paris vs. berlin = evie's dilemma

It started yesterday at the Berlin Wall, with the Tribe... and continued today at Tacheles...

Beautiful people indeed. I cannot even begin to really dive into the feeling of being back in Berlin, 1 year (to the day) later. I would not have been able to put money on the fact that I would be back with 18 members of a newly formed travel group that I started on Facebook. Not nope!

Yet, and still, it is beyond amazing. I have been good at sucking tears in this go round, but they are there. They are so fuc%ing there. This is trip number two, so vastly different from number one, yet just as influential. Instead of a beach there is a city. A breathing city with life. One thing I told Thomas last vear was that I needed to do a Paris and Berlin trip back to back to see where my heart lies more in regards to a 6 month out of the year move. This past week I did that, and Berlin stole the show. I relate to this city, I do not just stare at its beauty.

Paris, as much as I love it, makes me feel like living in a glass house. Berlin, makes me want to drink beer and throw glass bottles at someone's house.

more my speed...

with as many countries as I have been to in Europe, I still have so many more to go, but Berlin... yea. You rock my world. Thanks. 

an email from Mom...

Her response to my itinerary email:

'I can only keep your little toe in the ground ever since you were a baby...Thanks for the info. Please be faster than the bulls in Madrid. Wear your new sneakers that I bought you, and take to the air! Love ya Mom'

(it doesn't get better than this!)

Top 3s of 2011...

Here are my Top 3s of 2011:

Top Places:

1. Germany

2. NYC

3. Miami

Top People: (needed 7)

1. Mikey

2. Public Enemy

3. Greg Selkoe

4. Thomas

5. Homeboy Sandman

6. Kali Blocker

7. Jason Francis

Top Events:

1. splash! Hip Hop Festival

2. Mikey's Graduation

3. Tokyo Rising Premiere

Top 3 Hardest Moments:

1. Rudi 1 year memorial

2. Breakup with Nel

3. Being a 1st responder to a motorcycle accident

Top 3 Books:

1. Tribes by Seth Godin

2. Flick by Abigail Tartellin

3. The Tipping Point by Malcom Gladwell

Top 3 Memorable Moments:

1. 1st Tribe Meet Up in NYC

2. Tacheles

3. Battle of the Sexes

Top 3 Epic Fails:

1. Attempting to be a Cougar

2. Feeling the need to always have to explain myself

3. Falling off the healthy eating bandwagon towards the end of the year

Top 3 Words/Phrases:

1. Dope

2. Tribe After Dark

3. I'm just sayin'

Top 3 Successes:

1. Kickstarter.com

2. Nomad•ness Travel Tribe

3. Write up in BlackEnterprise.com and Clutch Mag

Top 3 Trips for 2012:

1. Panama

2. Germany

3. Spain

Top 3 Plans for 2012:

1. Be on/affiliated with Black Girls Rock!

2. Be 100% totally financially self-sufficient off of Nomad•ness endeavors and evierobbie. media.

3. Nomad•nessTV to acquire funding in the area of $500,000 or more to go ahead transform the world through this series, with proper financials through advertising, sponsorships, investors, and income

4. Integrate the Tribe and the series seamlessly

5. Hit the college and university population with a vengenance through workshops, panels, and hosting to spread the word of travel and tolerance to the demographic I've always intended to hit

Nomad·ness Travel Series Pilot: Berlin or BUST:: arrived.

To all my backers of this project, thank you so much for all the support. This is the web version of the pilot episode that your donation helped fund. Check it out! You all are so amazing, and the gratitude that I have for all your help is unparalleled. Movements on the business side have been made, that I can't release just yet. I will when I can. Again, thank you!!!!!!!! I fu*king love you guys...

-Evie

MADE SPACE for me...obsessed.

As you all know from previous posts, not only do I live for Berlin, but I also am a huge advocate on keeping their artist colony TACHELES Open. You can check the little snippet I put together on TACHELES below.

During this past week, while on my Facebook Berlin nostalgia ish...

I came across MADE SPACE in Berlin, in the video above. Needless to say, I'm kinda sorta obsessed with the idea of doing something there. Be it a screening or whateva, I need this place in my life, just like I need TACHELES to stay open for all of our lives...Peep the video!

Nomad•ness Travel Series Official Teaser is here...

Nomad•ness Travel Series Official Teaser is here. Check out snippets of me all around the world. Including updated Berlin footage, from your fan help with Kickstarter. 

