Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Stuttgart Gearhead Weekend #2

I had a German exchange roommate named Anton at UBC two years ago.  A shy, relatively reclusive fellow with a hilarious and outgoing girlfriend from California, he came and left without leaving much of an impression (except for stealing my bowls from the kitchen).

On Friday night I went to the town of Eisenbach (pop. ~2000) for my friend Simon's birthday and housewarming get-together.  Two of his friends had lived in Vancouver for a year, studying at UBC and skiing at whistler - what are the chances?  After some pizza and conversation, I decided to pop the big question.  "It's a long shot, but did you know a guy named Anton?"  

Yes. Yes they did know Anton, and even had a class with him.  To sum things up: Germany has a population of about 81 million.  Less than 100 German undergraduate students study at UBC each year.  Anton is shy.  Anton does not live anywhere close to where I am now (I think he was from Munich? I could be mistaken).  With the exception of finding out I wasn't invited to Anton's going-away party, that made my night awesome.

Anton - if you read this, no hard feelings.  Even though I invited you to my birthday.


I was going to go to Karlsruhe on Saturday but my 3am bedtime put a decisive end to that flakey plan.  I rode my bike around Donaueschingen instead, and went to the park behind this nice little manor:

Local Royalty
I was strolling leisurely through the park with birds singing and the wind rustling through the trees.  Next thing I know these guys decide to fire up a little reminder of my Grade 7 Graduation Ceremony:

Bagpipers.  Hooray
With the ambience drastically changed, I quickened my pace.
The rest of the day was spent riding my too-small bike around aimlessly and practicing my photography at the highway, which didn't result in any great photos.


Sunday was a great day.  I went to Stuttgart again with Sven from work - this time for a ridiculously large car convention.  The Stuttgart messe (convention centre) was packed full with what must have been 15000 cars. Obviously, this made me very happy.  Even though we skipped a few halls, we spent 6 hours walking around the massive venue.  Just for you, I filtered the 350 photos I took down to 7.

Misty-eyed Ford Focus RS

Porsche GT3 RSR

McLaren F1 GTR

Ford Mustang Mach 1

Interior of a Funny Car

Dodge Challenger R/T

Chevrolet Camaro RS

Sunday also marked a milestone for my Germany trip: my first ride on the unrestricted Autobahn!

It's ridiculous to think that this is legal here:

On the way to 220 km/h

The trip time was reduced considerably from the previous weekend.  Think 45 minutes vs 2 hours by train.  This also made me very happy.  

Monday, March 19, 2012

Stuttgart Gearhead Weekend #1

After a Friday night soccer practice, I woke up bright and early on Saturday to make the 2-hour trek to Stuttgart.  I had three targets: the Mercedes museum, Königstraße, and the Porsche museum.  I managed to hit them in that order, and took over 300 photos along the way (don't worry, I didn't post them all)

First off was the double-helix styled building of the Mercedes museum.



Upon entering, I checked my bag and picked up my audio guide.  I felt like a champ with my garb consisting of straps, wires and goofy headphones.  Especially when I took a picture of myself taking a picture of myself on a tv.



The museum was laid out brilliantly.  To start, you step into the coolest looking elevator I've ever been in.



You exit into the top floor of the museum, expecting to see cars.  Nope, horse.

Horse
From there you wind down the building in a chronological masterpiece consisting of the development of Mercedes over the last century and a bit, tied in with significant events and relevant facts pertaining to the time period of the cars on display.  The lighting was spectacular, and the displays cohesive.  I was impressed.

One of the first, and an orange tie

5.9 Horsepower, 2.5 Litres, and 337 lbs

The Second Display (Other Floors were Equally as Well-Presented)

The First Mercedes to Fit the Modern Definition of Car

Opulence

I Want This Horn!

Hipster Fresh from the Early Days
Dreamy, With Side Pipes

Princess Diana's Mercedes SL, and Some Important Guy's Modified SUV

Look Ma, No Wheel!

Engine Tech Changed a Bit Over 100 years: 870 Horsepower, 3 Litres, and 209 lbs







Even the Cafeteria/Bar is Cool Here
Once that three-plus hour adventure was complete, I hopped back on the S-Bahn (Stuttgart subway) to the centre of the city, where I took a jaunt down Königstraße (King Street).  This was a massive, pedestrian-only street with some of the best shopping the region has to offer.  I don't much care for shopping so I just walked and people-watched.
Halfway down the road is Schlossplatz, where there is a large grass area and a few giant old buildings.  I got a free bagel and cream cheese (thanks Philadelphia!) and took a seat on the grass.  It was 21 degrees out, and felt like summer!



