Laboratory for Vision.

Summer in Montréal means above all: jazz. The world-famous festival keeps music fans for nearly two weeks in a good mood. But who is the eyes and ears open holds, check out the whole year on music and art to enjoy, without even a cent or greater.

 

Gerrys working in the metro will start the evening at half past six and lasts just two hours. More is not there. Later he may not stay and work. At least not here in the central Berri-UQAM Métro station. Gerry is 54 years old and a musician. From Wednesday to Sunday, it stands for two hours in the metro station, plays spiritual songs on the guitar and sings in French.

Further outside the city center, he should play for three hours. So are the rules. Thereupon, the Association of Independent Métro musicians with the city and the transportation company agreed. "We have founded the association to the right of making music in the Métro to obtain funds without penalty to pay," says Grégoire Dunlevy, president of the association. On the hundred-Métro musicians are currently working in the city, he predicts.

A permit needs Métro Gerry for his music but not. He may even use a small amplifier. "I am artist, but I'm not famous," he says smiling. And then he reveals in a solemn tone, as he is every year a part of the jazz festivals in Montreal is: "Then I play the station in St. Laurent, where the upper stages are built. And the people who come, I welcome with the words: Ladies and gentlemen. The festival begins here. " Since 1994, he regularly with his guitar under the blue sign with white harp - the official sign that at this point in metro station music must be made.

Art Exhibition at the houses

Jazz Festival or not - on Rue Prince Arthur, not far from Berri-UQAM away there all summer long brisk traffic. Many people, especially tourists who stroll along the street, studying the offers of the premises or simply enjoy the food and the sun on the terraces of the restaurants. For cars, this section of Boulevard St. Laurent and Rue Laval locked. The air is filled with various food aromas and vibrant street music.

Since last September it enjoys a busy and popular street close to the crowded restaurants and bars yet another attraction to linger and wonder inviting: a huge painting, an oversized piece of art under the open sky decorated with warm colors and soft forms of the formerly bare, white exterior wall of a row of houses. The much-photographed mural by Carlito Dalceggio is one of the largest and best known in the city. More than a hundred paintings, the 38-year-old artist in various countries have already realized, including in India, Mexico and France.

A typical element in his painting is a female person apparently, he held various positions in the scene. With its images will Dalceggio by the unity of man and the universe tell. He wants the people to show how they in the modern digital world can live. "Street art is a universal language that all over the world is spoken," he says. Montreal had a very lively street art scene and an incredibly good atmosphere. "You can live a very carefree."

Support for his art in Montreal gets Carlito Dalceggio by the mu-art organization. Employees of the organization are looking for suitable houses in the city walls to speak with the owners and obtain permits, and sponsors. Mu-Art has set itself the goal of art in public places to beautify the city. "The city is like a laboratory where one can realize his vision," says the artist.

Mosaic of languages, skin colors and cultures

Only a few street corners to the north of the Latin Quarter is the plateau. The neighborhood of mostly two to three houses, formerly inhabited mainly by workers, is now mainly among young people, artists and intellectuals popular. Typical trademarks are the brightly painted and curved stairs to the outer sides of the houses.

"The plateau is the best neighborhood to live in Montreal. It is very quiet, you will always walk out and there are many trees," says Yannick Picard, who is also an artist at the art mu-operate. A few years ago, the 28-year-old under a UN project in Honduras walls painted. His paintings look so realistic that they can hold photo collages.

But Montreal was not attractive. "I did last year, a wall painting in St. Michel made. So, I would like to live there is not." In his paintings continues Picard is mainly concerned with social issues and environmental problems. The plant in the St. Michel focuses on the coexistence of different cultures in Montreal. People from all over the world are drawn to the Québecsche Métropole; a colorful mosaic of languages, skin colors and cultures. For Picard, in a small town in Quebec grew up, was this diversity as an important reason to go into the city.

Among the musicians will be solved

Also Prométhée Huard, who in his murals on ornaments specializing appreciate the coexistence of very different ethnicities. "There is no race in Montreal separation, not as in the U.S.. All races live together in peace and there is little violence." The 36-year-old artist lives on the plateau, and works mainly on behalf of companies or business owners. For the movie Aviator, he has a painted backdrop - the New York of the twenties.

