Now it’s not even a 24 hour countdown anymore until president Obama will arrive in my hometown of Dresden, Germany. For those of you who don’t know where that is, here’s little visual help:

Where is Dresden? Click on image to enlarge.

Finally, after weeks of wondering, we were told today that we were allowed to come into our offices tomorrow and on Friday. I had my doubts, to be honest, since we have so many windows and an unimpaired view of and into the Zwinger where the president might take a stroll. Not to speak of our view of the hotel where he’s going to stay and the street in front of it. Well, the secret service agents checking everything out seem to approve our internal security procedures. Our office building has also been excluded from the grey security zone, but the fence that is erected around the perimeter now runs directly in front of our main entrance. I guess except living in the security zone you can’t get any closer.

Security fences being erected right in front of the main entrance to our office building. In the background, you can see the historical building The Zwinger. It’s jsut across the street from the Taschenbergpalais, the hotel president Obama will stay in.

The police are getting ready. Despite the fact that there is still a day until Barack and Michelle Obama arrive, they are starting to close streets and establishing the perimeter of the grey secure zone.

Media interest in the visit is moderate so far. Only one of our major networks is present (ZDF), the other networks have only send correspondents, but none of their own equipment.

The network ZDF is erecting a tribune exactly opposite the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady, not visible to the right), but inside the fenced off area. I hope that is an indicator that the president might address the people with the Church as a symbol of peace and friendship in the background.

Side effects of the visit are local stores selling special muffins, t-shirts with the “Yes, we can!” slogan translated to the local dialect (”Nu, mir gönn.”), my favorite bakery closing for the next two days (where am I gonna get my breakfast from?), our underground garage being closed (need to find somewhere to drop my bike tomorrow), and the huge recycling bins close my house have disappeared. Since they were standing right next to a major road that leads directly from the airport into Dresden, I don’t need to be a genius to conclude that this is probably where Obama will ride into Dresden.

Speaking of which: he will arrive here not only on Air Force One, but with 11 (eleven!!) planes in total! Seriously, and here was I thinking I was bad when it came to overpacking. And that’s not even counting the freight plane that brought Marine One, the Black Hawks and his limousines yesterday.

Well, I better get my camera equipment ready. Many colleagues will stay at home for the next two days to escape the trouble of trying to get into the heart of Dresden. Being somewhat known for my knack of taking photos every time and everywhere, they count on me

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