Nomad·ness is the reality show of one woman, with one perspective, traveling one country at a time. Through these journeys, I bring you urban life as it's lived around the world. Exploring art, music, food, local pastimes, and causes unique to each area I travel within. 

Check me, and other episodes, out at http://nomadnesstv.com

'Traveling Girl' Theme Song (obsessed) by Mr. Ivory Snow @mrivorysnow on Twitter

Shouts out to Foreign Beggars from the UK (obsessed) @foreignbeggars on Twitter

Please spread the word about the Nomad•ness Travel Series Facebook Fan Page. If on Facebook, follow this link and 'Like' the page. Every person counts for the attention of networks and sponsors! Facebook Fan Page LINK: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nomadness-Travel-series/129147987097101

a thank you to the Berlin Nomad•ness crew...

Cathi, Me, and Thomas

Cathi being her fabulous self

So I started off today with logging, while taking the train to work.

I sat on the express ride on the D train, headphone engulfed, and started rewatching all nearly 200 clips that I have recorded from Berlin. Something that in my mind was going to be a very daunting task...and it may get there, but for today it brought me back to the magic that was just a few weeks ago.

The footage looks so good, sounds so good, and it made me anxious about solidifying a schedule that would allow me to cut it all. A large scale task ahead of me, as this is the most footage I have ever had to work with on a project. I'm currently juggling making a steady headway with the big pilot, and editing down enough snippets that are ready to go for the website, and online episodes. Got some Berlin and some Amsterdam to show you.

With all this footage, and recent memories blaring through my headphones, I got nostalgic, and extremely grateful.

Cathi, my dear...you were an answer to a serious prayer. You pretty much shot everything that everyone will see that is this pilot episode. And you did it out of the kindness of your heart. I will FOREVER be grateful for you giving me something you can't get back, your time. Your personality is amazing and time flew by working with you. You are a friend and if you are ever in NYC, please contact me beforehand. Never change. you are perfect.

Thomas, where do I start? Our history goes back five years now. You're as delightful and helpful as you were from the first day I met you. You helped me in a massive crunch that most people won't ever know about, and you came through like Superman (or Batman, as I know you're partial) and you saved the day. Seriously, I love you dearly. Thank you for sharing your resources, knowlege, and time with me as well. And yes, I do love Berlin, and we may be neighbors.

Tangee, again someone who flew into my life at the perfect time, and helped out from the kindness of their heart, without looking for anything in return. You flew yourself out to Berlin for the sole purpose of helping me. I STILL cannot wrap my head around that! You are an amazing woman, with such a pure and young heart. Your kids are very lucky to have you as their mother.

To each and every person that donated a dime to this project. Without you, there would have been nothing...no trip to write about, no footage to need editing, no nothing. You all are amazing and it humbles me to know I have such a solid group of supporters in my corner. You all are a part of this crew as well...

Thank you!

Tacheles: Berlin's artist sanctuary...

It was one of the reasons I needed to visit Berlin.

I have now traveled to the Taj Mahal, Angkor Wat Ruins, and the Berlin Wall itself. Yet, I would have to say, in my artistic mind, Tacheles should be put on the list of World Wonders. Luckily enough, we were able to shoot this piece of art history while in Germany. Through a guided tour we were told about the history of this place, and its current fight with the local government to keep the place open. Not unlike certain plights artists have in NYC, there is a give and take going on between artists, and the business of art.

The 'Support Tacheles' movement is one I take extremely serious now, as I've walked through its walls myself. More is to come, in the Nomad•ness episode, but this is a short snippet giving you a peek into what it was like on the inside  of this fortress. Shouts out to the staff at Tacheles, especially Linda, for allowing our cameras inside.

As the sticker says, I support Tacheles! You should too. Some history on the building is below, but if you can please DONATE to their cause. This building is too important to be turned into hotels and apartments...DONATE HERE!

***

“Tacheles” is an old Jewish word meaning to disclose, to reveal or to speak clearly. The slang meaning of the word was bringing to an end.

The Art-Centre Tacheles is situated in a ruin in Berlin Mitte. Located in former East Berlin, the area was a Jewish quarter in the past and has now become a meeting point for people interested in arts and culture and for those who think they are.

After the Berlin Wall came down in November 1989, a subculture which had its main focus on autonomy, spontaneity and improvisation arose in the former East Berlin areas Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg and Friedrichshain. Artists and individualists from all over the world used the plurality of available free spaces to put alternative lifestyles to the test.



