Helsinkiklub in Zürich, Switzerland

Visited Helsinkiklub last night and was very, very impressed. First, it is a real bar. None of that over expensive, übershiek crap here—so sir, this is a drinkers bar.

When I visited they had a great life free-style hip-hop, show put on by two guys from Berlin. The show was top-notch, the sound great, and the crowd was well mixed and hopping. Strange to watching live hip-hop and even have one brother representing the black man, but whatever.

Since there was a live show, there was a 14 SFr. cover which I though was worth every cent. Drink prices where also quite reasonable, costing 6ish Sfr. for mixed drinks and wine.

The people working there where very laid back and friendly. Worth noting here is when you order vodka, they will not understand you unless you pronounce it vood-ka, but maybe they where just giving the foreigner some shit. :)

The location is stumbling distance from the Hardbrüke station, nice to know when it is pissing rain. Over all I highly recommend Helsinki as a drinking and live music venue.

Bruetten

Good place for American grub with a nice roadhouse feel. All you can eat Sunday Brunch from 10:30am until 2:00pm that more than covers the basic brunch items. While eating you may notice the non-stop country music. Not sure how the burgers are, but I will return to find out.
Check out my review of Stars & Stripes - I am baden - on Qype

Hamburg - Eating & Drinking - Cafes & Coffee Shops - Ice Cream Parlours

Super-duper ice cream scooper. This little corner ice cream parlor has a small but very tasty selection of top notch ice cream. One of the best in Hamburg that I have tasted.
Check out my review of Cherie's Eisladen - I am baden - on Qype

Qype: Café de Barron in Arnhem

Arnhem

Excellent bar for live music, tasty beer and cocktails. Beautiful, friendly people a-plenty, and you you can munch on peanuts, throwing the shells on the floor. I have never been disappointed with a night out in Arnhem that included a visit to de Barron.
Check out my review of Café de Barron - I am baden - on Qype

Qype: Luba Luft in Hamburg

Hamburg - Pubs & Bars - Bars - Cocktail Bars

Hard to add what has not already been said... right down to the 'aLii-told-me-so' part... but I'll throw in my two cents.

HOW CAN I HAVE LIVED IN ST. PAULI 1 YEAR AND ONLY NOW VISIT LUBA LUFT?!

I mean really. You walk into the joint, and BAM... it's like a drinkers version of the Moon Lounge from 2001. All 70's orange and rounded corners and sphere-things in plentiful abundance. Behind the bar... some bottles even a drinker's drinker may not recognize.

Seating falls into three basic categories: Old and obviously comfortable, modern and surprising comfortable and über-cool retro egg-glass chair-like things that are more for decor than a body.

Before ordering, came a (get this) White Russian _shot_. Maybe it's just my inner Dude here, but I just love it when a German bar not only has Kahlúa... but knows how to mix it with vodka and a dairy product.

My recommendation for this kind of place is to put your drink order in the hands of the professionals that take it. I had the distinct feeling that there is a good reason the drink menus look like they are meant to be ignored.
Check out my review of Luba Luft - I am baden - on Qype

Qype: A Secret Bar in Hamburg

Hamburg - Virtual Places

After the afore mentioned cocktail, in this place that I shall simply call 'heaven'... came what can only be described as a near religious experience.

The Dude is dead.
Long live the Gentledude.
Check out my review of A Secret Bar - I am baden - on Qype

Qype: Lunchroom in Hamburg

Hamburg

Basically it's like this. Take a typical old-school st. pauli knipe, strip it, wash it, sand it down, then bring it back to all it's 1953 glory.

The Lunchroom serves the early morning crowd amazingly good coffee and breakfast-on-a-Brötchen. Lunchtime is a daily special and the usual items. Even pizzas are available until late (2 a.m!).

The place has that squeaky new tennis shoe feel--but that won't last long. Stop in for the coffee and you will not be disappointed.
Check out my review of Lunchroom - I am baden - on Qype

Coffee in St. Pauli

Stumbling home the other night I passed a newly opened cafè. Even in St. Pauli with it's 24 hour party people, you can not find a good cup of coffee until 8 at the earliest. So I stepped in. The owner had just arrived and was warming some kind steam powered coffee machine from Germany's war years.

