Grab Bag

''Sometimes I appreciate the impertinence of others. An older woman approached me with a question just as I was sitting down on the train. Apologetically, I explained that I could not understand her. Suddenly, I smelled something - it was terrible - she appeared clean, so I couldn't be sure. She approached the two boys of about 17 seated kitty corner to me. They had been wandering about the car earlier singing (rapping, kind of) some English lyrics which could easily be considered inappropriate. I had been entertained, and I was entertained once more when they told the women she was 'stinken.' I couldn't understand the whole German sentence, but she quickly left the car, and they performed a smell check on the car to make sure it was her scent that was so disgusting. It was. Does appreciating their rudeness make me rude?''

Mm, rhetorical question.

The Clemency of Titus was incredible and, by far, the best opera I have ever seen or heard. Mozart's music was good, of course, and the cast worked it into their acting well. The chorus was never overwhelming, and their presence was never overstated. I liked the costumes and use of costumes as symbolic props. The backdrops and floor were beautifully painted, and if I find a picture online or other work by the artist, I will post a link. In the mean time, you should trust me when I say it's worth seeing.

This morning, I visited Neue Wache, Germany's equivalent of our Eternal Flame (housed in Arlington National Cementary). Neue Wache, however, is a memorial to victims of war and tyranny. It contains the remains of both an unknown soldier and an unknown concentration camp victim. For a short time, it had an always lit flame, but today it contains an enlarged replica of Käthe Kollwitz's ''Mother with her Dead Son,'' which I found equally effective.

Visiting Checkpoint Charlie's outdoor exhibits before anyone else in Berlin was awake was certainly worthwhile. While the area has a very specific aim and is, in some part, targeted at American consumers, I found the aerial photographs of Berlin and the history recounted enlightening. Berlin is one gigantic construction project because it's only been reunited for 17 years, something that's easy to forget. My hostel would have been in East Berlin.

I recommend visiting Berlin's new Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.

Random notes on Germany:

• The punk rock look here never really faded; holes and rips in jeans, piercings, black clothing, mohawks, and dyed hair (either bleached blond or bright pink-red) are the way to go.
  
• It's still hip to carry a boombox onto a train. Get as many of your friends together, wear as many soccer scarves as possible, pregame until you are belligerent, carry a six pack with you, and run (as a group) from place to place. Try to be louder than the music.
  
• Don't cross the street if there's a 'Don't Walk' sign, even if there's not a car within miles. To avoid confusion, there is no flashing 'Don't Walk.'
• Take your shoes off before placing your feet on a seat on the train. Ew, feet. Mm, socks.