe is a Berlin artist whose paintings have been seen all over the world. Without taking any classes or learning about the latest sketch techniques, Knobbe has used her inner talent to hone her artistry and keep her work authentic. She loves the free spirited nature of the culture in Berlin which is why she chose to expand her craft in the area. As a mother of two, her earlier years did not grant her the opportunity to make a living with her talent alone, but now with both of her children being adults, she is able to see just how far her skills will take her. She is delighted with meeting new people every day and finds pleasure in being invited to numerous art exhibits. With over 12,000 works of art, Knobbe keeps herself busy with analyzing and interpreting some of her dearest moments into her sketches. Even though she adores making cute and dainty love sketches, what really drives her is the passion for human rights. She makes dozens of pieces related to the subject and has collaborated with other artist who share the same values. The human cultural experience is one that moves her to tears and she believes her influence lies within her artwork.

Contact info

Website- www.well-well.de

Facebook: Christina Knobbe

Email: ck@well-well.de

The WYLD Dinner Cruise

My first week in Berlin has already come to an end. I can't believe my time here is flying by so quickly. but I am still enjoying every minute of it. The previous week was filled with events and not alot of free time, but this week will be the opposite. We started on Tuesday the 19th, by visiting AFP photographer John MacDougall at his home. He showed us lots of his favorite photographs as well as the advancement of the photography business and how he's adjusting to it. Later on we visited the Berliner Dom which I have stated multiple times, is the prettiest building I've ever laid eyes on. I'll also admit to the Dom being the most fascinating historical building I've ever been inside of.

 It took almost 15 minutes to get from the bottom of the Dom to the top. Though it was a long way up, it was worth every step , because the view was indescribable. The next day was a free day, so of course I did a little shopping around. I ended up buying a lot of cute items including an Adidas shirt/dress and matching shoes, a bathing suit and a pair of sunglasses. In my opinion, the shopping here is better than the U.S., because it is a lot cheaper (a perk to the city being poor). 

 Thursday we had some free time during the day so me and two of the other girls decided to go to the Hackescher Makt which is another local flea market. I ended up getting two hand-wooven bracelets for my younger cousins for 10 euros. I love the markets here because there are so many of them and they all have so many different things to sell. I've seen everything down to hand stitched candle holders. The artistry and architecture here, is incomparable to anything I've seen before.

Later, we went to a musical entitled The WYLD. I had seen numerous advertisement about this event plastered all over the walls and buildings, so my expectations were pretty high. I enjoyed the performance, but I'll admit it didn't meet my expectations. The performances were similar to those I've seen at the circus. I would honestly say the circus was more interesting. One thing that did impress me though, was the stage. The performance took place at the  Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin which is one of the biggest theatre stages in the world. The stage was indeed huge and it had a bunch of cool features. The one that amazed me the most was the stage rising about 50 feet high with big lava tanks of water with people floating inside of them. 

Friday was a free day so I went to the market again, but I didn't pick up anything. That night was one I will never forget because it was the first time I ever partied until the sun came up. I went to the club at 2am and didn't leave until 5am. The sun was out and I was beyond tired. 

Saturday, was another insightful day of history, but on a lighter note- with food. We took a two course dinner cruise through the Spree River. It was nice and so was the food. I had room for more, but it was satisfying-I guess. 

Within my few days left there is still more to come. I'm going to the Carnival of cultures, visiting the Reichstag building, and finally eating at the TV Tower. All of them should be fun, but I'm a little down that it'll all be over soon. Well let me get back to enjoying my time. 

Catch you later!

Here are a few clips and pics:

20 Things I learned about Berlin

1. Public restrooms are NOT free. They normally cost about 2 euros. 
2. EVERYONE walks EVERYWHERE. Having a car is a luxury. Most people either walk, take the trams or ride their bike
3. The trams do not stop if you're in the way. It's best to move very quickly.
4. Smoking cigarettes and drinking beer or coffee all day are a big part of the culture. 
5. Jaywalking is highly frowned upon. Especially when done in front of children (your license can be expelled for doing so)
6. German men pee sitting down.
7. Marijuana is illegal, yet much more tolerated than in the U.S.
8. People usually don't throw their bottles away when they're done with them. They leave them on top of the trash cans for a gypsy (homeless person) to collect them. They're worth 8 cents in euros. 
9. Walking around the streets with beer in your hand is acceptable.
10. Water is not free! There is probably one water fountain in the entire city of Berlin. Also when you order water from a restaurant, you might want to ask for no gas- it basically means you're drinking tap water which taste like regular/still water. 
11. Donar Kebabs are very popular and inexpensive. (The best Turkish dish I've ever had!)
12. Everyone is mostly quiet in public places.

    

    A few Berliners hanging out near a flea market

13. The city is very diverse. People from all over Europe are come to Berlin to explore its historical background.
14. Even though Berlin is the capital of Germany, it is very poor.
15. It is considered rude not to eat your food as soon as it is served no matter how many guest are left plate-less.
16.  Biking is so popular, there are not only bike lanes, but also bike streets.
17. Everyone is mostly outside.
18.  PDA is seen here much more often than in the U.S.
19.  The legal drinking age is 16.
20.  The city is dog friendly. Dogs are allowed in stores and it is not unusual for them to roam around without leashes on.

City tour, flea market, and meeting Christoph Niemann

   Saturday, the 16th was the first day of free time and I will admit, I was a little nervous about being out on my own. However, I am proud to say I went exactly where I intended and I DID NOT get lost. I did have a partner with me, but it still counts (I don't go anywhere alone.