"It is not difficult, in Montreal received an order for a wall painting to get," says Huard. "I go into the shops and talking with the shop owner, and then tells me what he wants." His paintings are spread over the entire plateau, and also on Rue Prince Arthur ornaments adorn its a small shop.

In the Métro station Berri-UQAM Gerry has already guitar, microphone and amplifier together. It is quiet in the station. After he goes home but not yet. First it must be with the other musicians, the list for the next day to create. "We meet here at eleven clock at night to the next day to plan. Everyone writes his name on a piece of paper and throws it into a hat. Then withdrawn. The first eight are then on the list and the next day to play . For longer ranges, the time window is not enough. "

The competition is not currently large. Yesterday came just five musicians of the day planning. Gerry will certainly be back here tomorrow and sing under the blue sign with white harp.

Delicate dirt pile.

As the Berlin Mannheimer maintain an often rough "mouth". For the most famous sweet specialty of the town even the daily incidental debris as namesake sponsor of the "filth Mannemer" defended tenaciously against the confectioners official Regelwut.

 

While it is neither Mannheim Rotterdam, Vienna and Istanbul yet - and yet it has something for everybody. In the small city, as its inhabitants like to call them, meet the Baroque, Art Nouveau and fascinating modern architecture grisly purpose buildings from the postwar period, a port reaches a nature reserve, and a Catholic church vis-à-vis one of the largest mosques in Germany. Urbanity pure.

On the road widths are talking strictly two veiled young women in a Turkish-German melange to their infants quengelnden A. The tram screeches miserably on the rails, the ripple of the fountain Grupello on the parade square is only audible in its vicinity.

Mannheim is a constant contrast. The capital of Kurpfalz is not a classic beauty, certainly not, but there will never be boring. Change was always here. While they are good 400-year history witnessed the former residence town of Elector both times glorious splendor as well as absolute destruction, and repeatedly.

The start of a sustained economic recovery took place in the first half of the 19th Century. After decades, mainly caused by wars phase of decline Mannheim began to grow again, and some unsavory problems grew. 1822 - a sewer, there were not - forbade the then city manager Philipp Anton von Jagemann by police "in the house with the collected Kothe Kehrricht" on the road to dispose of.

Violations were recorded with a hefty fine punished. A witty Mannheimer Baker will be the first time a suspicious-looking, brown baking goods on the market that are still under the name "Mannemer dirt" is known. A creative form of protest? Quite possible.

Delicious with "Shut up"

With the authorities here had been at the confluence of the Rhine and Neckar its early problems. As the 1605 Elector Friedrich IV, the strategic location for the construction of a fort used to, when he met with the residents of the village, home to man indignant resistance. In order to calm the minds granted the Regent of the urban settlement privileges. The protest had an impact, and perhaps this is the origin of the self-conscious and highly disputable setting Mannheimer mentality. It is times like angeeckt, the local tone, the infamous "Berlin snout" in no.

Gewöhnungsbedürftig is also the local dialect, which, inter alia, by strangely monotonous word endings concerned. Foreign Nichtverstehenden wash their inability to quickly whether the head. Kurpfälzer finally see their region as the navel of the world, and how can you not speak his language?

Who they are closer acquaintance, it is noted that most Mannheimer very lovable contemporaries are. And they know this life to enjoy. Mr. Hans Degen is one of them, a man who for hours about quality coffee, cake magic and history of his native city can tell. 31 years conducted in 1935, born the same master confectioner, 1838 established family business. Two years ago, took his daughters Martina and Simone - both also confectioner masters - the business on the street corner E2, 4

The Lord Degens are sugar baker body and soul, and proud owner of the original recipe for "Mannemer filth." As evidence establishes Mr. Hans Degen abgewetzten a tape on the table. Adorn the cover discolored the remnants of a label with the sign "Mr Degen C." written in a clean fracture, including the year of the 1862nd It is the recipe book of his great-uncle Carl, Mr. Degen said. He and his brother Joseph had with Friedrich Bechter, the inventor of the "dirty", had befriended. The old master had his younger colleagues leave the recipe.

