++++++++++ FLICKR PHOTOSTREAM UP ++++++++++
++++Due to my colleagues wishes to have the images in high res, I have now uploaded them to my FLICKR photostream. You will find the COMPLETE sets there from now on++++

I will be constantly updating this post throughout the day with news and photos.  Most current news will be at the top.

UPDATE 11pm – President Obama has arrived safely in Dresden and in his hotel, the Taschenbergpalais. In the last hours, I was glued to the window together with my colleagues, and we watched the events around us unfold. It was sooooo cool. Okay, being closely observed by the snipers was uncomfortable, but me eating my fruit salad at the window seemed to convince them that we were harmless. There’s more to it, but I can’t tell you right now. I will tell you Saturday, if you want to know.

I’ve got loads of nice pictures, though none of the president himself. The limousine vanished behind the hotel. But I got the limousine, that should count for something. Due to my abysmally slow internet connection, I will upload them tomorrow morning from work. As I mentioned a previous post, for security reasons I will hold back some pictures until Saturday (or at least Friday afternoon when Obama has left for Buchenwald). Don’t want to mess anything up.

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UPDATE 6.30pm – New pictures on FLICKR. Sorry guys, can’t manage more than one site at the moment, too much going on. If you like what ya see, please comment! :) And share.

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UPDATE 4pm – The plaza in front of our office building is filling up with police cars, though I don’t know if I have ever seen a group failing more miserably when it comes to parking. The colleagues and I were doubled over laughing looking at the chaos they produced. Granted, from our elevated POV it was easier to judge, but still.

Met some tourists outside who were heartbroken that they could not visit the Zwinger or Semper Opera. Really bad timing, too bad for them. Other than that, it’s just interesting to see who comes and goes. Next update will follow soon, though I have to be more careful now about what I post. Some of the images I won’t upload until tomorrow afternoon because I don’t think the people in charge would like certain things to become official too early. And I have to keep my mouth shut because  well, because. Have to leave it at that. Will tell ya tomorrow.

For FULL photo sets, please follow the link on the top of the page to FLICKR. The images below will only be a selection. Takes enough time as it is to handle all these different sites and accounts.

N24 reporter prepares for interview with high ranking police official in front of our office building

View of the Postplatz … it’s filling up slowly.

No, it’s not a crash, even though it might look like it.

Police units getting into full gear

Parking coordination – FAIL

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UPDATE 10 am – Some more police cars. Nothing spectacular going on. The police are making more security checks, even with trained dogs. Cars entering the perimeter are thoroughly searched inside and out. The colleagues who decided to come to work today are interested, but at the same time we know that this is nothing to what will be going on tonight and tomorrow. After the first curious minutes, every one has returned to their desks. We’ll meet again in an hour to see if anything has changed ;)

Police cars are blocking the entry into the secure zone

Police units are guarding the Zwinger

City employees and police officers seek out the gullies

The yellow building on the right is the Taschenbergpalais. The entrance is on the other side of the building.

The crown on top of the main entrance to the Zwinger.

Every hole, every gully is checked and then sealed.

Security checks.

View from our lobby out on the Postplatz.

More police cars arrive. Civilians crossing the area are escorted by the police.

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8 am – Here are some impression from this morning when I came to work:

Panorma of Dresden part 1 (Zitronenpresse and Church of Our Lady)

Panorama of Dresden part 2 (Hofkirche and Semper Opera)

View from our cafeteria on the fourth floor. Visible outside: the Zwinger.

View of the Postplatz. To the right is the Zwinger. The security perimeter runs across the plaza.

Police cars parked in front of the Zwinger

VGully covers and rail track levers are being sealed in front of the hotel Taschenbergpalais

Police units patrolling the Zwinger

Media truck parking in front of our office building. I have a better view than he does ;)

Media trucks in front of the Kulturpalast

Church of Our Lady (viewed from the Altmarkt)

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