My mom would kill me.) I ended up getting a plug adapter and finding someone to interview for my project. I also stopped by a little store called Promod and picked up a black leather jacket and a cute pair of pastel orange colored open-toed sandals with a low heel.

I know this combination sounds weird, but the jacket is for here in Berlin and the sandals are for back home. If you're wondering abut the weather here, its cold. There are a few days where the sun wants to be nice, but the wind is always naughty. My lips and skin always feel chapped and dry no matter how many outrageous amounts of chapstick and lotion I apply. I don't think there anything else I can do to change this over the next few days so I'll be trying my best to stay as moisturized as I possibly can. 

   Sunday and Monday were back to scheduled programming. On Sunday we took a city tour. First, the tour was great. We learned a lot of history, were able to see other interesting parts of the city, and our tour guide guy was really cool (he will be featured in my selfie album coming soon). We saw the Brandenburg Gate, Memorial to murdered Jews of Europe, the place where books would have been stored, but instead were burned by the Nazis, Checkpoint Charlie....oh, and the hotel where Michael Jackson dangled his son, Blanket over the balcony.

Elevator inside of the Lafayette mall

The only problem I had with the walk was the timing. It was a three to four hour walk. This shouldn't have surprised me though. It's Berlin! Everyone walks everywhere. Later, we went to a really cool flea market and grabbed some lunch from there. I was able to buy a few nice things, but it started to rain so we decided to leave. I do plan on going back for family souvenirs though.  Monday was a more reserved day. We didn't have any plans for the morning/afternoon so a group of the other girls and I, decided to go to the mall. I ended up purchasing some very comfortable and stylish Birkenstock shoes. I've been seeing them everywhere and couldn't wait to get my hands on them AND THEY WERE CHEAPER. Let's just say that made my day.

Christoph Niemann explaining one of his articles

I also bought a nice floral, floor-length dress from H&M. I would have done more shopping if we didn't have an appointment with big time illustrator Christoph Niemann, but it could defiantly be put on hold. Niemann is an illustrator, author, and artist whose work has been featured on the cover of The New York Times Magazine along with others. He gave our group some good tips about thinking abstractly while honing authenticity. After leaving Niemann's studio we ate dinner at Burritos Delores. I had a quesadilla with tomato salsa and a soft drink not written in English. Both of them were good and topped of the tiring day so well. Anyhow, that's all for now. Be back soon!

Here are a few clips and pics:

   

Catching the U-bahn

Chalk art 

Walking through the flea market

Berlin Cathedral a.k.a Berliner Dom

Bebelplatz- Nazi book burning 

Memorial for the murdered Jews in Europe

Apple Strudel and hot chocolate from a cafe' near the memorial

Post Nazi Mural 

Beginning in Berlin

A creatively colored Trabi world car passing along what is left of the Berlin Wall

     The past two days in Berlin have been nothing short of blissful and beautiful. First, be sure to check out my video of the last two days I spent preparing for this trip. 
     In all honesty, I adore everything about this city and it only took two days! The free flowing environment easily draws you in along with the fascinating history. On our first adventure, we explored the Documentation Center, which was mostly about ancient Berlin and the effects of the Berlin Wall. If you haven't already heard, the Berlin Wall is one of the most monumental  landmarks in Berlin. The wall was a significant barrier between East and West Berlin and only a few miles of it remain in the city today. After listening to a good amount of history, I could say I have a new respect for the wall and what it stands for. Shortly after, we went for a walk and decided to stop for some ice-cream. I, along with a Berlin buddy, shared a schoko (chocolate) flavored ice-cream cup. It was well-desired after having a long day/flight and it hit the spot as suspected. The next day's adventure was a bike tour that lasted nearly more than 4 hours and the ride was roughly around 8 miles long. Before going on this trip, I was dreading this bike ride, but surprisingly I enjoyed every second of it. I was filled with enthusiasm and astonishment throughout the entire thing. There could not have been a more perfect way to capture the city of Berlin than through the bike tour. A kiss from the sun brushed my skin softly as the wind blew just enough to cool my tresses. Paradise was radiant within every left and right glance. Beautiful is an understatement. We stopped for some German food and it was actually pretty good. I saw a guy walk past me with a big plate and I was like, "I want whatever he has". The dish was a Schawarma-falafel with halloumi and chicken. I couldn't finish my plate nor could I save it for later (leftovers are unusual to ask for in Berlin), but it was definitely worth the euro. 
       Later, we went out to dine at a restaurant down the street from our hotel called MinhQuang. The food was good, but the drink I had was great! It was called "Silly Kiss". I thought it was a cute name, so I thought why not give it a shot. It turned out to be one of the better Mojitos I've had out of very few. Even though I despise the taste of beer, Berlin is a place where beer is drunk as frequently as water. I've tried a few, but I still don't like the taste. Anyhow, we ended our night at a bar jam-packed with people playing ping-pong and chatting it up over some drinks. With the past two days going so well, I can't wait to see what the rest of the week brings. 


Here are a few clips and pics:

Biking along the Berlin Wall

Dining in at MinhQuang

A #12 Schwarama-falafel with halloumi and chicken from Rissani  

Two guys conversing over a beer in what used to be the Berlin airport

Remains of The Berlin Wall painted with massive graffiti

A large building located in East Germany