Germany « TravelJapanBlog.com

Archive for Germany

Nazis and such

Having recently spent four days in Germany, it seems odd to find myself back in the USA with a bunch of Nazi stuff happening here. While Trump does all that he can to defend the alt-right, free speech for hate groups, and other such nonsense, Germany has actually banned free speech and symbols when it comes to Nazis, etc.

Today’s photo is a rare exception. This is a symbol on the bell that Hitler had crafted for the 1936 Olympic games in Berlin. While the swastika, Nazi salutes, etc. are banned in Germany, this image on the bell at Olympic Stadium has been allowed to exist. (There are actually two swastikas on the bell as well, something I never saw in Berlin.)

A couple weeks after I was in Berlin a couple of Chinese tourists did a Nazi salute, for a photo, and were promptly arrested. They had to pay a huge fine before being released. It’s strange to say, but maybe the USA should follow the lead of Germany in banning hate speech at some point.

Posted on August 17th, 2017 under Germany. Tags: berlin, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D750, olympic stadium. Comments: None

Reichstag dome

@slowberlin #Berlin

Posted on August 15th, 2017 under Germany. Tags: berlin, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D750, skywatch. Comments: None

Kids diving at Olympic Swim Stadium

Berlin Olympic Swim Stadium

@BerlinTourism @I_love_Berlin @slowberlin

Seeing so many people enjoying an Olympic facility on a hot, summer day brought a smile to my face. This was the aquatics venue (located in Berlin, Germany) constructed for the 1936 Summer Olympics.

Posted on August 13th, 2017 under Germany. Tags: berlin, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D750, olympic stadium. Comments Off on Kids diving at Olympic Swim Stadium

Nervosa @ Sage Club (Berlin, Germany)

Fernanda Lira

@nervosathrash @NapalmRecords

I accidentally got double booked for Thursday evening in Berlin. The good news was Nervosa went on after Marillion and Berlin’s public transportation is rather efficient. So after Marillion I jumped on the U to go see Nervosa at Sage Club, the first live venue I’ve been to that features a fire-breathing dragon. The place was a trip. Check it out even if Nervosa isn’t playing the next time you are in Berlin.

Nervosa was as awesome as ever. I’ve now seen them in three different countries. More photos of them on this evening and at Gefle Metal Festival will be posted here soon.

Nervosa @ Sage Club (July 20, 2017)

Prika Amaral

Luana Dametto

Posted on July 24th, 2017 under Germany. Tags: berlin, concert photography, metal, nervosa, Nikon 24-120mm f/4 VR G lens, Nikon D750. Comments Off on Nervosa @ Sage Club (Berlin, Germany)

Marillion in Berlin

Marillion in Berlin, Germany @ Huxley’s Neue Welt (July 20, 2017)

@MarillionOnline @markke11y @fuelandseed

Thanks to a friend giving me a Marillion CD about 13 years ago, my first night in Berlin was spectacular this past weekend. My plane from Copenhagen was delayed by more than an hour which led to lots of stress (not to mention sweat, as Germany is far warmer and humid than Scandinavia). However, I made it to the photo pit with at least 15 seconds (but not 30) to spare before Marillion hit the stage.

The setlist consisted mostly of their new album, FEAR, in its entirety. I didn’t get to hear anything off of Marbles (the CD my friend gave me) or my favorite song (When I Meet God), but the evening was wonderful.

This was my first time seeing Marillion. They are from England but have played more shows in Germany than in the USA. Hence, I was very lucky they were playing in Berlin on one of the three nights I was there.