"Patience cookies" and "worm Cartridges"

The book is actually a guide for the fabrication of "dirt pile, 12 pieces". The rest is of course secret, and the slanted handwriting for ordinary people of our times do not decipherable. Even otherwise, the recipe collection contains some curious entries. In the category "Small Confeckt" There are, for example. "Patience cookies" and "worm cartridges. "Previously we had just been invented names," says Mr. Hans Degen with melancholy voice. The "dirt pile", however, have evolved over time to a "bunch of Mannheim, and then to" dirty Mannemer "changed. "The name is always something to become cultured," finds the master confectioner.

Nevertheless, he was a few decades ago bureaucrats a thorn in the eye. Dirt, so they were in 1984, is not in the German food items list of names belong therefore prohibited. The Mannheim Baker fought back - with success. The dispute went into the sand. Ten years later tried again Paragrasenhüter, the specialty renitente to domesticate. This should name the word "like gingerbread biscuits" are imposed. This action ended unsuccessfully.

"Mannemer dirt is not a gingerbread" outraged Mr. Hans Degen. The latter consists only of flour, sugar and spices, teaches the specialist for specialty Mannheims were opposed 14 different items on the list of ingredients. The delicate aroma of marzipan makes the "filth" in fact, something special, and an appetite for more.

Immigrants have always city

Back on the dead straight road, a few blocks from Mr. Degen's tradition is in the house showcase for Confectionery Taksin breathtakingly garish, surreal-looking cakes, according to the taste orientalischstämmiger Kurpfälzer. Around the corner it smells of fresh bread. Beside the door of a butcher-Helal hangs a Turkish-FDP election poster, Fatih Özdemir advocates for the Liberals to local.

Mannheim has always been a city of immigration. Already in the 17th Century were numerous Flemish, Dutch and French established. Many of them were religious refugees. The migrants brought many new ideas and cultural suggestions. That is until now has remained so. The city seems to be constantly re-invent itself to be, despite all crises, or they must be even. Some may regret this, as a character stamped loss, but at the same time, this dynamic has enormous opportunities for the future. And anyway, there is no alternative.

"Full Metal Mannheim" screams to the viewer a graffiti wall of a deserted courtyard opposite. Desire to challenge or help? Sprout from the pavement buntblühende Löwenmäulchen.

Double somersault in the Main.

Rare spectacle in front of the Frankfurt skyline: With Saltos and screws pounced Springer cliffs of a pedestrian bridge to the Main. Despite the depth of 16 meters left only minimal splashes of water - but the artful leaps were just training.

 

Frankfurt / Main - between athletes and the spectators are 16 meters in altitude. On a pedestal at the pedestrian bridge pier is Eiserner Orlando Duque. The cliffs Springer is the same, after a double somersault and a half twist in the middle of the river Main in Frankfurt diving. Down in the boats put forward their photographers with big cameras lenses before the eyes. Duque jumps and dives headfirst into the water, the minimum aufspritzt. The Colombian is a master of his craft, nine times World Champion, to be exact.

The orange crew of a boat of the German Life Saving Society (DLRG) helps Duque out of the water. The jumper is next to his colleague Alain Kohl, 26, from Luxembourg, shortly thereafter, the two run barefoot down the stairs to the iron bridge high. You still have to complete some jumps.

The two athletes are preparing for that Monday morning in Frankfurt at a competition on 29 August in Hamburg before: If they want next ten other athletes during the "Red Bull Cliff Diving Series 2009" from a 26 meter high masts of the sailing ship port ankernden Museum "Rickmers Rickmer" jump.

The "Series" to measure the cliffs Springer in eight competitions in different European countries measure and jump from each of at least 26 meters in height. The next step is Dubrovnik in Croatia on 11 July on the program. German venue is Hamburg, the final is on 20 September in Athens.

It was quite difficult in an urban environment in a river than to jump around from a cliff in a natural environment, says Duque. "We go here on the open water. Thus, there is evidence to us how far we are still up to the water surface." Who but too late or too early on him or her and with his jump is not yet ready, must reckon with point deduction. In Frankfurt behilft the master jumper with the Orange DLRG of the boat.

Cliff jumping before Skyline

The sponsor of the series has stars of the scene such as Steve Black from Australia, from Russia Artem Silchenko, Kent de moon from the U.S. and just cabbage and Duque won. The 34-year-old Colombian Duque jumps for 23 years and lives of these cliffs. The competition incentives him that even in urban environments is cracked. "This possibility has not so often," he says, as he is the Iron Bridge.

