tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57838291257000315572024-02-18T19:10:03.762-08:00European TravelsMy blog will provide details on my adventures to Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary and Poland.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-6601039029424618282009-07-06T11:49:00.000-07:002009-07-06T12:01:19.161-07:00Back Home!This will be my last post for I am home. I would like to thank everyone for reading and to those of you that responded. Feedback is always great. I got home yesterday around 6. I needed some time to unwind and take care of some things before writing this last post.<br />Everything is still sinking in. I find myself thinking of my experiences and wish that I would have stayed longer to soak in the cities in which I visited. However it is nice to be home and I look forward to immersing myself into my studies and writing some excellent lesson plans for my students next year. I feel like I have so much to share. It is a question of condensing it all down and picking and choosing.<br />Some last things. The more I travel the more I realize that yes people are people. What I mean by that is no matter where you travel we as humans all have the same wants and desires. People are good at heart and want to help others. If it was not for the kindness, generosity and willingness of the people I met I would never have made it through Europe. There were many times that I felt powerless only to be lifted up by a kind stranger who showed me where to go or what train to take. That is why traveling has been so important to me. Not only do I gain a greater understanding of myself but it also reaffirms my faith in human beings.<br />Timothy DavisUnknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-22056357895136511272009-07-03T07:54:00.000-07:002009-07-03T08:51:34.211-07:00Krakow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WsGyyGwi9vYRrzMkcYMvMbwIl-1F22mhgLExKVKrDyTCUgEYQqdYvZGk0vUPu-PNmVMyhzJ3ZGopuCl3T7Jjk6GszJRykVi1WX2IuOcXkzZWwdEeuDIsOn1nK4vx5ukRCQZsMEVvhZ9J/s1600-h/IMG_2375%5B1%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WsGyyGwi9vYRrzMkcYMvMbwIl-1F22mhgLExKVKrDyTCUgEYQqdYvZGk0vUPu-PNmVMyhzJ3ZGopuCl3T7Jjk6GszJRykVi1WX2IuOcXkzZWwdEeuDIsOn1nK4vx5ukRCQZsMEVvhZ9J/s320/IMG_2375%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354260638796547138" border="0" /></a> They serenaded me upon my arrival to the castle. How did they know when I would be arriving?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSZ-gL8F-8YoBizN3KUSjHIHv8RmOD6fZeKoOkL1CmY_a0kCVWWJwZIC82cA4Vp3NWcxEVa4I3jMPoOCT7S-VPuiiWmLWh06rGQB5uFihFCBy9rHz5kOn7yl3VpSwotCCX4TNn8cqQPG_/s1600-h/IMG_2361%5B1%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSZ-gL8F-8YoBizN3KUSjHIHv8RmOD6fZeKoOkL1CmY_a0kCVWWJwZIC82cA4Vp3NWcxEVa4I3jMPoOCT7S-VPuiiWmLWh06rGQB5uFihFCBy9rHz5kOn7yl3VpSwotCCX4TNn8cqQPG_/s320/IMG_2361%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354260631644491378" border="0" /></a> Up at the castle overlooking the river.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoiNHRaCk-QBWF2txF8Pkx10Lo5SM2WxSCoqnixNSqnznIt2pvpBogVoXLaLzCtM_ZNGZlY5ku_Wdo0u6Ln7mf_YAXtKtxbm1awDHRF_rOIHKW0Gn53SOs5cK4xVWg_hvUWpoH4E9YUJd/s1600-h/IMG_2356%5B1%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoiNHRaCk-QBWF2txF8Pkx10Lo5SM2WxSCoqnixNSqnznIt2pvpBogVoXLaLzCtM_ZNGZlY5ku_Wdo0u6Ln7mf_YAXtKtxbm1awDHRF_rOIHKW0Gn53SOs5cK4xVWg_hvUWpoH4E9YUJd/s320/IMG_2356%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354259625351310178" border="0" /></a> That would be Wawel castle, symbol and place of pride for Poles.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8yVSxXGzvOTNb4J2XmoGutQEYCrIG_N2uClvnty0OP5IcxarRDw5kTB4s63XNJ7_NRUayPlP6AY2-YzOivXOnTPXt7nQnh4sBI_5hwnxSTiWPRMi-u0jMUeuJGkZzqDT9RrsVBGTgm95/s1600-h/IMG_2351%5B1%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8yVSxXGzvOTNb4J2XmoGutQEYCrIG_N2uClvnty0OP5IcxarRDw5kTB4s63XNJ7_NRUayPlP6AY2-YzOivXOnTPXt7nQnh4sBI_5hwnxSTiWPRMi-u0jMUeuJGkZzqDT9RrsVBGTgm95/s320/IMG_2351%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354259618063436898" border="0" /></a> Humongous square in Krakow. It is quite the place to just hang out and watch street performers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xyNVqkSYVOvXP13Nrlpw5ql5BYnd6Diqb6Z_StY6xDuJ8tHxfDVTl63KSnamSkPiYYsQ-wafKDQbrmYSzFeZvrgB_4484b0vQ7Goyy0hz5pOVInsHKd473T4eHhv13y7n51ezfPzWCkK/s1600-h/IMG_2347%5B1%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xyNVqkSYVOvXP13Nrlpw5ql5BYnd6Diqb6Z_StY6xDuJ8tHxfDVTl63KSnamSkPiYYsQ-wafKDQbrmYSzFeZvrgB_4484b0vQ7Goyy0hz5pOVInsHKd473T4eHhv13y7n51ezfPzWCkK/s320/IMG_2347%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354258787441509618" border="0" /></a> The square at night<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6Ws1vSaacV_xrpfnGJviqO0wR4pTLTIhKvl5S7Pb160egML851gR61n2htgdzpstxCWs1-FqjObapMdN4SZjGChWSSFJMnIEgqylxXv_RgDr2M6FXJJiYvh8wKwKF8qROnudy-m8GhOi/s1600-h/IMG_2335%5B1%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6Ws1vSaacV_xrpfnGJviqO0wR4pTLTIhKvl5S7Pb160egML851gR61n2htgdzpstxCWs1-FqjObapMdN4SZjGChWSSFJMnIEgqylxXv_RgDr2M6FXJJiYvh8wKwKF8qROnudy-m8GhOi/s320/IMG_2335%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354258775788566546" border="0" /></a> Street performer getting down. What you don't see is me jumping right after and showing him up. I have skills.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FYPgcr1CEHY3Z1D_Uiz0mYb0ZmPDPSNgxlQiVmvFBLYak5XjOHqe-Wbpn7-OSwq_6Rg9-vJU7dj3kOnzwzx3_e3IWslLhj6WGCFZHepaT8NnHf9XmcK-HER9w0EDqFNusU_sA_Wze_gt/s1600-h/IMG_2326%5B1%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FYPgcr1CEHY3Z1D_Uiz0mYb0ZmPDPSNgxlQiVmvFBLYak5XjOHqe-Wbpn7-OSwq_6Rg9-vJU7dj3kOnzwzx3_e3IWslLhj6WGCFZHepaT8NnHf9XmcK-HER9w0EDqFNusU_sA_Wze_gt/s320/IMG_2326%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354257758565157458" border="0" /></a>Entrance to Birkenau, enough said.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudGAtGA_5tkvvTj4s5Ej5ubopQp4QPzxYOzfpVzWSfTCFWC2x8uOUPjY0ODMaMC2U0oNN82Rh4smWsda44L2thMctFBbDniCJCN6LTh5ESlQhBZYq4cNnWtydHwQ9_x1Og5W0Od8-6lAY/s1600-h/IMG_2308%5B1%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudGAtGA_5tkvvTj4s5Ej5ubopQp4QPzxYOzfpVzWSfTCFWC2x8uOUPjY0ODMaMC2U0oNN82Rh4smWsda44L2thMctFBbDniCJCN6LTh5ESlQhBZYq4cNnWtydHwQ9_x1Og5W0Od8-6lAY/s320/IMG_2308%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354257754088180498" border="0" /></a> Killing wall where many people lost their lives.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgioNL9J_XnvZt6mm-B8zJaSmhDOEV5o-GSX3W67sGl0TdEaG3Enh2sp-ojp-Vtdtu61HOCCYANNNHq2WlS5wCfcMB5d_vowPZf48XY8sHbBOvFdoG5cBvzQNuvPk1MM7UXGK418xBo01/s1600-h/IMG_2303%5B1%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgioNL9J_XnvZt6mm-B8zJaSmhDOEV5o-GSX3W67sGl0TdEaG3Enh2sp-ojp-Vtdtu61HOCCYANNNHq2WlS5wCfcMB5d_vowPZf48XY8sHbBOvFdoG5cBvzQNuvPk1MM7UXGK418xBo01/s320/IMG_2303%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354256810497389458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_y1aDUB9t3aidLdcPu1CTkCOijwkJ4vUv9R96wG4h_zuC61oRGSUK8RLIleHxZJX1vx2ByVXqT4PHJeCLfoq8ehgynESLPlPBwPThjT81xOePP7-iVHtzncyFMMGMQwvCD1iTRa66Pxtm/s1600-h/IMG_2300%5B1%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_y1aDUB9t3aidLdcPu1CTkCOijwkJ4vUv9R96wG4h_zuC61oRGSUK8RLIleHxZJX1vx2ByVXqT4PHJeCLfoq8ehgynESLPlPBwPThjT81xOePP7-iVHtzncyFMMGMQwvCD1iTRa66Pxtm/s320/IMG_2300%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354256808386538194" border="0" /></a>Work will set you free? What a joke and insult.<br /><br />After nearly three weeks of traveling in Europe it is about to come to an end. And let me tell you what a way to end the trip. I must admit after traveling in Hungary, Poland seems three notches above. I loved Budapest but I found the people sketchy and unwelcoming. Of course I am not saying this is how it is but this was my experience. As soon as I got to Poland their were young people welcoming off the train asking if I needed any assistance. I got this help from one man in Budapest but for the most part it was not this way. I immediately felt reassured when landing down in Poland. People here are amazing. Friendly, open, communicative, kind and interested in making your trip one to remember. If you have the chance visit Krakow. I of course had heard great things about Krakow. It is compared to Boston in the US. Well as some of you know Boston is my favorite American city. After visiting Krakow I now know that this is my favorite city. It is just absolutely gorgeous. I thought Lubeck, Schwerin, Heidelberg and Prague were incredible. Sorry but they take a back seat to this city. Not once have I felt safe or unwelcomed. I have walked around the whole city, or most of it, and not once did I get lost. A feat unto itself. The point I am trying to make is the city is well designed and easy to get around in. I am so happy after the ordeal of traveling through Hungary that I landed in a place like Krakow.<br /><br />Yesterday as I mentioned I got in around nine. I walked around town for awhile got a cup of coffee and people watched. That is fun in itself. Now I know where I get my good looks from :)<br />I then headed off to Auschwitz which is about an hour and fifteen minuted drive from here. I went on a group tour that took us by bus and provided a guided tour with an expert. The whole tour was fantastic they show you a movie on your way and the guide was extremely informative. The movie was rather interesting on the way because it was about a Soviet cameraman that was one of the first to arrive at Auschwitz. His task was document visually the horrors of the camp. What was interesting was he said numerous times that it was the most horrific scenes he had scene during the war. Really? Of the war, what about your whole life. I sat their thinking to myself how could the Soviets come upon this camp see the sickness of this operation and then incorporate this practices in their gulags, torture chamber, interrogations and excecution rooms. I have a lot of mistrust of the Soviets as you can see. This issue I talked to with our Polish guide after our tour was through. Anyway, I digress. We first entered Auschwitz under the famous 'Work will set you free sign' that greeted deportees into Auschwitz. I really am in no mood to get into all the details about the experience as of now. I will just say this I have never felt so sickened and angry before. After spending two weeks in Germany I only think it is right that they feel ashamed for their transgressions during World War II. In fact they should be sickened for another thousand years. The actions by the German government and its people is one that in my mind can never be forgiven. We must not forget that not only did six million Jews die during this tragedy but many, many millions of others died during this horrific period known as the Holocaust. After Auschwitz we were taken to Birkenau right down the street. This camp was overwhelming. Acres upon acres of barricks. This was where the real killing took place. Auschwitz was originally setup for political dissidents, and Polish prisoners of war. Birkenau was established with the sole purpose of systematically killing millions of harmless people. 1 out of every 6 Jews was killed at Auschwitz-Birkenau. I will speak more about this later and if you have questions feel free to ask but even 24 hours later I am sick and angry. Never ever will I forget the scenes I saw yesterday and the emotions I felt.<br /><br />This morning I got up early and walked around town to do some shopping. I left most of my luggage behind in Frankfurt so I needed to get some simple things. Socks, pair of shoes, Polish soccer jersey, gift for Sadie (niece), patch and magnet. You know my usual, ha. You would not believe how hard it is to get some socks around this place. Oh wait there was an adidas store across the street that I passed numerous times that had them. Logical place right, one would think to look there. I am looking in women department stores and high scale stores. Anyway I bought a new book to read while having a cup of coffee and lunch in the main square. I had a great time just chilling out reading this new book and enjoying the beautiful weather. This book is fascintating by the way it is called "The Mascot". It is about this Jewish boy, five years old, that escapes a mass murder in his town near Russia by running away. He lives in the woods for weeks by himself. Eventually gets found almost killed again and is adopted by a Latvian/German SS unit. To survive he does whatever it takes and becomes a member of one of the roving killing units. That is where I am at thus far, looking forward to reading more. After lunch I went up to the castle and checked that out. Rather impressive, especially the church which was rebuilt in 1364. Yeah that is rebuilt, it is originally from around 1000. Crazy history here. Fantastically charming city. Once again if you have a chance visit Krakow. Gotta run, dinner at the square with some reading then off to the train to hitch my ride back to Frankfurt. Till next time, bon voyage!