Half Half - Behind the Label free essay sample

â€Å"You mixed?† a girl boldly asked me at my friend’s prom. Our eyes met knowingly, and I could tell she already knew the answer. When I meet a biracial person, I am ecstatic, and we often share our experiences, including the dilemma of having to â€Å"choose.† Sometimes I find that I can relate to a biracial stranger better than to my own parents. Although I feel an almost poignant vibe when interacting with other biracial individuals, I am also aware that my ethnicity allows me to make greater connections with those from diverse backgrounds. The product of an African-American father and an Irish-English American mother, one could argue that I’ve been surrounded by diversity my whole life. Among my brothers and I, there is a blonde, a brunette (me) and a redhead, which never ceases to fascinate friends and family. When my mother’s sister inspired my younger brother to pursue a version of the Irish step from â€Å"Riverdance,† I was â€Å"stepping† in an annual Black History Month show. We will write a custom essay sample on Half Half Behind the Label or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Our family diversity is frequently manifested in foods such as collard greens with Irish soda bread. My background, however, goes beyond food; we sing â€Å"The Black National Anthem† in February and whip out shamrocks in March. Growing up, the frequent requirement of â€Å"checking one box† caused me to feel, literally, boxed in, a sentiment I continue to feel when filling out college applications. Being biracial, however, has given me a unique understanding and appreciation of different cultures. During my involvement in Operation Understanding D.C. (OUDC), I quickly embraced both the black and Jewish members of the group, attending a friend’s seder and bringing her to her first Palm Sunday Mass. When all 23 of us marched across Edmund Petus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, retracing the footsteps civil rights marchers took on Bloody Sunday, I fully understood the importance of bridging cultures, and the implications of my existence. When two worlds collide, however, there are always obstacles. During this tour with OUDC, a guide singled me out saying, â€Å"In order to own a store in the black section of Atlanta during this period, one would have to be oh, her complexion.† As I glanced up from the museum pamphlet, I noted 22 pairs of eyes fixed on my â€Å"commendable† light skin tone. Unsure of how to respond, I remained silent, and observed 11 curious faces and 11 assessing glances. Was I supposed to be infuriated that I made the cut for a malicious system of oppression? Should I have explained the history of light skin tone in the black community? Or should I have falsely denied that I, during those days, would have had more opportunities? I decided to accept the past as past, and to condemn a system that had divided the black community. I frequently find myself in situations where people question my blackness or whiteness, but I’ve learned that being me, and not a label, will always be a challenge. Mixed, biracial, half-and-half or creamed coffee, however people classify me, I feel an obligation to bridge cultures and promote tolerance and understanding. I hope I may continue to do that at Brown.* *It worked! Michelle is now a freshman at Brown University.

Tourism in Germany free essay sample

From the Holy Roman Empire to Otto Von Bismarcks German Reich, Nazism and the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall, no other nation has moulded Europe the way Germany has for better or worse. Here, history really comes to life. And life comes to life too- in every season the calendars are jam-packed with events for every taste: Top quality concert series, art exhibitions, outstanding theatre, major international sporting events, colourful street festivals and traditional Christmas Markets sparkle with lights. This rich, interwoven tapestry of the past and the modern is also the key to the charm and dynamism of the historic highlights. Fairy-tale castles, medieval towns, boisterous beer halls, breathtaking landscapes and a cutting-edge arts scene the land of Beethoven and Bratwurst delights, excites and inspires. 1. Germany Environment The lowlands in the north of Germany stretch from the Netherlands to Poland, skimming southern Denmark where it bridges the North and Baltic seas. We will write a custom essay sample on Tourism in Germany or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The industrialised central belt cinches Belgium and Luxembourg to the Czech Republics western prong. The Rhine and Main Rivers, long crucial for inland shipping, power through the troughs and gorges which cut through the Central Uplands. To the south, the Danube River drains the Bavarian highlands from the Black Forest, near the French and Swiss borders, to Munich. The southern reaches of the Bavarian Alps give way to Austria. Germany is not prey to dramatic climatic extremes, although there are regional differences. The most reliably good weather is from May to October, with high summer a good bet for shorts and T-shirt, even in the north. Autumn is a good time to visit Germany. As the tourist scrum disperses and the forests turn golden, its not too stifling to be active but still thirsty enough to end the day with a few well-deserved steins. Winter is wet, especially in the south, with snow rarely settling for long except in the high country. Facts for the Traveler Visas: EU citizens can enter on an official identity card. Americans, Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders and Japanese just need a valid passport (no visa). Unless youre a citizen of a developing country, you can probably stay up to three months. Time Zone: GMT/UTC +1 (Central European Time) Dialling Code: 49 Electricity: 230V, 50Hz Weights measures: Metric When to Go The German climate is variable so its best to be prepared for all types of weather throughout the year. That said, the most reliable weather is from May to October. This coincides, naturally enough, with the standard tourist season (except for skiing). The shoulder periods can bring fewer tourists and surprisingly pleasant weather. There is no special rainy season. Events Germans love to party, and kick up their heels at everything from pagan harvest romps to black tie opera galas. The Winter Carnival (Fasching) season occurs throughout Germany, with big cities such as Cologne (Koln), Munich and Mainz erupting into commotion just before Ash Wednesday. Germanys rich musical heritage is showcased in a plethora of festivals. Some towns concentrate on a particular composer, such as the Thuringian Bach Festival in March or the Richard Wagner Festival in Bayreuth each July, whereas others focus on a particular style. The jazz festivals in Stuttgart (April) and Berlin (November) are lively and popular. Autumn is a great time for harvest-inspired mayhem, especially in the Rhineland, where the Rhine in Flames frolics feature barges laden with fireworks. Mention must be made of Oktoberfest, Munichs annual lager frenzy, but its a bit like being stuck in a nightmarish soccer crowd and is more an example of tourism at its lowest ebb than a display of German culture. Christmas fairs are embraced wholeheartedly by German families; they occur in Munich, Nuremberg, Lubeck, Berlin, Munster and Heidelberg, amongst other places. 