On this Monday, Duque, the fans' God of the cliffs Springer "called a good mood anyway. The sun is shining, the water of the river Main is comfortably warm 21 degrees, a few spectators applaud after each jump, and a desire for him was true. "On one of my many travels I have seen this bridge once. Since I want to jump down from here," he says on the pedestrian bridge made of steel, which since 1868 the northern and southern shores in Frankfurt / Main connects.

Then Duque back on the small pedestal at the top of the steel sheets. He is one of three to one, and jumps. Three to four meters deep, he plunges into the water. He can be somewhat careless, because divers before the river bottom to residues in water have abgesucht. Several rusty bicycles have the helpers at this morning lifted.

In the shadow of the cathedral.

Below the Domtürme been robbed, murdered and committed adultery began: The Catholic Cologne was never really sacred. A leader takes horror fans with the chilling scenes Kölsche criminal history - including the most famous of the city Wurstbude counts.

 

"Just here the accident took nearly 450 years before his run," says Ilona Priebe, "in a fight." The guide sets out a dramatic pause, her index finger points in the direction of the WDR broadcasting building: "Tillmann Iserhäupt was one adversary on the head, drew his sword and pursued the enemy to enter the cathedral, where the protection against the attack, was looking for. In vain - badly injured and bleeding, he survived just Iserhäupts attack. "

So something is not liked, not even in medieval Cologne in the 16th Century. Soon even worse than the act itself: The cathedral was desecrated by - and to understand the point of the Cologne no fun, neither today nor in the Middle Ages. "The court was also Iserhäupt to death by the strand convicted, he remained only a chance," the audience hang on Priebe lips: "Namely, the, 'freigeheiratet' to be. If a citizen of integrity with him to marry, would have the chance of parole. Iserhäupt seemed And a true heart breaker to have been - right two ladies declared themselves ready. "

Perhaps he was a heart breaker, but certainly he was consistent: After looking at the ladies wishing marriage Iserhäupt announced that the death by the strand of the marriage bond with one of them would prefer. How it survived the diary the Cologne Ratsherrn Hermann von Weinsberg from the year 1562 - a treasure of the dramatic collapse of the Cologne city archives 2009 almost has survived intact.

Priebe has a grip on their audience, they hoot, such stories to come. "Sex & Crime," that's called the two leaders, or "Crime Tour", depending on what the emphasis is upon: Ilona Priebe is flexible, depending on the customer's wishes - for eight euros per person one is here. Around the Domtürme, between the shopping paradise of the High Street and the dome of the main railway station, between H & M and a Reibekuchenbude played in medieval Cologne the bloodiest scenes.

Groaning from the confessional

It is a hundred yards further, to the old main portal of the cathedral, on the right hand of God the door is blocked. "Whoever has committed adultery, the punishment is threatened by a dishonorable. Often he had with a stone and a candle in his hand about public humiliation that is incompatible with - where the stone is symbolic of stoning was the candle for the light was God." And why were some in front of the cathedral? Priebe raises the questioner a look at honesty: "It's very simple: They are in the cathedral adultery!"

Today skateboarder on the cathedral's art piece, armed with digital cameras Japanese tourist groups are by their guide on the heels. On the edge of the fountain on hot days sitting with shopping bags laden Holländer, their feet dangling into the cool water can. A peaceful image - chaste and clear than what happened here earlier.

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Most pilgrims were in the area of present-day cathedral fun with whores. But even the servants had to love to watch: Which two of the "fornication" was caught, was able to serve in the "House of the beautiful women" are obliged, then something like an urban brothel. Had access only unmarried men, widowers and priests. Priests? Again, the leader knows the right answer: "A monk, the vow of celibacy and chastity of the store, which only the priests of celibacy." The point is the public opinion: Some things change until now.

But sometimes it was not observed with the chastity not done, even clergymen have been convicted as a murderer. Just as Peter Joseph Schaefer, the pastor of the Church of St. Mary in copper alley, right at the yard Appel: 1803, he suggested the sisters Barbara and Catherine Ritter in the vicinity of the Rhine with a willow stick them down and slit the throat by then. In his confession, the priest, with one of the two "secretly married" to be received later and the financial demands of the sisters no longer satisfy them.