I asked for a good cup of coffee and was told that If I could wait a few minutes he will make me the best cup of coffee you can drink in St. Pauli. This was a sobering statement, as good coffee can be found in St. Pauli--so I pressed him and he replied:

"...if you can find a better cup of coffee than what you are about to drink, I will give you 100 free cups."

Game on. Over then next 2 weeks I will hunt down the best cup of coffee in St. Pauli. Since ordering coffee in many places has it's own vernacular, this test will be limited to what ever the fruity hipster Barista delivers when ordering "you best cup of coffee, please".

Qype: Pho Vietnam in Hamburg

Hamburg

Located where Hanoi was, this newly opened Phở House is the real-deal. Perfect Phở and they even had traditional drip-coffee with condensed milk that you can pour over ice.

What I really appreciated most about Phở Vietnam is that they did not also offer 'Thai', 'Chinese' or (heaven forbid) 'Italian'. It is what it is... and after my first trip, I say it's damn good at that.
Check out my review of Pho Vietnam - I am baden - on Qype

Qype: Salam City in Hamburg

Hamburg - Restaurants - Take Away - Falafel

Wonderful place for a lunch-time flaffle wrapped in a flat pita. For 3€ you get a super tasty mid-eastern alternative to the typical Turkish Pizza, and everything you see is being made fresh in front of your face. And if you choose to hang out a bit, expect a 'shot' of tee as is the tradition.

This is very much a quick-bite-to-eat place, but even so, the decor has been put together with a kind of thoughtful care that exudes simple, tasteful pride. Lunch time crowd is quite diverse: from stuffed business suits to mid-day shoppers that strayed a bit off the Mönckebergstraße strip.

Try this place once, and it won't be the first time for long!

Check out my review of Salam City - I am baden - on Qype

Qype: hollywood canteen in Hamburg

Hamburg - Restaurants - Fast Food & American

Ugh. I am writing this with not one but two belly bombers anchoring me down. Four visits is enough, never again. This last time was a remarkably horrid experience.

This week there was a huge sign out front 'buy one get one free'. The deal seemed pretty clear, so despite my other three mediocre visits, The Mexican and I opted for yet another Hollywood Hamburg adventure.

Gripe #1: Buy one get one free comes with more strings than 80's pop music. The free burger was for me and only me. I could not share my free burger with The Mexican. Also, I could not bring said 'free' burger home with me. Ok, ok... this was just some gimmick to get me in the door (a ploy that this burger joint seems to rely on heavily), but I really felt as if I had been tricked.

Gripe #2: The battle ax behind the counter was... unfriendly to put it mildly. But to be fair, on other nights the service has been friendly, cute university chicks... no complaints there.

Gripe #3: 1950's Oldie Rock playing nonstop. I believe they have one CD on infinity loop. I realize that they don't make any more 1950's "I'm just a lonely teenager now that my poodle skirt girl died on dead mans curve while drag racing my hotrod" - and there are good reasons. After 3 songs it's a true BEATING.

Gripe #4: Bland, soggy hamburgers. Bland, soggy chicken burgers. Bland, soggy hot-dogs. Stale, day-old buns that, when removed, beg the classic question: where's the beef?!

Gripe #5: Stupid, embarrassing names for the menu items. Yes, they got away with this in Pulp Fiction's Jack Rabbit Slims... but they also had slot cars, a midget page and a memorable dance scene. I mean come on! Ducky Don Carlos my <euphemism>donkey</euphemism>.

So to sum up: we where tricked, beat about the head and shoulders by Nurse Ratchet, subjected to torturous bad flash-back music and lost any remaining dignity by having to order 'pun'ny named sup-par burgers.

But hey, you know, that's just, like, my opinion, dude...

Check out my review of hollywood canteen - I am baden - on Qype

Qype: Eiscafé Veneziana in Hamburg

Hamburg - Cafes & Coffee Shops - Ice Cream Parlours

Very much Italian ran... and very, very good.

Although you sit inside, most of summertime business happens just off the sidewalk. I have even watched a dude ride up to the counter on his bike, order, pay and leave--all without bothering to dismount.

Overall, if you happen to be in the area--and are jonesing with the 'you scream I screams'--by all means stop, walk or roll in for a cone! But, if are on a quest for the 'Best in Hamburg', Eiscafé Veneziana will at least make the short list.

