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Borsig! – Berlin's Locomotive King by Bike
Sun, Sep 27, 10:00 AM**Borsig! – Berlin's Locomotive King by Bike** **Time:** 12:00 - Midday **Start:** Hamburger Bahnhof – Main Entrance **Distance:** 30 km **Suggested contribution:** €5 This week we'll be following the story of **August Borsig**, one of the men who helped turn Berlin into an industrial powerhouse—and the company that became Europe's largest locomotive manufacturer. We'll cycle across Berlin following Borsig's remarkable journey from a small factory outside the old city walls, through the industrial landscape of Moabit, to the enormous works in Tegel. Along the way we'll see how the requirements of heavy industry pushed factories further and further away from the city centre, and how each move created new industrial landscapes, transport connections and workers' housing. We'll finish at the magnificent **Borsigwerke in Tegel**, beneath the famous Borsigturm. **The Tour** We will follow the story of Borsig through **three generations of factories**. We'll begin near the former Borsig works on **Chausseestraße**, where August Borsig established his factory in 1837. Just four years later, the first Borsig locomotive left the works. The company rapidly expanded, becoming one of Europe's leading locomotive manufacturers. But there was a problem: the factory was becoming trapped inside a rapidly growing city. We'll cycle north and west towards **Moabit**, where Borsig began expanding in the 1840s. Here the company established an ironworks, boiler works and machine factory beside the Spree, taking advantage of the waterway and the growing railway network. By the middle of the nineteenth century, much of Borsig's production had moved here. This gives us the opportunity to explore one of the great stories of Berlin's industrial development: **why did factories leave the city centre?** We'll look at the relationship between industry, transport, land prices, workers and the waterways that allowed heavy materials to move around the city. Finally we'll continue north to **Tegel**, where Borsig built a completely new factory from the 1890s onwards. Production began here in 1898, on a huge site designed specifically for modern industrial production. The factory even had its own harbour for bringing in raw materials. Here we'll explore the surviving **Borsigtor, factory halls and Borsigturm**, the extraordinary 65-metre tower built in 1922–24 and Berlin's first office high-rise. We'll then finish by exploring **Borsigwalde**, the workers' settlement created alongside the new factory. Borsig needed thousands of workers, but there wasn't enough housing in Tegel, so the company helped create an entirely new neighbourhood. Its surviving streets provide a fascinating glimpse into the social side of industrialisation. We'll finish with a well-earned beer together in Tegel. I am an accredited tour guide in Berlin, specialising in telling stories about the city's industrial heritage. I ask for a contribution of **€5** to organise the tour and share my knowledge. **Disclaimer:** Please note that all participants attend as group members, not as customers, and are responsible for their own safety. Please read the group description in full for an explanation of the terms and liabilities. **The Cycling** This is a gentle-paced sightseeing ride rather than a sporting event. 🚲 We'll cover around **25–30 kilometres**, with frequent stops for stories, photographs and discussion. Anyone with a decent bicycle and experience cycling around Berlin should be comfortable on this route. The route is predominantly on normal Berlin streets and cycle paths, with plenty of opportunities to stop and explore. **What to Bring** 🚲 Spare inner tube suitable for your bike 💶 Cash for drinks or snacks 🌧️ Waterproofs (just in case!) ☀️ Suncream 🥪 Water and snacks 😊 Curiosity and a sense of adventure **Highlights** 🚂 Discover the story of **August Borsig**, Berlin's "Locomotive King" 🏭 Visit the site of Borsig's original factory on Chausseestraße and discover the industrial district once known as **Feuerland** 🔥 Learn how Berlin's first generation of heavy industry transformed