The Dompropst and pimps

Headline-grabbing was in February 1995 of a robbery Vortragekreuzes from the 19th Century. In bright daylight, right out of the Treasury, the favorite of Cardinal Meisner cross - imagine the times before! To the outrage to halt, turned to the church and police to Heinrich Schäfer, because of its impressive olfactory organ "Schäfers Naas referred. The uncrowned king of the underworld Cologne - recorded inter alia owing assault, robbery and pimping - then there was also direct: "Dat jeht nit!"

And so proclaimed "de Naas" via "Picture" and "Kölner Express" the unknown perpetrators: "Either the cross comes back or there is trouble!" A threat that moved - a short time later, the cross was a means of man over and found undamaged way back into the treasury. On the reward of 3000 marks a waiver of the underworld king, the supply of Dompropst Henrichs, a trade fair for him to read, he took on the other hand, with the words "It does my soul good black" to be happy. As a shepherd of the Church man then confessed that he "had a few ponies run," said later that he had misunderstood this: "I thought that thinks the turf in Weidenpesch."

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Priebe could still spend hours telling: From Cardinal Frings, who in the 1946 New Year's Eve speech Cologne citizens quasi stealing his blessing to the coal and food were - in Cologne's speech as "fringsen" below. From beheaded, in the time of the French people as the cathedral last had in mind before she lost her head. From the custom of the "free run" of Frankenstein Severinstor tower, where the inhabitants of the city with clubs in the hands of honor were: Who is up to the bakery Schmitz Backes created, was free. Also it is a Kölsche proverb arose: "You better still nit och Schmitz Backes to pass." For all Catholic Anekdötchen around Cologne that never really was a saint, enough time simply not enough.

Style can be the tour of the Cologne "Tatort" known snack bar from the year 1951 end. In real life you can find this directly on the chocolate museum, just for the film is on the other side the Rhine done: If the Commissioners Schenk and Ballauf a currywurst treat, must be in the background, after the cathedral to be seen - everything else would be in this city also a crime.

Corn beer from the plastic bucket.

In Soweto helmeted cyclists are an attraction. This is one of the suburb of Johannesburg itself to the most popular attractions in South Africa. A township residents takes tourists on a bike ride - and in the centers of social life, the Shebeen bars.

 

Soweto - Soweto, a year before the World Cup: The red sandy paths between dilapidated huts are full of potholes. The rain of recent days has left puddles and mud. Freshly washed laundry flapping in the wind. At the roadside garbage bags pile up.

"If you drive through here, one sees not much. With the bike you get much closer," says Lebo Malepa. The young South Africans since 2005, organized bicycle tours for tourists in the South Western Township (Soweto). He is also the owner of Sowetos first backpackers - accommodation for young travelers from all over the world.

Just four kilometers from Johannesburg modern World Cup stadium, Soccer City removed the seeds here in the Orlando West district of the hope for an income through the mega-sporting event. When on 11 June of next year the first football World Cup on African soil will angepfiffen, Lebo wants its guests to a "Public Viewing" almost within sight of the events offer.

Today he is with a group of young Europeans on. In the working-class neighborhood Mzimhlope children play on a burned-out car wreck. They are immediately to the noticeable gelbbehelmten cyclists carefully. With a loud "Hello. How are you?" they run contrary to the cyclists and hold their hands to cast out. They have no fear, with some even trying to climb onto a bike. The older township residents curious to look skeptical, some greet and smile.

Cyclists live dangerously

A man with an umbrella hat approaching the cyclists. "Hey," he exclaims, "I'll show you something. Has anyone pen and paper?" Of numbers and letters, he designed a face in cross section. The artist writes his phone number like this. "Call me!" He says in the hope of new contacts and sponsors. A friendly old woman in front of a kindergarten grinning wide. "Even new people. Each week, new people."

Cyclists are a welcome change in the daily monotony. You are in everyday otherwise rarely see. Unlike in the rest of the continent, where the bicycle is a popular means of transport, it serves in South Africa more leisure at the weekend. Bicycle lanes do not exist, and most urban streets are dangerous for cyclists. Anyone who has no car, rising to one of the numerous minibus taxis, which are the backbone of public transport form.

