Of Wars and Reflections

Today a visited a very interesting place. It is a mountain here in Stuttgart called Birkenkopf, or Mounte Scherbelino. "Monte Scherbelino" roughly translates as "Mountain of Shards". Here's where that nickname comes from:


This is part of a pile of rubble that is pretty much what was left of Stuttgart after 53 separate bombing missions came through in World War II.

There was so much of this rubble that the mountain is now approximately 40 meters (~120 feet) taller than it was in 1945.

To me that is unreal. Here are a few more pictures, then I will get to making my point.

This sign roughly translates into what I said about adding onto the mountain and where the rubble came from.

Here is the sign that gave me pause and made me think a little. It translates as: "This mountain was built after the Second World War from the rubble of the town to stand as a memorial of the dead and a warning to the living."

I just wonder. What would the people of 1940's Germany really think about what we call a "war" these days?

Because I think we have heeded their warning well.

Today's military strikes and raids are precision events. Death is bought in retail quantities, not wholesale. There is no more bombing an entire city to get the factories there. Civilian causulties are avoided at all costs, sometimes even to the detriment of the mission. The term "collateral damage" gives commanders at all levels cold sweats and shaky hands. We hear on the news that 2 or 3 civilians wandered into a firefight and got killed and we think "That's horrible" and it is. But it is not destroying 55% of a city to get at targets that make up less than 5% of the city.

We treat the civilians and non-military targets in our "War on Terror" with the respect they deserve.

And you know what? I think it makes a mountain of a difference.

Yeah...what she said.

Letter to a newspaper from a soldier in Afganistan. Link


I don't think I have ever heard it put better. Next time you hear someone on the news talking about the "Sacrifice of American Sons & Daughters", remember this letter.

And also remember that the last sacrifice the journalist on the news made was probably having to park on the open top floor of a parking garage on a rainy day.

When in Naples.....

Just a few tips for the tourist in Naples:

1: Don't be one. Naples is a pass-through city. That is how it views itself. If you are going to Capri, Sedona, Sorrento, etc. and there is a cheap flight to Napoli, take it. Get on the AliBus (runs every 20 mins from 0630 to 2230) from the Aeroporti to the Porto. Get off the bus, take a right at Castel Nuovo and hit a ferry. Ignore the street sellers, there is no way you are getting a genuine Dolce & Gabana clutch for 5 Euro.

2. If your destination is Napoli for whatever reason, get a hotel near Castel Nuovo. You can hop Alibus from the Aeroporti and be right there. Plus you are right on the water, with all the shopping, nightlife and tourista atraciones you can handle.

3. If you are here for shopping see #2. Hotel MH Design. This place is right in the middle of it all. Galleria Umberto is 2 blocks away, as are the Armani, Versace, and many other stores.

4. If you are in a crowd, keep moving. Plan your routes before you even get off the bus or out of the taxi. Hesitation is weakness and the buskers, pickpockets, frauds, and thiefs are looking for this.

5. Visit Teatro di San Carlo. If you have followed this tips thus far you are in the neighborhood anyway. It is worth it.

6. This is a very capitalisitc city. If they can fleece you, they will. Check the sign in the airport for the closest "flat fare" destination if you are going to take a taxi. Check your ristorante reciepts, they probably already have a "service fee" added in. If you are buying from someone not in a retail store, do not accept their first price. (Corollary: If you ARE in a retail store, do not attempt to haggle. This is an insult and they WILL ask you to leave.)

7. Have fun with it. This is the most insane place I have ever seen in my life. But most of the sidewalks are older than America, and the city has grown into its schizophrenia. Be on your guard. Learn rudimentary Italiano. Have an espresso. And remember, there is no such thing as a 20 Euro Rolex.

Whole lotta shakin goin on

Wow, Italy is so interesting.

When they are not protesting Capitalism, they are having earthquakes.

It was all a bit north of where I am. So all I got was a slight shaking of the hotel, just barely enough to wake me up, and then a call from the front desk asking if I was ok. Nice to know they care. They don't care enough to fix the internet access that they advertised and promised, but hey.....you take what you can get right?

I don't know what is like in L'Aquila, but if it is anything like here, those rescue workers are going to need all the kind thoughts they can get.

Still in Italy

Glad I decided not to go to Rome this weekend. Seems there was a bit of a protest up that way. I am going to try to go next weekend even though it is Easter and will be freakin packed.

Went downtown for a little while last night. Pretty cool, if a bit on the trashy side. I guess the trash pickup people are a bit over worked in this city, and most people here don't seem to have gotten the "Litter trashes everyone" message.

Where is Iron-Eyes when you need him.

The food....Dear God....The Food

umm....

yeah........

so, I will never again be able to eat at an "Italian" restaurant in the States again. Not unless the owner and or chef can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that they are from here and cook traditionally.

You would not believe how good it is. It is a little expensive due to the Euro/Dollar exchange rate, but even then not that bad.

Appetizer - Procuitto with Buffalo Motzarella - 3.50 Euro
Main - Pizza with Artichoke hearts, Olives, Procuitto, and mushrooms - 7.00 Euro

So around $17 for the meal...after conversion and service charge. Not too bad. Especially when you consider that for this quality of a meal back home it would have been that much for the pizza alone.

1st Meal in Italy

Coccianere al Milanese

I apologise in advance to all those who will have to see me when I get back to the States. If this meal is any indication of the next three weeks, I will be somewhere near the 350 mark.