the area outside the old city walls 🌊 Explore Borsig's move to **Moabit** and discover why access to the Spree was so important for heavy industry ⚙️ See where Borsig produced the machinery, boilers and components that made its locomotive production possible 🚆 Follow the story of how Borsig became one of Europe's largest locomotive manufacturers 🏗️ Discover why Borsig eventually abandoned both its central Berlin and Moabit factories and moved to the outskirts 🏭 Explore the enormous surviving **Borsigwerke in Tegel** 🚪 Admire the spectacular **Borsigtor**, designed to make the factory look like a monumental medieval gateway 🗼 See the **Borsigturm**, Berlin's first office high-rise and one of the great symbols of the city's industrial heritage 🏘️ Explore **Borsigwalde**, the workers' neighbourhood built alongside the factory 📖 Discover how factories created entire communities of workers, housing and infrastructure 📸 Fantastic photography opportunities among some of Berlin's finest industrial architecture 🍺 Finish with a relaxed drink together in Tegel I estimate the cycle tour will take around **3 hours**, including plenty of stops for stories and discussion. Hope to see you there! **Simon**
Sunday Service 10:45am
Sun, Sep 13, 8:45 AMYou are welcome to join Sunday services at our church location. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
DASH26 Recap | How Zendesk Put Reliability First When Scaling Its AI Agents Team
Thu, Sep 17, 4:00 PMAll talks will be **presented in English**, to ensure that as many people as possible can participate and engage at this event. **If you want to attend, please RSVP to secure your spot - this will make organizing easier. Thank you so much ♥️** **Location:** Lightspeed Commerce, [The-B Berlin, Revaler Str. 32, 10245 Berlin](https://www.theb-berlin.com/) \-\-\-\-\-\- **🏠 18:00 - Arrival: Networking, Drinks & Snacks (30 min.)** Grab yourself snacks & drinks and say hello to everybody else! **📅 18:30 - DASH26 Recap** **🎙️**Speaker: Alla Igityan, Enterprise Sales Engineer @ **[Datadog](https://www.datadoghq.com/) /** Marcel Drechsler, Product Owner @ **[andsafe](https://andsafe.de)** This years annual DASH conference from Datadog was almost all about two things: Datadog for AI and AI for Datadog. Expect a comprehensive hour full of the most exciting announcements including demos, where we will also cover topics outside of AI. **☕ 19:30 - Break (15 min.)** **📅 19:45 - How Zendesk Put Reliability First When Scaling Its AI Agents Team (30 min.)** **🎙️**Speaker: Tiago Araújo, Engineering Manager @ **[Zendesk](https://www.zendesk.de/)** When Zendesk acquired Ultimate, the team became Zendesk’s AI Agents team and continued operating with much of the autonomy that had made it successful as an independent company. But as the team adapted to Zendesk’s scale, reliability expectations changed. To meet Zendesk’s SLA commitments, teams needed to identify the root cause in two minutes on average, and the existing observability posture was not built for that level of operational rigor. In this session, Tiago Araújo, Engineering Manager, will share how Zendesk brought the AI Agents team back in line with its reliability goals without compromising engineering velocity. They’ll explain what changed when the team adopted Zendesk’s engineering best practices, how stronger observability helped engineers move faster and more safely, and why reliability became a key part of scaling the team after the acquisition. Attendees will leave with practical lessons for onboarding acquired or newly integrated engineering teams with reliability in mind. You’ll learn how to make observability part of the onboarding process, reduce time to root cause, and help teams ship quickly without putting SLA commitments at risk **🥗 20:15 - Drinks, Food & Networking** Enjoy refreshments while networking with community peers! **👋 21:00 - Goodbye, see you next time!**
Divine Comedy Presents: American Idiot