Berlin prostitutes are f&*king hot...yea I said it.

I guess I should begin this entry with the disclaimer that I'm not an advocate of prostitution. I am an advocate of one's own personal choices as to what is done with their body. Prostitution is not so much my thing. But in traveling to so many different places where it is both legal, and not, it's impossible for me not to recognize its popularilty, economic invigoration into countries whose economies barely exist, and how much more accepted it is in other parts of the world. 

Good, now that that's out of the way...

I was stunned! Being that I have traveled to some countries where, for better or worse, prostitution is a part of their culture, usually it's kind of stereotypically rugged.

One of my favorite parts of Berlin, is the area where Tacheles is located. I'm currently editing some footage to bring to you guys this weekend to show you the phenom that is this artist colony. Walking to a beer 'library', with Thomas, as we passed this parking lot.

"Yea, so at night the prostitutes line up here. Some of them have bedrooms nearby but most times they just go into, or behind, a car and handle their business," he said.

This was an open air parking lot. Like one you would find attached to your nearby neighborhood restaurant.

"What!"

"Yea, well prostitution is legal here. Many of them are from Poland."

Again, you learn something new everyday.

The next night I linked up at the beer 'library', walking past this very spot, at about 10pm (still light outside in Berlin) and I saw the most decked out, physically enhanced, and frankly good looking prostitutes I'd ever seen in my life!!!! Seriously, they were comparable to your more attractive go-go dancers in clubs. I definitely saw their likes in Miami. Fish net stockings, timid hooker heels (if such a heel exists), fresh makeup, straightened hair, and a strut that would put most of us to shame. They were f&*king hot!

Again, what you do with your body is up to you...as long as everyone is consenting, and safe, I have no problem with it. But.....damn!

as proper as their English accents...Industry #1 Hip Hop site

It took a random meeting at splash! festival for me to run into the creators of Industry #1. Industry #1 is the dopest, not to mention the most efficient, website to look for international hip-hop all over the world. One of the things these guys do, is they travel to music festivals around the world to scope out who's hot, and garner up exclusive interviews with underground artists for the website.

It's an intermational hip-hop online oracle of sorts.

They got my respect from the fun times, sneaking back stage, and conversations we shared in germany, but after scouring their site...these dudes are on their shit, and Nomad•ness has a legit UK hip-hop connect. I cannot wait to continue to build with these dudes. They're as proper as their English accents. You'll even see their cameos in the Berlin pilot episode.

Andre, Shibe, and Leon comprise this website and they're on their 'A' game. I recommend any and all hip-hop heads out there to take a look. It's an encyclopedia for your world...look out for an interview they did with me as well. I'll let you guys know as soon as it's up.

Building with the United Kingdom. Can't stop. Won't stop.

German bottle service...

It started at splash! fest. I noticed that when you went to buy any type of drink that came in a bottle, you were given a chip back. Downing one of the best soft drinks Germany has to offer, 'Lift", an apple like carbonated juice, I had a stack of chips and no knowledge as to what to do with them.

Peeping the scene, I noticed some people bringing emptied bottles to the counter, along with their chips, and getting money back. Just like how they have it in the States, except for one huge difference...

They were getting Euro coins back.

So, let me break this down for you. In America, the most you can get back for recycling cans and bottles is around ten cents. Nothing, in reality. In Germany, you can get back 1 euro, on a drink that may have cost 2 euros. With the conversion rate, that's like getting $1.50 per bottle you return. That's a legit investment.

I found it so efficient because what starts happening is people clean up after themselves. And I admit to doing this too. I found myself with chips, and no bottles. I then proceeded to scour the area looking to return someone else's empty bottle for them. Thinking this was just at splash, Thomas told me at a waterfront bar, that it's just how they operate. It's seen as a good deed to leave an empty bottle out in a park or in a public area, because you know that someone who needs it will definitely find it, seeing how lucrative they are.

Getting almost a 50% return on a drink purchase sounds like amazing bottle service to me...

the postcards are coming...

To my surprise I started getting messages on Facebook and Twitter about people having their post cards arrive already from Berlin. That baffeled me, as I seriously sent out two batches between Friday and Saturday. THAT FAST!

Either way, please everyone who gets one, send me a photo, via Facebook if possible, and tag me in it. There are about 10 different designs floating around I believe. Below are a few of the firsts. Thanks to Brian, Zenia, and Marion for sending through the first few photos. Keep them coming. Glad you like them.