2. Getting there Getting There Away The main arrival/departure points for flights in Germany are Frankfurt-am-Main, Munich and Dusseldorf. Frankfurt is Europes busiest airport after Heathrow. An airport departure tax of around US$5 is included in ticket prices. If youre already in Europe, its generally cheaper to get to and from Germany by train or bus. While train travel is often more expensive than catching a bus, its generally faster, more comfortable (particularly for overnight travel) and more efficient. Germany is served by an excellent highway system connected to the rest of Western Europe. Roads from Eastern Europe are being upgraded but some border crossings are a little slow, especially from Poland. To enter Germany with a car or motorbike, you must have third-party insurance. Ferries run between Germanys northern coast and Scandinavia and the UK. Getting Around By train. Getting around Germany is easy. Domestic air travel is extensive but unless youre in an awful hurry, you might as well save your money the German train network is wonderful. The railway system enables everyone to travel comfortably to their destination. There are good connections to both distant and local areas. Airports (Berlin Schonefeld, Dusseldorf, Munich and Stuttgart) are also merged into this system. There are 60 different connections to the neighboring European countries that originate daily in Germany. The customs clearance usually takes place on the train once it has left the station. The eastern and western train systems have now been fully merged, although fares in the east are still cheaper. Numerous fares and ticket passes are available. There is usually a surcharge for the InterCity Express (ICE) trains but its worth it to travel 250km/h (155mph) through the German countryside. Forget about buses until youre in train-unfriendly terrain. By bus. A European bus service completes the railway system. It offers special connections on particularly interesting routes to tourists. Information regarding the bus system is also available in each travel agency. A journey by bus will guarantee comfortable travelling. Enjoy and experience towns and landscapes in a relaxing way. Lean back and enjoy the view of diverse landscapes from large bus windows or visit one of Germany? s famous towns. Get on and relax once you are comfortably seated, your well-earned holidays will begin. Besides, you have chosen an environmentally friendly way of travelling. Internationaler Bustouristik Verband e. V. (RDA), the international federation of bus tour operators, has set up a list of operators offering bus journeys. The list is set up according to the Lands of the Federal Republic of Germany and is available. Here you will find numerous journeys based on particular themes, sightseeing tours and club tours. It is also possible to set up your own journey in co-operation with the operator. Deutsche Touring GmbH offers attractive journeys on public service buses along Germany? touristic holiday routes. Today Deutsche Touring is one of the most important bus companies in Europe. In cooperation with foreign partners, it provides regular international services linking over 700 cities throughout Europe. Regional and urban public transportation operators and associations offer a rich network of short distance bus trips. By car. If you are travelling by car, an ultra-modern and eff icient freeway network awaits you. Over 700 restaurants, gas stations, motels and kiosks are open day and night to travellers driving across the approximately 11,000 km freeway network of the Federal Republic. German roads are excellent, and motorised transport can be a great way to tour the country, although most towns have problems with car-parking. The national and famous motorway network known as autobahn can be wonderful and nightmare. Bicycle touring in Germany is very popular. There are often separate cycling routes in the cities, towns and in the countryside, but cycling on the autobahn is strictly not allowed. 3. Accommodation in Germany. There is a wide variety of accommodation possibilities in Germany ranging from a private room to a vacation home up to a luxury hotel. There are also lower priced lodgings available. Either way, standards are set and checked so that you can expect a comfortable place to stay in every case. Hotel corporations and regional and local tourism organisations publish their own accommodation directories. You can make room reservations directly through the hotel chain reservation systems, hotel corporations, the airports and tourism organisations. Travel agencies also work closely with hotels. More and more hotels and hotel chains in Germany are including youth specials into their programs. Special youth hostels and youth hotels have dedicated and specialised themselves to tourists needs. They can even be accommodated close to the city centers. Vacation villages and vacation apartments are a good idea for spending more than one night somewhere. Tourists can also spend the night at one of more than 2000 camping sites or in one of over 600 youth hostels. Bed Breakfast is not just a British speciality. Almost all tourist information points can find you a private room on arrival and can sometimes even make advance reservations. Hotel rooms in Germany have a wide selection of price ranges. You can stay overnight in luxury suites, rooms in middle class hotels or very inexpensive accommodation in smaller hotels. From Flensburg to Munich, from Aachen to Dresden, you can find hotels to fit your needs according to German hotel classification standards. Hotels are classified based on a uniform criteria and are categorised by a certain number of stars (i. e. **** = luxurious). Some of Germanys` finer hotels are Accor, ArabellaSheraton and Maritim Camping Caravaning Whether staying in an RV trailer, motorhome or within the four walls of your tent, you can be right at home in any beautiful setting. For a few days or several weeks, delightful landscapes can be directly outside your front door. Relax in nature and recover from the hectic pace of everyday life. Germany offers an abundance of camp sites in areas chosen for the incredible scenery they possess, and their gates are open to everyone. For your vacation, you can choose from sites located in more tourist areas or, for longer stays, get away to more remote locations in the middle of the most gorgeous surroundings. Guesthouses inns Besides hotels in all categories, there is naturally also a variety of guesthouses and inns which can be found almost everywhere in Germany. They offer a good opportunity for enjoying a low-priced vacation in a family atmosphere. Youth hostels The youth hostels in Germany are open to all people, whether young