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-8773659668263699622009-07-02T02:14:00.000-07:002009-07-02T03:04:06.227-07:00Budapest and the Journey to Krakow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_mEXc0UgBh6LkLHejp2rgx7PKf7xy5L3SAIOrD-rFSA1ZHZbLZ6p1idHvUprrkcckPCJgC0Uupib5oYK0bYHGVryotE9EfAK8IFBeSUscUME8G_YvRFOZiwlmGNbdvtBQ0T7siQl9JI5/s1600-h/IMG_2287%5B1%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_mEXc0UgBh6LkLHejp2rgx7PKf7xy5L3SAIOrD-rFSA1ZHZbLZ6p1idHvUprrkcckPCJgC0Uupib5oYK0bYHGVryotE9EfAK8IFBeSUscUME8G_YvRFOZiwlmGNbdvtBQ0T7siQl9JI5/s320/IMG_2287%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353800444767088642" border="0" /></a> Train station in the middle of nowhere where I finally hitched the ride to Krakow.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4Yc0A1tfoqEKVk9PM8hUwwCCzHZ8K0j2O-HMZBO44LFMcHVAczXhhYCF6nsIw1RkAUYyfqzeLSD0uA3J_scL_Y-YZdc2loqGrrWGYjgeOZBQJvVwBo8PTPzPgodTogKVo5aq2O1P5Tdv/s1600-h/IMG_2286%5B1%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR4Yc0A1tfoqEKVk9PM8hUwwCCzHZ8K0j2O-HMZBO44LFMcHVAczXhhYCF6nsIw1RkAUYyfqzeLSD0uA3J_scL_Y-YZdc2loqGrrWGYjgeOZBQJvVwBo8PTPzPgodTogKVo5aq2O1P5Tdv/s320/IMG_2286%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353800438634916962" border="0" /></a> That would be me looking astonished. Don't worry I shaved today :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjWf3TPmIBUZ2gaRas49RGeuRhdbj64xwqx98SpLrg15vM0pjp8jTNEHqKV-4O6wA_kysoBkNq7035yED9i0BluFI7n9jvYlqM_a5121Jb-mn4Ulw6iF-2TgAFpcfU6fjOyUZ1m6LYyVU/s1600-h/IMG_2270%5B1%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjWf3TPmIBUZ2gaRas49RGeuRhdbj64xwqx98SpLrg15vM0pjp8jTNEHqKV-4O6wA_kysoBkNq7035yED9i0BluFI7n9jvYlqM_a5121Jb-mn4Ulw6iF-2TgAFpcfU6fjOyUZ1m6LYyVU/s320/IMG_2270%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353798764279773762" border="0" /></a><br />t<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXAy2uNR4P3IsvpYEw4fWUgmMkij1rJoZxym55_13HNr6g50wBiBAKmZS7qENyDmhEXdHUvzoBr8LnhtOqqzQ6AjOxabwNUj5SDAhS4MU4VKM8xgklxj8QHdgPEV5UEOh9yVC6b6C_YQt/s1600-h/IMG_2267%5B1%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXAy2uNR4P3IsvpYEw4fWUgmMkij1rJoZxym55_13HNr6g50wBiBAKmZS7qENyDmhEXdHUvzoBr8LnhtOqqzQ6AjOxabwNUj5SDAhS4MU4VKM8xgklxj8QHdgPEV5UEOh9yVC6b6C_YQt/s320/IMG_2267%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353798755867192146" border="0" /></a> Gardens up near the castle. It was a beautiful day!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qaPc2xa2WYxUjBlw49rGek81QgkT7cLHsHgv6vnHv6YVK6mcCxPeE77qe8teDv3BWA0SH8ujDkRi3WUtSQGVr8MWePakmBgvX9-Ok4R0-_tpUuRB-iiy6e5-R9DL0oGwQEnKZkbwyhyU/s1600-h/IMG_2259%5B1%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qaPc2xa2WYxUjBlw49rGek81QgkT7cLHsHgv6vnHv6YVK6mcCxPeE77qe8teDv3BWA0SH8ujDkRi3WUtSQGVr8MWePakmBgvX9-Ok4R0-_tpUuRB-iiy6e5-R9DL0oGwQEnKZkbwyhyU/s320/IMG_2259%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353797648645368962" border="0" /></a> Kids playing soccer. Soccer is huge over here, it is played everywhere.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzJy0xwC1Y27r2edKF0OjNXPtX6hJUQNz9g0HjGdUHddlObt8p5OfyYppNUqIaILx-HjHkS-guamlJqMpKSDohuTrDVssAsGiEhAIUf_DMK62iCGnQYNACU9E2un7s1qhk4Gq3f92GLSy/s1600-h/IMG_2257%5B1%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpzJy0xwC1Y27r2edKF0OjNXPtX6hJUQNz9g0HjGdUHddlObt8p5OfyYppNUqIaILx-HjHkS-guamlJqMpKSDohuTrDVssAsGiEhAIUf_DMK62iCGnQYNACU9E2un7s1qhk4Gq3f92GLSy/s320/IMG_2257%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353797642236110146" border="0" /></a> Up near the castle, overlooking the Danube and Chain bridge.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfPSGvz99fD7uMTerSWaH0CPNBJwN0lfhOD5r8nX5y4AEiKwDXjU7TRdG1_l06GCXlS4FEtMB4yIbWBOoqkGOKZhyphenhyphenA4OO0tpMDbeTg1jAooJVnDsK_XAYxqc4uzBTvARXcpDOC-UH-3Sg/s1600-h/IMG_2245%5B1%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfPSGvz99fD7uMTerSWaH0CPNBJwN0lfhOD5r8nX5y4AEiKwDXjU7TRdG1_l06GCXlS4FEtMB4yIbWBOoqkGOKZhyphenhyphenA4OO0tpMDbeTg1jAooJVnDsK_XAYxqc4uzBTvARXcpDOC-UH-3Sg/s320/IMG_2245%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353796803013202194" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAzv2DWAJ-nAppzyVVNCTmuAf7-9Ry2o8VCxtkTodHxreGqRvEOi76-JGWUoe2CJDKbkcxQ8hgRnbk6Oo62BwzlotB2tz16banfYbscltVlz8F6ewM_4NooJS5Oa5qeZrFYi5fNikUuRT/s1600-h/IMG_2250%5B1%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAzv2DWAJ-nAppzyVVNCTmuAf7-9Ry2o8VCxtkTodHxreGqRvEOi76-JGWUoe2CJDKbkcxQ8hgRnbk6Oo62BwzlotB2tz16banfYbscltVlz8F6ewM_4NooJS5Oa5qeZrFYi5fNikUuRT/s320/IMG_2250%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353796793351171394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gzd8m9QHbobFWPhqq7Z8V2B4s_m56YvaAPlTVXfE7IwAyh95oZ66iab643VcGSHBHgbebTJDK7VRHj2NF7PkT27pw2FSG5xc34BDMSerXs4PnD6G_7eZq5J-h9uPqoj-Z8Phdj3dtkzl/s1600-h/IMG_2236%5B1%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gzd8m9QHbobFWPhqq7Z8V2B4s_m56YvaAPlTVXfE7IwAyh95oZ66iab643VcGSHBHgbebTJDK7VRHj2NF7PkT27pw2FSG5xc34BDMSerXs4PnD6G_7eZq5J-h9uPqoj-Z8Phdj3dtkzl/s320/IMG_2236%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353796038467713970" border="0" /></a> Buda castle. which is being restored or renovated. Pretty cool<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDyH56S2VaSlTub8VB2KunztYdkhThUyZ-u6rkNQjxfaYJihpjx0pJdzGvT6_fJowlhQzQW5NVBazbHE0C8IDJK2HHK7hB7fu8Vte7Lg-sr23bPaJRJ2-0gALAY41A79utCL7__zLolbt/s1600-h/IMG_2233%5B1%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDyH56S2VaSlTub8VB2KunztYdkhThUyZ-u6rkNQjxfaYJihpjx0pJdzGvT6_fJowlhQzQW5NVBazbHE0C8IDJK2HHK7hB7fu8Vte7Lg-sr23bPaJRJ2-0gALAY41A79utCL7__zLolbt/s320/IMG_2233%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353795658070100626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdUnbtIRV-UQUqQwNmMq3r2fdh6RYafdtp7brOBNUMlol1jcHnuqZ_1JwDWwXkmtdPtb2I3mutgaA_AN_AUGqt3bYkBPgti4C-JuG08_0il63HWb3bC0OKcGby48OQ1TRb8207SOcl_Aj/s1600-h/IMG_2229%5B1%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdUnbtIRV-UQUqQwNmMq3r2fdh6RYafdtp7brOBNUMlol1jcHnuqZ_1JwDWwXkmtdPtb2I3mutgaA_AN_AUGqt3bYkBPgti4C-JuG08_0il63HWb3bC0OKcGby48OQ1TRb8207SOcl_Aj/s320/IMG_2229%5B1%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353795113875117922" border="0" /></a> Soviet theme, many Hungarians were sent to the gulags or forced labor camps. Sad chapter in Hungarian history.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpofNPpNP7LHVILXbDWJ7Fc5-1CcKY1C6JQcUEMnPLFyrVCT4bjcQ11U3O7Gkv0itqCYdICYyroNKZlizvPASu_VVn7EjOT4_32WTUM6V6WxoPuwP_0OEO_MXU8MBifelau1SB5duMt1R/s1600-h/IMG_2228%5B2%5D"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpofNPpNP7LHVILXbDWJ7Fc5-1CcKY1C6JQcUEMnPLFyrVCT4bjcQ11U3O7Gkv0itqCYdICYyroNKZlizvPASu_VVn7EjOT4_32WTUM6V6WxoPuwP_0OEO_MXU8MBifelau1SB5duMt1R/s320/IMG_2228%5B2%5D" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353794661918893698" border="0" /></a> The many people that lost their lives during the Soviet takeover. Grim reality!<br /><br />Wow! I have finally arrived in Krakow, never thought I would get here, that is a story in itself. I have certainly learned a lot about myself in the last few days. I am a lot more resilient than I give myself credit for.<br />Alright first to yesterday morning in Budapest. I woke up early and had some breakfast at the hostel. The hostel was another great place, absolutely great service, clean and welcoming. I am very happy thus far with my choices as far as the hostels are concerned. I headed out to the terror museum in Budapest. I read about in Rick Steves book so I figured it was worth seeing. Also I needed to learn more about Hungary and its role in World War 2 and the communist era. The museum was a very sombering experience that really reaffirmed how terrible life was during the Soviet era. The thousands of people that lost their lives just for speaking out is a reminder to me that we need to be thankful for living the US. The Hungarians suffered a lot, however some of the their population contributed to the suffering. The museum was a great museum but sad. At the end of the tour they take you down into the cellar which are recreated prison cells, beating rooms and torture chambers. Each room has many pictures showing the people that lost their lives in rooms just like those. Somber to say the least. After the museum I decided to head to Buda castle, which is not much of a castle. However it does have some of the remaining structure and provides amazing views of the city. I took the metro up there then began my workout of walking for hours. First I had to walk up the hill then I walked all around the city. It was a nice day so I enjoyed the exercise and the sun. I saw a lot by foot and got better with finding my way around town. One thing that disturbed me was coming upon a fenced in area with policemen. Well I get my camera out ready to take a picture of this nearby interesting building with amazing architecture and I start getting yelled at by the Hungarian police. I put my camera away and approach them and ask them what is the problem. They inform me that their are no pictures to be taken of the American embassy. I inform them I never had any intention of taking a picture of the embassy and infact did not know that it was even there. Our embassies show how much fear and dislike their is of us in the world. In Bratislava we have put up ugly fencing all around one of the nicest buildings in the city which is of course our embassy. This of course is looked down upon by the people. I don't know, it is certainly sad and shows the current state of affairs.<br />I left Budapest around 5:30 p.m. I enjoyed the city and wished I had more time to spend there. I saw a lot and was pleased with that but one whole day was not enough to see everything. But it was time to move on and I was excited to get to Krakow. From everyone I have talked to Krakow is one of their favorite sites. So I am on the train to some small town in Hungary thinking to myself how exciting it will be to get to Krakow and see the country where one side of my family is from. Nothing ever comes easy is what I have learned. Hungarys train system is messed up and organized. On top of that not many people speak English here, especially in the countryside. Needless to say I get on a train that left at the same time as the one I was supposed to get on. Well guess what I got on the wrong train, end up at some station in the middle of nowhere and try to figure out what next. I go to the counter and try to tell the lady I need to go to Krakow. She informs me I need to go here, then here, then here, then here. Craziness!!!! I end up in another train station in the middle of nowhere at midnight. Great no one is here, so I walk into some office get some guy upset and explain as best I could, for he knew no English, that I need to get to Krakow. He tells me it will be leaving at 1:13 am. The time comes and no train, he then tells me it will come at 2. So at 2 in the morning I get on a train and arrive to Krakow three hours late. I got here at nine this morning. You know what though? I remained calm and told myself I would get there. I was impressed like I mentioned for I communicated as best as I could got some help and ended up in my destination. It is just another learning experience amongst many for me on this trip. I feel like I have gotten better at problem solving, staying calm, moving on and making the best of a situation. I am so thankful for these experiences that I believe had made me a better man.<br />Gotta go, I have changed my train ticket to leave Krakow to tomorrow night rather than tomorrow morning. This way I will get to see Auschwitz today and experience Krakow tonight and tommorow for the whole day. I apologize for all the grammatical errors however I dont have much time and do not revise what I write. SORRY!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-77791573735996138232009-06-30T12:54:00.000-07:002009-06-30T13:17:35.418-07:00Budapest<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqO2xNN92BixeojDI4lw-RjbP7BY4FXRU5Q0kRpZctDIpVOzwHe-lYgZodR-1tUlr-qLNGIgxtHEqlvApEEdziByGx20wA6ERoDSlpr2n1eHo8p8Fe7JudCHi54R1ovFGw-kN4-YHTmsR/s1600-h/IMG_2225.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353216434200318450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqO2xNN92BixeojDI4lw-RjbP7BY4FXRU5Q0kRpZctDIpVOzwHe-lYgZodR-1tUlr-qLNGIgxtHEqlvApEEdziByGx20wA6ERoDSlpr2n1eHo8p8Fe7JudCHi54R1ovFGw-kN4-YHTmsR/s320/IMG_2225.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XzzqowY1WFKAMVZREKn3aL0VPTaJOKQ6LdRxxTdeeidJoOMwepKPIYOaFSr6r0rp10cDpoA4X31Vt5FyRAJL0IWUGM1DmKw2wL0kpjqbkt6R-IdnwOGkHLKVh205_kdTahOicjeeZmvs/s1600-h/IMG_2224.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353216424240511282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XzzqowY1WFKAMVZREKn3aL0VPTaJOKQ6LdRxxTdeeidJoOMwepKPIYOaFSr6r0rp10cDpoA4X31Vt5FyRAJL0IWUGM1DmKw2wL0kpjqbkt6R-IdnwOGkHLKVh205_kdTahOicjeeZmvs/s320/IMG_2224.