Nomad•ness Sneak Peek: Beer Tasting

Throughout the next month or so I'll be giving you all random sneak peeks into the behind the scenes that went into what we shot in Berlin. All the stuff that won't make the final cut.

First and foremost, those who know me, know I'm not a beer drinker. I like wine, preferably red. I can thank Paris for that. But when in Germany, you go in on the beer. So we had a beer tasting portion, and yes I was nicely intoxicated by the end of it.

Mango beer, red beer, green beer, dark beer, light beer, and my favorite gimmick of them all DUFF BEER. Straight from the television show 'The Simpsons'.Yes, I am now the coolest chick you have ever met, if I didn't already hold that crown. How cool. Below are a few of our shots of the libations. Six glasses later...........I love Berlin. Thank you Thomas, Cathi, Tangee for the recommendations and help.

the dopeness that is the Berlin Wall...

The dopeness that is the Berlin Wall...

Again, a history that I was not familiar with, nor really interested in, until I knew Germany was on the itinerary. This wall was the physical representation of the divide in West and East Germany. It was on November 9th, 1989 that it was finally broken down and the city merged. Lives were lost in front of this wall. Memorials sprinkled up and down it, but for the most part this is a rejoice in graffiti art. Original pieces run all up and down the longest stretch of the wall that is still up, now dubbed the East Side Gallery.

There will be a scene in the pilot, of me biking to East Side Gallery. I'll also be posting some behind the scene snippets over the next few weeks, so you all see what really went into everything in the photos and eventual pilot.

Constructed in August 1961, the German Democratic Republic on the East, erected the wall to block out the near, West side. A city divided.

In part of the Public Enemy interview I did (that you all haven't seen yet) Chuck D really reminiced about them performing in Berlin back in the day, and there being a real issue because they had fans on both sides of the wall, yet they all were permitted to see them perform. Guard towers were placed along the wall and it was even known for awhile as the 'death strip'. 

I have to think....how would life change if NYC was somehow divided in half? How about your town or city?

on his Johnny Depp ish...

So it started on our first trip to Tacheles... we were trying to find our way around the back, from the front, and there were a select few artists who were either performing or selling art. He was sitting there, long haired, on some Johnny Depp, starving artist type shit and I fell in love with his necklaces.

His smile was sly, ear to ear, and laugh was infectious. Intrigued by him and his jewelry, I bought a piece and asked for his help putting it on.

'Wow, I want to kiss your neck," he said.

"Oh yea," I responded.

I felt him tugging the wire around my neck. Snug and then I got chills down my back as he leaned over and kissed my neck. The photo above is our commemoration of the event, the day after. He's smooth and sooo alive. My temporary Mexican boyfriend, living in Tacheles.

so here's the internet deal...

My sh!t has been up and down, in and out. Not to mention I've been trying to get online during unorthodox times due to shooting schedule. So my loves....I found an internet spot close to the Berlin hood, and tomorrow my schedule eases up. I may even be able to hit a few of you up on Skype as well. Add me to your skype is you wish: evierobbie.

The blogs and short video snippets I have coming up for you guys are going to blow your mind for real!

deuces.

Berlin state of mind...

Berlin State of Mind Randoms:

• Back to getting used to the sun going down at 11pm.
• Mercedes taxis and Mac trucks
• DJ's get a deposit charged directly from drinks
• Tagging and stickering up every crevice in Berlin is ok 
• Thomas gets the award for VIP Lifesaver
• Cathi is priceless. Girl talk was warming and I can see she'll be a friend by the end of this trip.
• Best mojitos I've ever had were in Paris and now in Berlin
• Shouts out to the open drinking allowed in public and the 3 chicks on the train going in on a bottle of wine.
• Cars can legally park on the sidewalk
• Respect given to a country who allows the art of graffiti to enhance their streetss without trying to demolish it. The piece above is INSANE!

Lupe got me wet...

So the last night of splash! was last night and the performances included Janelle Monae, Lupe Fiasco, Big Boi, Onyx, and Cypress Hill.

Lupe finished performing at splash! and this dude killllllled it!

Post- Janelle Monae I reclaimed my spot right in front, eye shot away from all artists and bands. This happened to be the best and worst place for Lupe's set. His new stage fixation is throwing water on the crowd. Equipment was secure from the water bottles, as I got sucked more and more into his performance. This is my third time seeing Lupe, and if I ever spoke to him personally I would tell him this. (Which I did briefly later last night).

