RSSSpotlight: Berlin with the Nomad•ness Travel Tribe
Jul 09
Spotlight Berlin, Evita Robinson, Nomad•ness Travel Tribe, travel No Comments
Sometimes words are not relevant or strong enough to express thoughts and feelings, but this trip in Berlin with the Nomad•ness Tribe was so incredible on so many levels that I couldn’t not share some of it with you. I know this is not (entirely) music related, but travel is taking a more and more important part in my life and since it’s part of my “world”, I may as well share it (plus, there is also music involved). I already told you about the Nomad•ness Travel Tribe when I featured my interview with Evita Robinson, founder of NomadnessTV.com and the Tribe, and I was extremely excited and happy to finally meet her and be part of this Nomad•nessX Trip to the German capital. It could have not happened due to some personal issues, but I believe it was meant to be and I was eventually able to take part in what was one of the major trips/life changing moments of my short existence.
After meeting four members of the Tribe at a London meet-up, I flew to Berlin on June 30th and was welcomed by a very London-like weather that consisted of a downpour, wind and chilly temperatures. Not taking this as an omen, I was simply happy to be there and looked forward to what was to come. Exhausted and hungry, the US/London crew and I arrived at the hostel a little while later, dreaming of food, a good shower and sleep. After we satisfied those basic needs, we felt better and ready to explore the city. I will not offer a complete, day-to-day account of our activities, but the first two days were quite intense with a bike ride to the Berlin wall, a visit of Tacheles, an abandoned building that become home to some artists and is threatened to be closed by the government, as well as a stroll in the streets of Berlin. I may not be a veteran traveller but there is something about Berlin that I’ve never experienced anywhere else.
Ghosts of the past are of course heavily imprinted in the architecture, memorials and the Wall, but there is also a desire to live for the present and move forward. A contradiction that I found quite interesting was the presence of a strong punk culture and the importance of street art existing side by side with impressive monuments and classical architecture (the Domo, museums, Brandenburg Gate, etc.). Berlin is a multi-faceted city and I really enjoyed exploring its different sides even if I feel I could have dug much deeper than I did. Many things happened during this week but the randomness and craziness of it could be summed up with a few highlights that included a visit to a reggae club, a gothic bar where I danced like no one was watching, my first bowling experience, a breakdance show on Alexanderplatz, discovering Swag on stage (their music is as amazing as the name is blah) or an impromptu after party at the Döner spot (video below).
One of the most amazing things about this trip though, in addition to the actual visit and discovery of Berlin, was meeting members of the Nomad•ness Travel Tribe. I have followed Evita Robinson for over two years now and it was great to finally meet her in person. As for other members, they are all as amazing, crazy, generous and inspiring as I imagined them to be and that made the trip one to remember. It was the first time I was going on a trip with the Tribe but it will definitely not be the last and I also discovered that I love travel even more that I thought. New trips are on the horizon for me in the near future and I am very grateful to Evie for inviting me in the group in the first place and for every fellow traveller for making me feel part of a family. This journey was exactly what I needed at this point in my life and it offered me greater clarity as well as renewed inspiration and motivation. I want to give thanks to everyone involved and I look forward to more!
Now that you know a bit more about my trip to Berlin, discover this video with pictures and recordings taken at the Berlin Wall, Tacheles and around the city. You can watch more videos on the Nomad•ness Travel Tribe YouTube channel.
After a somewhat serious video, let me share some of the utter craziness that happened during the week, with an after party at the Döner spot around Alexanderplatz. I think the visuals speak for themselves… Recorded by Standby Gypsy & myself.
Find out more about the Nomad•ness movement on Nomad•ness TV
While last year’s edition welcomed Aloe Blacc, Black Milk, Cypress Hill, Public Enemy and Janelle Monae (to name but just a few…), the 2012 line-up is quite impressive as well, with names like Nas, De La Soul, Nneka or Big K.R.I.T., once again to mention only a few of the numerous artists that will bless the different stages. I have to admit the first three are definitely on my list of shows to see and are among my favourites.
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