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-gQbPGcV-b4N16I-_VaypN2FWodyIhHsKzo7MZt09i3FCFl3RtaPeqNZiNNDDQo-T4Dqc0yvUc-nAZ2I70AaFqimMnUXMjnED6dzp3QGhUcSWzEkXZLTCI_mfG_HNFsoAMVbNqtdh2uF/s1600-h/IMG_2222.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353216418124933938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-gQbPGcV-b4N16I-_VaypN2FWodyIhHsKzo7MZt09i3FCFl3RtaPeqNZiNNDDQo-T4Dqc0yvUc-nAZ2I70AaFqimMnUXMjnED6dzp3QGhUcSWzEkXZLTCI_mfG_HNFsoAMVbNqtdh2uF/s320/IMG_2222.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /> Famous Chain bridge over the Danube connecting Buda and Pest<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNc3hRgJDQZOQeY11mIUjrEUtvsJBP8nvfQ-oeKaMwX2Nc4EnqPGntJOosNrdiodkwNBd29Nm9R6rR4vA_KKVtFiovdRtsaA6GPPdpAk1JmDL0irE15DmNsihCbirBmfNBTSjzMAhKE7M_/s1600-h/IMG_2220.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353216413138228738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNc3hRgJDQZOQeY11mIUjrEUtvsJBP8nvfQ-oeKaMwX2Nc4EnqPGntJOosNrdiodkwNBd29Nm9R6rR4vA_KKVtFiovdRtsaA6GPPdpAk1JmDL0irE15DmNsihCbirBmfNBTSjzMAhKE7M_/s320/IMG_2220.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwpimWOPcKKv3DMYc2DtMI7-Ma3Snj-T_jA4Bili3v1YfiVjgQ5GdKPfjuAB5fIo2xjdWBGEtwAk4OPHO_KO1QTvm9OnVm5prfzB3T4Vp8R5iATAyR6NzFP6G2jhMzxMtzuy2px0EhpoB/s1600-h/IMG_2218.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353216404412398690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUwpimWOPcKKv3DMYc2DtMI7-Ma3Snj-T_jA4Bili3v1YfiVjgQ5GdKPfjuAB5fIo2xjdWBGEtwAk4OPHO_KO1QTvm9OnVm5prfzB3T4Vp8R5iATAyR6NzFP6G2jhMzxMtzuy2px0EhpoB/s320/IMG_2218.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /> Danube above normal water level, that is a street that is flooded.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvvKpfYa0bzyKXtUeyA78tWy6Bc-OlVHPlKIMRTmmeAE025hvo2tX1M2-mDs2UqY0Pfkj1FoVtAojl8CN01P7EqLwPvZ-dXZv4FVNSU-uA4o4zYP6X5jVCzHUCjMk_inek545L3yNqNb8/s1600-h/IMG_2215.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353215700693286930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvvKpfYa0bzyKXtUeyA78tWy6Bc-OlVHPlKIMRTmmeAE025hvo2tX1M2-mDs2UqY0Pfkj1FoVtAojl8CN01P7EqLwPvZ-dXZv4FVNSU-uA4o4zYP6X5jVCzHUCjMk_inek545L3yNqNb8/s320/IMG_2215.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0NTO8LmHO_P-_WZP_fmHpB9d8AeY2mrqYUKDa0Zt_O9AKJNgXqpyY8sDnQS8_aZECj_-v84Q1fEigRm2qjUJ7USd7KpCIsbu5Yix2mISlFJkgFOYc393yqfxWTprguT3zDmwV0VJzkKd/s1600-h/IMG_2208.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353215698357723490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0NTO8LmHO_P-_WZP_fmHpB9d8AeY2mrqYUKDa0Zt_O9AKJNgXqpyY8sDnQS8_aZECj_-v84Q1fEigRm2qjUJ7USd7KpCIsbu5Yix2mISlFJkgFOYc393yqfxWTprguT3zDmwV0VJzkKd/s320/IMG_2208.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />View outside the hostel<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7C6co7a98NLUk655N0IItwiTDl9Fd-Yn2u5Ihp9RNP0gCfznoaQVH4Hm6Z1mGtk_M_zKd0wPwji-cLsGkhSkx9FkjfBomq_iVesVTizn2FmgtxhmMD7cOxcClWObMW0Nhl-ui88Ehgfco/s1600-h/IMG_2207.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353215691957074674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7C6co7a98NLUk655N0IItwiTDl9Fd-Yn2u5Ihp9RNP0gCfznoaQVH4Hm6Z1mGtk_M_zKd0wPwji-cLsGkhSkx9FkjfBomq_iVesVTizn2FmgtxhmMD7cOxcClWObMW0Nhl-ui88Ehgfco/s320/IMG_2207.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /> My Celtic friend welcomed me outside the train station. That was worth a tip<br /><div><div><div> </div><div>Another busy and fulfilling day. I spent the morning and part of the afternoon in Vienna. I then had a three hour train ride to Budapest. Upon arrival I went to an info center, see I am getting better, and was helped by a nice gentlemen who told me that my hostel was very nice. That is always a reassuring thing. I decided to walk from the train station to my hostel and surprise surprise I got lost. Not the first time and certainly not the last. I finally arrived and was once again very impressed with the hostel. In fact I am sitting now in a nice common area with couches, big flat screen tv and free use of a computer. The receptionist ,a beautiful looking Hungarian, has been very helpful. I am really happy that I decided to stay in the hostels. They are quite nice so far, knock on wood. </div><div> </div><div>I just got back a little bit ago after walking for hours. I sure have been getting my exercise. I love the freedom of just walking and where ever I end up, I end up. Buda and Pest are separated by the Danube River and the chain bridge connects the area. It is rather cool looking for the Danubes water level is very high and has flooded parts of the street. I walked across the very famous Chain bride and wandered around looking at the sights. </div><br /><div>Tommorow I am going to one of the famous spas or bath houses. I will then go to the Torture museum and lastly off to the castle. I will need to get up early and get all this in because I leave for Krakow, Poland around 6. I am very excited for tommorow should be a great day. Hope everyone is well. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-29194894422824375712009-06-30T03:37:00.000-07:002009-06-30T04:02:04.247-07:00Vienna<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BBy-OZHI06Vy6iT8Vz1Nd7HgojGZb2XJ8txa6Uurq_eyvU4Q7nlutoLkrnaVXouCJfGJQLWjTiHF3ltVNWEmeDVrwCMrsbVRIQlRrWDVyQ8csEPzwxYkX1Njbi-lVLWB2mF9ilKAcCuD/s1600-h/img_2189.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BBy-OZHI06Vy6iT8Vz1Nd7HgojGZb2XJ8txa6Uurq_eyvU4Q7nlutoLkrnaVXouCJfGJQLWjTiHF3ltVNWEmeDVrwCMrsbVRIQlRrWDVyQ8csEPzwxYkX1Njbi-lVLWB2mF9ilKAcCuD/s320/img_2189.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353073511442300450" border="0" /></a> On the way to the palace, needed a nice walk alone.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaNbkNKcWHG5zhXj2Gxz_vlqYpe5cr8mD807LxLRCZNBABJZ0lNPu_SFKC-xVsTN0uA1MZ4-Me8QUjiwqOw7o-r-cbgsvZgtw6NjM3UvweRVv6RgBdyqfirTAz6YySkB5ICAzg2qnzrYW/s1600-h/img_2174.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTaNbkNKcWHG5zhXj2Gxz_vlqYpe5cr8mD807LxLRCZNBABJZ0lNPu_SFKC-xVsTN0uA1MZ4-Me8QUjiwqOw7o-r-cbgsvZgtw6NjM3UvweRVv6RgBdyqfirTAz6YySkB5ICAzg2qnzrYW/s320/img_2174.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353073504045569698" border="0" /></a>My history buddy from Colorado and my new found friend from Australia.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTZq0ftKqFd1zjqyU6qNGgSnqCcxo4U7cJzPzesipGcNVDT-Um8Lpwb-IofJiEJWbnajRfnM9bw0R8AuUkMHAC0ZtyXop1KUxzAXiWn7q0ZGdn7tMXd3pB-_vdFPOLaWuoYk-wum6I_HC/s1600-h/img_2206.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTZq0ftKqFd1zjqyU6qNGgSnqCcxo4U7cJzPzesipGcNVDT-Um8Lpwb-IofJiEJWbnajRfnM9bw0R8AuUkMHAC0ZtyXop1KUxzAXiWn7q0ZGdn7tMXd3pB-_vdFPOLaWuoYk-wum6I_HC/s320/img_2206.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353073234078477698" border="0" /></a> I believe that is King Timothy, local Austrian with some Habsburg blood.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaBGNV_q9JljaF2w7vKXtJJBdBM-oi7W7GeP719kzyWXupVtTfIGnTf5yzaCHg8xUr3Jcy1oUAFwM4lZ9Crbq6eengZCwMXHw124yZaOgUac4qRfMF20eKE_aEPTzJUTdnTSIsjG6v-UV/s1600-h/img_2198.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSaBGNV_q9JljaF2w7vKXtJJBdBM-oi7W7GeP719kzyWXupVtTfIGnTf5yzaCHg8xUr3Jcy1oUAFwM4lZ9Crbq6eengZCwMXHw124yZaOgUac4qRfMF20eKE_aEPTzJUTdnTSIsjG6v-UV/s320/img_2198.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353073226816125762" border="0" /></a> Some local idiot who likes the Red Sox. In all seriousness the palace was amazing and a great place to reflect.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntY9F-uwhxU-u0qMRwFgF6E4h8cTIDVTmJsX4tRlEZrAhBThNVa9Iszmv7KyJOYKcsWTBvTmZ6TzBnZLuYNs1g52l7YqVGIwMPgmqbsm7spm_EU6oiD_o1nrtZGuCc56Y11DAqCm2h_tS/s1600-h/img_2196.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntY9F-uwhxU-u0qMRwFgF6E4h8cTIDVTmJsX4tRlEZrAhBThNVa9Iszmv7KyJOYKcsWTBvTmZ6TzBnZLuYNs1g52l7YqVGIwMPgmqbsm7spm_EU6oiD_o1nrtZGuCc56Y11DAqCm2h_tS/s320/img_2196.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353073222523889122" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oi3BT_riT0CZAp5NCUi7Ry1c3_C5ewG0C1pQX0FgT1kTlapV6w7epei1wSNL84ckBzbFJuRIscWTRftNX161ZAr4iDDYA-jDSLw0u1UOvwSOekY21Gc8f3q4NvKnspgLbUiZHRPSlLhi/s1600-h/img_2194.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oi3BT_riT0CZAp5NCUi7Ry1c3_C5ewG0C1pQX0FgT1kTlapV6w7epei1wSNL84ckBzbFJuRIscWTRftNX161ZAr4iDDYA-jDSLw0u1UOvwSOekY21Gc8f3q4NvKnspgLbUiZHRPSlLhi/s320/img_2194.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353073214738136418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ksfOvIztQ-_0B90lbPhoM0FdXOWzdPdQHySIWxv3JVZzq2kc2fzBqBWS61P2YsSjP4X-5qeNyY1TVtgcUSDeZQ7lznseYMeIFyL-ujOaa_cueze1ihuUy6MozBceDH110gUHZ2uj7KzB/s1600-h/img_2192.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ksfOvIztQ-_0B90lbPhoM0FdXOWzdPdQHySIWxv3JVZzq2kc2fzBqBWS61P2YsSjP4X-5qeNyY1TVtgcUSDeZQ7lznseYMeIFyL-ujOaa_cueze1ihuUy6MozBceDH110gUHZ2uj7KzB/s320/img_2192.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353073207192564050" border="0" /></a><br />I have had such an amazing time staying in this hostel. I have met people from all over the world. As most of you know I enjoy meeting new people and hearing about their stories. I met this really beautiful, wonderful girl from Switzerland, she in fact has a interview today to be in the theater department in Vienna. I met others from Guatemala, Germany, California, Canada, New York and England. I wish I was staying here longer but it is time to go to Budapest which I have heard great things about. Last night we went to a jazz festival and had a great time listening to live music and hearing all the different experiences we have had. I am really enjoying being own my own and doing the things I want to do. I also am gaining more confidence in myself because each day I am getting better with finding my way around. This is truly an unbelievable experience for me, one in which I have to pinch myself and say this is happening. The picture you will see today are from the Hapsburg palace, I thought I was there yesterday but evidently it was the wrong place. Me making a mistake?<br />Crazy story to tell Dad. I am staying in this amazing hostel. First time in a hostel and I was worried and nervous. As you can tell from the pictures it is amazing and well kept. Well last night I go to the reception desk and talk to the owner and thank her for the wonderful hospitality, service, and friendliness of the establishment. I tell her that she is running a wonderful hostel and how much I appreciate it because I am new to the whole hospel scene. We get to talking, no me, and she mentions that she is from the states. I figured that she was by her pure English but nonetheless it was still interesting. She asks me where I come from and I tell her that I live in Virginia but am originally from Pennsylvania. The discussion then leads to where are you from in Pennsylvania, and I of course mention with pride Pittsburgh. She gasps at this and blurts out I was raised in Pittsburgh. I ask her where and she says Forest Hills. Dad, she graduated from Churchill in 1972. Can you believe that? Small world, she says she has heard your name before but can not place a picture to it. Her maiden name is Erin Chase. Incredible meeting people and hearing their stories. I am of course loving life right now and can not wait for the newest journey and experience. Till next time!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-78517958808661510202009-06-29T10:27:00.001-07:002009-06-29T10:36:35.270-07:00Vienna<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYWaJhvSZpc7MoCZj1rJ42qB0FoIazP_e1A-f1-thJ3vqnim7zHujOVBek2zh-98NLfSjsyYLyw-BR0SrtnmC4okdOo9SBGZQKSxzxjM2ElXghKN_tmlcSLOpHJt1MW-nEIppuQqpFsIL/s1600-h/img_2168.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYWaJhvSZpc7MoCZj1rJ42qB0FoIazP_e1A-f1-thJ3vqnim7zHujOVBek2zh-98NLfSjsyYLyw-BR0SrtnmC4okdOo9SBGZQKSxzxjM2ElXghKN_tmlcSLOpHJt1MW-nEIppuQqpFsIL/s320/img_2168.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352804572221870482" border="0" /></a> Hostel<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sKzUXCHjgafuKRU7HY0ADu01ndQooXwoGG3prreD5LBqg8iJNJMcMe7RVu2FZ01vLX6hXQojc-2cLa4w-6Xm52GLTMABWY8HvA2WYbdImzt3H3NW4tlZ3Bd_5kvbCkmpAj3IJqfHzXA2/s1600-h/img_2167.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sKzUXCHjgafuKRU7HY0ADu01ndQooXwoGG3prreD5LBqg8iJNJMcMe7RVu2FZ01vLX6hXQojc-2cLa4w-6Xm52GLTMABWY8HvA2WYbdImzt3H3NW4tlZ3Bd_5kvbCkmpAj3IJqfHzXA2/s320/img_2167.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352804565444620002" border="0" /></a> Courtyard at the hostel, I am amazed at how nice it is.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrK066zUT_o8wMi0c3lzag1ryAEktmgovZ_A-o_4qEJK2tHo6p5_ZrGlZBa3QqjkOxOq-SeP_ft0j2zIRTOeEX3rpVrA2twhxS83x7NQ05xr0sC17EDpykZtCJjDrF1_ClfROMhDHjpLqJ/s1600-h/img_2155.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrK066zUT_o8wMi0c3lzag1ryAEktmgovZ_A-o_4qEJK2tHo6p5_ZrGlZBa3QqjkOxOq-SeP_ft0j2zIRTOeEX3rpVrA2twhxS83x7NQ05xr0sC17EDpykZtCJjDrF1_ClfROMhDHjpLqJ/s320/img_2155.