12 months in photos.

As much as many of the more conservative and less tech-saavy people seem to think that social networking sites are the work of the devil, I do have to agree. And when it comes to something as important as connecting with loved ones across the world, what an easier [and more practical] way to do so by using facebook.

And what’s my favourite thing about this Zuckerberg founded web-giant? :]
The profile pictures. Simple images that depict what you’ve recently been up to… and after 12 months of traveling around Germany and Europe, experiencing the best it has to offer, I’ve had a range of pictures displayed on my facebook account that give an insight into my adventures. So here’s a little look in to those people who I don’t have on facebook. :]

NB: They get soooo much better as you go along. ;]

Out with a bang.

This was not a reference to a bomb explosion… relax, people! :]
This was in fact a reference to two things… although both ironically similar to a bomb, well, explosively speaking at least;
a) fireworks
and
b) firecrackers.
Both of which I encountered in a single New Years Eve celebration in Berlin.

You may often [or not] hear the expression “it was like war”. Well, let me tell you something; if you’re not one of those lucky 1,000,000 people who make it onto the two kilometre ‘Party Mile’ before they close the entrances, you’ll feel like you’re on a European warfront. Apart from the booming of the midnight fireworks (as well as unofficial, and unscheduled firework demonstrations throughout the night), there was a cacophony of bangs surrounding us for the duration of the evening. Firecrackers, as well as the loud smashing of glass bottles (not to mention the “duck or you’ll be sprayed with shatters of glass” dance) led us to hitching  ride in a taxi back to my host dad’s apartment a little after one in the morning.

Oh the joys of exchange. ;]

I’m telling you now… I certainly won’t forget my most recent, and [unfortunately] last, trip to Berlin.

Highlights:

• Cheese fondue before heading into the city for New Years.
• Roncalli Circus, and seeing german actor Christoph Waltz in the flesh
• Seeing Beethoven’s 9th Symphony in the Berlin Philharmonic
• Having Elton’s Your Song sung to me by a drunk german
• Spending an hour in Zara
• Watching the musical Tanz der Vampire (Dance of the Vampires) in German.
• Viewing a visually erotic cabaret called Wunderkammer performed by a Brisbane acrobatic troupe in Berlin’s beloved Chamaeleon Theater

Here’s a few pictures… I had a major fascination with the Berliner Dom on this trip…. fascination, not a fetish.

Enjoy.

A highly excited Ryan
x

Third times the charm.

We all know I’ve been to Berlin in both June and November…. but did you all know why?

It’s because it’s quite simply one of the most gorgeous cities in the world. I love its tangled web of mismatched architecture. It gives the city charm and I’m sure you can all see with the photos I’ve taken that it’s certainly a place of class. ;]

On my recent trip north I managed to get up to numerous things, as is illustrated by the yellow pins on the Interactive map below. :]

View Larger Map

A particular must see was the Berlin Zoo, as it’s long been something I’d craved of seeing… the world’s largest collection of animals… truly fascinating. Whilst visiting all the animals I took some interesting shots.

Wonder if anyone else has had such a lovely time in Berlin as I have. Well worth a visit in my books. ;]

And I’m quite certain the images below are a prime example of Berlin in all its glory. :]

Checkmate. Berlin Zoo.

No, it’s not a game of chess… it’s that I’ve recently crossed something off my bucket list: I managed to see the world renowned Berlin Zoo. :]

I encountered creature’s great and small, and with a friend who was visiting her Uncle in Berlin, we managed to conquer the zoo completely and see almost all of its 1,500 different species. The zoo itself was preoccupied with construction site chaos, most likely due to the fact the park opened in 1844 and needed some major upgrades… it provided a bit of confusion when trying to navigate around to see the 17,000 or animals… :/
But nonetheless, it was a great day to be had, and the first outing in Berlin. :]

So there’s lots of happy snaps of the lovely little creatures….
and the not so lovely ones:

Hope you enjoy the pictures lovely people! :]

The capital that continues to please.

Quite recently, I made it back from Berlin for a second time, and much like the first time, I saw many of the sights that had to be seen. However, for some bizzare reason, I enjoyed myself much more when I did the trip with fellow exchange students. :]

We were rowdy, boisterous and always tired… and they’re just the positives. ;]
I thoroughly enjoyed my time last week, and I mean every single part of it. We managed to see a great number of attractions in Berlin, and I believe the small map below makes it quite easy to see where we were. :]

View Larger Map

For a whole bunch of crazy and whacked out photos, stroll through the gallery below… there’s a lot to see. ;]

And for those of you who prefer learning through reading, here’s a quick summary of a few ridiculous things we got up to. :]

• Went to Potsdamer Platz and ate in an Aussie Restaurant… tried Crocodile and Kangaroo
• Shortly afterwards we went and took pictures with a lego giraffe… because we’re cool like that.
• We dressed up for halloween with costumes including: zombie teacher, zombie sailor, a VIP, tranny-hookers, a fox-thing, a cowgirl, the freaky girl from The Ring and a greek goddess…. etc.
• Blue Man Group…. was a “surprise” from Rotex.
• Visited the sex museum located directly next to our hostel… great choice of accommodation! ;]
• Wrote on the Berlin Wall :]
• Ate a late night Falafel…. and a Döner too ;]
• and did all the tours of the numerous well-established museums. :p

Hahaha. Enjoy!

Lots of Love,
Ryan!
x

Just casually…. off to Berlin.

Thanks to Rotex, the exchange students from Rotary district 1840 and I are leaving this evening and we shall be returning this coming Friday back home.

Thus, there probably won’t be any blog updates for a little while, but bear with me… i’ll be back online soon. Until then, I’ve got lots of old content to flick through, so have some fun seeing what I’ve already uploaded. And don’t forget to do me a huge favour and share this post around the world. We need to make a change. ;]

Soon enough I’ll be in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world… and I’ll once again be seeing old favourites like those below.

Read about my last trip to Berlin here.

Peace,
A thoroughly excited Ryan. :]
x

Ich bin ein Berliner

Boy how that line never gets old. :]

So just to fill you in, I took a class trip to Berlin last week with my year ten class for Social Studies. It served as the last major city (apart from Düsseldorf) that I was yet to visit. Now I’m just ecstatic that I get an opportunity to return in November with Rotex and the new exchange students (who will no doubt not be as awesome as the “oldies”).

Seeing as we stuck to a very set program, I’m happy to outline that we saw the main cultural and historical sites, including the TV tower, Berlin Wall, Jewish Memorial, Sony Centre and Parliament buildings. All these lovely little pictures can be seen in the gallery below.

Of course that doesn’t cover the details, but I suppose if you want to know anything in depth you can simply ask away in the comment box below, or send me a private email to ryanaubersonwalsh@hotmail.com

I will hint that I tried Berliner currywurst (best in the country) and beer, ridiculous amounts of quality Italian food, as well as a reasonable attempt at an Aussie steak and chips. All good food, all regretable considering I returned with an extra two or three kilos staring me in the face. :/ Oh well… just proves I had a great time. :]

All my love kiddlings,
Stay golden. Always.

Ryan.
Peace :]