Exploring the Rotten Side of Germany
You might say I'm a collector. I collect rare objects. Facts, stories...I travel the roads of Germany seeking its heart.
Featured Photo
“Fire, water, and government know nothing of
mercy.” - Photo by Jan Bommes
"There are rare moments when a location that has fallen victim to fire has actually gained in therms of 'photographic attactiveness'. Mostly due to smoke and water mixing and generating some of the most beautiful decay that you can find. Moss and mold make a nice green color and the smoke on everything kind of dampens the colors and swallows some of the light entering the rooms."
Galleries
Hotel on the Island
There is no information regarding this abandoned hotel that is located on an East German island.
Architecture, the remaining furniture and documents suggest that it was built in the 1970s and probably used by the FDGB as a recreation home.
In the 1990s, attempts were made to continue the use as a hotel, but those apparently failed.....(more)
Recreation Home L.
This abandoned recreation home was a so-called "central pioneer camp". These camps were operated by the East German youth organization (FDJ).
For the young students and teens vacations here were used as an award for achievents in school or social services. Every one of these camps had a large company as provider. In this case, it was a large fishing company. The camp was named after a communist politician and had room for about 800 children.
Although from a Western perspective the political purpose or even suspected indoctrination of these camps seems strange, there are many reports in which children describe their time in this....(more)
Blog
Tour Report: Soviet Airfield S.
Published 2017-08-07
It's no secret that I am really a fan of the Soviet relics you can find in Eastern Germany, so whenever I get the chance, I have to check them out. My wife isn't too much into all the military stuff, but she is fond of a nice walk in the park, so to speak, so when the opportunity arose for a quick stop at this abandoned Soviet airfield on the way up North towards the end of last years summer vacation, of course we took it.
The weather was great, but as a lot of times in these locations, parking was a bit of a problem. There were no regular parking places, so we just parked in an industrial area near a junkyard and a dog training area. There were a bunch of obscure-looking people around, but the attraction of the airfield was bigger than our desire....(more)
Urbex Feeds
Feeds from various Urbex Pages
Urban Ghosts Media
The Historic Ghost Town of Cairo, Illinois (Tue, 15 Aug 2017)At its peak, Cairo, Illinois - a community wracked by a turbulent past - boasted over 15,000 residents. Today, less than 3,000 call this near ghost town home. The post The Historic Ghost Town of Cairo, Illinois appeared first on Urban Ghosts Media.
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The Ruined Beauty of Mogadishu Lighthouse (Mon, 14 Aug 2017)
Once a coastal landmark of Somalia's troubled capital, the Mogadishu Lighthouse now stands in ruins. The post The Ruined Beauty of Mogadishu Lighthouse appeared first on Urban Ghosts Media.
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Aesthetic Decay in Val-Jalbert Ghost Town, Quebec (Fri, 11 Aug 2017)
Explore the aesthetic decay of Val-Jalbert, Quebec, one of Canada's best preserved ghost towns. The post Aesthetic Decay in Val-Jalbert Ghost Town, Quebec appeared first on Urban Ghosts Media.
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Atlas Obscura - Latest Places
Museum Kimchikan in Seoul, South Korea (Thu, 17 Aug 2017)
In 1988, when the top international athletes were competing for medals at the Seoul Olympics in South Korea, a new star was
introduced to the world, one that had nothing to do with sport. It was the first time kimchi, a spicy fermented cabbage dish, was experienced by such a wide variety of people.
This marked the start of kimchi’s global journey, and now the dish, which is a traditional staple of both North and South Korea, can be seen on menus around the world.
During the Olympics, visitors who tasted the dish and wanted to know more visited the Kimchi Museum, which had started a few years earlier in 1986 and had been moved to the Korea World Trade
Center Complex for the event. This institution was later revamped and opened its doors as the Museum Kimchikan in 2015.
It showcases the 1500-year-history of kimchi, whose production is a community affair. Every fall, families gather to blend the chopped vegetables with spices and stock up for the winter ahead.
The process is known as kimjang and this collaborative tradition was, in 2013, recognized by UNESCO as a piece of intangible cultural heritage.
The most well-known version consists of Napa cabbage, scallions, and chilli and garlic powders. A wide variety of vegetables and seafood is used in the nearly 180 regional forms of the dish.
At Museum Kimchikan, visitors can view the production technique, which uses lactobacillus bacteria, under a microscope and watch documentaries about the history of kimjang, and how the
country’s most prominent families made it. Most importantly, visitors are invited to sample the different varieties and to participate in demonstrations and cooking classes.
The museum features a tasting room, cafe, laboratory, arts space, and a souvenir shop.
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