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352804557191014466" border="0" /></a> In front of the Habsburg palace<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpLvtXDqsrnN4XJecXJmTbQcJx09PyezRvC3WW53dGWKma3yn2ROTabi_fzrW3FOUtEyzZJFPp6W-5IUGMGIHVyLck5HOhUbde21xDP89kmMbtcpWHvWjmZR1vhL8fjnpBOUqO78w55Pc/s1600-h/img_2152.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpLvtXDqsrnN4XJecXJmTbQcJx09PyezRvC3WW53dGWKma3yn2ROTabi_fzrW3FOUtEyzZJFPp6W-5IUGMGIHVyLck5HOhUbde21xDP89kmMbtcpWHvWjmZR1vhL8fjnpBOUqO78w55Pc/s320/img_2152.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352804234824625266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJG6clk8mVjkZBA0TvecTThj2zalJRzKrhHLTSd73cykaXQQ2EeX5JoZBAtjIXLh04TSZ_v5yIpIXqVCckY-StZS42zzBMKwX55z1jJMC6mlS0w75xXRdgpGGRWF6H7HBlqppA_rjrA-4i/s1600-h/img_2149.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJG6clk8mVjkZBA0TvecTThj2zalJRzKrhHLTSd73cykaXQQ2EeX5JoZBAtjIXLh04TSZ_v5yIpIXqVCckY-StZS42zzBMKwX55z1jJMC6mlS0w75xXRdgpGGRWF6H7HBlqppA_rjrA-4i/s320/img_2149.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352804227646082402" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IyO2RKn3oDUtVTiCDxbW3eyW1F-m6Vk4RuZob5jSxTxDrvSv2Di3M8ZZ_lyXihPAce8coBhLom9Di-HQNv4xxz5YxH_gcutQUZkT_S-8OsFDllxMi0ac6rG2JyUF_8cEE5KiEo5-mcID/s1600-h/img_2147.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IyO2RKn3oDUtVTiCDxbW3eyW1F-m6Vk4RuZob5jSxTxDrvSv2Di3M8ZZ_lyXihPAce8coBhLom9Di-HQNv4xxz5YxH_gcutQUZkT_S-8OsFDllxMi0ac6rG2JyUF_8cEE5KiEo5-mcID/s320/img_2147.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352804223952864242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFJfBndLTWzWrur_QVjqP5aqQRlopInr88b3jvur4N2p3kwJe1NeNewL_qWkOK_m8obGlAogsjEeed_MtzmTWudNUXx48JG77DNZN1UtajjDFkq9On_7pEEF6GZyVjywu1F7Puwrmw1b9/s1600-h/img_2146.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFJfBndLTWzWrur_QVjqP5aqQRlopInr88b3jvur4N2p3kwJe1NeNewL_qWkOK_m8obGlAogsjEeed_MtzmTWudNUXx48JG77DNZN1UtajjDFkq9On_7pEEF6GZyVjywu1F7Puwrmw1b9/s320/img_2146.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352804214214594162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPNiiIk4cHFy9c4Gm_jn4Tome0UhQ1UEydXLvnANHe4O_gaZaFOAvbSDwq01_u-jQG4xQDmU_rXmm9h06MGB70kU4QtduVDe2hYsEh2w6aoAPWy3nxRO6bzU6kjJkEemBgKdL5kL5kx_7/s1600-h/img_2140.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPNiiIk4cHFy9c4Gm_jn4Tome0UhQ1UEydXLvnANHe4O_gaZaFOAvbSDwq01_u-jQG4xQDmU_rXmm9h06MGB70kU4QtduVDe2hYsEh2w6aoAPWy3nxRO6bzU6kjJkEemBgKdL5kL5kx_7/s320/img_2140.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352804207620684770" border="0" /></a><br />I hopped on the train for Vienna around 9:00 am, Monday morning. Surprisingly I got here with no problem, ha ha. Seriously though I think I am getting better. The hostel I am staying at is amazing. I immediately met friends and walked around the city with a kid from Colorado who is studying history and has been getting around Europe till May. I am envious of him for I always wanted to do that when I was his age. He is quite an impressive young man. He is with a friend but they dont travel everywhere together. We had a great time talking history and checking out the sites. I will write more tomorrow. But this is an incredible city. I recommend to anyone, I am very impressed. I am about to head out with some friends I met to a jazz fest in the city square. Bon Voyage!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-12383152540314484392009-06-29T10:16:00.000-07:002009-06-29T10:27:06.237-07:00Bratislava<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3dXw4t6AfukKTibIX0WAx0sAzUk1fZvvNYOpaULRg69i2yXTH1DGtOBygNw1MkdSry5fEfgTQ8EtEqB1OgnRN0Z2B8ov29ji_QfmWC0u7Sh9SNN_3ur69yfhI_tfTsurUoE0bAtu5wvK/s1600-h/img_2137.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ3dXw4t6AfukKTibIX0WAx0sAzUk1fZvvNYOpaULRg69i2yXTH1DGtOBygNw1MkdSry5fEfgTQ8EtEqB1OgnRN0Z2B8ov29ji_QfmWC0u7Sh9SNN_3ur69yfhI_tfTsurUoE0bAtu5wvK/s320/img_2137.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352801881772629074" border="0" /></a> View outside Lucia and Peters flat where I spent the night on Sunday night.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNpmU5Dbwf81f01UWJ6ZiSnN_i6O_QqPUeeK4EmfKfJsbyV4q_i379qsy4aG03jeCsNLOp5uxrSDXw4t5HkBqi0zqHHIHbgrjrBpo6Z4HyqgSThCMJUgH_-JNrfYztIx0gVdudNhD6MOw/s1600-h/Picture+594.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNpmU5Dbwf81f01UWJ6ZiSnN_i6O_QqPUeeK4EmfKfJsbyV4q_i379qsy4aG03jeCsNLOp5uxrSDXw4t5HkBqi0zqHHIHbgrjrBpo6Z4HyqgSThCMJUgH_-JNrfYztIx0gVdudNhD6MOw/s320/Picture+594.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352801877810844594" border="0" /></a>Seat of the city government in Bratislava. I have been to three capitals in two days, how cool.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZP6eNLOWZBRF_tagzygZMOqh0cIMD_gE-7ue2lsgu5D9EwNO6KcGuHj2M30BKl7Fqs1IoJidFSdJcGnCCIBA_XFAtEJtU9xxis4YL7OXEpMIJzvA4uJCSX6MC2cOZa_OtFiHDF127M5E/s1600-h/Picture+589.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZP6eNLOWZBRF_tagzygZMOqh0cIMD_gE-7ue2lsgu5D9EwNO6KcGuHj2M30BKl7Fqs1IoJidFSdJcGnCCIBA_XFAtEJtU9xxis4YL7OXEpMIJzvA4uJCSX6MC2cOZa_OtFiHDF127M5E/s320/Picture+589.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352801868810352498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnk6txscL28SYUiyTGdamzPYVqa-lBQIbCMrHTw-QylmNANJuhzPxv-diqoSzqpORZ-WdGgzSaMCi07bxYVAIMABf3Zw_GyyFOE2aIS0adNSxb4KcR2JpDtYaTpxTgeqR0_Or9T70H40pX/s1600-h/Picture+587.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnk6txscL28SYUiyTGdamzPYVqa-lBQIbCMrHTw-QylmNANJuhzPxv-diqoSzqpORZ-WdGgzSaMCi07bxYVAIMABf3Zw_GyyFOE2aIS0adNSxb4KcR2JpDtYaTpxTgeqR0_Or9T70H40pX/s320/Picture+587.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352801864967531890" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fSCm_nXeD30y0UwUNljg3W2zXYxXzemmxxFptkLGHYSqdm_JvywCT29PGwWA71IQtfFYAghlXeYjzwJzxDt9A4MVi6BqnLu7WQzkXp2bCIVM8Bij5SIEFiSj-3TPFHAIV-62kATntUPG/s1600-h/Picture+584.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fSCm_nXeD30y0UwUNljg3W2zXYxXzemmxxFptkLGHYSqdm_JvywCT29PGwWA71IQtfFYAghlXeYjzwJzxDt9A4MVi6BqnLu7WQzkXp2bCIVM8Bij5SIEFiSj-3TPFHAIV-62kATntUPG/s320/Picture+584.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352801859639256706" border="0" /></a><br />We left Prague around 6 on Sunday night and headed to Bratislava. Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia. We stopped off at Lucia and Peters new home which is in construction as we speak. We then headed into Bratislava to check out the sights. They gave me a tour of their capital city which I thoroughly enjoyed. I really appreciate, as I mentioned, the kindness which they extended to me.<br />We headed back to their flat on the top floor that has a gorgeous view of the city and lake. I was able to burn some photos finally, check the email, charge all my electronics, eat some food and get ready for my solo journey through Eastern Europe. Vienna, Budapest and Krakow here I come!!!! Get ready.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-39607862712590001272009-06-29T09:38:00.000-07:002009-06-29T10:16:37.481-07:00Prague<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuNaLOF7bJws-kvMjQxyUm8AyniEDfbanz4YwMiXO1ZcoLMyBGu3BzWd0V9kTe0GIjM9X3zmpQOUYJdiNsxDJHLomvZEYPtb8wr14idsETHYTHEK2xi0Nc1CMluOrTibDYFCRrxjS267V/s1600-h/Picture+582.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZuNaLOF7bJws-kvMjQxyUm8AyniEDfbanz4YwMiXO1ZcoLMyBGu3BzWd0V9kTe0GIjM9X3zmpQOUYJdiNsxDJHLomvZEYPtb8wr14idsETHYTHEK2xi0Nc1CMluOrTibDYFCRrxjS267V/s320/Picture+582.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352797413650429106" border="0" /></a> Adam loving the gift I got for him, absolutely adorable boy<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSMDeVG-4pVJUkxNR_icxVHhsgj31mkcB7ilKOSEDP2ssj-mkwLn3iitvEujwIQQEYE95biMU6xh11pZ7XzQ48ex-6DDhq8yibgA2Dp2j3SrdxY4iGvE_8fKUZ_lawO-2VA7qddAJXkTs/s1600-h/Picture+572.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSMDeVG-4pVJUkxNR_icxVHhsgj31mkcB7ilKOSEDP2ssj-mkwLn3iitvEujwIQQEYE95biMU6xh11pZ7XzQ48ex-6DDhq8yibgA2Dp2j3SrdxY4iGvE_8fKUZ_lawO-2VA7qddAJXkTs/s320/Picture+572.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352797411727943810" border="0" /></a>View from uptop near the castle<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlguJy1Fzb7um16rpFmcESw5SWF1L54CtoRyUjxo5XNhMHePLe1bnlt9mZPGuRKPzzSZDaWDb6bukYVWsT5MG5gznKZGZLfridNmI8i-MW6MbbQ3fJtoBL4zgA6uj6kx07EMs7UG6yGH1/s1600-h/Picture+570.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlguJy1Fzb7um16rpFmcESw5SWF1L54CtoRyUjxo5XNhMHePLe1bnlt9mZPGuRKPzzSZDaWDb6bukYVWsT5MG5gznKZGZLfridNmI8i-MW6MbbQ3fJtoBL4zgA6uj6kx07EMs7UG6yGH1/s320/Picture+570.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352797401958706482" border="0" /></a>Heather and I near the castle overlooking the city.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkV-De7fcG3JzzBXiWANn6hGtyeiEeZuLMNSUDPJjYg8znrbspsFvWCZbciiwoU-2Xg-P0GJ442_Xk5gzxcCCwh9hKD3PHMRuADqrgjNpQCQJ-AxqBlhuCHQ7nEs-alIPRdIIE4Gobnuc/s1600-h/Picture+558.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkV-De7fcG3JzzBXiWANn6hGtyeiEeZuLMNSUDPJjYg8znrbspsFvWCZbciiwoU-2Xg-P0GJ442_Xk5gzxcCCwh9hKD3PHMRuADqrgjNpQCQJ-AxqBlhuCHQ7nEs-alIPRdIIE4Gobnuc/s320/Picture+558.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352797384679451858" border="0" /></a> Boy drawing the sights inside the amazing royal church<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphendL0aL9lkBZqlWXQS7Tz__C2Qrw8ofXMfZ67tvYjKbEqEmPgDnVRlnU_soNAyV9z1icB8qleSv8jQPcZc5YXd2KNPofpAzyTLP-S9cnbCtO7Ndy9WM_9EvOpnPMHLHJdpRoiu3GhgDjg/s1600-h/Picture+554.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphendL0aL9lkBZqlWXQS7Tz__C2Qrw8ofXMfZ67tvYjKbEqEmPgDnVRlnU_soNAyV9z1icB8qleSv8jQPcZc5YXd2KNPofpAzyTLP-S9cnbCtO7Ndy9WM_9EvOpnPMHLHJdpRoiu3GhgDjg/s320/Picture+554.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352797379658954498" border="0" /></a> View of the church, many Czech leaders are buried here<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVl5r2_b2Y_Xmtt-3bpSQXLwN7hkdGI5nljuYT2ve3oDPmBSxX4OrjNFxjXq7tjBT5aYz3X8AN_fytlpxpVtKv9dBswD7ym9DdruW3pAxpeskg6J-iSlwxU1Jv2WmOgw-4aM1es-RAhnn/s1600-h/Picture+552.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVl5r2_b2Y_Xmtt-3bpSQXLwN7hkdGI5nljuYT2ve3oDPmBSxX4OrjNFxjXq7tjBT5aYz3X8AN_fytlpxpVtKv9dBswD7ym9DdruW3pAxpeskg6J-iSlwxU1Jv2WmOgw-4aM1es-RAhnn/s320/Picture+552.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352796881827078818" border="0" /></a> Czech soldiers near the castle.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdi9wLedpZ6PvNVmKIDpdLUwCaHEZSmi0kSUDTuDv1TVpE-c6wRKzdK-XFFaj6koVZkYMyeskWjhaedtBp33ttYiAiO-QyCWYPxIuWNWJKmHYUcns_jfyrKNHJ4P9GW2dsqMAdniJiq-zr/s1600-h/Picture+551.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdi9wLedpZ6PvNVmKIDpdLUwCaHEZSmi0kSUDTuDv1TVpE-c6wRKzdK-XFFaj6koVZkYMyeskWjhaedtBp33ttYiAiO-QyCWYPxIuWNWJKmHYUcns_jfyrKNHJ4P9GW2dsqMAdniJiq-zr/s320/Picture+551.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352796877964126850" border="0" /></a> Cage where people were put into to humiliate them for crimes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMW9uaKo1g463ZtH7ngxfYBKyFKvpM9XJA-EyNGzF9FmbRUWOz7ttvUSllwFnPTXAxAD3WBh5T6M2B4zl0ro0YrsEbN0cdqb3L-zcKXCxQIGQKktG5o35ebvs5hqwUgP1E1SAOTygD3NRt/s1600-h/Picture+549.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMW9uaKo1g463ZtH7ngxfYBKyFKvpM9XJA-EyNGzF9FmbRUWOz7ttvUSllwFnPTXAxAD3WBh5T6M2B4zl0ro0YrsEbN0cdqb3L-zcKXCxQIGQKktG5o35ebvs5hqwUgP1E1SAOTygD3NRt/s320/Picture+549.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352796869319960642" border="0" /></a>Entrance to castle<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAjGYriPD09aT5x3Pf8i31eDnIRrEvR76k-frGsNQgX2th40EMrumbriq7dEXS6fEGxxe-YAZ2yYww90Yz_bghwoWzPwtszbuzlwS6mkIb25-35zliDhHsUYpB1x2R0rj7a3WfwaUaPYd/s1600-h/Picture+547.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAjGYriPD09aT5x3Pf8i31eDnIRrEvR76k-frGsNQgX2th40EMrumbriq7dEXS6fEGxxe-YAZ2yYww90Yz_bghwoWzPwtszbuzlwS6mkIb25-35zliDhHsUYpB1x2R0rj7a3WfwaUaPYd/s320/Picture+547.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352796863511816834" border="0" /></a> Why is he so serious? Doesnt he know he has a celebrity next to him, the Hoffs son. Had to be on the trip to Germany to get that one<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNc_xA3CRrCfolwR3bvv2qGExvg2n3JVnjDUjlluaEvLHKOo96pXQ1fLnklFOGJa4m9RI-56V-rpvIXA1NQqFFwxGkOgCg-8nDqtNWtgd-3CkeA-XVbGcIn5AJB2kh3ef1g0zX9nurjyFV/s1600-h/Picture+540.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNc_xA3CRrCfolwR3bvv2qGExvg2n3JVnjDUjlluaEvLHKOo96pXQ1fLnklFOGJa4m9RI-56V-rpvIXA1NQqFFwxGkOgCg-8nDqtNWtgd-3CkeA-XVbGcIn5AJB2kh3ef1g0zX9nurjyFV/s320/Picture+540.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352796857353268194" border="0" /></a>I need to stop opening my mouth during the pictures, huh.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7jIfO85-RJ61r8ZMrsUcXn1UJPmV4czbBDU7CbTyagJ4eh670kfxE6MkGrThqjSNpFvsWu_VY6KlWutXFP5Z_Yj-jYRS4VJVoiicZnYSUUo_dAcYNbEPH9Ebr7zjhCUccXrY50c_In_e/s1600-h/Picture+539.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7jIfO85-RJ61r8ZMrsUcXn1UJPmV4czbBDU7CbTyagJ4eh670kfxE6MkGrThqjSNpFvsWu_VY6KlWutXFP5Z_Yj-jYRS4VJVoiicZnYSUUo_dAcYNbEPH9Ebr7zjhCUccXrY50c_In_e/s320/Picture+539.