Check out my review of Eiscafé Veneziana - I am baden - on Qype

Qype: Cafe Absurd in Hamburg

Hamburg - Cafes & Coffee Shops - Cafes

I often choose Café Absurd when I need a central, neutral place to meet for coffee. Outside of coffee and it's many derivatives, Absurd also offers beer, wine and a pretty decent sandwich menu.

When the weather is nice, you can sit outside on the pick-a-nick tables--and when it's not, you have cushy chairs and sofas inside. Also WLAN and a smokers area for you that do.

The wait staff are true St. Pauli... nice and cool. They always bring a side-shot of water with your coffee, and they always offer a chocolatey-marshmellowly-pillow-on-a-wafer thing. A nice touch that I have only experienced here.

The music is as eclectic as the staff. I have heard a wide range of chill standards, funky soul and german indie rock.

Check out my review of Cafe Absurd - I am baden - on Qype

Qype: Große Freiheit 36 in Hamburg

Hamburg - Nightlife - Clubs - Nightlife - Music Venues

Große Freiheit 36 is actually a pretty sweet place to see a gig. It's roomy, but still small enough to hint at being intimate. There is a very large balcony that sweeps around three sides of the venue so if are a wee person, or happen to be bringing a wee one as your date, you've got options.

The acoustics are surprisingly quite good. I saw a rock/acoustic performance and my ears left happy.

The drinks where as expected: very weak and very expensive. I paid €9 for two waters and a shot of Pernod. The 'shot' came in a laughably small thimble. I mean, seriously... it looked it should have been served on the table of the 'tequila shooting frogs'. Solution: get lit out front before the show... it's Große Freiheit after all, no lack of things to see, wink-wink, nudge-nudge...

Check out my review of Große Freiheit 36 - I am baden - on Qype

The Five Point Five Year Stamp

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I know a guy who knows a guy... and you know this guy. While at university this guy, the one you know, studied many things. After many years it was time to graduate, but it was not exactly clear what was his 'master' subject—it seemed learning was his true passion. The story ends with enough credits and knowledge to basically name his degree. I believe he choose history. He is one of the top 5 most intelligent people I ever met—he has the education to prove it.

Here in Hamburg I have a good friend that might be considered vintage. 62 years old, and wow has he lived each and every one of them. Every time he tells a story or recalls a personal adventure, jaws hang partially open and once again the listener is stunned. How one man can fit so much living into just one lifetime is still a mystery to me. He is one of the top 5 wisest people I have ever met—he has the years to prove it.

When I decided to live abroad I wanted more than just the experience—I wanted something to show for it. Much like the first guy, I have a passion for learning. So, I figured, if applying oneself at university for more than a few years can procure an impressive degree, there must be some kind of equivalent. My 'European Degree' took the form of becoming a permanent resident of the EU. This would allow me to live and work in any of the EU countries just as I can in any one of the US States. It was by no means an easy task—and I highly doubt I could have achieved it without the support and encouragement of many. Although I may never be as intelligent or as wise as people that I look up to, it's a pretty good feeling knowing sometimes I have the tenacity to finish what was started—and on June 12, 2008 I have the stamp in my passport to prove it.

Move, Time, Travel

Time seems to move faster in 2008. It probably has much to do with moving to the beautiful harbor city of Free and Hanseatic Hamburg! Yes, I recently moved, traded pigs for ships, and wow I am a heapin' helpin' lot happier for it. You know that saying 'if you want something done, give it to someone busy'? Since the move it's been all kinds of busy--and if my taskmanager is any indication, it looks like I am checking off about 50% more tasks per day. One client is off to showcase their new exhibition Dialogue in Silence to the WEF in Davos, Switzerland and has been using Twin Pictures as a media and technology swiss army knife. Another client pulled the trigger on an training program we offered for 'Cosmetic GMP'--with the promises to develop into a very interesting long term relationship. 'Ours to loose' as they say in Texas. And to top it all off... it's off to India on Saturday! I have only experienced one Bollywood film, and not once in the 4 hours was there a wedding, therefore I have no idea what to expect. However, in addition to the wedding in Bhilwara (that lasts 4 days!), there are tailored suits to be fitted for in New Delhi, and a business trip to visit an outsourced programing team in Pune. In 2007 I stretched my Northern and Southern borders of travel. Next week I will push further East than I have ever been. Hard not to be excited about the direction 2008 is heading so far!

