EuroLife: Day69

Lobeda Ost

I've heard that around a third of the population of Jena lives in one of the southern suburbs, a place called Lobeda Ost. Most of the students, apparently, live here as well. Pictures don't really do justice to the tedium and anonymity of the place. Imagine thirty more buildings like the one pictured here. Imagine them scattered around in rows and at strange right angles. Then you have a sense of the place. Its vintage communist era.

Of course it still looks beautiful compared to parts of Chicago's South Side. Or compared to some parts of South Bend, for that matter. A friend of ours just pointed out an ad on Craig's list. Apparently someone is trying to sell one of the uglier bars in town. I looked at the picture and thought -- did I really live in that town for six years. Just for the sake of comparison, here's the photo:





Really, I should include the ad, too, because its pretty humorous.

"Fantastic location near Notre Dame! Unlike anything that you've seen! Full bar (w/ liquor license) and kitchen includes: bar, all equipment, pool table, tables and chairs, stools and much more...Call for list! Studio apartment above bar for extra income. Also separate parking lot (57 parking places). Busy Notre Dame clientele for new owners!!! A must see!"

And how much do they want for this gem? $695,000!