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ABOUT ME: Name: Gutenberg Location: Somewhere near the Golden Gate Bridge. Occupation: BRPR (Bunrab public relations.) |
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September 17-23, 2007
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| Sunday, September 23, 2007 permalink
We are grabbing all of our food on the run during this visit to the Bear capital of the universe and one of the most popular hand held snacks in these parts are Döner Kababs. My mind always goes to the party trapped in the snowy mountains when I get a mit of meat from a rotating inverted cone of protein at these ubiquitous stands:
Today’s was not bad at all. I got a chicken döner (2,50€):
…which came with the usual salady stuffings and yogurt sauce. It was satisfying in a craveable, fast food way. If you want to take a break from the wurst and you don’t have time for a sit down meal, a Döner gets this party over the pass. One place that is now easier to pass is the former East and West division of this German city:
We couldn’t help but notice the homage to Seattle:
…taking place here in Berlin.
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| Saturday, September 22, 2007 permalink
First you have to pass though security (where I was given a zer Gut-enberg wanding, yet Chubby hopped through unfettered.) The entryway is lined with a timeline of events:
…from 1933-1945. This leads to a room illuminated by floor panels:
…displaying personal accounts of Jewish men and women. The visitors read these with a posture that not only suits the room’s composition, but also its mood. Stalagmites containing stories of 15 Jewish families hang from the ceiling of the adjoining chamber:
…this is a reversal of the polarity from the outside world. A dark box comes next with projected names:
…and audio with the biographies of these victims, followed by a room that documents the genocide of Jews. A row of computers lines the hallway outside. These access information on other historical sites, events and related information. We were glad that we managed to squeeze in another visit so that we could see both sides of this incredible memorial. Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
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| Friday, September 21, 2007 permalink
This installation is designed to be walked through. You descend into an undulating field of 2711 slightly off kilter, grey rectangles that vary from inches high on the outskirts to heights that dominate you in the center.
Each of these stelae is unique in shape, size and placement. There is no set entrance or exit and it is open 24/7. I stopped wondering how they police this site when a security officer appeared out of nowhere when I stood on one of the stones to snap a photo, but I think they took a break when a group of kids started jumping around:
... and running through this somber memorial screaming with delight at the hide and seek possibilities (and I don’t think Anne Frank was at the forefront of their little, playful minds.) Like any interesting public work of art, there were disagreements of how it should be created and maintained. Eisenman rejected proposals for chemical treatment of the stelae to prevent graffiti because, “we cannot keep everything squeaky clean. That would be the same behavior as in the 1930’s.” I have read that they have since coated them in order to prevent anti-Semitic vandalism. He also put the kibosh on kitschy tourist stands cashing in on the Holocaust so don’t expect any wurst carts or plastic Lego plinth sets.
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| Thursday, September 20, 2007 permalink
Wurst for the wear Syncing up with the local time meant stumbling around like zombies with boosts of caffeine and a brat:
... for me (obviously, I do not subscribe to the “you are what you eat” theory.) This weiner appeared to have the same tailor as Pee Wee Herman and like P.W., it had a bratty snap. Not bad for just over a Euro at a random vendor. Chubby got a Spezial Currywurst:
... which materialized as a mélange of curry infused Kechupy tomato sauce, sliced wurst, corn, paprika and peppers. This hot plate was a meal custom made for jetlagged zombies (it may have also contained human brain matter for all we know) in this wacky collage of college food.)
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| Wednesday, September 19, 2007 permalink Pie before the Sky Before a trip, it’s time to clear out the fridge so there is no fuzzy, fermenting, welcoming committee upon your return. When you have cheese remnants you have a choice of many protein, starch and salad avenues for alchemy, but there is nothing quite as satisfying as a humble pie.
I took a half tablespoon of dry yeast proofed in 2/3 cup of warm water, threw in the Cuisinart with a cup of flour, a teaspoon of salt, a glug of olive oil and processed (with additional flour as needed) until it’s cohesive enough to turn out and knead for a minute. Pop it in an oiled bowl, flip it over to clog all it’s exposed pores, cover with plastic wrap and let rise til doubled.
Roll it thin and top with the stray food bits from your fridge, bake at the highest heat of your oven until the chesses is all bubbly and the bottom is brown (when you peek |