or old. Suitable for short visits or longer stays, hostels are ideal for many different types of people and activities. Guests can include single people, families, tour groups, sport teams and youth groups. They come for everything from vacation camps to ski trips as well as conferences and seminars. The only requirement is that one must be a member of the German Youth Hostel Association. Vacation on a farm The most beautiful time of the year is awaiting you right outside your door. Vacation farm areas can provide with peaceful, unencumbered days. Out in the country, you will find elements of life that you otherwise may not experience. Instead of the hectic pace of everyday life that makes you feel unacknowledged, you encounter real hospitality in a warm, personal atmosphere. You will find yourself rejuvenated in such a natural setting whether just walking outside, fishing, biking or horseback riding. Theres no end to the new experiences and discoveries you can make. The hosts of the farm will spoil you with regional delicacies like fragrant fresh breads, home-made sausages and cheeses as well as wine and juices from own vineyards. Diverse leisure activities for both young and old round off the whole experience in the country. Bed and Breakfast A Bed and Breakfast is typically a lower-priced alternative to hotels and inns. Instead of staying in anonymous hotel beds, you sleep in cosy, private guest rooms. You are welcomed cordially by your hosts who offer a pleasant atmosphere in which to enjoy your stay. In the morning, breakfast is prepared just for you according to your taste. Your hosts take a personal interest in helping you with providing tips and information about the area, the country and the people. 4. Where to go. . 1. Festivals A) The Berlinale. From its beginning in post war Berlin, the Berlinale was designed to be an international rather than a national film festival. Over the years the festival has cemented its status as major European film festival and is easily as important as its competitors in Venice and Cannes. The Golden and Silver Berlin bear and many honorary awards are much sought-after. B) Love parade in Berlin German techno guru Dr. Motte and 150 of his closer friends started the rave in 1989. They met at Berlins Kudamm to celebrate a party and to demonstrate for tolerance and love. Successfully: the mobile party attracts en-vogue DJs and an enthusiastic crowd. Some facts: In 2000, the loveparades busiest year to date, 250 DJs on 53 wagons partied together with over a million guests. Recently, Austria, Israel, South Africa and Mexico have joined the craze and organised their own love parades. C) Frankfurts Bookfair Frankfurt is a big player in global trade fair business. An annual average of 80 fairs and exhibitions attract numerous visitors from all over the world. One of the highlights is Frankfurts book fair. The biggest book fair worldwide dates back to the 15th century. Its popularity has increased ever since. Today, more than 250,000 annual visitors flood the fair. The aim: information on a selection of the almost 400,000 books which are being presented. Readings, talks, interviews and other side events offer additional incentives for an interested public. Book industry, publishers, critics, readers and writers alike are under the spell of the biggest book fair world wide. D) Carnival in Germany In Germany Mardi Gras (Fasching) is also referred to as the fifth and foolish season (die narrische Zeit). It is a time of elaborate parades, masks, balls and election of Carnival king and queen and official madness. The exact time of celebration and the traditions vary from county to county, but it generally takes place in early spring. Munich, Cologne, Mainz are strongholds of Mardi Gras celebrations. Switzerland and Austria, too, join the party with enthusiasm following their own traditions. E) Munichs Oktoberfest Even though it is called Oktoberfest, the festival actually takes place in September, as Bavarian autumn can be tricky and surprise with early cold and snow. Today, the Oktoberfest is the largest festival worldwide attracting a multitude of visitors. Apart from beer tents the festival offers amusements as diverse as roller coasters, circus appearances, festive parades and live brass bands. The ceremonial opening happens at noon. The mayor arrives in a festive coach followed by a decorated horse-drawn brewers cart. Guests, staff and the numerous brass bands are all wearing traditional costumes (lederhosen and dirndls) for the occasion. At the end of the parade the major taps the first keg of beer and shouts, ozapft is! (The keg is tapped). It takes good nerves and a solid stomach to survive the festivals 16 days of intensive partying. However, the festival is a huge success: Apart from attracting a multitude of visitors the festivals brand name Oktoberfest has been exported all over the world. 4. 2. National Parks A) The Jasmund National Park The Jasmund National Park offers many different landscapes within a very small area. Come and visit a cretaceous landscape with numerous bogs, wet grasslands and dry meadows. The most renowned attraction are the chalk cliffs surrounding the Konigsstuhl which have been captured in paintings by the famous artist Caspar David Friedrich. Apart from the Konigsstuhl, the highest point on the chalk coastline, the whole length of the chalk coastline is impressive. It stretches over a length of 10 km, reaches a height of 117 m and consists of both active and inactive cliffs, illustrating the dynamics of an active steep coastline. The national park offers a wide range of activities, such as hiking and bicycle tours, excursions and seminars which give the opportunity to explore the most beautiful hiking trails through the region? s forested landscapes. The Stubnitz area is not just worth a visit because of its magical chalk landscape, it is also the home of mythical figures. On guided tours, organised on a regular basis by the national park administration, you will find out everything about Hertha, a Germanic goddess, and Stortebecker, a pirate who is said to have buried treasure somewhere in this area. Highlights: Cape Arkona with the little town of Vitt the fishing port of Sassnitz with its fishing museum Piratenschlucht (pirate? s gorge) in Sassnitz Greifswalds museum with an exhibition of paintings by Caspar David Friedrich historic craftsmens dwellings in Gingst Grumbke lookout tower near Neuenkirchen Activities: Jasmund offers a wide range of guided tours (daily tours take place from April September, both from the parking lot in Hagen to the Konigsstuhl and from Sassnitz to the bizarre rock formations of Wissower Klinken). Furthermore, you can visit numerous exhibitions (at the national park visitors? center at the Konigsstuhl and also at the Granitz hunting lodge near Sellin). The biosphere reserve South East Rugen organises further hiking and bicycle tours, as well as excursions. B) The Wadden Sea of Hamburg National Park The Wadden Sea of Hamburg National Park, which is the smallest of three mud-flats national