Dubai, Budapest, Hévíz, Barcelona & Berlin
June/July, 2012
The Burj Khalifa has erected and is taking the trophy for categories such as obviously the tallest building in the
world, but also tallest structure (828 meters), highest number of stories & occupied floors (160 floors), longest
elevator travel distance and probably also the most expensive cover charge to enter a building (around 100 USD).
world, but also tallest structure (828 meters), highest number of stories & occupied floors (160 floors), longest
elevator travel distance and probably also the most expensive cover charge to enter a building (around 100 USD).
To complete the Burj Khalifa the need of 22 million hours of man power was needed. Probably not even one fraction
of a percent of those hours was completed by a local born Arab from the Emirates. From 2004 since the beginning of
the construction, manual labor from Bangladesh and Pakistan were needed in great measures. While these men
decided themselves to leave their homes and family to work and save up money in a more wealthier nation within the
Arab World, the only problem is the conditions these poor men have to live and work through each day. According to
a study, more than 1/4 of these workers suffer through depression and suicide thoughts because of physical illness,
earning less than 1000 UAE dirhams (272 USD) per month and for working more than 8 hours per day. In my opinion
these numbers are not justifiable if you take in consideration that these workers make up 80% of the local population.
of a percent of those hours was completed by a local born Arab from the Emirates. From 2004 since the beginning of
the construction, manual labor from Bangladesh and Pakistan were needed in great measures. While these men
decided themselves to leave their homes and family to work and save up money in a more wealthier nation within the
Arab World, the only problem is the conditions these poor men have to live and work through each day. According to
a study, more than 1/4 of these workers suffer through depression and suicide thoughts because of physical illness,
earning less than 1000 UAE dirhams (272 USD) per month and for working more than 8 hours per day. In my opinion
these numbers are not justifiable if you take in consideration that these workers make up 80% of the local population.
Living amongst luxury.
After a week in dry Afghanistan, we were itching for a drink and a modern society. While everyone's flight back home
connected through Dubai, we all spend a couple days within the Emirates to film the interviews for the documentary,
go for a swim, relax and watch European football. Thank you Brad and Cristina for letting us all crash at your place.
connected through Dubai, we all spend a couple days within the Emirates to film the interviews for the documentary,
go for a swim, relax and watch European football. Thank you Brad and Cristina for letting us all crash at your place.
After completing such an extensive journey through the Eurasian peninsula there is nothing better than returning to
ones birthplace & see family. This is the view at the Neckar in the University city of Tübingen in the south of Germany.
ones birthplace & see family. This is the view at the Neckar in the University city of Tübingen in the south of Germany.
My month in Germany mainly consisted of editing the 'Killing Season', going for long walks with my father and of
course watch the European Football Championships where Spain took another win and is leading with three titles.
course watch the European Football Championships where Spain took another win and is leading with three titles.
Hévíz, Hungary
My Family and I went for a swim in sulfur at the second largest thermal lake in the world which is located only a
couple hours outside of Budapest.
couple hours outside of Budapest.
I am trying to help out my dad refurbish my grandmother's house in a small village north of Budapest for a couple
years now. Since both of us don't live out there it takes time. So far we did a great at destroying walls and ripping
out the old kitchen, but somehow didn't quite manage to fix the this summer. Next summer Dad!
years now. Since both of us don't live out there it takes time. So far we did a great at destroying walls and ripping
out the old kitchen, but somehow didn't quite manage to fix the this summer. Next summer Dad!
My Sister apparently steals paintings occasionally.
The East German car, the Trabant is still quite active in Hungary. If treated well, they can last up to 28 years.
After finish editing 'The Killing Season' and the Converse Russia trip, 'Far East, Up North' I officially deserved a
break, which happened to be Barcelona for a week. Thank you Kenny for hooking it up with this view from your room.
break, which happened to be Barcelona for a week. Thank you Kenny for hooking it up with this view from your room.
I couldn't have had a better time. My day consisted of chilling on the beach and talking about random geopolitical
topics with Derek, doing some drunk switch flips at MACBA and eating kebabs and falafels. I almost didn't remember
why I ever left Barcelona back in 2007. But after checking my bank account after five days, I remembered why.
topics with Derek, doing some drunk switch flips at MACBA and eating kebabs and falafels. I almost didn't remember
why I ever left Barcelona back in 2007. But after checking my bank account after five days, I remembered why.
Woke up to a birthday cake in Berlin. Thanks Tobi and Anna & Michi for the calories.
Walker came over to Germany to earn some euros in contests & to film a bit for his upcoming Transworld part.
Not often would you think that Wieger Van Wageningen has superhuman abilities. But when going to this gap to
Ping Pong Table in Berlin, we just couldn't believe that Wieger Frontside 180 to Switch crooked it. Walker was
freaking out because of the short runway and it even took a good thirty minutes until he could figure out how to
50-50 and then finally Backside Nosegrind it. We were still baffled by Wieger's maneuver on the bicycle ride home.
When we got home and our friend Tobi told us that the Ping Pong Table was movable and that Wieger did it really
close to the bump, we were relieved to still know that Walker was actually good at skateboarding.
Ping Pong Table in Berlin, we just couldn't believe that Wieger Frontside 180 to Switch crooked it. Walker was
freaking out because of the short runway and it even took a good thirty minutes until he could figure out how to
50-50 and then finally Backside Nosegrind it. We were still baffled by Wieger's maneuver on the bicycle ride home.
When we got home and our friend Tobi told us that the Ping Pong Table was movable and that Wieger did it really
close to the bump, we were relieved to still know that Walker was actually good at skateboarding.
Snobby actors sighting on the way to the chinese embassy.
Sometimes it feels like going back in time when being in Hungary. Especially when walking through a movie set.