Bongani Mazibuko, artist and art teacher, has agreed to the Rich visitors to show his home. It shares the building of the size of a garden cottage with his sister and her family. A small anteroom is crowded with Krimskrams, children's drawings, school bags, emblazoned middle of a brand new refrigerator. The adjacent bedroom is almost completely taken from a double bed. It smells a little musty, the corrugated iron roof does not seem to be waterproof. A bathroom does not exist: Toilets and showers are shared by the whole block is used.

Detour to Sheebeen

The life here is largely from outside, in the evening, it shifts into the so-called Shebeens, the township pubs in backyards and living rooms. Rather cool Pils there is homemade. Lebo guide opens a plastic bucket with a slightly pink shimmering broth. Glasses are not the traditional sour maize beer is straight from the bucket drunk. The will passed around until it is empty. The Shebeen locals gather to drink with. It is sociable - and a little later, a bucket with a thick sweet "energy drink" the rounds. He is also homemade and maize-based.

From out battle cries penetrate into the interior. There are supporters of the Inkatha Freedom Party - in South Africa is currently campaigning. With sticks and shields armed dancing to the predominantly Zulu-tribe belonging to party supporters on the street and try to attract attention. Photographs they want to leave, however, do not - they had too often in a negative context of the images found on the Internet, says Lebo.

Johannesburg's famous black Soweto suburb consists of a total of 29 districts to 120 square kilometers. Two to five million people live here, nobody knows. In addition to immigrants from neighboring countries also provide job-seekers from rural areas of South Africa for a permanent increase in the number of inhabitants. In the days of government-mandated racial segregation was the bleak suburban world's epitome of oppression, rebellion, violence and protest. Today, however, is the nightmare of the past becomes a symbol for the life of a new generation has become.

Soweto burger with fries and a fried egg

Has long been Soweto no longer just a poor slum. On the way to the houses of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu to roll the bikes have smoothly paved roads. The sites are equipped with high walls and barbed wire secured. Children play here not on the road.

New shopping malls and restaurants, tennis courts and golf courses even have an appreciation for the care and municipal property prices can rise dramatically. Directly opposite of Mandela's former residence has one of these restaurants packed. Here, the traditional "Soweto-Burger" served white bread stuffed with hamburger and fries or fried egg. They are made Sattwerden.

The house of South African national hero in Vilakazi Street is currently 8115 for around 700,000 euros has been renovated and now open to tourism. Nelson Mandela moved there in 1946 with

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his first wife Evelyn, and lived after the divorce with his second wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela was there. The family has been attacked several times, once a bomb hit the house. Today it is a national monument, museum and tourist magnet.

After the fatty meal is called for mountaineering. While the troupe gelbbehelmte climbs a hill, the bikes sit unguarded in a house wall. From the top you have a good view over the township and his best-known landmarks: the colorfully painted former cooling towers of the disused Orlando power station. Today plunge between them bungee jumper in the depth or dine on a platform with a wide view of Soweto.

Its population has turned to the more than 200,000 tourists annually accustomed. Township tourism is very popular among tourists, according to Johannesburg "trust". Once the visitor numbers following the xenophobic attacks in South Africa's largest city in May last year had fallen, they are now as high as before. Soweto has also suffered - although it is precisely there was little violence. In addition, there are many guesthouses in the famous township since late 2007 even
Four-star hotel
.

Curiosity about other countries

Lebos tour ends in another Shebeen. With regard to the international guests there is also this common commercial beers. Three o clock this afternoon is still not much going on. A local musician grabs a guitar from. Before some of his songs, he argues, it still ignites quickly to a joint. Dagga is the cannabis here - the sweet smell wabert in many places in the townships through the air.

Lebo, it is the locals involved. The concept comes. Shebeen Many guests like to tell themselves and their lives here. But they want in return, but also stories from Germany, the Netherlands and England heard. "I like to meet people from other countries. It is always exciting," says art teacher Bongani.

On the way back to the backpacker tells Lebo that he had his bicycle tours to the north of Johannesburg, the Alexandra township wants to expand. Residents as a guide, he has already found. Because without good contacts with the people at the place where such tours would be impossible - even in tourismuserprobten Soweto.

A little luxury, lots of eco.