Hints of St. Patrick's Day Here and There


After relaxing in the sun, I got back on the S-Bahn to head to the Porsche museum.  I had read online that it didn't live up to the magnificence of the Mercedes museum, and I can't argue with that assertion.  There were some cool cars, but it was lacking in.. passion, or something of the sort.  Still totally worth checking out, even through the overly strong pro-Porsche audio commentary.

Impressive Architecture

Produces Enough Downforce to Drive Upside-Down

Brushed Aluminum 928 Overlooking Stuttgart

Cutaway View of the Latest 911

Some Proportions were Never Meant to be Changed.  Goofy Much?
16 Cylinders of Fury
Snuck into the "Kids-Only" Section, Where They Had Some Awesome Garage Displays

That night, the Porsche museum was having "Night at the Museum," and was open for a big gala event until 2am.  I didn't care, so I left.

I went to the Irish Bar in Villingen (10 minutes train ride from Donaueschingen), and celebrated St. Patrick's day with a few friends and Guinness's.  Pretty tame night - the Germans just don't celebrate like people do at home.  Mildly disappointing for my first time celebrating.  However, the live music was awesome, and I got a cool Guinness hat to never wear!

The weather took a turn for the worse on Sunday, so I spent the day editing photos and lazing around.  I woke up to snow on Monday morning.  Woohoo!

Sunday, March 11, 2012

O Hai France!

This Saturday I went to the beautiful French city of Strasbourg.  A painless two hours away by train, it's definitely the most picturesque city I've been to thus far.  The city has traded hands between the Germans and French on many occasions over time, and has strong roots from both countries.  

Hopping off the train, I walked into the front hall of the station.  It seemed to serve as a model for the rest of the city: thoroughly modern though still retaining its ancient heritage.  Cool metaphor, dude.  



After a 5 minute walk towards the massive cathedral, I happened to run into my friend Fabian from work!  A quick smack on the shoulder and a "Hey!" and I was off to an unplanned boat tour of the city through the canals.  Unfortunately the green-tinted, reflective, vision-warping, fully enclosing windows of the boat didn't make for great pictures.  No biggie, some strategic shooting and post-processing partially cured such ailments.  

The Greenhouse (Fortunately with Good Ventilation)

Green Reflections all up in my Face

Being Raised in the Lock to the Upper Canals 

Angry Birds in an Ancient House


Two Important Families were Having Dinner in this House Many Years Ago.  A Fight Broke Out and 20 Died.  

Headquarters for one of Europe's Main TV Stations, and a Giraffeman

Some Important Building.  I Like how it Turned out.  

Returning to dry land an hour later, it was time to explore the immense cathedral.  Unlike the cathedral in Baden Baden where I was the only person inside, this was packed with slack-jawed tourists standing in awe.  Check it out for yourself (Click the pictures for higher resolution):

Massive Face of the Cathedral
6 Photos Stitched Together






After wandering around inside and obtaining a feeling of great insignificance, half of the 6 of us (that makes 3!) climbed the 319 ± 2 stairs to the highest publicly accessible place.   The views were awesome, but we couldn't help but wish we were allowed to the top of the spire.  

Flying Buttresses on the way Up (Grade 8 Anyone?)

Hot Damn.



View of the Cathedral on the Way Down

We regrouped and shared our deepest feelings: "J'ai faim," "Ich habe hunger," and "I'm hungry."  Next thing we know, we're on our way to a restaurant where I discovered I'd forgotten nearly all of what little French i previously knew.  After sitting down for a delicious meal with "spicy" wine (don't ask, I'm no connoisseur), I parted from the group to check out Petit France - a medieval section of the town the others had seen in the morning.  
I had a mere 40 minutes to walk to Petit France, check it all out, and book it back to catch the train.  I felt like a biathlete, tearing around the cobbled streets and stopping periodically to stand motionless and shoot at my target.   Cameras aren't quite as cool to watch fire as guns though.  

Wish I Could Have Strolled at a Leisurely Pace


Lookin' Good, Strasbourg

Unquestionably French

Yes, I'd like a Seat on the Patio Please




Obligatory Car Shot of a Hotel Garage.  Bentley, Aston Martin, Mercedes, BMW...



Once a Prison, Now a School.  Same Difference.  



Au Revoir, Strasbourg.  

On Sunday I slept in and finished clearing out my notoriously abysmal iTunes library.  3000+ songs later, I can finally leave it on shuffle without my ears screaming for help every other song!  Inspired by Saturday's good weather, I also began planning major weekend trips and my [hopeful] August Eurotrip.  I'm excited!