alex robinson » travel

Copenhagen in March

alex — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 08:19:24 +0000

We recently had the privilege of attending the Climate Change Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark. This was the scientific run-up to the COP-15 meeting in December, where politicians will work towards a global climate accord. The conference was really interesting and even made me feel somewhat optimistic about how we can positively influence the future.
We also had a chance to visit some colleagues at the Center for Ice and Climate of the University of Copenhagen. This is where some of the original work on the Greenland ice cores was carried out, and they even have many of the samples in a basement freezer at a mild -24 °C (-11 °F). Originally, in the 70s, they hand-built machines for separating and analyzing isotopes contained in the cores. And today they have some very high-tech, high precision devices. But they still crank out samples on the tried-and-true older machines.
Of course, being in Copenhagen also meant catching up with Aaron and Chrisitine. We had some great burritos, complete with fresh taco sauce actually imported from Colorado! All in all, life looks pretty good up North – if just a tad cold this time of year.

Introductory folk recorder performance - I didn't even know there was such a thing!
Some odd activities in the forum
A beacon
Astounded!
The walk to the conference hall - complete with barbed wire. Do you think the politicians will stroll this way too in December??
Look at my complementary hippy wicker bag!
Listening to Lord Nicholas Stern present the dire economic outlook of our planet.
1st one on the right - that's the Prime Minister of Denmark. 2nd from the left, that's my advisor arguing with him!
Downtown Copenhagen post-conference. Check out the solar-powered, public trash compactor!
If you smile, it doesn't feel so cold.
Inspecting the compactor.
The kids in Copenhagen were big on their snowsuits. He's ready for anything.
In the Center for Ice and Climate, with Christo and Vasilieos explaining isotopes
That black thing in crushes the ice to let gas out, but at freezing temperatures, so that no ice actually melts and reacts with the gas!
The original, badass machine which helped produce the NorthGrip record we all know and love.
Heading into the ice freezer
Arriving at Aaron and Christine's for dinner.
Great hosts. Notice the fresh guac :).
A well-framed shot. Well done, Aaron.
There he is.
Nothin like a neighborly visit across the North Sea.
Look at the candy bus! Yum.
Grandma downin' some morning brew around 10am on Saturday. And why the hell not?
Christiania architecture
On our way to the ballet at the New Danish Opera House (ie space ship) - accessible only by water taxi. It made one feel somewhat privileged.
Those walkways take you to the orbish concert hall
Inside...
The Opera House by morning fog.
Good to be back in Copenhagen.
Living the dream.

Climate Change Congress

alex — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 08:36:56 +0000

I recently attended the International Climate Change Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark. This was the precursor to the big political conference COP-15, which will happen in December at the same venue, and at which (hopefully), a new global climate accord will be reached.

You can watch some of the plenary sessions at their website [www.climatecongress.ku.dk] and see the six key messages that were produced as an update the the 2007 IPCC report. I would particularly check out the closing session, where the Prime Minister of Denmark and several scientists tried to communicate with each other. However all plenary sessions were quite interesting. Note: to watch videos, you need Microsoft Internet Explorer.

One interesting talk was about media coverage on climate change. From some recent statistics, it looks clear that disinformation campaigns run by conservative think-tanks employ pretty effective strategies to get their message across. Interestingly, I think if you asked anyone at the conference, they would agree that since pre-industrial times, the Earth is warmer by around 0.7°C – with little room for debate.

Gallop Poll Statistics

Karthaus 2008

alex — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 14:13:31 +0000

So I’m now at the Karthaus Glaciology Summer School. I’ll try to upload pics frequently over the next 2 weeks.

As I’ve learned so far, every night there is a five course meal, with wine included, just set out on the table in bottles. And lunch, there are 3 courses. And we have two coffee breaks between lectures with accompanying fresh warm pastries. I guess all the calories go into all the thinking we’re doing?!

Well of course I had to add some pics from the meals since yesterday. They even changed it up for lunch – the first day without pasta… instead it was a nice cheesy risotto. But we also studied quite a bit today, so I added some pics from the lectures too. But on our short day today (which just ended at 4pm), the weather isn’t quite ideal, with continuous slow rain throughout the day. We’ll see if our hike on the glacier is possible tomorrow. But we’re supposed to go up to 3200m or so and have some expansive views of the glaciers in the region. Now if someone will just lend me a hat!

On the way to Karthaus... look where people build houses on the vertical mountain!
View along the way :)
My (shared) apartment for the next 2 weeks.
My bed!
View from the window
Me!
View from the other window
Playing some ping-pong outside...
The main dish: venison (deer) that melted in your mouth! Spaetzle on the side, yum.
And dessert! "Snowmilk" (Schneemilch). I think the schnee is the inch-thick layer of cream on top.
A backwards clock! It ticks backwards too!
Our classroom!
Heavy rains blowing through...
Sunset it town...
It turns out you eat everything the chef proposes!
Our improved classroom!
Our backyard
We stayed in the building to the right
Karthaus from above...
Strolling through the woods
As you arrive at the table, wine is already waiting for you.
This is the first appetizer, after the obligatory salad, of course
Then some cream of pumpkin soup
And the main course, in this case, roast beef with lemon sauce, potatoes and artichoke. Divine, really.
And the dessert, homemade tiramasu
Waste not want not, the remains of two tiramasus...
The chefs hard at work on our special barbeque dinner last night
And the results!
Learning about ice shelves!
Foggy scene from lectures today
Creamy dessert this afternoon - Bonna Cotta (or something...), loosly translates to delicious!
In town today - things don't bode well for our hike on the glacier tomorrow...
Heading to class again after lunch...
It's rough ;)

Summer in Greece II – Samos

alex — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 20:39:00 +0000

Our first stop after Athens was Samos, one of the larger Greek islands. It’s located in the Eastern Aegean, actually just 2km from Turkey at one point.