parks, is characterized by three islands: Neuwerk, widely covered with meadows and with a population of 40, Scharhorn, with its sand dunes, and Nigehorn which has been created artificially. The island group is located directly at the mouth of the river Elbe near Cuxhaven in northern Germany and protects a landscape of approximately 12,000 hectares of wadden sea. On guided tours you not only have the opportunity to learn about the region? s landscape but also about the islands? historical background. On the way from Neuwerk to Scharhorn you will walk along trails leading across seemingly endless mud-flats. Scharhorn, which used to be a sandbank, is a tourist attraction mainly for its sea bird colonies. On a visit to the ornithological station you will see one of the largest colonies of sea swallows. Highlights: carriage ride across mud-flats from Sahlenburg to the island of Neuwerk voyage with the MS Flipper from Cuxhaven to the island of Neuwerk guided walks across the Wadden sea guided tours to the bird colonies, salt marshes and wadden sea of Neuwerk guided tours to Scharhorn, the bird sanctuary searching for amber on the Kleiner Vogelsand amber exhibition on the island of Neuwerk Activities: We recommend national park visitors on day trips to take a walk along the main dyke, from which you can see the foreshore with its bird colonies but also the island? s interior. Cars are banned on the islands. For this reason tours, for example, to the fortified tower of the island of Neuwerk, through the salt marshes of the foreshore with their abundance of flora and fauna, or to the Ostschleuse lock, can either be made on foot or by horse-drawn carriage. C) The Wadden Sea of Lower Saxony National Park Make a trip to one of the most impressive wadden sea landscapes. High up, in northern Germany, at the North Sea coast of Lower Saxony, the Wadden Sea of Lower Saxony National Park is located. It protects the wadden seas landscape between the river Ems and the river Elbe, including the offshore East Frisian Islands. The national park offers amazing natural spectacles and various landscapes, such as salt-marshes, which are typical of this region, the steep coast near Dangast and the swimming bog near Sehestedt, Germanys only remaining bog landscape located outside the countrys dykes Highlights: Wadden Sea House in Wilhelmshaven Norddeich seal station Lightship and whale-bone fence on the island of Borkum Fishermans House Museum on the island of Norderney Dornumsiel Castle, surrounded by water German Shipping Museum in Bremerhaven Old lighthouse on the island of Wangerooge Activities: The surrounding area offers a wide range of sightseeing opportunities, such as the East Frisian i slands of Juist and Norderney. Whether you want to go swimming and enjoy the broad beaches, take a ride in a carriage across the island or a walk through the salt-marshes, the national park? recreation and leisure program will guarantee a lot of fun and relaxation. D) The Wadden Sea of Schleswig-Holstein National Park Welcome to the Wadden Sea of Schleswig-Holstein National Park, the largest national park in central Europe. One third of Schleswig-Holstein belongs to the world? s largest uninterrupted wadden sea landscape, which reaches from the North Sea coast of the Netherlands up to Denmark. The wadden sea, a stretch of land affected by tides, are flooded by sea water during high tide and remain dry during low tide, a unique phenomenon worldwide. Experience an oceanic landscape as near to nature as it can be, with dunes, beaches, salt-marshes and Halligen, small islands which are not protected by dykes and therefore become flooded whenever there is a spring tide or a heavy storm. Experienced guides will show the amazing spectacle of low and high tide. You can watch how, after six hours of low tide, the wadden sea become flooded again and the deep, artificially constructed furrows called Priele fill with water. Whether you go swimming in the sea, take a walk along the beach or over the mud-flats, join a boat tour or watch the birds in the salt-marshes your holiday in the Wadden Sea of Schleswig-Holstein National Park will definitely be relaxing, for both body and soul. Highlights: Multimar Wattforum in Tonning, a national park center Husum, with its old river port and museums ride in a carriage to the Sudfall Hallig guided hiking tour across the mud-flats Nordstrand tourist information center with its aquarium Friedrichskoog seal station Activities: One of many possible sightseeing opportunities is a trip to the small fishing villages which belong to the national park. You can also go on a boat tour to the seal banks and observe a unique and fascinating animal spectacle. 4. 3. Routs in Germany. Germany’s first â€Å"Vacation Routes† and â€Å"Scenic Routes† date back to 1927, each carving a path dedicated to a particular cultural or scenic theme. Today, some 150 such routes exist, and millions of people travel them annually. Discover Germany along the â€Å"German Castle Road,† â€Å"German Fairytale Road,† or the most famous, the â€Å"Romantic Road. Whatever your interest, our Scenic Routes will guide you on a fun and exciting vacation. A)The â€Å"Romantic Road. † Wuerzburg Residence Palace In every travelers life, there are never-to-be-forgotten moments. One of them is the transformation that begins at the exit from the A-7 Autobahn, where you enter the Romantic Road. One of the mos t famous of the German Vacation Routes wends its way from Wuerzburg to Fuessen. The Romantic Road is a 220-mile journey from the River Main to the Alps that offers the traveler what is simply one of the most beautiful and most engaging melange of scenery, cuisine and ambience Germany can offer. Its all gorgeous the stunning Wuerzburg Residence Palace, the centuries-old panorama and magical atmosphere of Rothenburg-ob-der-Tauber and Dinkelsbuhl, the Roman remains in Augsburg, Bavarian King Ludwig IIs unforgettable dream- castle of Neuschwanstein. Castle of Neuschwanshtein Wherever travellers find themselves on the Romantic Road, exceptional cuisine, delicious wines, glorious land- and city-scapes, castles, churches and fortresses inspire the appetite and the soul. Here, in one of the most charming and beautiful sections of Germany, even the most cynical and unromantic traveler cannot help but be seduced. B) The Classic route. Whether we pass through Erfurt, Weimar, Jena or Gotha, names such as Goethe, Schiller, Wagner and Strauss always linger on any trip through the green heart of Germany. The town of Eisenach is known as the home of the Wartburg, the castle once inhabited by the famous Martin Luther. It is also, however, the city of minstrels and birthplace of Johann Sebastian Bach, whose history can be traced in the local Bach House museum. Eisenach is a medieval town which both Goethe and Wagner liked to visit, and it is a joy to wander through the splendid forest landscapes of this area. Wartburg castle Along the classic route, Gotha is also worth a visit. The Friedenstein Palace and annual events such as the Ekhof Festival all contribute