BeTraveler

The Holstentor ("Holsten Gate") is a late Brick Gothic city gate, the only still existing one beside the Burgtor and part of the medieval fortifications of Lübeck in Germany. It consists of two round towers at the north and the south side with an arched entranceway between them. The building is four stories high. Today it is considered a major landmark of Lübeck. Together with the Altstadt of Lübeck it is an UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.

History
The main gate was erected by the city's Master Builder Hinrich Helmsted between 1464 and 1478. Built in 1585 as the front entrance to the city, the Holstentor design was intended to aid the defence of the city's west side. The original gate was later demolished.

The redesigned version was built with insufficient foundation depth. Because the Holstentor was sinking into the ground, the whole structure was in danger of collapse. The subsidence was so severe, that in a 1863 survey, the lowest arrow slits were found 50cm under the ground. The structure was in constant danger of collapse.

It was not until 1871 that the authorities stepped in to try to save it, but it the subsidence continued. A successful refurbishment and stabilisation programme commenced in 1933/34. A similar procedure occurred in 2005/2006.

Since 1950, the Holstentor became a museum dedicated to history of the city it originally protected. In 2002, the museum was significantly modernised. The torture chamber that was installed in the 1950s museum was removed for authenticities sake. Today the museum is managed by the Kulturstiftung Hansestadt Lübeck.

Source: Wikipedia.org

For the fifth time in a row, Berlin is going to rock the beach around Pentacost. Members of several Hospitality Exchange Networks (including BeWelcome.org) will meet again. A splendid time is guaranteed for all!

It's time for a meeting in Berlin again!

Berlin Beach Camp 2009

So - let's get together!

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When: Thursday, May 28th - Monday, June 1st
Where: Berlin, beach side area at Strandbad Tegel
What: celebrating worldwide hospitality, having loads of fun!
Who: heaps of friendly people
Why: why not?

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For detailed information, updates and registration see

www.berlinbeachcamp.org

Let's have some fun, see you there...

Michael (miicoo)
Jens (jenseb)
Manuel (crumbking)

Dear fellow members,

following the tradition of our last Berlin Camps since 2005 we’d like to
celebrate the beginning of summer together with you. This is our 5th years
anniversary!

We have an awesome NEW LOCATION at „Strandbad Tegel“,
situated directly at the water. It has a wonderful beach and all the amenities
we’ll need for a perfect event.

Do you like to meet other friendly people, listen to live music, having
interesting talks and to take part in many cultural activities, excursions and
workshops? Do you enjoy sitting at a bonfire, having a BBQ, to take part in
fun-sports or just sitting lazy in a beachchair and enjoying the sun?

Then you should come! Together with you we’ll have a lot of fun!
You’ll find all detailed information for this event on the website

www.berlinbeachcamp.org

Don't hesitate to speak about the camp to all your friends,
and bring them with you !!

We're looking forward meeting you in Berlin.

This entry dates from August 20, 2006. Location: Coimbatore, India

We informed the manager about the cockroaches in our room but he didn't even apologize. Even when we told him that under the bed we found crisps from previous guests (many hotelrooms in India are not regularly cleaned - we stayed in many places two nights and never saw a cleaning lady or even traces of something being touched) he didn't budge. The complaint register showed an entry somewhere last year as the last negative feedback, so we imagine that either nobody complains or nobody bothers to write it down. Anyway, if you want to stay in Hotel Saat, you have been warned.

We checked out, got to the station and tried to find a bus to Coimbatore. Again we were not lucky, because the bus never showed up. But there was another one going to Salem (100 km further) so we jumped on that, settled in the back with reclining seats and put in our earplugs when the Bollywood movie started playing on the DVD player in front of the bus.

After almost 5 hours on the bus (bumpy roads, state border controls) we arrived in Coimbatore where Vishnu, another HC member, picked us up. He took us to a very nice place for lunch where we tried Pongal (looks like mashed potatoes but is actualy made from rice, peppercorn and spices) and some dosas with cauliflower. We then drove to his home, met his mum and freshened up to go to a wedding.

A friend of his(Senthil)got married that day to an American girl (Amanda), and we were invited to the reception. Indian weddings are quite different from European, they can last several days (or even a full week) and having more than 1000 guests is not uncommon. Here it was a 'small' wedding with about 500 people showing up during some stage of the day. And most will have their picture taken together with the bride and groom (just like us). This marriage had a walking dinner with starters, main courses and desserts. I tried a carrot halwa (soft sweetmeat) but found it too sweet for my taste. The bride and groom met on the internet and then in Chicago. They promised to listen to our CD when they are going on their honeymoon.

Getting married is serious business in India. Many people still have arranged marriages
, where the parents will choose the bride. Some men and women have the option to refuse twice, the third time they HAVE to marry the partner chosen by their parents. But nowadays there are more and more marriages out of love. And these are often found on the internet or in newspapers. Reading the classified ads in the newspapers is quite an eye-opener. Most people demand that their partner is from the same or similar caste (with more than 1600 castes that can be a bit tricky) and special importance is put on the biodata and horoscope.

