Amusement park for men

On a muddy field near the East German village Schoenfelde a dozen of tanks disturb the pastoral silence. A bunch of former East German army officers have set up a ‘tank driving school’. It started as a hobby, but by now, they are open around the year. For 136 Euros anyone can drive a tank through the mud. An ideal amusement park for men! Forty percent of the visitors are women though.

Paris Strange places

In 'Le Musée de Contrefaçon', (the museum of counterfeits) you can find an extensive collection of counterfeited goods that were seized by the French police and customs. The collection ranges from imitation Dior and Louis Vuitton bags and barbie dolls to copied rearview mirrors for Peugeots.

New Series: Demographic warfare

How Israel uses its people as a tactical weapon

© 2008 Text and photos: Ronald de Hommel

The Israeli settlement policies in the occupied territories are infamous throughout the world. But that Israel uses the same techniques on its own territory is less known. Even amongst the people it concerns: its own population.

The Galilee, in Northern Israel has always been a predominantly Muslim part of the country. In recent years many new Jewish settlements have sprung up. The idea is to increase the number of Jews in the region. The settlements are strategically positioned in between Arab villages to prevent them from growing towards each other. One of those Jewish communities is Shimshit a pleasant sleep city of 500 young middleclass families. Together with neighbouring Bet Zarzir, an Arab village it's a perfect example of the subtle demographic warfare of Israel.

"The only contact we have with our neighbours is that they steal our bikes and cars," tells Anne vom Stein. "Just kidding", she adds with a cynical grin. "But," she continues with a serious voice, "that is the general mood here towards Muslims in the region."

12-11-2008

Financial Consultant at SNS Securities in Amsterdam

October 04, 2008

For the Parisian cultural night, Nuit Blanche, the Japanese artist Ryoji Ikeda designed a light installation in front of the Tour Montparnasse, the highest building in Paris. The work of art consisted of a square of ultra powerfull projectors ponting upwards to form a massive beam of light.

23-09-2008 Demonstration in Paris

I recently moved to Paris. A good reason to start again with my weblog. Yesterday I bumped into what the French are famous for: a demonstration. They say, there are several demonstrations a day in the French capital. I won't be covering them all. But once in a while...
This was a protest of employees of "La Poste" against plans to privatize the French postal services. The demonstrators in front of one of the main post offices clearly didn't want to be recognised...

12 march 2008, Lodz, Poland

A man walking on the square of Manufaktura, the new cultural and commercial heart of Lodz.

15 march 2008, Warsaw, Poland

Painting easter eggs

14-03-08 Warsaw, Poland

Drinking coffee

13 march 2008, Lodz, Poland

A Circus training session in central Lodz.

11 march 2008 Poznan, Poland

Polish Delight

19 january 2008, San Bernardo Beach

This is where I woke up this morning. (I was standing with my feet in the sea when I took this picture).

18-01-08 Monteria

No this is NOT a marihuana plantation. This farmer walks through his yucca (cassava) plantation. Yucca is one of the staple foods of Colombia.

16 january 2008, Medellin

Santo Domingo Savio used to be one of the most dangerous neighborhoods of Medellin not more than 5 years ago. The local authorities have invested heavily in infra-structural improvements and housing projects. The change is impressive. The weather is still great, as always in Medellin.

09-01-2008, Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena skyline.

06-01-08 Ayapel, Colombia

A nice holiday. Click on the photo for more pictures.

31-01-2007 Medellin, Colombia

At midnight the Muñeco is set to fire (with the help of a lot of petrol). Finally the fireworks in the doll make for a spectacular 'grand finale'.

30-12-2007 Medellin, Colombia

In Colombia the old year is finished with the burning of a Muñeco de Año Viejo (An old year's doll). It's supposed to represent some one disliked in the past year. This year Piedad Cordoba was a popular Muñeco. She's a Colombian Politician that has become good friends with Hugo Chavez of Venezuela over the pat months.

08 december 2007, Weeze, Germany

Entertainment for the Polish that come to the Netherlands to work. They live on an old RAF base on the border with Germany and Holland.

07 december 2007, Wroclaw, Poland

Late for an appointment in Wroclaw (Breslau).

06 december 2007, Opole, Poland

A lonely mother in the Polish countryside. Her husband works in Austria and her only son in the Netherlands. She travels every day by bus to her work in Opole one hour away.

05 december 2007, Brüssow, Germany

Older skilled technicians are getting a new future in Polish companies that are moving their factories to East Germany. Polish workers are working in West Europe so companies in Poland have serious problems finding skilled laborers.

27 november 2007, Villiers le Bel

Damage caused by rioters last night in the Parisian suburb, Villiers le Bel. The riots started after 2 kids died in a collision between their motorbike and a police car.

27 october 2007, Bahrain

The new World Trade Center of Bahrain.

24 october 2007, Agra

My first view of the Taj Mahal.

23 october 2007, Jaipur

Young Indian tourists in Jaipur.

22 october 2007, Jaipur

A different world just above the roofs of the bazar in Jaipur.

17 october 2007 Kerela

Paradise...

13 october 2007, Madurai

Find the pet.

12 october 1007

Making bidi's (small cigarettes) in Kalugumalai.