"I hope you don't take offense to this, but your stage performance has improved tremendously over the last couple years."

Seriously, he's bananas on stage now! I remember a time in Summerstage years ago when that wasn't so much the case. This dude could really be conisdered a headliner for this festival and BY FAR he's the best performance I've seen on the Main Stage, while Foreign Beggars takes the cake for the best performance on the Aruba Stage. Even more so because they allowed me to sneak backstage too. That video will be up later. 

In perfect unity, as Lupe belted his hits to new heights, the rain came down. Slowly at first then in unison with his energy it poured, and none of us cared. I can say I have NEVER been so into a performance that while raining I still stayed there, let alone with equipment in a book bag. Drenched, clothes sticking to me, sneakers soaked...I walked away from that stage fulfilled and on a high of life.

The night ended with me kicking it with Onyx, giving information about Nomad•ness over to Lupe, and watching Cypress Hill's set, backstage with a perspective from the other side of a concert. splash! gets my vote.

Evie with Flavor Flav/Chuck D of Public Enemy... international hip-hop

So it started off as a trying day. Landing in Graifenhainchen with no lodging was definitely one of the bolder moves I've made in life. All hostels and hotels booked up locally, and the only other hotel being almost a thirty minute ride away from Ferropolis, tapped in at a 50 euro cab ride one way. Never will I ever.

When in Germany, walking around lost for hours with a 30 pound backpack on, you follow suit, and camp out. This has been my life the last few days since arriving in Germany. I decided to join the tens of thousands of others attending splash! Music Festival and get my ass a tent. Going through all the craziness that has been navigating splash! on foot, I finally made it to the concert grounds. Only to hear Public Enemy faintly finishing 'Fight The Power". Luckily Flav had something to say....he really connected with the audience and spoke about peace and demolishing racism.

Tic Tac is one of the big sponsors here, and there were two guys from the Public Enemy camp handing them out in the front of the stage, to us on lookers. I asked the security guard if there was a press area I could get to interview the artists. He said no. Lying, but I respect him doing his job. I proceed to scream to the guys handing out Tic Tacs:

"Right here!! I came all the way from New York!"-Me

"What? New York!"

"Yes, and I have a travel website that I wanted to know if I could interview Flav and Chuck D for."-Me

"You coming with me."

"How? The security guard said I can't." -Me

"Don't worry about him. I said you can come. Can you climb over the barrier?"

"Ummmmmm..." -Me

Enter the same security guard who moments earlier said no. He picked my 150 pound ass up the crowd and threw me over the barrier.

"Oh my God, thank you so much." -Me

"No problem. Hi I'm Chuck and Flav's manager."

People, this is how things in my life happen. It's inexplicable but it's real.

This interaction led to me in the backstage part of entire concert, and eventually in the Public Enemy dressing room politicing with both Chuck D and Flav on the state of hip hop in the States, and how it is comparable abroad. The video above is a short snippet of what is soon to come.

Enjoy guys...and Flav you have my respect for life. After our interview he probably picked up that I was famished. Dude gave me his artist meal ticket and I ran though that buffet like I had never eaten. That's love. 

dude I'm in Ferropolis....

It sounds like some space age film location.

Yes, I made it. I am so sorry I haven't posted, nor been on any social media. I am in the middle of no where, and just found the press room with the only WiFi available. I'm alive, well, and filming!

There is so much to cover, and of course I find this place like a half hour before they close. My bad...

So much to come and I haven't even hit Berlin yet. Still at the splash! music festival and it's been bananas!

What I will say is the following:

1. My dear friend Homeboy Sandman is the number 1 taked about performer, who is not performing here. Sandman, I am SO proud of you and have a greater scope of how big your movement is. You've been on flyers I've gotten, in conversations I've had, Foreign Beggars bigged you up on camera today, AND I saw that you're on the roster for the festival in Czech. Keep moving....

2. Foreign Beggars is my new favorite unknown hip-hop group. Point blank. period.

3. There's two things you should never do at a sex show and a comedy show. Sit in the front row, or volunteer for anything.

4. I am living in a tent. Yes.........a tent. A tent that capsized during a storm today.

5. I have an amazing surprise for you guys that started off with a security guard lifting me out of the crowd, over a barrier, into back stage access, and into the arms of Public Enemy. And because Flavor Flav fed me, I am forever indebted to him.

Sooooo much going on. I love you guys and can't wait to start sharing. IN FUCKING SANE!