to give the town a unique touch. In Arnstadt, we reach the gateway to the Forest of Thuringia . Excursions to the Wachsenburg Fortress, Gleichen Castle Ruins and Muhlburg Ruins are highly recommended. Next stop is Weimar, European Cultural City 1999, which links to Goethe and Schiller. Besides Goethes residence, his summer-house on the Ilm and the German National Theater, the Goethe National Museum represents a special attraction in the city. Not far from Weimar is a town called Jena, known foremost for the work and life of Friedrich Schiller and which has therefore become a popular destination. Ð ¡) The Castle Road Historical places and charming countryside with many romantic fortresses and fairy tale castles make the 975 km long castle route from Mannheim to Prague a varied route. The glory of times past still has an effect today on many towns and villages. The countryside is as varied as the history. The river Neckar winds its way through the Odenwald, the Hohenloher Ebene seems to stretch endlessly into the distance, next the rolling Frankenhohe and then the northern part of so-called Franconian Switzerland. The legacy of the artloving Electors of the Palatinate can still be admired in towns such as Mannheim, Heidelberg or Schwetzingen. Ludwigsburg CastleSchwerin Castle On the tracks of the Palatinate Earls, Mosbach, Neckarzimmern or Bad Wimpfen are certainly well worth a visit, with their picturesque old town centres and romantic halftimbered houses. Near Heilbronn the route passes through winegrowing areas, the medieval free city of Nuremberg and the vererable towns of Rothenburg o. d. Tauber, Coburg, Kronach, Kulmbach, Bayreuth right through to Karlsbad and Marienbad, the famous spa towns, to eventually reach Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic. All these towns with their 70 fortresses, ruins and castles line the castle route like many pearls in a row and present themselves as impressive witnesses to the past. Medieval towns, monasteries, historic buildings and cultural treasures make sure the journey along the castle route becomes a special and varied experience. 5. A Journey to Berlin The might and scope of Prussian achievement is manifest in Berlin, one of the worlds most fascinating and troubling cities. Of strategic importance since it first straddled the Spree River in the 13th century, Berlin never hogged centre stage quite like it did this century. This is the heart of Germany, its stoic beat echoing through grand public buildings, glorious museums and theatres, and its urbane restaurants, bustling pubs and raucous nightclubs. Today, the city, restored as the nations capital, is the focus of the mammoth project of reunification and readings of Germanys mood are taken most accurately here. Berlin is a good city to explore on foot. Take time to stroll from Alexanderplatz to the Brandenburg Gate along Unter den Linden. The nearby Kulturforum is a cluster of museums and concert halls on the south-eastern side of Tiergarten that can take days to explore. 5. 1. Accommodation in Berlin During the cultural festivals? Trade fairs and conferences? Hotels are totally booked up. The flood of tourists has increased since the opening of the wall. Unless you have alternative accommodation, a spur-of-the-moment trip to Berlin can be marred by an unpleasant or futile search for a hotel room. Reservations made several weeks in advance are definitely recommended. Luxury Hotels 1. Bristol Hotel Kempinski (Kurfurstendamm 27) – The epitomy of traditional luxury 2. Grand Hyatt Berlin In the new heart of Berlin at Potsdamer Platz, the modern design hotel Grand Hyatt Berlin is adjacent to restaurants, shopping arcades, a casino and the citys main musical theatre. The Philharmonic Theatre, New National Gallery and Picture Gallery are located in the immediate neighbourhood; the Government District, the city park Tiergarten and Berlins greatest cultural treasures are within walking distance. The city train and subway stations at Potsdamer Platz are nearby, and Tegel International Airport is 9. 4 miles/15 kilometres from the hotel. 3. Grand Hotel Esplanade ( Lutzowufer 15) The modern, polished design emphasises functional luxury. Centrally located between the Kurfurstendammm, Unter den Linden and Potsdamer Platz, opposite the Tiergarten Park, this designer hotel captures the spirit of contemporary Berlin in a sophisticated setting. The hotel offers flexible and attractive conference and banqueting rooms for up to 450 people. Hotel room have bathroom, WC, telephone, fax, modem-connection, radio, TV, safe, minibar, sound insulation, air conditioning, restaurants, 2 bars, swimming pool, whirlpool, 3 saunas, solarium, beauty center, massage, fitness center, hairdressing salon, 6 conference rooms for up to 450 persons, garage parking, and conference boat. The â€Å"Esplanade† is a 5-star boat available for conferences, parties and private celebrations. Room facilities: Air conditioning, Minibar, Radio, Safe, Satellite TV, Sound insulation, Telephone with modem-connection. 4. Inter-Continental (Budapester strasse 2) – the largest hotel in town. Famous for its luxury. 5. Palace Hotel (Budapester strasse 45) This luxury 5-star city hotel presents 282 individually decorated rooms, including 32 suites about 55 225 sqm. Cable TV, refrigerated mini bar, trouser press, soundproofed windows and further extras belong to our standard. Its suites are appointed with marble bathrooms, exclusive hifi, as well as whirlpool and large dressing rooms. The elegant banqueting floors offer 12 different function rooms that can be extended to accommodate 10 700 persons as well as 5 banquet rooms in the adjoining Business Centre. Breakfast restaurant Bon Dia, Lounge and Sams Bar offering snacks and cocktails. Michelin-rated-Restaurant First Floor with chef Mathias Buchholz, Cafe-Restaurant Tiffanys and the rustic restaurant Alt- Nurnberg in the bordering Europa-Center. Money exchange, room service, laundry- and shoe cleaning service. Admission free to the Thermen am Europa-Center, a large health spa with sauna and swimming pool. First-class Hotels Art hotel Sorat (Joachimstaler Strasse 28-29) – Art and accommodation: the Wolf Vostell designer furniture sculptures make each room a unique experience. Avantgarde (Kurfurstendamm 15) – Neo-Baroque house with huge rooms decorated with stucco mouldings. Artemisia (Branderburgishe Strasse 18) – tiny, attractively decorated hotel reserved exclusively for women. Dom Hotel (Mohrenstrasse 30, Mitte) – fine modern hotel overlooking the most beautifull square in the city: the Platz der Academy. Mondial (Kurfurstendamm 47) – spacious rooms. The entire hotel is designed for use by handicapped. Hotels Pensions. Alpina (Trabener Strasse 3) – small villa with garden near the Grunewald S-Bahn Station. Kreuzberg (Grossbeerenstrasse 64) – for young, undemanding guests. Savoy (Meinekestrasse 4) – Small but nice. Terminus (Fasanenstrasse 48) – neither plush nor dingy. Transit (Hagelberger Strasse 53-54) – Charming hotel for young people who care more for atmosphere than luxury. Youth accommodation Jugendherberge Bayernalee (youth hostel) – Bayernalee 36 Jugendgastehaus am Wannsee (youth guest house) – Badeweg 1 Jugendgastehaus BERLIN (youth guest house) – Kluckstrasse 3 Jugendgastehaus am Zoo (youth guest house) – Hardenbergstrasse 9a Jugendtouristenhotel (youth guest house) – Franz-Mett-Strasse 7 5. 