Sat, Sep 26, 4:00 PM**Make. America. Funny. Again.** Take a journey through the mind of an American. An American Idiot. **Edy "U-the-Man"** brings his hilarious one-man comedy showcase to ***Berlin***,**"*American Idiot*.**" It is a self-deprecating, manic, no-holds-barred look at the American experience in Europe. In this **high-energy show**, **nothing is left off the table**, not even his dignity. Come for the sharp social commentary on his experience living in Italy, the state of the world, and his deeply concerning **personal anecdotes** about his love life, work life, and family life. All of which are both concerning and hilarious. Edy’s one-man show is a **loud, chaotic, and completely unfiltered** descent into the mind of a man who is sometimes introspective, sometimes delusional, but always funny. **Edy "U-The-Man"** – Edy is Nigerian-American and the Organizer/MC of Divine Comedy Club Milano. He has performed in cities across Europe, including Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon, Paris, Malta, Berlin, Vienna, Dublin, Prague, Budapest and many in Italy. **Divine Comedy Club Milano** is one of the first English-language comedy clubs in Milan. It is a mix of local and expat comedians who are well-established in Milan's comedy scene. The club runs a bi-weekly Open Mic event. For more information about Divine Comedy Club Milano, follow us on Instagram: [@edyutheman](https://www.instagram.com/edyutheman/) or [@divinecomedymilan](https://www.instagram.com/divinecomedyclubmilan/) **Don’t miss out – [get your tickets here!](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/divine-comedy-club-presents-american-idiot-tickets-1997179207773)** *Doors Open* at **17.30** *Show Starts* at **18.00** General Admission: €12 Student: €11 Tickets for 2: € 10 Tickets at the door: €17.00
Web talks at Mozilla
Thu, Sep 24, 4:00 PMSave the date! The Mozilla Meetup series continues with talks focused on modern web technologies. To account for typical **no-show rates**, we’ve opened more RSVP spots than we can physically accommodate. Based on our last event, only about 36 of 100 registered participants (including Mozillians) attended in person. **We will admit attendees on a first-come, first-served basis and will need to close the doors once we reach room capacity (around 50 people).** Note that this event operates under the [Mozilla Community Participation Guidelines](https://www.mozilla.org/about/governance/policies/participation/). **18:00 - Doors open** **18:30 - Intro to WebTransport - the next WebSocket?!** WebTransport is an upcoming protocol (standardized by the IETF) and Web API (standardized by the W3C) for bidirectional communication on the web. It provides multiplexed streams and unreliable datagrams on top of HTTP/3 and HTTP/2. This talk explains how WebTransport works at the protocol level, how it maps to QUIC when run on top of HTTP/3, and how its capabilities differ from WebSocket. The session will also cover the current state of browser and server support, and where the ecosystem is heading next. Links: \- https://datatracker\.ietf\.org/wg/webtrans/about/ \- https://www\.w3\.org/TR/webtransport/ \- https://developer\.mozilla\.org/en\-US/docs/Web/API/WebTransport_API About the speaker: Max is a software developer interested in networking, distributed systems and type theory. He works at Mozilla on Firefox's networking stack, focusing on HTTP3 and QUIC. Previously he was stewarding the peer-to-peer networking project libp2p, and before that the monitoring system Prometheus and its integration within the Kubernetes orchestrator. To find out more visit https://max-inden.de/ **19:30 - From Slow Page to Fast - Agentic Performance Profiling with Firefox** What if an AI agent could reproduce a performance issue, capture a Firefox performance profile, identify the root cause, and implement a fix? In this talk, I'll demonstrate an end-to-end workflow using Firefox DevTools MCP to interact with and profile a web application, and profiler-cli to analyze the captured profile. The agent will find performance bottlenecks, modify the application, and capture a new profile to verify the improvement. We'll see how agentic profiling can help web developers go from a slow page to a measurable, reviewable performance improvement. About the speaker: Nazım Can Altınova is a software engineer on the Firefox Performance Tools team, working on the Firefox Profiler.