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352796445988702546" border="0" /></a> Lucia and Peter<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmzTzn0vM29P1jtnDx7I7hQvlVgE5Aftmd8TBY3gTiLXMt-uws06rQLQ1Pvz5YMRZJ5pn2tgljOHZTuUhCWywHTwoou09wukslGkx81YzYq5cBJSAEatZPe90uOgA6IqQgD6o5ZWIx2hM/s1600-h/Picture+534.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmzTzn0vM29P1jtnDx7I7hQvlVgE5Aftmd8TBY3gTiLXMt-uws06rQLQ1Pvz5YMRZJ5pn2tgljOHZTuUhCWywHTwoou09wukslGkx81YzYq5cBJSAEatZPe90uOgA6IqQgD6o5ZWIx2hM/s320/Picture+534.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352796438455752706" border="0" /></a> Yes, we even have Steelers memorabilia in Prague<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLuRTkWSzkAPFikgoajwcqaI_J0dcEHaxCffkTQQphSBm1PJxJylS-pkemnejz6nKobcIkQWl1Yjj7rCCeu4u2nKc118DU2kX_7lt5L9CbLMOzdoS_dD3FVOvuV9uAsCZ5wmaqabwdEak/s1600-h/Picture+531.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLuRTkWSzkAPFikgoajwcqaI_J0dcEHaxCffkTQQphSBm1PJxJylS-pkemnejz6nKobcIkQWl1Yjj7rCCeu4u2nKc118DU2kX_7lt5L9CbLMOzdoS_dD3FVOvuV9uAsCZ5wmaqabwdEak/s320/Picture+531.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352796430832476354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqaV03cbtIVo1PrWYQKVhoumbh-IjeLhXGugpJozEJzHKErJZ0yJRwgsi7EOQnefAuU2oZblFAB6r6ebqChZtyiVFnZR6nBjWm1j-7d1rasXF9vXcA31OxIgCm-ezWSkZ7JbhyphenhyphencMdqkl3/s1600-h/Picture+529.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqaV03cbtIVo1PrWYQKVhoumbh-IjeLhXGugpJozEJzHKErJZ0yJRwgsi7EOQnefAuU2oZblFAB6r6ebqChZtyiVFnZR6nBjWm1j-7d1rasXF9vXcA31OxIgCm-ezWSkZ7JbhyphenhyphencMdqkl3/s320/Picture+529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352796422980874370" border="0" /></a> Famous clock built into the church, these figurines revolve around in a circular motion<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIM_Kr82kKgdHR9rMwEsML9OdSD6_lKJ8C3-qeNg9hnjb8nE_8_Cc-qQ50YvNKtfCkTKyboQ4tvA0eWhjrF0Shr4-H_YSHQFQh3BEfCptoztw1K1Cp_7lvohEPrIWvYmmtdW5f8eClFOQw/s1600-h/Picture+528.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIM_Kr82kKgdHR9rMwEsML9OdSD6_lKJ8C3-qeNg9hnjb8nE_8_Cc-qQ50YvNKtfCkTKyboQ4tvA0eWhjrF0Shr4-H_YSHQFQh3BEfCptoztw1K1Cp_7lvohEPrIWvYmmtdW5f8eClFOQw/s320/Picture+528.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352796417282761314" border="0" /></a> Famous clock<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlbgL2inhSJp8PVI8OO9w-SGby6JdIPxJIWiiWRFXDO_CGj2z74trCU2PiFO4u4vpDpGVjN9QcHngeUoSTG5OVAhySvo3aMIKlXbjAnzWHJnoku1O_N3NyHdagUelgBJCJ7fTti91Zfjk/s1600-h/Picture+527.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlbgL2inhSJp8PVI8OO9w-SGby6JdIPxJIWiiWRFXDO_CGj2z74trCU2PiFO4u4vpDpGVjN9QcHngeUoSTG5OVAhySvo3aMIKlXbjAnzWHJnoku1O_N3NyHdagUelgBJCJ7fTti91Zfjk/s320/Picture+527.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352796069790481362" border="0" /></a>Gunpowder tower, munitions and powder was stored here<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEm3-dJxzENwkzSa3jVsnicFRIy-TwXFFeITeTRXK41QSeI4CRX0YEKC3T69goiVHs_Z1GmjKVjxlMOtMU9m8ug59RqJ7EeFh66eNI6iH3jNdJyG0vfBhyphenhyphen16DSYqfb-hhveszIXdvVWUGm/s1600-h/Picture+525.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEm3-dJxzENwkzSa3jVsnicFRIy-TwXFFeITeTRXK41QSeI4CRX0YEKC3T69goiVHs_Z1GmjKVjxlMOtMU9m8ug59RqJ7EeFh66eNI6iH3jNdJyG0vfBhyphenhyphen16DSYqfb-hhveszIXdvVWUGm/s320/Picture+525.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352796063691893202" border="0" /></a>flat we stayed at<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKONruEqd9U6xQEMDy5f9kFBPb-aD2BYX9O-hzX1JIaKtUepKJ3oz0wxvxtR2rzvf5yFgVRPs4yrRWwlYQWw99hyBQlKf-a5_r50fZ6QdzdyfJZUWazZ0bOXC5yeXtb834B78JAJBcAq7m/s1600-h/Picture+523.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKONruEqd9U6xQEMDy5f9kFBPb-aD2BYX9O-hzX1JIaKtUepKJ3oz0wxvxtR2rzvf5yFgVRPs4yrRWwlYQWw99hyBQlKf-a5_r50fZ6QdzdyfJZUWazZ0bOXC5yeXtb834B78JAJBcAq7m/s320/Picture+523.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352796058466336242" border="0" /></a>there is my dinner, i never knew raw meat tasted so good.<br />when in rome, i am impressed with myself.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFa9uJnDUEFs4Mgz7wgl0DR1NrpgyZAzfDP_AYxpuVJ06PaT05k-ypbS4l3V-k0wYrmfTvlqfvbdreE7rfUIFeW9VrtWrr-ICSA68NJv39mQ3BVfxOwkyI5bxhxXiv7daOli_MAJkc112n/s1600-h/Picture+513.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFa9uJnDUEFs4Mgz7wgl0DR1NrpgyZAzfDP_AYxpuVJ06PaT05k-ypbS4l3V-k0wYrmfTvlqfvbdreE7rfUIFeW9VrtWrr-ICSA68NJv39mQ3BVfxOwkyI5bxhxXiv7daOli_MAJkc112n/s320/Picture+513.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352796043924812690" border="0" /></a>part of revolutionary square<br /><br />Well I got into Prague Saturday evening around 7. I then proceeded to walk around Prague with my luggage trying to find an internet cafe to figure out how to get a hold of Lucia and Peter, my Slovakian friends. I walked and walked and walked. Very demoralizing and frustrating. I finally found a cafe, checked my internet, called them and got picked up. Whooo, what a day. I felt so bad for they were confused as to why we did not see each other at the train station. But everything turned out fine. They took me back to there friends flat where I washed up and we headed to the bus stop to get into Prague. Their friends live in a very nice, modern eco friendly section of Prague up on top of the hill not too far from the city. We headed into town and checked out the beautiful city. I absolutely fell in love with Prague. So beautiful and charming, full of personality and flair. We checked out Revolutionary square, the church tower clock, gunpowder tower and other sights. We then headed for the most amazing cultural experience, dinner. I told Peter I wanted to have some traditional Czech food. So he sure picked it out. I had raw ground beef with a raw egg on top of it mixed with pepper, mustard, onions, paprika and ketchup spread along bread grinded with garlic. When I saw it my face turned yellow and my eyes nearly burst through my head. Peter told me to stop looking at it and give it a try. He prepared it for me, mixed it around and showed me what to do with the bread and garlic. Next thing you know I am digging into some raw beef and absolutely enjoying it. We had a great evening in a traditional Czech restaurant. I loved learning more about the Czech republic and from where they come from Slovakia. They have done a lot of world traveling and I enjoyed every minute of learning about their views and experiences. Quality people that I owe a lot to. They are in the process of building their home and they will be married in two months. I look forward to continuing our relationship and know that they will have a wonderful life together.<br />The next morning we woke up and headed to the hotel Heather was staying. We picked her up and headed to see the clock change. It is a big thing in Prague this clock. We then headed to the famous Charles Bridge, Prague Castle and its amazing church and walked around town some more. We met some of their friends for lunch and I meet the lady who was allowing us to use her aparment. They are in the process of moving to London so her husband was not there. Her son was there though that I bought a couple of gifts for which he absolutely loved. That always makes you feel good :) I then said my goodbye to Heather and we headed back to the flat to head to Bratislava the capital of Slovakia to see where they live and visit another capital city. Whoooo exhausted is an understatement as far as how I felt. Incredibly busy couple of days.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-29089141104069655042009-06-29T09:02:00.000-07:002009-06-29T09:38:46.434-07:00Missed Train and Nazis<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrV76bs2DnxwXgBR7x_4zx5_eFUwXv2-F3dKItzC06jsFKxOSQhY3XdIeb07PD4cp9O7r-WV_JZoXjCT2p110WWwPhfCI9qrmXQT6Do9Xflm51WBumFhyphenhyphen58okpzKMj2_MQeencemRgFrc/s1600-h/Picture+510.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrV76bs2DnxwXgBR7x_4zx5_eFUwXv2-F3dKItzC06jsFKxOSQhY3XdIeb07PD4cp9O7r-WV_JZoXjCT2p110WWwPhfCI9qrmXQT6Do9Xflm51WBumFhyphenhyphen58okpzKMj2_MQeencemRgFrc/s320/Picture+510.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352788508266645826" border="0" /></a>At the train station in the midst of the stare down with the Nazis. Notice the police in the background. Very awkward moment in which they were not happy with the picture being taken. The tall guy then took a picture of me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1LwgA7rtHwMJYsEBSkdFe8uUssWx7b-m8U94hpjD1IiagsGPhhoTOjmz96bYSJcsAdJ_tH9St9Qw__1B2kLLJGCbrr96bm-Kle88t6VEPFQJ3a0j7Tn3Z9oce04mNkY5Yubq4260FWjO/s1600-h/Picture+507.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1LwgA7rtHwMJYsEBSkdFe8uUssWx7b-m8U94hpjD1IiagsGPhhoTOjmz96bYSJcsAdJ_tH9St9Qw__1B2kLLJGCbrr96bm-Kle88t6VEPFQJ3a0j7Tn3Z9oce04mNkY5Yubq4260FWjO/s320/Picture+507.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352788501034007170" border="0" /></a> Another weird moment with a woman, whoĀ“s shop is shut down do the demonstrations, trying to get some work done. Nazis are in the background.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivW3dIzDcilvR5v9nBBZhxR8cjvhFh8aehWMusmQXwu_b9roJxy2XdoJGWB_PTBG3e6rNcDGe1fSgbqXz68GtJY855HfxweuBvwA5ydUtWU_KZ28b_9HQOOAnplCPBQRiZfyjaV5-OMNap/s1600-h/Picture+502.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivW3dIzDcilvR5v9nBBZhxR8cjvhFh8aehWMusmQXwu_b9roJxy2XdoJGWB_PTBG3e6rNcDGe1fSgbqXz68GtJY855HfxweuBvwA5ydUtWU_KZ28b_9HQOOAnplCPBQRiZfyjaV5-OMNap/s320/Picture+502.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352788492645375218" border="0" /></a>It was heartening seeing the protests against the Nazis. Many more protested agains the Nazis and felt just or should I say more sick about seeing the Nazis in their town.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGw0VXYFy7fVzfv5wsNQm0gBSuvmWVBkNKXJm-88wE5U8siHyRfNhn5YMa8NRvPZkCh1AbbjdwR2LyOAhn78Hp2ei-LKZLcPqRBceE0MpoAwYoVDQIuCUzeTWCtLnlYZMWfmr5p-KGuwP-/s1600-h/Picture+498.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGw0VXYFy7fVzfv5wsNQm0gBSuvmWVBkNKXJm-88wE5U8siHyRfNhn5YMa8NRvPZkCh1AbbjdwR2LyOAhn78Hp2ei-LKZLcPqRBceE0MpoAwYoVDQIuCUzeTWCtLnlYZMWfmr5p-KGuwP-/s320/Picture+498.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352788488084749346" border="0" /></a> SAD!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvY6zp27ifcTRFtWAqfZOvLdxLOvVeyPtmHUzhuijnLpLmnuWdTZ_IFmIoOBvE14TBAc-izqiNzEqpDOTcSS4AHS-87eL758u7WuH96phPwSmZ3Dx_r8ElAWoUJY4E-Ituucm3usH2-X7/s1600-h/Picture+497.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvY6zp27ifcTRFtWAqfZOvLdxLOvVeyPtmHUzhuijnLpLmnuWdTZ_IFmIoOBvE14TBAc-izqiNzEqpDOTcSS4AHS-87eL758u7WuH96phPwSmZ3Dx_r8ElAWoUJY4E-Ituucm3usH2-X7/s320/Picture+497.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352788180016513938" border="0" /></a> Protests against the Nazis<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO0v0tV30hf_i4VaPwVblt4KU3Ly0xZsj8W930doHBGZCiag-dG3eNpqKlcv9LL_GSx0aYNhuemXAL2Ak3semlWKzP2lZaWNQZqA9YoMMAsMHP2LTDeYyFHJbhhKIZ8fTqP_qnsAwbuJi/s1600-h/Picture+496.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO0v0tV30hf_i4VaPwVblt4KU3Ly0xZsj8W930doHBGZCiag-dG3eNpqKlcv9LL_GSx0aYNhuemXAL2Ak3semlWKzP2lZaWNQZqA9YoMMAsMHP2LTDeYyFHJbhhKIZ8fTqP_qnsAwbuJi/s320/Picture+496.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352788177674708450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEila1MFS0UiJzhkZw7LeT4QAL3KfNZ9xs7J560V5Taq8tsFzzT3ECuOQcot4MtZt7EUK7QQQ6MfENvnejUvCJE6Rh8t_VwsL25Kmet9D6t0JzDulnqpi2pGkhn0TQyBXjwmZnevp96baAd4/s1600-h/Picture+494.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEila1MFS0UiJzhkZw7LeT4QAL3KfNZ9xs7J560V5Taq8tsFzzT3ECuOQcot4MtZt7EUK7QQQ6MfENvnejUvCJE6Rh8t_VwsL25Kmet9D6t0JzDulnqpi2pGkhn0TQyBXjwmZnevp96baAd4/s320/Picture+494.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352788166970344914" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZpacX7Ft83zMdrdksiPZq_QDHV297BRaH6Htcb-t6eZh1dU2KTqh3DGE6AmlAf8ec4XJ8RbY01gBye278KhGEzh7vCY6OLmpxrBWacGx8FPFf5kUk45l311up7XTkS-BuOUPWdD7KgDd/s1600-h/Picture+493.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZpacX7Ft83zMdrdksiPZq_QDHV297BRaH6Htcb-t6eZh1dU2KTqh3DGE6AmlAf8ec4XJ8RbY01gBye278KhGEzh7vCY6OLmpxrBWacGx8FPFf5kUk45l311up7XTkS-BuOUPWdD7KgDd/s320/Picture+493.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352788165329787714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWoNvy8PmHHduSGgmF-2iuxoJgrxwzHk48CoMVZnz80bPH6HIG9tpgvqtPErbrnhIi9bxVlTE3lGA2H4vtREDVZaA5odI6qArwpbmT37dS15RJ_wtYOejkSg6LSuExQW3fl5bl-QvSNX7/s1600-h/Picture+491.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWoNvy8PmHHduSGgmF-2iuxoJgrxwzHk48CoMVZnz80bPH6HIG9tpgvqtPErbrnhIi9bxVlTE3lGA2H4vtREDVZaA5odI6qArwpbmT37dS15RJ_wtYOejkSg6LSuExQW3fl5bl-QvSNX7/s320/Picture+491.