2. Sightseeing in Berlin A)The Brandenburg Gate (Brandenburger Tor) The Brandenburg gate is the unquestionable symbol of Berlin and is now regarded as one of the greatest symbols of German unity. It is the last remaining gate of the Berlin Wall and marks the western end of the famous Unter den Linden Boulevard. The statue on top of the arch represents Nike driving her chariot to victory towards the West. B) Museum Island (Museumsinsel) The Berlin Museumsinsel is a unique ensemble of museum buildings that illustrate the evolution of modern museum design over more than a century. The museums include The National Gallery, The Old Museum (Altes Museum), The Pergamon Museum and The Bode Museum. The National Galerie is an ultra-modern building built in the 1960s. The museum collection specialises in works from the 19th and 20th centuries as well as international contemporary art. The National Galerie is famous for its collection of French impressionists. The Old Museum houses an amazing collection of 18th, 19th and early 20th-century paintings and statues. Any prominent artist you can think of it probably featured here. The Pergamon Museum is immense. It is divided into five sections: the Antiquities Collection, the Middle East Museum, the Islamic Museum, the Far East Collection, and the Museum of Popular Art. A few days is needed to properly explore it. The Bode Museums original collection of Egyptian artifacts was very badly affected by World War II. However, there are outstanding exhibits of Byzantine and early Christian relics on show. B)The Tiergarten The Tiergarten is often referred to as Berlin’s green heart. Originally a hunting reserve for royalty, landscape architect Peter Joseph Lenne turned the Tiergarten into a beautiful city park in 1742. During World War II many of the trees were cut for firewood and the pristine lawns were turned into vegetable gardens to feed the populace of Berlin. Heavy bombing then damaged much of the rest of the park. The present-day plantings took place just after the war and today the beautifully lush Tiergarten is a popular place with Berliners and, to the surprise of many tourists, nude sunbathing is permitted throughout the park. The park is over 412-acres and it stretches for 1. 75 miles west from the Brandenburg Gate. D) The Berlin Wall If you want to see what remains of the infamous Berlin Wall head down Charlottenstrasse and then west along Leipzigerstrasse. There you can see one of the best examples of what remains of the Wall. E) The Berlin Radio Tower The Berlin Radio Tower was built in 1924 for the Third German Broadcasting Exhibition. Standing at 138-meters high, this steel-latticed tower is a fantastic viewing point with panoramic bird’s-eye views of the city. An elevator takes you to the observation deck at 125 meters to admire the vista. There is a restaurant at the 55-meter level. F) The Charlottenburg Palace (Schloss Charlottenburg) The Charlottenburg Palace is the oldest surviving Prussian palace in Germany. Building began in 1695 and was completed in 1790. There are 70 rooms and corridors crammed full of ornate furnishings and Watteau paintings. The east wing houses an incredible collection of romanticist paintings while the west wing houses a collection of ancient and prehistoric art and artifacts. Take a guided tour of the royal apartments and then stroll through the formal gardens that surround the palace. G) The Reichstag The Reichstag, built in 1884-94, has witnessed many of the key moments in 20th century German history. It has seen the Proclamation of the German Republic in 1918, endured a burning in 1933, a storming in 1945 by Russian troops and German Reunification in 1990. Since its renovation in 1999, it has housed the Bundestag (Parliament). H) Soviet War Memorial (Treptower Park) Treptower Park houses a very sobering monument to the Soviet soldiers who died fighting Hitler. The park also contains a mass grave for the 5,000 soldiers killed in action. Walk the tree-lined avenue to see a statue of Mother Russia crying for her dead children. There are huge white stone reliefs set up in a manner not unlike the Stations of the Cross. They bear quotations from Stalin and depict how the Soviets won out against Fascism. At the far end of the park there is a massive statue of a heroic Soviet soldier clutching a child in one arm and smashing a swastika with the other. I) The Jewish Quarter The Scheunenviertel (Stable Quarter) is both Berlins newest hot spot and one of its oldest areas. It was originally founded in the 17th century outside the medieval city walls. It survived Allied bombing raids and the Red Armys assault on the city. Recently, the quarter’s old buildings are being reincarnated as trendy bars, cafes, restaurants, and galleries. It is lively, trendy and bohemian and well worth a visit. 5. 3. Eat, Drink, Nightlife Berlin offers a wide range of possibilities to go out. Restaurants, Pubs and clubs of all kind and for every gusto invite you. Many places and streets are perfect night walks because one restaurant is here next to the other. Many restaurants invite you to discover the delicacies of Berlins cuisine. In a cosy ambiance you can savour the regional specialities and discover the variety of typical food along the meetballs (Bouletten) and Berliner Wei? e (beer with juice). The whole world is at home in Berlin. Restaurants offer food from around the world, from Argentina to Zimbabwe, folkloristic or exclusive. You are at the right place in Berlin to go on a culinary journey around the world or to discover really particular food. Savigny-Platz Night owls with stamina can also give their undivided attention to the interesting range of pubs around Savignyplatz in Charlottenburg. The area consist of a great number of restaurants and bars where everyone can meet the stars of television or Berlins culture and political scene. Here is the melting pot that combines symbolically the former west and the new centre to a harmonic construction. Pariser Stra? e and Ludwigkirchplatz Especially the younger crowd is attracted to the Pariser Stra? e. At this location you will find taverns, bars, American diners, Mexican restaurants and very modern and stylish discos. During the summer life concentrates on the street in form of many chairs and tables that invite us to rest. In the middle of this street the well-maintained Ludwigkirchplatz with its rich areas of green providing a relaxing shadow is located. The Winterfeldtplatz and Schoneber The Winterfeldtplatz is the location of a frequently visited market. In the numerous taverns and bars, plenty of customers, tourists and locals meet each other. The scene is uncomplicated and open minded, also due to the presence of Berlins gay population. In Goltzstra? e the Schonebergers meet in places such as the Cafe M, Lux or one of the numerous Indian snack bars. Between Schoneberg and Tiergarten the 90 ° is still an up-to-date party location. But the Latinamerican Clubs El Barrio or the Caracas Bar invite for a visit as well. Conclusion. Germany is among the most attractive countries for tourists because it has developed tourist and hospitality industry. In every city or even in the country tourists have an opportunity to find accommodation and to taste the national dishes. And there are everywhere numerous places of interest in Germany. Every year a lot of tourists visit Germany to see its amazing and outstanding sightseeing. There is no doubt that tourists visited Germany wouldn’t be disappointed.