If you want to find out more about the pros and cons of arranged marriages : click here

Afterwards we went back to Vishnu's place and he found us accommodation in Ooty (our next destination). Vishnu works in logistics (textile, Coimbatore is the textile capital and often called 'The Manchester of India) but lately he wants to broaden his horizon by importing champagne and European wines. We even got a taste of some Indian wine made from Strawberries which a friend of his makes in the hills around Coonoor.

The historic town centre of Delft in the Netherlands is well preserved, with its medieval origins apparent. During the Golden Age, the town developed into a wealthy merchants' town, with a chamber of the Dutch East India Company, and famous scientists and painters residing there. The most famous painter of course, was Johannes Vermeer, who was born there and was influenced by the colours, light and atmosphere of Delft, so very apparent in much of his work.
There’s also a strong royal influence in Delft. The Nieuwe Kerk church houses the royal vault where the members of the Dutch Royal Family rest in peace.

Vermeer centre Delft

Delft is the city of the famous painter Johannes Vermeer. His many masterpieces have spread all over the world, yet Vermeer lived and worked in Delft throughout his entire life.

In April 2007, the Vermeer centre opened its doors with a multimedia presentation about Vermeer’s work, his life and about the 17th-century Delft he inhabited. A visit to the centre will make you see Vermeer’s work and Delft in a different light. For more information: www.delft.com.

A walk around Delft

There is a Vermeer ‘trail’ that you can follow around Delft, to experience the various periods in the artist’s life. The walk (which you can follow as you please) takes you to see the famous ‘View of Delft’ as painted by Vermeer in his masterpiece, to the beautiful church in the heart of Delft where he was baptised as a baby on the Great Market Square, and even to the Voldersgracht on which it is believed that Vermeer modelled his ‘The Little Street’ painting. A highly educational experience!
Famous Delftware

The famous blue & white Delftware is of course world renowned. Earthenware factories in Delft date back to the seventeenth century, when the Dutch East Indian Company brought Chinese porcelain over to Holland. The most famous Delft workshop, which still exists today, is the Royal Porceleyne Fles, where you can see delftware being hand-made and even give it a go yourself.
Delft way of life

Delft is a student town, which is reflected in the many restaurants, cafes and pubs. Wander round the lovely little streets and the old market square, and stop off at one of the many typical old Dutch cafés, grand cafés, intimate eating places or top restaurants. You’ll be spoilt for choice, and once you’ve experienced the laid back way of life here, you won’t want to leave!

Sournce : www.delft.com

A citytrip normally only lasts a couple of days. So you should try to get the best deals in such a short time. Here are some personal tips & tricks for a succesful visit to London.

Things you MUST see in London

1. Westminster Cathedral
The Roman-Catholic Westminster Cathedral is less famous than Wesminster Abbey, but it is definitely a must. The architecture is byzantine and you can find wonderful mosaics. (www.westminster-cathedral.org.uk)

2. Leadenhall Market
A wonderful markethall that houses boutiques, delicatesse shops and pubs.(www.leadenhallmarket.co.uk)

3. Inns of Courts
The four British law courts form a huge campus with squares, parcs and gardens. Don't forget to pay a visit to Sir John Soane's Museum (www.soane.org) and Temple Church (www.templechurch.com).

4. Covent Garden
This used to be the old vegetable and fruit market of Central London, but now it is situated in one of the most lively regions in London. You can do your shopping, relax on a terrace or just enjoy the streetlife. (www.coventgarden-market.co.uk)

5. The Wallace Collection
The Wallace Collection is a wonderfully rich but not very well-known artmuseum. It exhibits a beautiful range of furniture, china, weaponry, sculptures and paintings, including work by Frans Hals and Fragonard. (www.wallacecollection.org)

Things to avoid in London

1. Cheap Hotels
Stay away from hotels that are too cheap: you won't get good service, the rooms will be small and dirty, and the famous English Breakfast will disappoint you. Especially in areas like Kensington, South Kensington and Mayfair the hotels can be dodgy. It is true that prices in London are more expensive than in most other cities, but if you do some research you might find some good value for money.

2. Asian Fastfood
Londen, and especially Chinatown, offer many Asian fastfood restaurants where you can get an all-you-can-eat buffet. The hygiene has improved over the years, but the quality of the food not. Luckily not all Asian restaurants suffer from the same problem, so look out for those that offer set meals at reasonable prices.

3. madame Tussauds
Some travelers put this on the list of 'must see' attractions, but we feel Madame Tussauds is simply overrated.
Maybe children like to have their picture taken with David Beckham and the Hulk, but paying 22,50 pounds or 27 euros) and waiting for hours in the queue, is not our idea of fun.

4. Bustours
Avoid the hop-on hop-off busses in London. They offer sightseeing tours but are shamelessly overpriced and give dismal information. No, it's much better to pay 3,50 pounds (4,10 euros) for a day ticket on the London Public Transport, which gives free use of all busses and metros in London for a day. Take Route 11 and sit on the top of the double-decker. You will see all the sights!