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352788155103554818" border="0" /></a><br />What can I say? Oh I know what to say I have some amazing experiences when they are least expected. I got up early Saturday morning and got my train to Regensburg to connect to Prague. Got there in plenty of time was standing at the right platform and got on the train. One problem it was the wrong train, ok no problem. I get off and head down to the right train. A train employee is standing on the steps so I show her my ticket, she looks at it, shakes her head and the train proceeds to leave. Turns out it was the right train but she was not happy with my last minute arrival. Even the other train employees behing me were shaking their had, surprised just as much as I was. It did turn out I was not the only one to miss this train because I saw some English people waiting for the same train and they missed it also. Alright so I find another route to Prague and head to a small town called Schwandorf. Miss another train by a minute. So now I am stuck in this small town with four hours to kill before the next train. I am stressed because first off I am meeting Lucia and Peter my Slovakian friends and also Heather who is getting into Prague an hour later than my original train. I decide to take a walk and check out the small town. I end up hearing all this commotion and music so I of course head for it. I see these people in the center of town gathered looking at people on a stage. There is music being played and I am thinking good times. However I feel there is something strange going on. When I arrived at the train I noticed a lot of policemen some in special uniforms telling me they were no local billy bob cops. I ask in my excellent German Sie Sprechen English a young guy tells me he does. I ask him what is going on today. He then tells me that they are protesting against racism. I think oh how nice then he proceeds to tell me that is in response to the Nazis down the street who are organized. Whoa are you kidding me, after all we have just learned and all that I have studied about Germany. Of course I knew that there were still neo Nazis around but I just happened to stumble across this. I head down to wear they are standing. There are policemen all around and fencing separating the nazis and the people protesting the nazis. Well I play stupid and try to get into the area where the nazis are located. Of course I am not allowed in just like anyone else, worth a try right. Story gets better, just wait<br />So I go to the other end and see a large number of people organized protesting against the nazis. I was fascinated and enjoying the activists protesting against the nazis. They were shouting and singing go Nazis go, we donĀ“t want you here. Eventually the nazis leave the plaza and head for the train station. Huh, do you know where this is going? I of course follow the crowd and head to the train station. The police are blocking off the train station because the nazis are taking the train back to the town where they came from. Of course the reason the police are there is that they are worried there will be brawls in the street. Well if you remember I have a train to catch and I have police preventing from going. Now to be honest I am not worried I have two hours. My whole thinking is I want to see these Nazis up close and personal. I plead with one of the policemen show him my passport and train ticket and next thing you know I am walking up to the train platform where the nazis are waiting for their train. What a incredibley awkward experience. Here I am waiting for my train surrounded by police and nazis. They are staring me down and I them. I am shaking my head and getting a little emotional thinking about how misdirected these people are and what they represent. They are talking about me and I am showing absolutely no desire to back down or look away. It helps when you are surrounded by police. None of them say anything to me however and pretty much leave me alone. One nazi girl walks by me and I swoop in. I ask her if she speaks English and she replies a little. And I attempt to begin my conversion of the misdirected girl. She tells me they are protesting against Russian immigrants in Germany and gives me the name of the town where I am standing. She then heads back to her crowd where they proceed to whisper about me. Crazy, Crazy experience. Missing the train happened to turn out to be an amazing cultural experience. Funny how things work. After an hour they board their train, police follow them and the town returns to normal. Very bizarre!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-38018382860277826532009-06-29T08:31:00.000-07:002009-06-29T09:02:45.030-07:00Heidelberg<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijILmg3JWK7m1f3DxU4AUS-dNLjO-uX_-1UEfKFOUIAzjl7dP5yIgCvou4l6ciZod1pDwevAzFIGIUNev7HPrbmZ-gB2PXRFVzWm3LVlvHHiI38OQ7T-o8NSbk_oY6m3W4lV7MI85M0yMR/s1600-h/Picture+470.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijILmg3JWK7m1f3DxU4AUS-dNLjO-uX_-1UEfKFOUIAzjl7dP5yIgCvou4l6ciZod1pDwevAzFIGIUNev7HPrbmZ-gB2PXRFVzWm3LVlvHHiI38OQ7T-o8NSbk_oY6m3W4lV7MI85M0yMR/s320/Picture+470.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352778674231212306" border="0" /></a> Our fun night at the end of our journey together. Go Chris!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYtMte2xfeMo7JZg7tvA3b9Ol-n45C2065xb_kdLxymfoTLlbqZxmZqBAJvVoGrN9pu1DylB_iiPRZ-6to7fIlVMmuYVBX2fq8rDQnXbaKSWHnmVyFbWpTjacQanNthZp6ypMwWE29R0F/s1600-h/Picture+464.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYtMte2xfeMo7JZg7tvA3b9Ol-n45C2065xb_kdLxymfoTLlbqZxmZqBAJvVoGrN9pu1DylB_iiPRZ-6to7fIlVMmuYVBX2fq8rDQnXbaKSWHnmVyFbWpTjacQanNthZp6ypMwWE29R0F/s320/Picture+464.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352778673340971298" border="0" /></a> The German gentlemen sending his friend off, quite touching.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC41egsyYTDPC5RJLo1AvgJvEsiBWmVLI0wj53vb5TUx6IedBvuuZd_bTLb8icvd6nwdzvGtxXgUdO2cPaoEGdAG77hUFGBEKUiVJwv591gYPEPcKWe6mLQfiQKWESHTpB5tq7fN_rj33i/s1600-h/Picture+457.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC41egsyYTDPC5RJLo1AvgJvEsiBWmVLI0wj53vb5TUx6IedBvuuZd_bTLb8icvd6nwdzvGtxXgUdO2cPaoEGdAG77hUFGBEKUiVJwv591gYPEPcKWe6mLQfiQKWESHTpB5tq7fN_rj33i/s320/Picture+457.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352778421717249986" border="0" /></a> Beautiful German waitress dressed up in the traditional outfit.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVX1vicqWmMu1wTOEZKAKL4sNsWTu0x6khdxHmK0j09qBc2sdH4YpK2IVW18zTsYZ8Dq5VKKb0RqdOj9hnbrn69YNTKOheRmY3IeleS-qnT2jY4pTC90vwOg7eGjBjAVbYKQ1TMLXK8n0Y/s1600-h/Picture+455.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVX1vicqWmMu1wTOEZKAKL4sNsWTu0x6khdxHmK0j09qBc2sdH4YpK2IVW18zTsYZ8Dq5VKKb0RqdOj9hnbrn69YNTKOheRmY3IeleS-qnT2jY4pTC90vwOg7eGjBjAVbYKQ1TMLXK8n0Y/s320/Picture+455.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352778418359052738" border="0" /></a> Heather and I on the bridge outside the imposing Heidelberg castle.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV04k4BHMq_omFQD4QYLSt8W6ub_EZhSFEm_yzqPykArmzbCM7puvdM_F5Nhr_l6XmV9Htlwi4fLyy6OEIna5VTl6aYUN0PwZcHf4w09osmxCYy7Xu1WkqO4jhMbi-9ZIGSJJpHxT8Knzj/s1600-h/Picture+453.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV04k4BHMq_omFQD4QYLSt8W6ub_EZhSFEm_yzqPykArmzbCM7puvdM_F5Nhr_l6XmV9Htlwi4fLyy6OEIna5VTl6aYUN0PwZcHf4w09osmxCYy7Xu1WkqO4jhMbi-9ZIGSJJpHxT8Knzj/s320/Picture+453.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352778408336692050" border="0" /></a> I am menacing and imposing!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hNZ72rAHfMeZy63VvpYVlARMGxYoHp5CAvuMFIlLBqA7XOSZ3CcQxWO6UVRo4oxJfy_q9hRA9dJP73j-lA5pFlfXfbBmMJKSpmM6LXys6QnNvlvsVNCZNL4R9EIVUr0FcGvr6XKx5QmP/s1600-h/Picture+442.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hNZ72rAHfMeZy63VvpYVlARMGxYoHp5CAvuMFIlLBqA7XOSZ3CcQxWO6UVRo4oxJfy_q9hRA9dJP73j-lA5pFlfXfbBmMJKSpmM6LXys6QnNvlvsVNCZNL4R9EIVUr0FcGvr6XKx5QmP/s320/Picture+442.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352778405248135010" border="0" /></a> People are people. Little boy enjoying his ice cream and life.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg351BH39BIiwMxMWFkdKkJ1fEZNRfEZescejjozQqZ9QtkLNoDOWhmsoDWfC7tzyhmzLBXXvlG9nf-bjAt79G-i6zi-9kf6VL8yO0J3BqELvxP321BWo4-0pVyk-pLFgSy6Cg19VHXMEhW/s1600-h/Picture+437.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg351BH39BIiwMxMWFkdKkJ1fEZNRfEZescejjozQqZ9QtkLNoDOWhmsoDWfC7tzyhmzLBXXvlG9nf-bjAt79G-i6zi-9kf6VL8yO0J3BqELvxP321BWo4-0pVyk-pLFgSy6Cg19VHXMEhW/s320/Picture+437.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352778395466618354" border="0" /></a> Story behind this one, girls messed with me by taking five photos in which none of them had the castle in the background. They enjoyed messing with me, I can handle it. Evidently not according to this photo :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtLviYf4UBK-mY_lNw1KxOXvZpapbFxwKYxhUnpO7KUUC7zGNOhOL4TbzsIShMIJQFkrX6jo2ud0L8_gKkqht3LaLLSpZ-A2wDniL5c7tBYisSeWH4ns54wq8e6UKfk-jsux0eEy2xpr_/s1600-h/Picture+429.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtLviYf4UBK-mY_lNw1KxOXvZpapbFxwKYxhUnpO7KUUC7zGNOhOL4TbzsIShMIJQFkrX6jo2ud0L8_gKkqht3LaLLSpZ-A2wDniL5c7tBYisSeWH4ns54wq8e6UKfk-jsux0eEy2xpr_/s320/Picture+429.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352777901970521858" border="0" /></a> Cool view outside the castle bathroom of all places. Cool photos come from all around.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJalAou1cnmC_7aRqdk6jE6yfQXHeESYyobG8uq4bXbFp29q0ZwBgyvL30WucUOkG6bgcDm9NpBzRrrjLLwwkxN38iDswLnpz9hW8di3EeiWEdarp2siAgbujTxJeAdPrH_J4lHagrViB/s1600-h/Picture+421.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJalAou1cnmC_7aRqdk6jE6yfQXHeESYyobG8uq4bXbFp29q0ZwBgyvL30WucUOkG6bgcDm9NpBzRrrjLLwwkxN38iDswLnpz9hW8di3EeiWEdarp2siAgbujTxJeAdPrH_J4lHagrViB/s320/Picture+421.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352777892558699922" border="0" /></a> Some good looking guy that is amazingly photogentic.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOiPLGb4SI2O7-IjzUr-16ujZ50WZnivo559gjvgTD4UFJnKkqsVzp6jYTBqK3rWTWwzb5_gIF9auM1bpdoMroUaX-nR0funQE-v-bEypVI2xPiu9hk03PFoHyc9jgkqPN7gsH2EGzuJn/s1600-h/Picture+414.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOiPLGb4SI2O7-IjzUr-16ujZ50WZnivo559gjvgTD4UFJnKkqsVzp6jYTBqK3rWTWwzb5_gIF9auM1bpdoMroUaX-nR0funQE-v-bEypVI2xPiu9hk03PFoHyc9jgkqPN7gsH2EGzuJn/s320/Picture+414.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352777890874887650" border="0" /></a> Heidelberg castle, how about these picture taking skills. Wow.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLKJtpRuqAyZx_NE5wxqwk4CsvBW0_xcd-QwVAdlQwkGaeTuMHzJ1Mb9hQxi1YV6uUgfcPafoOA6MH48QrbL1SVzYahBOsL79BDQL7sPd99nADQUoni_rBaEbyAONeTaYbw-_LM_qact9/s1600-h/Picture+408.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLKJtpRuqAyZx_NE5wxqwk4CsvBW0_xcd-QwVAdlQwkGaeTuMHzJ1Mb9hQxi1YV6uUgfcPafoOA6MH48QrbL1SVzYahBOsL79BDQL7sPd99nADQUoni_rBaEbyAONeTaYbw-_LM_qact9/s320/Picture+408.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352777883062625250" border="0" /></a> Alright somebody is getting a little to vain with all these pictures of himself. I blame it on Emily who said I didnĀ“t have enough pictures of myself.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOCzdoVozYCQsfvlLbCih2fwbBkO7Oul_uES-54c73315nUz04MUioQVUmCAAgkh4UaWQmUt2EM7gCptegyHUyaZfMrL66NPULloFB-DCYMmuLn7FwqLlN_eNcPCT85T_5trbBn7lIkO4/s1600-h/Picture+407.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOCzdoVozYCQsfvlLbCih2fwbBkO7Oul_uES-54c73315nUz04MUioQVUmCAAgkh4UaWQmUt2EM7gCptegyHUyaZfMrL66NPULloFB-DCYMmuLn7FwqLlN_eNcPCT85T_5trbBn7lIkO4/s320/Picture+407.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352777877518814146" border="0" /></a><br />After our meeting with Deutsche Bank we spent our last afternoon and evening in Heidelberg. What a wonderful town! I wished so much that we would have been able to spend the night here. Once again when I think of Germany these are the types of towns I think of Heidelberg, Lubeck, Schwerin. It was amazingly charming and wonderful. It had an amazing castle and cozy streets with nice shops and restaurants. The castle was overwhelming and a joy to see and experience. You know me I enjoy putting myself back in time and thinking about the things that transpired in the areas that I travel. This was one of those moments where I went back in time to yesteryears. Knights in shining armor, dukes and lords of the manor, moats and fortifications. WOW!!! After viewing the castle we went to town and checked out the charming city center. We stopped at a restaurant and saw the waiter and waitresses dressed in tradtional German clothing. We also went across a famous bridge that connected one area of the city to the other. Later that day we drove for a little while and stopped at a place that escapes me right now. It just so happened that at the time we were there a group of Germans eating at the same time were sending their friend off. One of the gentlemen played his trumpet and bid him adieu. Quite the cultural scene. After dinner we headed off to the town festival where people were dancing and having a great time. We of course joined and began dancing up on the stage with our new found German friends. Once again another amazing cultural experience. What a wondeful way to end our time in Germany. We had such a great last day in a country that welcomed us with open arms. I will definitely be visiting again. On our way home Chris went to the front and used the microphone and went over the funniest quotes or sayings people had during the trip. Of course I had a few. It was a great way for us to bond and laugh one more time before saying goodbye at the hotel.