Teaching Philosophy Essay Sample

Teaching Philosophy Essay SampleIf you have a detailed plan on how to write an essay, this Teaching Philosophy Essay Sample is the best option for you. It will show you the basic methods of conducting research, analysis and writing.In writing an essay, there are two things that you need to do. First, you need to write the essay based on your facts and opinions. Second, you also need to write the essay based on your reasoning. If you think of these two tips as being one, then you can do the whole essay by writing it down.In this teaching philosophy essay sample, you will learn how to structure your own essays based on your thoughts. First, you need to establish what topics you are going to write about. This will help you focus your thinking process. Next, you need to determine your subject and the specific areas of focus. You can easily get your topic by looking around you or by using the keywords in your daily search.After you have determined a particular area of interest, you need t o define what you mean by this topic. The first step is to define your topic and not to be too definite. You should take some time before you write the essay and come up with ideas of possible topics.The next step is to form the best essay in the right words. To do this, you need to write down the ideas that you think of. With the idea that you just wrote down, you can now begin to formulate sentences. The best way to compose a sentence is to be as short as possible while still conveying your ideas clearly.The best way to write an essay is by being as grammatically correct as possible but with good grammar. With the use of the internet, you can get the services of a grammar and punctuation checker.After you have gathered your thoughts, it is time to look around and take a good look at the world. You may try to write about something you already know to make sure that your topics are not too dissimilar from each other. Try to avoid having common topics or things that have been said be fore. Instead, you need to try to come up with unique topics that may be fresh in nature.One last thing that you need to remember is that a thesis is usually used in a dissertation and that a conclusion is usually used in a paper. When you are finished with the essay, be sure to add a conclusion and use a thesis statement.

Free Essays on Cyber Criminals

A young teen calling himself â€Å"Mafiaboy† was arrested in Montreal, Canada early April of 2000. His crime? He was charged with at least one of the Denial-Of-Service (DoS) hacker attacks that blocked access to such popular sites as Yahoo!, Amazon, and eBay. –â€Å"Dembeck† Thirty years ago, a juvenile delinquent like â€Å"Mafiaboy† would be reduced to say, setting a mailbox on fire or some other adolescent prank. Now, with today’s technology, his â€Å"adolescent prank† disrupted world wide E-commerce and attracted massive media attention. Hackers like â€Å"Mafiaboy† are becoming more and more abundant these days, and are finding more innovative ways to accomplish their wide variety of goals. Their goal may be to send a virus to the computer of someone they dislike. Some of these â€Å"Cyber Criminals† hack into websites and destroy information, others hack into government or company computers, steal money and information, pirate software and more. There are many forms of computerized crime; most computer crime can be traced back to one common tool (besides a computer of course) the Internet. Yes, the same information super-highway that is used by millions of people everyday has become, to a hacker, nothing more than a gateway to easy, and thanks to up-to-date technology, relatively safe criminal mischief. The Internet is used for many good things, and is an irreplaceable tool for today’s world commerce, but thanks to cyber criminality, it is also a dangerous weapon that threatens that same commerce and even the security of the civilized world. There are about five main types of computerized crime. Illegal or offensive material is the first and one of the most common types. This is where the â€Å"criminal† posts illegal or offensive information or material on websites, netgroups, etc. Another common form of cyber crime is sending threatening or offensive e-mails. Sending ANY e-mail that appears to be threatening in nature, ... Free Essays on Cyber Criminals Free Essays on Cyber Criminals A young teen calling himself â€Å"Mafiaboy† was arrested in Montreal, Canada early April of 2000. His crime? He was charged with at least one of the Denial-Of-Service (DoS) hacker attacks that blocked access to such popular sites as Yahoo!, Amazon, and eBay. –â€Å"Dembeck† Thirty years ago, a juvenile delinquent like â€Å"Mafiaboy† would be reduced to say, setting a mailbox on fire or some other adolescent prank. Now, with today’s technology, his â€Å"adolescent prank† disrupted world wide E-commerce and attracted massive media attention. Hackers like â€Å"Mafiaboy† are becoming more and more abundant these days, and are finding more innovative ways to accomplish their wide variety of goals. Their goal may be to send a virus to the computer of someone they dislike. Some of these â€Å"Cyber Criminals† hack into websites and destroy information, others hack into government or company computers, steal money and information, pirate software and more. There are many forms of computerized crime; most computer crime can be traced back to one common tool (besides a computer of course) the Internet. Yes, the same information super-highway that is used by millions of people everyday has become, to a hacker, nothing more than a gateway to easy, and thanks to up-to-date technology, relatively safe criminal mischief. The Internet is used for many good things, and is an irreplaceable tool for today’s world commerce, but thanks to cyber criminality, it is also a dangerous weapon that threatens that same commerce and even the security of the civilized world. There are about five main types of computerized crime. Illegal or offensive material is the first and one of the most common types. This is where the â€Å"criminal† posts illegal or offensive information or material on websites, netgroups, etc. Another common form of cyber crime is sending threatening or offensive e-mails. Sending ANY e-mail that appears to be threatening in nature, ...