Samos, Greece

Like many of the islands, it is mountainous and home to several beautiful beaches. The food did not disappoint and it was a good choice for our “hub” island. We left Athens at about 6am and arrived 40min later armed with a rental car and some phone numbers for some hotels. We didn’t plan anything else out in advance (note: only recommended if you’ve a handy Greek to succor you). The rental car was pretty crucial though. There was minimal bus service and most interesting things were far apart.

Arrival to the tiny airport of Samos
Did I mention it was at 7am?
Our rental car, waiting for us with the keys inside - no questions asked. Hmm, good business strategy? It was convenient!
Our first room at Hotel Dianna.
The first swim in the clear waters. That's Turkey in the background.
"I'm in f***ing Greece!" :)
"Sh**, all these people are in f***ing Greece too!"
Looking down on Vathy, the capital city of Samos
Sunset from our room
Our little trooper, taking up half of the road width by parking.
The sweets shop!!
Mmm!
Driving around the island, just sampling as it were.
Driving here was quite an experience... but I kept my cool.
A local, going about his obviously important business.
Checking out a waterfall
It's huge!
And refreshing.
Yes, I'm clearly refreshed.
Scaling the precipice.
It's like wonderland!
..even babies can do it! (at least, with their determined Nordic mothers, anyway)
Stopping for a swim
Our dinner venue. Sea-side, locally recommended fish restaurant.
Fontina with her "Xorta", some kind of bitter greens that I don't like - apparently they go well with fish.
And the "Xoriatiki", Greek salad, of course.
Add in a little sunset.
And a wave for good measure.
And the plat principal
Fresh calamari
Semi-devoured fish
Shaky camera work due to euphoria
Starting the day right with two cafe fredos - cold cappucino with thick milk cream.
Today we decided to visit 3 nearby beaches in a row.
Beach number 1: Lemonakia
Approaching beach 2: Tsamadou
Trying to remove this layer of Germany-skin.
Floating
Beach 3: Tsambou
There I am, still in Greece! :)
Up in the mountains for lunch
Even our trusty car made it up.
Lunch for two!
Delicious, homemade wine
Xoriatiki
Dessert: cured grapes in their own syrup.
Greek coffee to top it off.
:) Perhaps feeling sun- and food-stroke at this point.
Returning to Vathy
Enjoying some nighttime sweets by the harbor!
Ready to get on the ferry!
Oh wait, let's get a souvlaki to go, from my very own souvlaki shop!
After we hit the beach.
Ok, gimme one with everything!
Yes.
Fontina, the ferry to Patmos and my packhorse luggage (notice: packed to the brim with beachmats and tent attached outside, backpack filled, and thoroughly appreciated. Thanks Cindy and Craig!!!!!!!!!!!)

Next stop: Patmos!

Summer in Greece I – Athens

alex — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:51:46 +0000

Our first stop was Athens for a few days. It was hot, and quite a shock after the past few months in Berlin. But much needed. To me, traffic seemed chaotic. To everyone else, it was just the summer lull. We ate nice, home-cooked meals and went out for Greek coffees. We also visited some of the sites, although I’m saving a visit up to the acropolis for another time. All in all, I was quite impressed with Athens and I’d like to get to know it better.

On our way in (a view to the "legs", the 3 peninsulas in the North)
Home sweet home!
Typical deliciousness.
Yummy, a lamb's head. Apparently delicious (though you'll notice I didn't take any pics of the subsequent meal, I didn't stick around!)
Visiting a neighboring island to Athens
Some fresh figs from grandparent's garden... sooo tasty!
Getting a train downtown in Athens
A downtown bazaar.
Pointing out the obvious (the Acropolis).
View to the Acropolis
Enjoying the view to the Acropolis
Athens (around the Acropolis is mostly land of protected ancient ruins, the city surrounds it)
The ancient Roman market
Some nice columns... what style are they?
I finally found Nikis Street. I'd been looking everywhere!!! (At least, it seemed so as I repeated the phrase from my Pimsleur Language learning guide "Where is Nikis Street?", "Nikis Street is here." Yes, it is.
A homeless Irish guy's philosophy...
Homeless guy's headquarters. Satire much?
Enjoying some cafe 'Fredo', cold coffee with cream, mmmm.
Around Athens
Standard tourist shot
An ancient sewer uncovered during construction of the metro - now on display as you transfer trains.
The changing of the guards at the capitol.
Then no movement for an hour. What a job!
Visiting Foteini in the artsy, hip part of Athens (supposedly the "Prenzlauer Berg" of Athens).
A shopping street downtown
Getting the gyros ready for the day.
Painting identical to one in the halls of a building at the TU Berlin. I wonder which is the original? Note: we visited the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.
A really cool sword hilt.
Checking out ancient Greece.
Zeus, minus thunderbolt and eyes...