There are no mini-bar, which also lacks air conditioning. This hotel offers the Wiener Stadthalle the very latest technology to save energy. The hostel is virtually self-supplied with electricity and Co. Guests must, however, to taking in some rules so that the concept works.

 

The converted hotel Stadthalle infrastructural asceticism will prevail: "It is neither in our hotel spa, sauna yet," said Michaela Reitter, owner and manager of the hostel in Vienna, "and if you are in the waiting rooms with a minibar, you'll probably also disappointed. "

But this reduction is useful: First, the hotel, a few steps from the famous Roland Rainers Stadthalle away, only three stars. And secondly, is located exactly opposite proper stocked grocery store. "No man is three euros for an orange juice, if he drinks the same vis-à-vis for a fraction gets. And if you go into the sauna want, we can go into the town hall. This is genuine."

The real reason for the lack of a minibar in the room, however, lies elsewhere. Refrigerators are incredible power eaters, "said Reitter," they would have thrown the entire energy market. " And that's important, finally, is the Hotel Stadthalle, the next November, with 38 additional rooms will open to the world's first city hotel with a zero energy balance. In other words: The hotel is across the year are expected to produce enough energy for their own consumption needs.

Fighting windmills

The list of technologies is long. Well water is drawn from the depths of the earth encouraged and for temperature control of the premises used. In the summer, the 16 degrees Celsius in specially cold water lines in concrete pumped through the ceiling, while the same installations for heating in winter serve - concrete core activation is called in the jargon. 150 square meters solar panels provide the same time, at least as long as the sun is shining, the bulk of the needed electricity.

For the coverage of the energy peaks in the evening on the roof is the installation of four wind turbines are planned. Still adorns the building, however. Since it is in Austria to date not a single reference project, there are some instances and are overwhelmed with the issue of the commercial permit for the turbines back. "The wind turbines are essential to the project," said Reitter this. "They rotate in fact, even if the solar collectors in the dark no longer functional. I will not give up before we are all convinced of the importance of this measure have convinced."

For most ecological construction projects in Central Europe, only a handful of different energiereduzierender methods. Michaela Reitter, however, a resolute woman with a clear business vision, wanted the building to attack luck strain. "Look, I have a clear idea of this hotel and I would like to express my deepest conviction of ensuring a timely and resource-friendly building on the footing."

Guests must be elucidated

Heinrich Trimmel, architect of the unusual hostel locates in the new zero-energy hotel is a great opportunity: "A hotel like this is an incredibly good propaganda," he explains, "while energetic efforts in a family house for the public almost always hidden and remain undetected, can the aspects of sustainable construction directly communicate here. " The healthy energy balance not only create publicity for the hotel, but ultimately for the design. "Advertising for themselves and for nature. That's two birds with one stone."

The only requirement for the host: he must be ready to play. "If I were in this hotel check-in and in the deepest winter doing a walk, while the locked room window wide open, then that is the organic farm is certainly not beneficial," said Trimmel, "while valuable energy is in the form of heat is lost. Furthermore, it takes quite long, the room back to a comfortable temperature heating. " For this reason, says the architect, it was important to the customers with the main features of the building represent.

"No problem," Reitter contends, "the guests are already booking for the choice of whether they prefer their room in the old building or new development in the wish to have." The old building, which is already three months ago was completed, it is thermally upgraded and low standard as to ask its people but not exceptional living culture. In part, however, new construction - and that every individual is at the latest at check-in attention - apply stricter morals. "There is throughout the house controlled housing ventilation, each room with fresh tempered anspeist. Hours of ventilation is not necessary."

Air conditioning is a taboo

The setting of the room temperature is also restricted. A maximum of four degrees Celsius, or from, the range of heating and cooling. "Enough for a typical Europeans and Americans for a European," says the hotel owner scarce. More flexibility, the system does not give her. Leading environmental awareness even when the lighting in all new development will not only Fadenglühbirne more. The widespread use of light emitting diodes (LED) in the corridors and rooms are a first atmospheric view of the period after the light bulb.

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Much effort for such a small city hotel, one would think. "The first to an example, it is always a high cost in buying take. This is the fate of pioneers," says Gerhard Heiling, for the entire energy plan is responsible. "In truth, however, we make nothing exotic, but simply summarize several proven technologies in a project together. But yes, it's true. In the dense urban area is used up this potpourri of 150 square meters of solar collectors on the facade and wind turbines on the roof so far unique."