Garbology Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Garbology Assignment - Essay Example ermined person with a strong belief in my cause, which is why I have managed to stick to what I think is right despite the many temptations that I may see or even smell in daily life. Considering all that, it would not be a big step to assume that I have a soft spot for animals and may be an animal rights activist, that I may be the type to be following organizations such as PETA which help out the creatures. This may also lead one to think that I do not own any products for which an animal may have been sacrificed. These could be minks or anything made of leather like jackets, boots and bags. The next thing that one may notice are the white, disposable cups, plates and even the cutlery: forks and spoons. This could either mean that I do order take out despite the vegetable and fruit peels seen earlier perhaps when I am, supposedly, too tired to cook. Or it could also mean that I do not like washing dishes which is why I have bought the disposable items. Maybe I am allergic to the contents of the washing liquids. One may even assume that I have enough money to be doing that on a daily purpose. Buying and throwing away paper utensils when I could have just spent some money on some china, which would be durable and save me money in the long run and is just so much more sensible. Next, there are lots of empty wrappers of some kinds of candies and even chocolates. But, one cannot see any packets of crisps or any other savory eatable, which are usually so very popular, particularly amongst the youngsters. This is a dead giveaway about me having a sweet tooth and not caring much about the salty or spicy food that is available is such abundance everywhere. Most of the wrappers are red and yellow colored, which shows how much of a fan I am of Reese’s in particular. There are also several crumpled balls of paper – all stained with blue ink – peeping out from under the rest of the rubbish. One can see tiny writing on some of them instead of the black, printed text,

Research proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 2

Research proposal - Essay Example 1-14, 2007) are offering online banking services and online trading services to their customers and consumers around the globe. In addition, various financial institutions are involved in including new technological updates in their systems that is enabling them to provide efficient services to their customers. In the result, reports (Mannan, pp. 1-14, 2007) indicate enormous increment in the number of users of online banking services that show alteration in the consumer behavior, and thus, banking institutions are continuing their updates, and at the same time, endeavoring to ensure security and safety of customer’s money. In other words, one can converse from such analysis (Azari, pp. 55-60, 2003) that information technology has completely altered the notion of banking and trading in an obvious manner due to inclusion of automation in almost every process that has made lives easier. However, still, in midst of such extensive amount of technologies, experts and researchers (Yap, pp. 440-445, 2006) believe that financial institutions are still incapable of providing 100% security to their customers. Even marketing brochures and advertisement materials indicate high-level security; however, studies (Oyungerel, pp. 39-56, 2008) have indicated that even financial institutions are thems elves not sure about their claim in the advertisements. In addition, a number of reports (Mannan, pp .1-14, 2007) have shown cases of identity theft, credit card theft, bank account thefts, etc that indicates the vulnerability of online banking or online trading services. Although various experts (Mohay, pp. 23-39, 2003) have appreciated the impact of technological advancements in the form of online banking; however, scrutiny of resources has identified a number of reports (O’Gara, pp. 59-64, 2004) that have recognised vulnerable nature of online

Marriage Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Marriage Ethics - Essay Example Notably, proponents of same sex marriages appreciate the rights of heterosexual couples. Surprisingly, the opponents of same sex marriages express strong opinions and refutations against the gay marriages for instance. It is important that both sides appreciate that different people have different ideologies and perceptions regarding the marriage union. This paper will show that same sex marriages, specifically gay marriages, ought to be legalized just as heterosexual marriages legal. Legalizing both types of marriages warrants a harmonious society. To a significant proportion of the society, the question whether couples in a same sex marriage relationship deserve same matrimonial benefits enjoyed by heterosexual couples is a question of civil rights. The constitutional concepts on this subject require that same sex couples be treated like heterosexual couples. A significant percentage of the society members, however hold a different perception on the matter based on religious and ethical values (Card, 2007). They perceive of same sex marriage as a vice that violates traditional ethics and risks undermining family values. Seemingly, opponents of same sex marriage seem to argue based on their religious teachings and ethical values that may not have significance to the whole society. They fail to note that these values and teachings vary from society to society and are subject to change with time (Greene, 2009). To a significant percentage of people constituting the American society, the religious aspect is a crucial aspect to their conception of the marriage institution. Therefore, it is expected that religious opinions feature and hence influence the opinion of most people regarding the subject. Such people fail to appreciate that various scholars and judges have shown that as long as the controversial issue is restrained within civil marriage, then religious views or perceptions are void and immaterial. The impression is that marriage has nothing to do