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An American Halloween in Germany

The phone rang this afternoon. It was the local Newspaper.

Yes, Hello?

Good Day. My name is Mrs Blablabla from the Biberblaber Newspaper, I am calling for a Mr. Baden.

I am he.

I found your name from the official registration records of our district, and it says that you are an American. Can you give our subscribers a unique view on how Halloween is celebrated in your country?

Moment... only so I understand correct. You find me from official record. You know I be American. You want know how people from my country party about Halloween?

Yes, exactly. Can you tell our readers how Halloween is celebrated in your country?

Wow. It is good to know records like this are so open. OK. Halloween...

I proceeded to explain--using my 5-year old German--all the different things most Americans do during Halloween. I tried to tie in what I remember about the background and directed her to Wikipedia. I found that I was missing a few German words when trying to explain concepts like Pagan Roots and Bobbing for Apples. Our 20 minute conversation ended up with her asking if it would be OK to send someone around to take my photo for the paper. Absolutely Not, I replied...It's bad enough that I can be tracked down as an American living in this little pig-farming dorf... a photo in the paper is out of the question. So much for keeping a low profile. Time to move to a bigger city.

Brazillian Basics I

Food: Lots of very good, exotic fruit, therefor lots of crazy fruit juices sold in Juice Bars. Everything that could be sweet is way sweeter than you expect. Meat, Fish, Sushi all very good and inexpensive. Sandwitches (sanWee-gee) and places where you can pay for a plate of food by weight abound.

Drinks: Beer (shoppe) is O.K., best to go with Caipirinha just not with Pitú (known as shrimp juice here). Guaraná Antarctica is also very nice.

Driving:
fullflex bi-fuel system. Top 3 brands: VW, Fiat and Chevy.

Language: Everyone speaks very fast. Use the phrase "tudo bom" (tu-do bon) and/or "tudo bem" (tu-do bayn) as much as possible--it means "everything cool?" and everything is always cool. Also, when meeting somebody, you get to say "Oi" like a London punk rock bitch-head from the mid 70´s.

Pets: Very high concentration of veterinary clinics, pet grooming and pet supply stores. People love cats and small/medium sized dogs.

Beach Weekend - Maresias, Brazil

Years ago, when I was living in New York City, I learned how to recognize and appreciate the moments that become wonderful memories as they occure. This weekend was one--in spades! Every aspect from the weather, the location, the company, the food... perfectly magical. Saturday morning we woke up late, and rushed to jump on a bus for Sao Paulo. Arriving, we took the metro to where we where to meet with our new friend Bianca. After a quick purchase of some more summer threads, we met our new friend and 'zoom' off to the beach. Just before we arrived in Maresias, we stopped for a bit at Camburi Beach. We walked down the beach, hiked through the jungle, and ended up chilling on the rocks that jut out into the sea (pictured). Moments like this turn people you know, into friends that you love. From rocks back to beach for food, drink and a swim that ended up being our first of many 'If we don't kill ourselves' adventure of the trip. The three lifeguards that saved us from being swept out to see where very nice guys, by the way. After not dieing, we drove the 6km to Maresias where we met Jeff and Lille. Well actually they where called Je & Le Le, as Brazilians have the custom to shortening names. Men get one syllable, the women also but it's repeated. The rest of the evening was filled with great food, vodka and tropical fruit... and toped off by dancing until 7am in what has to be the best clubbing experience of my life. Imagine a club located in the middle of a beach jungle... hidden within walls of lush trees and beautiful people. As I think back on it all now... I feel changed somehow. It was so much to digest in such a short time. Perhaps I am digesting still.

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Campinas, Brazil

From Germany, to Holland, to Spain... and finally the madness stopped in Brazil. That was last Friday, and what feels like a month ago. I am creating a reservation web application for a museum on what it's like to be blind. It's called Diálogo No Escuro and it is part of the whole Dialog im Dunkeln exhibition. This pano was shot from my 'Office/Apartment' window while taking a break from coding. No doubt there will be entries following this one... to include more of The Rich and Beautiful Brazil, The Poor and Heartbreaking Brazil... and the sun kissed Brazilian Bikini Waxed Bodies. Boing!

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