Spotlight: Musikmesse

Every year early in spring, thousands of people from all over the world come to Frankfurt-am-Main for the world's largest trade fair for music and musical instruments. Me included.

Musikmesse is perfect for fans of music and sound systems, or like me, like to touch and try out musical instruments.

Getting there

Frankfurt-am-Main (not to be confused with Frankfurt an der Oder) is served by a well connected airport 7minutes away from the city centre if you travel by train.

The Musikmesse is held annually in Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany at the Messeturm, easily accessible by U-Bahn, Bus or tram from the Hauptbahnhof (Main train station). If you have received your tickets before arrival, then you can use your ticket for anywhere on the Rhine-Main transport system.

Fair grounds

This massive exhibition is held in 7 sections that comprise the Messe, including a section where a tent is erected and there will be performances held there. There is a healthy amount of food, drink and booze to go around at the fair, and a pick-me-up is never far away.

Each section is a hall dedicated to one or two kinds of instruments, so what you're interested in shouldn't be hard to find.

Piano section - Fazioli pianos

Admission

Entry to the Musikmesse requires a ticket, which can be bought prior to arriving or on the grounds itself. The reduced price can only be bought on the grounds itself, and you need proof that you are a student (an ISIC is handy here).

There are two types of tickets, for visitors and traders. Typically, you'll need the visitor ticket. This ticket is only valid for the Saturday event, though.

Links!

Messe website

OK maybe it's only one link there. But there's info on everything you need.

8 things: Berlin

Berlin is a city that has risen from the ashes. It has throttled itself into modernity and also as the political center of Germany since reunification 20 years ago. Here're 8 things in Berlin you cannot miss:

1. Diversity

With so many people from different backgrounds and ethnicity, Berlin is a cosmopolitan city and the influence of immigrants are apparent. Munch a Turkish döner from Kreuzberg, or scarf down a cheap, authentic Asian meal from a Vietnamese eatery in Prenzlauer Berg.

2. Architecture

Berlin's architecture may be well clichéd and at times, overrated, but it is after all, what makes Berlin the city that it is. The eclectic blend of old and new cannot be missed. Amongst buildings to spot are the Brandenburger Tor, the unmissable Fernsehturm (TV Tower), and the Berliner Dom.

Brandenburger Tor - ignore the date!

3. History galore

Berlin has seen through critical events that has shaped the world today. Follow the path of the Mauerweg (Wall way) where the Berlin wall has separated the city in two for over 20 years, or gaze upon the missing turret of the Gedächtniskirche (Memorial church), where the tower has been blown off by bombs during the second world war.

Gedächtniskirche in Kurfürstendamm

4. Museums

Berlin has a wide array of museums, from the Musical Instruments Museum near Potsdamer Platz to the blockbuster Pergamon Museum on Museumsinsel. If you crave for something different, the Currywurst museum should be interesting. After all, you'll get to understand the craze that has become the food icon of Berlin.

5. Music

Berlin is a place of good music. If you like classical music, then the Berlin Philharmonic should be familiar to you. But Berlin is also the home of many musical acts popular in the entire Germany and even in Europe. Bands to look out for are Rosenstolz, a pop duo that has enjoyed massive success in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and of course, Die Ärzte for the punk rock junkies. Also, electronica fans can dance it out at the many nightspots around Berlin.

6. Concerts

Being the biggest city in terms of population in Germany, it is of course customary for musical acts mentioned above to stop over at Berlin for tour. A great place to catch a concert is at the Waldbühne, a beautiful outdoor setting amidst lush greenery - it's like having the entire area to yourself.

7. Eco-friendliness

Germans in general are eco-friendly. Recycle bins are rampant, reuse policy are implemented in stores and of course, the Umwelt (environment) zone where only vehicles that conform to certain environmental standards are allowed to go in.

8. Accessibility

Berlin is easy to get around (though expect some difficulty if you're disabled). The transport system is highly extensive, safe and efficient. In fact, if you decide to stick around spots where travellers and tourists hang out, the metro system itself is sufficient. Invest in a Berlin welcome card where you pay for transport beforehand, and also get discounts at various attractions both in Berlin and in neighbouring Potsdam.

Berlin has something to offer for everyone. So why not go?

Before I end this, here's a thought: Mayor Klaus Wowereit once said, "Berlin is poor, but sexy". Berlin may not be poor in times to come, but one can only wonder if it can retain its sexiness as it pushes forward into a dynamic future.

Spotlight: Suvarnabhumi Airport

To open my new travel section of my blog, I thought I'd share a bit on Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok.

The airport made headlines a few years back when there were clashes in Thailand's politics. The airport was held up illegally by the People's Alliance of Democracy, forcing airline services to stop. However, all is well now, and there is no imminent danger in visiting or transiting through Thailand.

Orientation and Experience

Suvarnabhumi Airport (pronounced sù-wan-ná-phūm) is a sprawling, one terminal airport that connects South-East Asia with pretty much the entire world. If you do decide to visit South East Asia, chances are that a transit will be made here, unless you decide to fly via Singapore.

Let's start with some criticisms first. My visit to Suvarnabhumi airport was because of a transfer; I was flying from Singapore to Amman, Jordan via Bangkok. The airport terminal, I found, was long. I don't mean long like regularly long. It was so long that my connecting flight was what it felt like kilometers away. It didn't really help that there was no where I could dump my rubbish, maybe that got me annoyed in the first place.

I had to dump that candy wrapper discreetly at a booth where they were giving out samples for a drink.

On the good side, despite it's apparent lack of receptacles in which one can place one's rubbish, the airport is clean and well maintained. The experience I had with airport staff is good, and they are helpful, but of course, remember to be nice and try not to like a vagrant, because airport staff are known to put you through hoops if you do so.

The interior left me with mixed reactions. While the many glass panels make it look eco-friendly and modern, the pillars were rather dreary because it was cement grey. It didn't help that at night, the lights were white, bringing out the dreariness of the pillars. But the little structures showcasing Thai culture and architecture (last I visited was in 2008) were a definite boost to the interior.

Ratings

Amenities = 6/10 (the rubbish bin thing was a turn-off for me)

Staff = 8/10 (kudos to the people of the land of a thousand smiles)

Atmosphere = 7/10 (painting the interior will help)

Comfort = 7/10

Total = 28/40 (70% - that's a Grade B for me)

Last words

Suvarnabhumi airport is not the bad place to be, but a few changes will surely put make it the best.