The architectural design of the object will remain until the last unaufgeregt. Externally, the new building is in a similar manner Wohnhaus modest back, whistling gaily in the style of contemporary architecture. Inside, however - a standard room is already set - dominated by the classic sophistication expected of a three-star hotels. Nothing more and nothing less. "It is utopian to believe that I am in such a narrow gap site and in such a densely assembled an architectural highlight lane could stand up", says Michaela Reitter stated "I prefer to invest the money in building a future-oriented."

Leading by example

Whether the investment is for the new building a year earlier or later, pay-back is the 45-year-olds - with the words spoken of this city - quite cold. It was by no means its just about the financial profit, it stresses. No, there you go to the thing itself. "Of course it cost time, money and above all, nerve. But someone must indeed make a start on the climatic mismatch, and to lead by example, as always only talk about it."

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Boutique Hotel Stadthalle, Vienna

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The first zero-energy hotel in the world has its price: While in the hotel construction in this category depending on the size of establishments, with around 80,000 euros per room investment costs had to be ready, climb the Cost Center in the hotel at around 90,000 euros per room. That is an increase of over eleven percent. The financial return is assured, however: "As soon as the new Green Electricity Act is decided in Brussels, will be the excess electricity into the public grid," said Reitter. If the EU negotiations, everything goes according to plan, the producers of green electricity for every kilowatt-hour fed will receive 39c. The repurchase of green, however, costs only 11 cents per kilowatt hour.

At the guests' wallets is the zero-energy near the Wiener Stadthalle have no influence. Between 79 and cost 89 euros single, 116 to 126 euros must be for a double room berappen. At night it is then of the sauna and mini dream.

UFOs on the Seine.

Paris without the flat boats on the Seine? For capital-tourists unthinkable. The "Bateaux-Mouches" are among the four most popular attractions of the metropolis and have been in use for 60 years. The founder was responsible for his enlightening ideas notorious.

 

Paris - You belong to the classic Paris-visit as a stroll on the Champs Elysees or a trip on the platform of the Eiffel Tower - the excursion boats "Bateaux-Mouches on the Seine. On Wednesday, they are 60 years old and to celebrate the day, the trip cost for adults only six instead of ten euros. Over the past 60 years more than 120 million visitors, thanks to the flat boats with large glass panes of the French capital from the Seine discovered. Particularly impressive is the view of the venerable cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris.

The trips are also because of the main attractions in Paris: On the ranking of tourist attractions, they come with around two million passengers per year in fourth place - after the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and the Georges Pompidou Center, with its Museum of Modern Art. In the high season travel excursion boats in the 15-minute rhythm, then a total of daily 30 rides offered. To put the boats back a distance, which corresponds Erdumrundungen Five times a year.

The ingenious business idea had Jean Bruel, a Paris original. He bought 1949 a ship named "The old Mouche", named after the shipping company Mouche in Lyon, a remnant of the Paris World Exhibition in 1900. Bruel converted it into a cruise ship and offered to the first rides on the Seine at. The success was so convincing that he had built new ships, which today's models with their flat transparent roof.

From crisis to feel nothing

Today, the fleet included 14 vessels, reported the daughter of the founder, Charlotte Bruel-Matovic. The family-owned company, depending on the season from 200 to 400 employees and its owner seems that nothing of the crisis to be felt. The "Bateaux-Mouches" are in many films to see, for example, in "The Lovers of the Pont Neuf with Juliette Binoche. Since 1950 her name is a registered trademark.

For 60-year anniversary of the tour operation has Bruel-Matovic lots of anecdotes ready by the business acumen of her deceased father's 2003 show. Thus, the enterprising Frenchman, long before the Seine bridges and the magnificent buildings along the shore were illuminated in darkness, its own lighting technology: He was on the plane ships strong headlight install - and so startled at the Paris. "The police received calls from people who thought they had seen a UFO," reports the company's owner.

She remembers even good the first day trips with lunch on board: "We have picnic baskets herbeigeschleppt of the bridges." So it is certainly long gone: Five of the boats have their own restaurant. Who in the ride on the Seine to eat, this can be for around 100 euros to do so.