Blogging Abroad

by tim anderson
Digging deeply into Copenhagen’s underground electronic music scene has its rewards. It also has its challenges, since though it’s out there, its extent is relatively limited - particularly the further below the surface you try to get.
Please forgive the grainy low-quality mobile phone pictures, though poor, they do capture the atmosphere of Lab rather well…
If you’re into electronic sounds, the various arrangements put on by Komponent are about as deep as you can get in Copenhagen - both in terms of music and venues. At least that is my belief after 6 years of exploring. 
Komponent’s usual venue of choice is Lab (site in Danish), a space that could not possibly be any less pretentious. It would take about three minutes to convert it into a motorcycle repair shop.
The term ‘underground’ or ‘underground scene’ is not terribly revealing in itself, given that the range of activity that can […]

Original post by Rhiannon Davies and a wordpress plugin by Elliott

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Snowy Tube
Many thanks to “traindriver” (Richard) - who sent the following picture taken from his train cab, which proves that some trains managed to run in last week’s snow:
It’s an Eastbound Central Line train running between Buckhurst Hill and Loughton.

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Original post by Annie Mole and software by Elliott Back

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Thanks to Marc Mentzer from Canada who sent me a link to a promotional video from Montreal launching the Metro in 1966

Marc said “The title, and the recurring words to the song, translate into English as “It’s beautiful in the metro.” Occasionally they show a brief image of a bus driver who adds the words ‘and on the bus.’ Actually, the metro is indeed beautiful – the stations were designed in a very dramatic modern style that is (or was) quite appealing.”
Here are the lyrics if anyone fancies a sing along.
Il fait beau dans l’métroTout le monde est gai tout le monde a le coeur au soleil
Il fait beau dans l’métroPlus ça va vite plus il fait beau dans nos oreilles
Il fait beau dans l’métroY’a du ciel bleu dans les yeux contents de tout le monde
Il fait beau dans l’métroCar aujourd’hui notre métro c’est le plus beau du monde
Il […]

Original post by Annie Mole and plugin by Elliott Back

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On March 18th, Sydney’s Harbour Bridge turns 75 years old. If you haven’t been to Sydney, you might wonder why this is interesting. Like the Tower Bridge in London, or San Francisco’s Golden Gate, the Harbour Bridge is the famous bridge of Sydney, probably the most famous bridge in Australia. Every New Year’s a message is posted on the bridge (this year’s message was 75th birthday themed), so if you’ve ever watched the New Year’s Eve celebrations from around the world on tv, no doubt you’ve seen it.
Spanning Sydney Harbour, the bridge is undeniably scenic to look at. I like the view from the Opera House or alternatively from the bridge’s base on the Kirribilli side. It’s also nice to look out at Sydney from. No trip to Sydney is complete until you cruise under, ride over or bike across the Harbour Bridge. You can also arrange to climb up […]

Original post by KellyG and software by Elliott

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According to Bob Crow “the golden opportunity” to resolve the latest pay dispute didn’t go too well. London Underground’s managers and union reps met to discuss the pay rise and although LU said talks were “constructive” no agreement was struck.
But there’s still hope, as the LU spokesperson said “London Underground again put forward what is a very fair, final three-year pay and conditions offer.
“It is a three-year deal with an above inflation pay rise in each year, plus a cash bonus for all staff if customer satisfaction targets are met or exceeded.
“We are hopeful that we can reach an agreement without the need for industrial action.”
RMT leader Bob Crow said “Our members have been waiting since last April for the pay rise that is due to them, and all we have sought for the last year is the opportunity to negotiate seriously.”
The result of the pay ballot is […]

Original post by Annie Mole and powered by Img Fly

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by jnoelbell 
Valentine’s Day is a few days away - did you forget to make dinner reservations at the hottest restaurant? It’s a little too late for that now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still score some points in the romance department by being a little creative.
From Masquerade Balls to exotic hothouses, champagne skylines to sultry jazz - here are some last minute ideas to save you from the dog house! As of publication tickets were still available for all of the below events…
There’s nothing more romantic than a city skyline view at sunset - and no place better in all of London to see it than the top of the London Eye. Indulge in a champagne flight, sipping bubby as you watch the Houses of Parliament, the Thames, and the lighted city unfold below. Big spenders can impress by hiring their own private capsule, complete with a bottle […]

Original post by Rhiannon Davies and powered by Img Fly

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I’m in Durham, North Carolina right now, ending my 3.5-month streak of actually staying put in one place. The purpose of this trip was to visit some friends I haven’t seen in over a year and go to a surprise birthday party for one of my best guy friends, Dan. It’s been an amazing, joyous weekend so far (and yes, Dan was certainly surprised!) which I may write more about later. In the meantime, here is a photo from running 10 miles through acres of loblolly pine in the Duke Forest this afternoon. I’ll be back in my wonderful hometown of Fort Collins on Monday.

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Original post by Felix and software by Elliott Back

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What is the world buzzing about this week?
Costa Mesa (in Orange County - you know, the ‘O.C.’) has become a cultural mecca - well for Southern California at least - according to the New York Times travel section. Heading further south, Buenos Aires’ thriving 24-hour party-people scene and up-and-coming neighborhoods get the spotlight. (And the UK Guardian runs down vegetarian options in this land o’steaks). For the sophisticated thirst, London is shaking up a bevy of new cocktails. There’s a handy collection of articles and info on what do see and do in the American state of Georgia; and there are articles on Strasbourg, Iceland, and religious tourism in Cuba.
The San Francisco Chronicle tells why Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a good holiday option for kids, and explains how to avoid the crowds on Mexico’s Nayarit Coast.
The UK Guardian has discovered how to travel on much of South Africa’s […]

Original post by BruceM and a wordpress plugin by Elliott

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What happens in four inches of sticky snow
I lost count of the times I heard “Ladies and Gentlemen, there are delays on the …..(insert virtually every line)” yesterday. London’s biggest snowfall in 7 years (or 15 if you go by This is Local London) was accurately predicted as early as Tuesday. Even down to the right day. Yet the transport system still couldn’t cope because the snow was too sticky. The Met Office said that snow was unusually large. London Lite gleefully reported that “These giant snowflakes with their increased moisture are sticking together far more than expected, causing it to settle quicker and deeper“.
Geoff Pope, chair of the London Assembly transport committee, said there was “no excuse” for major transport disruption due to bad weather.
“The Met Office has given ample warning of snow, and one would expect that Transport for London has taken […]

Original post by Annie Mole and a wordpress plugin by Elliott

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Fashion Victims on the Tube
It’s the regular Friday look of people on the Tube who’ve taken a style and made it their own.
Allright ducks
Rather than post the many many Ugg variations I’ve seen this week, the following boots stood out for me:
The combination of nursery look ducks, with denim and suede toe caps was just a little too much of a mix for me. Not helped by very loose trousers tucked inside. But if you’re going to buy boots with ducks on them, I suppose you wouldn’t want them hidden.
Padlock Bling
Luckily James Purves was able to snap the following on his camera phone
Is it a charm bracelet with an oversized “charm”? Or just a interesting way of making sure your watch doesn’t get swiped on the Tube?
That’s it for now. The previous set of victims can be found here and the complete picture gallery can be […]

Original post by Annie Mole and software by Elliott Back

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