Bohemian Switzerland Autumn Escape: Jetřichovice Views & Forest Trails
Fri, Sep 25, 2:00 PM***Escape to Bohemian Switzerland for golden autumn forests, dramatic sandstone viewpoints, cozy chalet evenings and unforgettable Czech nature*** **HOW DO I JOIN THIS TRIP?** Click on link below to get complete info and to sign up for this event by getting your ticket. [https://urbanaturetravel.com/event/bohemian-switzerland-autumn-escape](https://urbanaturetravel.com/event/bohemian-switzerland-autumn-escape) **SPECIAL OFFER FOR NEW USERS** * 10% New User Discount using promo code: **MEETUP10** * Valid for this trip or any other trips available on our website. 🌍**WHY GO?** Step away from the city and into the quiet beauty of **Bohemian Switzerland National Park** for a three-day early-autumn escape based in the picturesque village of **Jetřichovice**. As September arrives, the forests begin transforming into shades of gold, amber and deep green, creating one of the most beautiful seasons to explore the sandstone landscapes of northern Czechia. Our base is Jetřichovice, a peaceful village surrounded by dramatic rock formations, forest trails and some of the most spectacular viewpoints in the region. Instead of rushing from one attraction to another, this getaway is designed around **slow adventure, scenic hiking, nature, good food and great company**. Expect crisp autumn air, quiet forest paths, panoramic sandstone viewpoints, cozy evenings, warm meals and the chance to experience Bohemian Switzerland when the summer crowds have begun to disappear. The adventure combines: 🍁 Golden autumn landscapes 🥾 Scenic forest hiking 🪨 Dramatic sandstone formations 🌄 Panoramic viewpoints 🏞️ Bohemian Switzerland National Park 🚤 Scenic river gorge experience 🏡 Cozy private group accommodation 🔥 Warm meals & relaxed evenings 🤝 International social atmosphere If you love hiking, photography, nature, autumn landscapes or simply escaping the city for a few days, this is the perfect early-fall adventure. **🏔️ WHY JETŘICHOVICE?** Jetřichovice is one of the best bases for discovering the quieter side of Bohemian Switzerland. The village provides direct access to several famous sandstone viewpoints and hiking routes, making it possible to explore the surrounding landscape without constantly relying on transportation. The three iconic viewpoints — **Mariina vyhlídka, Vilemínina stěna and Rudolfův kámen** — are among the area's signature attractions. Mariina vyhlídka in particular is renowned for its panoramic views and is a popular sunset location. Late September also brings a completely different atmosphere: fewer summer crowds, cooler temperatures and the first signs of autumn appearing throughout the forests. 🌟**WHAT ARE SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS?** **🌄 Jetřichovice Viewpoints** Discover the spectacular sandstone viewpoints surrounding Jetřichovice, including the famous **Mariina vyhlídka**, **Vilemínina stěna** and **Rudolfův kámen**. These viewpoints are among the most iconic landscapes in the area, offering sweeping views across forests, sandstone formations and the surrounding Bohemian countryside. Mariina vyhlídka is particularly famous for its panoramic views and atmospheric sunsets over the surrounding landscape. **🍁 Golden Autumn Forests** Walk beneath colorful autumn canopies as the forests around Jetřichovice begin their seasonal transformation. The combination of sandstone cliffs, winding trails and changing foliage creates an especially atmospheric hiking experience in late September. **🪨 Dramatic Sandstone Landscapes** Bohemian Switzerland is famous for its distinctive sandstone formations, narrow valleys, rock towers and dramatic viewpoints. The landscapes around Jetřichovice offer a quieter alternative to some of the region's busier tourist areas. **🏰 Pravčická Brána** Visit the spectacular **Pravčická Brána**, the iconic natural sandstone arch and one of the defining landmarks of Bohemian Switzerland. The surrounding landscape provides spectacular views across the forested valleys and sandstone formations. **🚤 Scenic River Gorge Boat Ride** Experience the atmospheric waterways of the **Kamenice Gorge** aboard a traditional guided boat. The narrow gorge is surrounded by moss-covered sandstone walls and dense forest, creating a completely different perspective of the national park. *Boat operation is subject to seasonal conditions and local availability.