<br />Just briefly I would like to thank all of the participants on the trip. I learned something from everyone of you and value the wondeful times we had. You all are amazing people and teachers. Thank You!!! And I hope you know that my German is getting better, Aufwadeschen! Is that right? darn I guess I am not getting better :) Stay in touchUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-80646394415154122012009-06-29T07:44:00.000-07:002009-06-29T08:31:23.310-07:00Frankfurt<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdRglgbocozc5KfCV2kBu4hkHTJr8E1On_3QiNPcWNA9f-ZrAm4BDWGki3bA_YQxnupPGBBVioXWwGJoUvNPCWig3KWx3ViZTTVflgKJDE26178_L0imhTRx-D2pbLZ8elgRSEC9n80DN/s1600-h/Picture+387.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdRglgbocozc5KfCV2kBu4hkHTJr8E1On_3QiNPcWNA9f-ZrAm4BDWGki3bA_YQxnupPGBBVioXWwGJoUvNPCWig3KWx3ViZTTVflgKJDE26178_L0imhTRx-D2pbLZ8elgRSEC9n80DN/s320/Picture+387.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352771120253239202" border="0" /></a> Outside an organic farm where we had dinner. We had a wonderful time with our guide and owner of the farm, Bobo.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tIbH4GPPuWOZI0RAOu65F6uKomKI0MMlWyQG7Kfl3ZZdLxXrskC0KeHA_OAM98vB9BrlgyPVr2kanPbTLdLSMPrrp4_sIaiCS9SL_m3_l-pRLM5nnYJV_sC7OpuBKd2pDHCfmIvsbwdB/s1600-h/Picture+381.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tIbH4GPPuWOZI0RAOu65F6uKomKI0MMlWyQG7Kfl3ZZdLxXrskC0KeHA_OAM98vB9BrlgyPVr2kanPbTLdLSMPrrp4_sIaiCS9SL_m3_l-pRLM5nnYJV_sC7OpuBKd2pDHCfmIvsbwdB/s320/Picture+381.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352770847908766882" border="0" /></a>That would be me looking like a fool in some ancient Roman ruins. Not sure what is up with the pose, gotta wonder about me sometimes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6x5ms5fhfs0Y5hCT6-nVCY6D_7qVj8zH2CR9u8oWz_6jRup3NW-C4p-2VzbCXn5tdUpeeKdKelY0y3BYVWSPRZTf2py5nT0Fm4xOrDqO8zjvEoJGUdkpMxtDoJwdLJzpvD44wU3ETkip/s1600-h/Picture+372.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6x5ms5fhfs0Y5hCT6-nVCY6D_7qVj8zH2CR9u8oWz_6jRup3NW-C4p-2VzbCXn5tdUpeeKdKelY0y3BYVWSPRZTf2py5nT0Fm4xOrDqO8zjvEoJGUdkpMxtDoJwdLJzpvD44wU3ETkip/s320/Picture+372.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352770836840969442" border="0" /></a> Memorial to the young Iranian woman who tragically lost her life standing up for what she believed in. We are lucky to live in such a wonderfully free country.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbLzsfHD5dlL_rKudA6R9LOQ5sD6Ux5fXSeAY4bKO197L7yQsL3GMiho2iezhU25fhkxd1wu39Tuh05-_BVBR_xa2Tf6EI146qXGxSPJCvacUtns2UTlfiwJCz3YEdPvKLnIShMwrBdTw/s1600-h/Picture+363.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbLzsfHD5dlL_rKudA6R9LOQ5sD6Ux5fXSeAY4bKO197L7yQsL3GMiho2iezhU25fhkxd1wu39Tuh05-_BVBR_xa2Tf6EI146qXGxSPJCvacUtns2UTlfiwJCz3YEdPvKLnIShMwrBdTw/s320/Picture+363.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352770833605269730" border="0" /></a>My good friend that I became very close to, Tom. We are standing up top of St. Nicholas church, what a view.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBkj9LJ5Qem_nHdAQzQD9KalJe08sXDGLl5eH2iLy8LWtlISSKzcVQmB6LHdza4jdgGm1jRhowLzHBf0HZZsSb90POfQPQhxYU1a1_wXIP1syoKRSWFw3ZrFdxVFqqi-q29_oJ1o2koNe/s1600-h/Picture+357.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBkj9LJ5Qem_nHdAQzQD9KalJe08sXDGLl5eH2iLy8LWtlISSKzcVQmB6LHdza4jdgGm1jRhowLzHBf0HZZsSb90POfQPQhxYU1a1_wXIP1syoKRSWFw3ZrFdxVFqqi-q29_oJ1o2koNe/s320/Picture+357.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352770823741987858" border="0" /></a> Pastor Meyer allowing us into his church and being very candid and honest with us about the German church system.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZtTF6y0TpK2cUZPR-T0otnKUY2iq-gNI3hjkXU4yFb23_EfJPRRYe0T4Ukb0jlMJtesG8q-m_qDMSgnqj305CZX-Nh1V9KNyLBjUehd34OPwsboelHWJ6A2wNYSWQpArG6TQPau_TwRA/s1600-h/Picture+355.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZtTF6y0TpK2cUZPR-T0otnKUY2iq-gNI3hjkXU4yFb23_EfJPRRYe0T4Ukb0jlMJtesG8q-m_qDMSgnqj305CZX-Nh1V9KNyLBjUehd34OPwsboelHWJ6A2wNYSWQpArG6TQPau_TwRA/s320/Picture+355.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352770819270388738" border="0" /></a> Famous plaza in Frankfurt, unfortunately it was damaged during the war and recreated.<br /><br />Well I am obviously going backwards on my travels but it has been a crazy few days to say the least, more to come on that.<br />Frankfurt? Huh what do I say about that. Gotta be honest, not one of my favorite cities. To me it was rather blah compared to Berlin and Hamburg. However there was the charming city square and city government. Other than that I could have done without and stayed in Heidelberg. However Deutsche Bank is headquartered there so you gotta go where the people that pay the bills tell you to go. Alright on to it.<br />Before we left for Frankfurt we had one more meeting. This meeting was one of my most enjoyable. It was with Der Spiegel, Germanys largest newsmagazine. It was started in 1947 and has continued to grow. I have always had the desire to be a writer and I came away from the meeting with even more of a desire to write. I think when I get home I will try to pursue a job writing for our small town journal. We spoke with a writer and editor. I found it to be fascinating how much work goes into the stories and development of the stories. I asked a few questions and feel like I came away understanding the inner workings of a magazine. We then had some free time which is always nice. Nick and I walked around town for a bit and soaked in our last afternoon in Hamburg. I really enjoyed our stay in Hamburg our guests did a great job showing us around and making us feel comfortable in the big city. However one can say that the local laundry business enjoyed my company even more. Dropping 67 euros on laundry was not a pleasant experience, cheaper than the hotel though. Another source of laughter for the group!<br /><br />Our first day in Frankfurt was rather interesting. We got all dressed up to go to Deutsche Bank, styling and profiling. Well we get there and they tell us that our meeting was scheduled for the next day. There was a mistake made by our tour guide in Frankfurt. No big deal we just switched days. So we went back to the hotel, changed and went on a walking tour. Always nice walking around and learning then sitting in a room with no lights and no air. We went to an ancient church, St. Nicholas, and met the pastor. His name is Pastor Meyer and he is originally from the US. He was very welcoming and quite a nice man. When we entered the church we were serenaded with organ music played by one of our guides. Quite the scene. The church is one of the few buildings not demolished during the bombing of Frankfurt. Some interesting things we learned about the churches in Germany. People pay a church tax which is about 80 to 100 euros a month. However this tax supports the church, kindergartens and social programs for the poor and homeless. Also you have pastors and clergy teach in the public schools. I thought this was interesting since we of course have nothing like this. We then went to St. Pauls Church which was the site of the first German Parliament in 1848 and also was site of a famous JFK speech. A lot of important historical events have occured in this church/meeting place. We continued to walk around and ended up at the Goethe House. Goethe is a famous German poet and writer. Our trip is sponsored by the Goethe institute. The house like almost all of the city was destroyed during the war so it has been recreated.<br /><br />Our last meeting was with Deutsche Bank. The bank is one of the worlds leading financial institutions doing business in over 130 countries. Suprisingly enough they have not been impacted by the financial crisis, in fact according to them they have benefited due to lack of competition. We also were told about Deutsche Banks commitment to corporate social responsibility. They believe that their employees should volunteer and that their company should invest in the arts, education and the environment. The discussion was interesting but long and lengthy. For the social responsibility I counted 37 slides with too much info on the slides. However they are the ones paying for the trip so whatever they wanted to do was and is fine by me.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-25000403211678025002009-06-28T15:20:00.000-07:002009-06-28T15:30:35.336-07:00Safe in BratislavaHello all, it is hard for me to put into words the experience I have just had. I can only say that once again I have had a life changing experience traveling around Germany. The people I met both on the trip and around Germany have impacted my life and outlook. I am very much looking forward to traveling on my own. I liked traveling in a group but I look forward to the freedom and the lack of a schedule. <div>I am now in Bratislava staying at my friends flat. I will be off to Vienna tomorrow and I will be able to post more info on the last couple of days. I have spent the last couple of days in Prague and absolutely loved it. I now understand why it is called the Paris of the east, although how can I compare when I have never been to Paris :) I am so thankful to my friends for making the last couple of days unbelievable. Time for me to hit the hay but I will post pictures and describe my experiences tomorrow. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-70077666364428873312009-06-23T08:50:00.000-07:002009-06-23T09:23:45.143-07:00Last Night in Hamburg<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLno9URsJAict-BdvuUjuM5nZylASNcChWlBKn1d0aizmTrzI2QC-uKFWEwChVIThFR5lb96_nUIiFgOdhNf24bYRHZdhMDwSVbY-COe9zOOf9dIE5Sab_7UmSM1qrCt6UvOif7W7l0aO3/s1600-h/IMG_1855.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350558321443399090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLno9URsJAict-BdvuUjuM5nZylASNcChWlBKn1d0aizmTrzI2QC-uKFWEwChVIThFR5lb96_nUIiFgOdhNf24bYRHZdhMDwSVbY-COe9zOOf9dIE5Sab_7UmSM1qrCt6UvOif7W7l0aO3/s320/IMG_1855.jpg" border="0" /></a> What a cool bike, looks like a motorcycle huh.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLr08J0YvNuZlGyRHLo5UEFnT4idTyI8SjNevovY2hD58cCALVTbiq-ykW4Z7MNSBLBZmbcMc9CjsBQULfdWk8EaWfvbF3b0igZbXlwCnj-bmwDRd6sOSHveAHE7XlrDdmMv6_ltG2ubB/s1600-h/IMG_1854.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350558316327158482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLr08J0YvNuZlGyRHLo5UEFnT4idTyI8SjNevovY2hD58cCALVTbiq-ykW4Z7MNSBLBZmbcMc9CjsBQULfdWk8EaWfvbF3b0igZbXlwCnj-bmwDRd6sOSHveAHE7XlrDdmMv6_ltG2ubB/s320/IMG_1854.jpg" border="0" /></a> A lot of kids skateboard just like in the states. However the police dont bother them over here.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwFTA8j76le-kNrCiYmjRQPEuYF7DOOzbDlCgaAxnIe2ySVJ8E-VAZmdg6JN63YsBvJn3aIqRw2Cz4RLCw1cpObV8gsVwOG7Gil1ngiDeSrMUU-eNKXnUH0dgmW9kUe23KtSQuox6kV89/s1600-h/IMG_1850.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350558110685110130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwFTA8j76le-kNrCiYmjRQPEuYF7DOOzbDlCgaAxnIe2ySVJ8E-VAZmdg6JN63YsBvJn3aIqRw2Cz4RLCw1cpObV8gsVwOG7Gil1ngiDeSrMUU-eNKXnUH0dgmW9kUe23KtSQuox6kV89/s320/IMG_1850.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /> Public relations guy for Hafen city, you can see all the construction in the background.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHte-c6u1S8BJsvC0k5RsD9f2yoY4Ar0-zTmLMZ2S2oubeGOIRDD6KAQfF9Xwl5YZZOzo0pldaWIerWgx9oqeXx7iiAPJ63Y7I_SFrm5dhCgxGiYNv44kmha18DXJxVMgJAH3LA0RW-p3/s1600-h/IMG_1846.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350558104277333602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHte-c6u1S8BJsvC0k5RsD9f2yoY4Ar0-zTmLMZ2S2oubeGOIRDD6KAQfF9Xwl5YZZOzo0pldaWIerWgx9oqeXx7iiAPJ63Y7I_SFrm5dhCgxGiYNv44kmha18DXJxVMgJAH3LA0RW-p3/s320/IMG_1846.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The spot where we had a cup of coffee.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXK3JlewC6d6vxjPvYrj47nNPT9G5x64aL7cls9Kmm2sHTK-ngFYME56uNiUwl2I7rQpImQgR1fCEAUBAFHA6sJUEdAmthasGR_zdTDsne-S4kAZk3TRlXZKMMPEAvwdkoGsOTJ-CfoHXP/s1600-h/IMG_1843.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350558098542050514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXK3JlewC6d6vxjPvYrj47nNPT9G5x64aL7cls9Kmm2sHTK-ngFYME56uNiUwl2I7rQpImQgR1fCEAUBAFHA6sJUEdAmthasGR_zdTDsne-S4kAZk3TRlXZKMMPEAvwdkoGsOTJ-CfoHXP/s320/IMG_1843.jpg" border="0" /></a> The artistic, bohemian section of town. Look familiar? Dr. Seuss<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-RNvT_2ygjtn_bazjGV23RIT6Kn1zkust_QDizka2R0wL9cw7v6CTPsSjzhWeIPBfblLsAb7fe-MGlHbW9QWWC22qBMf9ni9C_jlx42BEB8s35V6TJ3c9lM224a36c8KzKZVRpNsIi1o/s1600-h/IMG_1840.