* **🏡 Cozy Private Group Accommodation** Stay together in a private holiday home, creating the perfect base for relaxing after a day outdoors. The property, **Chaloupka v pohodě**, features: * Two comfortable bedrooms * Shared kitchen * Cozy living room * Private garden * Sun terrace * Free WiFi The accommodation provides a relaxed environment where the group can cook, socialize and unwind together. **🔥 Warm Autumn Evenings** After hiking through the cool Czech forests, return to the chalet for warm food, relaxed conversations and a cozy evening with the group. This isn't simply a sightseeing trip — it's a chance to slow down, disconnect and enjoy the atmosphere of an autumn weekend in the countryside. 📋**TRIP DETAILS** **📅Start and End Date:** Friday, 25 September - Sunday, 27 September. **📍Meeting Time and Location:** Participants will travel from **Berlin towards Jetřichovice**. Exact meeting point, departure time and transportation details will be communicated to confirmed participants before the trip. **Note:** * Participants can arrive in Berlin at any time on the arrival day. Please inform us of your expected arrival time so that we can coordinate the meeting and transfer arrangements accordingly. * Accommodation details will be shared in the WhatsApp group for confirmed participants before the trip. **📍Finishing Time and Location:** The trip concludes after the final activities and local exploration. The group then begins the journey back towards Berlin. Exact return timing depends on the final route and transportation schedule. **🥾Hiking Difficulty:** Easy-Intermediate The weekend involves scenic hiking through forest and sandstone terrain. Expect: * Forest trails * Uneven terrain * Sandstone paths * Steps and occasional steeper sections * Moderate elevation * Viewpoint climbs * Relaxed group pace Some viewpoints around Jetřichovice involve steep stairs and exposed sections. Mariina vyhlídka, for example, is accessed via a trail with steeper climbs and stairs. Participants should therefore have a reasonable level of fitness and be comfortable hiking on uneven terrain. 👥**Who is this trip for?** * Hiking enthusiasts * Autumn lovers * Photographers * Nature lovers * International travelers * Solo travelers looking to meet people * Outdoor adventure enthusiasts * Anyone looking for a peaceful weekend escape Whether you're joining alone or with friends, come ready to explore, hike, relax and meet new people. **🎒What to Bring?** We recommend bringing: * Comfortable hiking shoes with good grip * Weatherproof jacket * Warm autumn layers * Small hiking backpack * Water bottle * Packed snacks * Personal medication * Camera or smartphone * Power bank * Sunglasses * Rain protection * Comfortable clothes for the accommodation * Some Czech currency/card for personal purchases Because September weather in the sandstone landscape can change quickly, proper footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are particularly important. **✅What is included?** * Community leader and guide throughout the trip * 2 nights accommodation in a private group holiday home * Private accommodation at **Chaloupka v pohodě** * Shared kitchen and lounge facilities * Private garden and sun terrace * Free WiFi * Local bus travel within Czechia during the planned itinerary * Admission ticket for the planned Pravčická Brána area * Scenic river gorge boat experience * Flexible hiking route planning * Trip organization and logistics * Access to the dedicated trip communication group * Booking and platform processing charges **❌What is not included?** * Travel from Berlin to the Czech Republic and return, unless specifically stated in the selected ticket option * Food and drinks * Personal expenses * Travel insurance * Souvenirs * Optional activities not included in the itinerary **⚠ Important Notes** **Weather & Trail Conditions** September weather can be unpredictable. Rain may make sandstone paths and stairs slippery, so participants should bring suitable footwear and weatherproof clothing. **Flexible Itinerary** The hiking route may be adjusted according to: * Weather conditions * Trail conditions * Seasonal accessibility * Group fitness * Safety considerations **Viewpoint Accessibility** Some viewpoints involve steep stairs, ladders or exposed sandstone sections. Participants who are uncomfortable with heights or steep sections should inform the guide in advance. **Gorge Boat Ride** The scenic gorge boat experience is subject to local operating schedules, seasonal availability, weather and water conditions. If unavailable, the itinerary will be adapted with an alternative nature or hiking experience. **Group Experience** This is a social outdoor adventure. Participants should be comfortable hiking together, respecting the natural environment and contributing to a friendly group atmosphere. **Nature & Environment** Bohemian Switzerland is a protected natural landscape. Participants are expected to follow marked trails, respect wildlife, avoid littering and follow all national park regulations. **✈️How to get to Berlin?** * **Flight:** Flying is the fastest way to reach Berlin Brandenburg Airport, with direct flights available from many major European cities. * **Need Assistance:** Please reach out directly for customized Flight or Train inclusive offers from anywhere in Europe by WhatsApp on +49 152 2150 6123 or +49 151 2486 7229. 🧭**WHAT IS THE DETAILED PLAN?** **🍁DAY 1 FRIDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER) - BERLIN → JETŘICHOVICE → SUNSET VIEWPOINT** Leave Berlin and travel towards the beautiful Bohemian Switzerland region. Upon arrival, we head to our private holiday home and settle into the accommodation. After a quick check-in, there is no need to spend the evening indoors. We'll head back out into the cool autumn air for a scenic walk and sunset viewpoint. Depending on weather and trail conditions, the group will explore one of the nearby sandstone viewpoints around Jetřichovice. Expect: 🌲 Forest trails 🪨 Dramatic sandstone formations 🌄 Panoramic countryside views 🍁 Early autumn colors 📸 Sunset photography opportunities Afterwards, return to the chalet for a relaxed evening together. **🍂 DAY 2 (SATURDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER) - THE GREAT BOHEMIAN SWITZERLAND AUTUMN HIKE** Today is the main hiking day. After breakfast, we'll set out into the forests and sandstone landscape of Bohemian Switzerland. Rather than following a rigid route regardless of conditions, we'll select the day's hiking route based on: 🌦 Weather 🥾 Trail conditions 💪 Group fitness 🍁 Autumn scenery 🕒 Available daylight The Jetřichovice area is particularly well known for its interconnected viewpoints, including **Mariina vyhlídka, Vilemínina stěna and Rudolfův kámen**. The route may include: 🌄 Scenic sandstone viewpoints 🌲 Forest trails 🪨 Rock formations 🏘️ Views over Jetřichovice 🍁 Autumn landscapes 📸 Photography stops We'll take regular breaks throughout the day to enjoy the scenery, take photographs, socialize and simply appreciate the surroundings. Depending on the selected route and seasonal accessibility, the itinerary may also incorporate sections around **Pravčická Brána** and/or the Kamenice Gorge. The Kamenice Gorge offers a particularly atmospheric experience, with narrow sandstone walls, forest vegetation and a traditional boat journey through the gorge. After completing the day's adventure, return to the accommodation. Enjoy a warm meal, relax in the lounge and spend the evening with fellow travelers. **🏡 DAY 3 (SUNDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER) - LOCAL DISCOVERY → CZECH TREATS → RETURN HOME** Wake up to a peaceful autumn morning in Jetřichovice. After breakfast and packing, we'll enjoy some final time exploring the local area. This is a slower day designed to experience the local atmosphere before leaving the Czech countryside. We'll have time to: 🏘️ Explore the village 🛍️ Look for local Czech souvenirs 🍰 Try traditional warm treats ☕ Enjoy a final coffee 📸 Take some final photographs 🌲 Enjoy the autumn atmosphere Afterwards, we begin our journey back home towards Berlin. The exact return schedule will depend on transportation connections and the final group itinerary. 🍂**THREE DAYS. ONE BEAUTIFUL ESCAPE** Leave Berlin behind. Cross into the Czech countryside. Wake up among sandstone cliffs and autumn forests. Climb to panoramic viewpoints. Explore hidden trails. Enjoy a traditional gorge experience. Warm up with Czech food and coffee. And return home with photographs, stories and new friendships. **Bohemian Switzerland in early autumn is waiting.** 🍁 **Forest. Rocks. Views. Adventure. Community.** **FOR FUTURE TRIP UPDATES** Please do join our WhatsApp / Telegram channel for updates about our future trips including possible early bird discounts, contests etc. 1. [WhatsApp Channel](https://go.unt.global/travelgroup) 2. [Telegram Channel](https://t.me/urbanaturetravel)
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