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350558091776444978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-RNvT_2ygjtn_bazjGV23RIT6Kn1zkust_QDizka2R0wL9cw7v6CTPsSjzhWeIPBfblLsAb7fe-MGlHbW9QWWC22qBMf9ni9C_jlx42BEB8s35V6TJ3c9lM224a36c8KzKZVRpNsIi1o/s320/IMG_1840.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Greg at dinner last night. Raw fish, yummy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45mLnIn8l3F6zhu2KohG5_k4JPKrw92NjlmqSpQCP5rjTyHDPBSY-TWWOssimpOyQuJ8GziCiaYsnx4zGBjrg-Ofabg_lgdf8hEl3W5q7k1goZV55YtmkhWrJvMgP7LiKc4WflqWKeWWQ/s1600-h/IMG_1838.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350558089074624850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45mLnIn8l3F6zhu2KohG5_k4JPKrw92NjlmqSpQCP5rjTyHDPBSY-TWWOssimpOyQuJ8GziCiaYsnx4zGBjrg-Ofabg_lgdf8hEl3W5q7k1goZV55YtmkhWrJvMgP7LiKc4WflqWKeWWQ/s320/IMG_1838.jpg" border="0" /></a> Victims of war memorial, located in a bombed out church.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I have really enjoyed the stay in Hamburg. We have been able to do a lot of sightseeing which is always fun. </div><br /><div>Yesterday we had a busy day. It feel like a Monday, back to the busy schedule. We first started off at the Federal Institute for Training of Teachers and School Development. WOW, thats a mouthful. It was very interesting learning the similarities and differences as far as teacher training is concerned. I feel like we have a good understanding now how the German education system works. We have had four separate meetings on this issue and in three states. The education standards and practices vary in each state. Germany is very much in the midst of a reevaluation of their education system. I believe it is about time. If some of you want more clarification feel free to ask. We later went to the University of Hamburg where we listened to an expert on the history of the university and also from an American professor that works with Smith college. Smith college was the first university to offer a transatlantic partnership with the university. Now about 20 students from Smith study in Hamburg. Well as you all know I am fascinated with history so I enjoyed listening to the quirky historian discuss the history of the university. We then had lunch in the cool part of town. A place where the artists and writers hang out. Certainly had a different feel than the rest of the city, much more artistic. Our last activity was centered around environmental research. This company evaluates how much pollutants and chemicals are in certain produce. We learned about their goals and their hopes for the future. They produced a movie in the states that one of our participants Kristi saw. They would like for materials to be chemical free and reusable. Some of the information went over my head but I nevertheless enjoyed the presentation. At the end of the night we went to an incredible restaurant where every meal was served with potatoes. Potatoes are always good in my book. We once again had another great and busy day in Hamburg. </div><br /><div>Today was much more of a chill day. Always nice in our books. We met with a man that works with the Korber foundation. The foundation was setup by a German man with boat loads of money that wanted to give back. He also wanted to give back to the US in appreciation of the Marshall Plan. The Plan by where the US gave tons of cash to Europe to help rebuild it after the destructive war. The foundation offers money to people that come up with ideas on how to help Germany in various ways. For example Big Brothers and Sisters were given money to start up in Germany. The idea is to work from the bottom up, people coming with the ideas rather than the government. There is also a foundation to help the elderly in Germany. After the meeting we were given about three hours to explore more of the city. Tom, Kristi, Emily, Henry and I went to an outdoor cafe and had a cup of coffee. It was nice being able to relax, enjoy the city and people watch. We then walked around the port and river and had a relaxing afteroon, as mentioned. Our last activity of the day was a discussion and tour with a public relations worker for a company in charge of the Europes largest urban development project. All I can say is that this portion of Hamburg is amazing and when done will be unlike any city in the world. I will be back. The name of this portion of the city is Hafen City, google it. The planning started in the early 1990s and construction has begun and will continue until 2020. I was impressed with the planning, architecture, thought and beauty of this area. I would love to live there, never will happen with the amount of money needed. However the area has many activities for people outside of the city. Gotta go, getting ready to go to our last dinner with our guides in Hamburg. Our guides have been great sources of help. Without them this trip would not be nearly as amazing. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-71881309737466461302009-06-21T12:42:00.000-07:002009-06-23T08:39:05.936-07:00Hamburg, Lubeck and Newt Gingrich<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfulvb0Cn1qMQbbJ5f0R1ftY29Opk1fdVhcZpfCq05hPOkdrPjxqfLUyUSWQB0X1FqQfWzndnRS5-7KgjuySAWhuTVR0ZibmYMZaTztuWnfVCEJ6jf-qiUQZFqGHKFF6vGhgykFhnUzSI/s1600-h/IMG_1829.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350547543715278578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfulvb0Cn1qMQbbJ5f0R1ftY29Opk1fdVhcZpfCq05hPOkdrPjxqfLUyUSWQB0X1FqQfWzndnRS5-7KgjuySAWhuTVR0ZibmYMZaTztuWnfVCEJ6jf-qiUQZFqGHKFF6vGhgykFhnUzSI/s320/IMG_1829.jpg" border="0" /></a> Lubeck<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuX2d187SMY9lmzvAfkbur1Fa4P29Huqf6f8WCXWSoTKvJsT5DEjydVOYmjRadcZZ58TuC5mJrsvQTmQyvOT2aTuVfRdno43h0KhdYjxkwBB1Rf8nNs9pycWlB3B7vuIjUEGB019h-wxtY/s1600-h/IMG_1821.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350546347766591554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuX2d187SMY9lmzvAfkbur1Fa4P29Huqf6f8WCXWSoTKvJsT5DEjydVOYmjRadcZZ58TuC5mJrsvQTmQyvOT2aTuVfRdno43h0KhdYjxkwBB1Rf8nNs9pycWlB3B7vuIjUEGB019h-wxtY/s320/IMG_1821.jpg" border="0" /></a> That was my sweet ride in Lubeck. A little hard to get into though!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdthq7yFy8YGqr5qUNg3EvlAbVUGUz3gG-pwIkiq3y4PpYEiEq-e_-lzdA34rdzRuAck92jyDOn4phZ3LXWiFpcZYJeITClf2NT-F5IRJf36UYd7eEWx9uku4-GsA61JbiU56cEIEiBhh/s1600-h/IMG_1817.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350546340563170482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdthq7yFy8YGqr5qUNg3EvlAbVUGUz3gG-pwIkiq3y4PpYEiEq-e_-lzdA34rdzRuAck92jyDOn4phZ3LXWiFpcZYJeITClf2NT-F5IRJf36UYd7eEWx9uku4-GsA61JbiU56cEIEiBhh/s320/IMG_1817.jpg" border="0" /></a> Beautiful courtyard in Lubeck. Lubeck and Schwerin have been my favorite towns.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriClVT8lz7qH0rG24-j1oGzQB_WhNjUDCs2sFs0vJlXn9GaOXANmg36U29NiyiS7k3ZjPKrvl75mFYuVDVNM-qIP83OFCuBf0Phub0ozyJv2vHAPXxYsYdsGPPmXBTmpYtxl9-8a1g6r3/s1600-h/IMG_1809.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350546336009373154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiriClVT8lz7qH0rG24-j1oGzQB_WhNjUDCs2sFs0vJlXn9GaOXANmg36U29NiyiS7k3ZjPKrvl75mFYuVDVNM-qIP83OFCuBf0Phub0ozyJv2vHAPXxYsYdsGPPmXBTmpYtxl9-8a1g6r3/s320/IMG_1809.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Elderly lady watering her flowers on a quiet Sunny day. Where is Newt?<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTHEEig-nny1UbfQbUIYXpdGuH2mICYwWT7gtmqgQBhB55Bl_PZBCDukx8c-jpmhpDS81Fnz4kpSHCPh0OUSuXhxhOqwKDwpf9T0PL6wi7DAtwAlStudoMFJm9hJUgJOZQ3ppLL4VdO1L/s1600-h/IMG_1784.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350546320308199362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBTHEEig-nny1UbfQbUIYXpdGuH2mICYwWT7gtmqgQBhB55Bl_PZBCDukx8c-jpmhpDS81Fnz4kpSHCPh0OUSuXhxhOqwKDwpf9T0PL6wi7DAtwAlStudoMFJm9hJUgJOZQ3ppLL4VdO1L/s320/IMG_1784.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is a picture in front of the city gate. Try to attack this structure.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflnchzZYTD_W3mGpGecMgP7udOa2JcF13dQkCD5d6zMWl4Tuhl3QlzoVSWwvio9BOxKEwa8Tmlb31qxzMgDPUzyX7xBHi09g0o_ozuojoxqJLyA2XliTYe5Nw4eIP4umWlOePTc30kGtJ/s1600-h/IMG_1792.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350543165219776882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflnchzZYTD_W3mGpGecMgP7udOa2JcF13dQkCD5d6zMWl4Tuhl3QlzoVSWwvio9BOxKEwa8Tmlb31qxzMgDPUzyX7xBHi09g0o_ozuojoxqJLyA2XliTYe5Nw4eIP4umWlOePTc30kGtJ/s320/IMG_1792.jpg" border="0" /></a> Side street in ancient city of Lubeck. The store down the street makes marionettes or puppets.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ubqTu1_OGjr-jMDAmX7KNcvHXSfg9urxh4wbUTqOwaoJABUvvr6I7ky8vt8r3wzP2CEAALrjX7S3NIW3CebQ33TPNDu5JSubpxxAX68W7hCO2_UIaFmhvcz5qs1_jLWBj6UIKul-75Ot/s1600-h/IMG_1775.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350543163009878626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ubqTu1_OGjr-jMDAmX7KNcvHXSfg9urxh4wbUTqOwaoJABUvvr6I7ky8vt8r3wzP2CEAALrjX7S3NIW3CebQ33TPNDu5JSubpxxAX68W7hCO2_UIaFmhvcz5qs1_jLWBj6UIKul-75Ot/s320/IMG_1775.jpg" border="0" /></a> This club is the sight of the place where the Beatles began.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcTSEWFRPw_CQ8XhaYBYlJQT5d5tOKi4FUJf-P5iuL1cFgB981oxeBu-GLz2WtfIMn6o4IXcSXgq2-Vyf5CI8hIpjuNZegqBKTLorh1X2MYLhwqdObkpuN0IrZJL0U9BwznNPHmE7GQo9/s1600-h/IMG_1767.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350543155490569874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcTSEWFRPw_CQ8XhaYBYlJQT5d5tOKi4FUJf-P5iuL1cFgB981oxeBu-GLz2WtfIMn6o4IXcSXgq2-Vyf5CI8hIpjuNZegqBKTLorh1X2MYLhwqdObkpuN0IrZJL0U9BwznNPHmE7GQo9/s320/IMG_1767.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Bomb shelter during the war in Hamburg. Place for people to go to so they would be safe. Obviously the windows were not there. Much of Hamburg was destroyed during the war.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl44B8B_W2ABkMzl8RdkTP_gJoq9E1RGLBjtAxcH2ylId6QiqIw_0QplPoh6ze7aKCCyzF4uv7LqgbnRWxPMi-YfL2rq5sXB5niUwr29Z-Y20RLIWjvydX1nkZqZOytcX-3_Yxrg71uU-I/s1600-h/IMG_1759.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350543150171205634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl44B8B_W2ABkMzl8RdkTP_gJoq9E1RGLBjtAxcH2ylId6QiqIw_0QplPoh6ze7aKCCyzF4uv7LqgbnRWxPMi-YfL2rq5sXB5niUwr29Z-Y20RLIWjvydX1nkZqZOytcX-3_Yxrg71uU-I/s320/IMG_1759.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We took a boat ride around the port of Hamburg. Unfortunately the weather did not hold up. Greg and Heather still had a good time though.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQ9cpTXwXX9008Xtpd6yFxgSsGJq8nvDEkjPixV9AtF-lRlYn-VHPpnY8zxW2HrDfMjO6mrApYOkL5DI4o3sG9sRE7fBP3opM2jaww0TJukvKi7rXogR04M1TI-SRxzAMc0zMrTJgdHtG/s1600-h/IMG_1753.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350543142475968226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQ9cpTXwXX9008Xtpd6yFxgSsGJq8nvDEkjPixV9AtF-lRlYn-VHPpnY8zxW2HrDfMjO6mrApYOkL5DI4o3sG9sRE7fBP3opM2jaww0TJukvKi7rXogR04M1TI-SRxzAMc0zMrTJgdHtG/s320/IMG_1753.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />That would be me in front of the Rathaus. The Rathaus is the sight of the city and state government.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Hello all, this will be our third night in Hamburg. I have not been able to post due to being busy. The first night we had a late dinner so I was not able to post that night. Last night we went around the city checking out the sights so that took up my time.<br />So here I go. Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany. It was a part of the Hanseatic League. Which basically was an organization of European trading cities. Hamburg being one of the key ones. Hamburg has been completely rebuilt. There was a major fire that destroyed the city in 1842. The city was then rebuilt and demilished during the second world war. Hamburg was and is a very important port city with access to the Baltic therefore it has strong ties to the Scandinavian countries.<br />Our first day in Hamburg, yesterday, when went on a boat cruise and had a walking tour of the city. The weather has been sporadic to say the least, rainy then sunny then rainy again. Ugh. The seat of the city government is an incredible building, it is located in a famous plaza on the river. Pictures will be forthcoming, struggling with the USB adapter right now. Stay tuned. We then had lunch in a hip part of town where there are many lefties and anarchists. Lefties are liberals or people that want change and have their own ideas on how to create that change. Anarchists are people that oppose the government and want to completely change or cause problems with the government. It was an interesting part of town. We were given some free time after lunch. Greg, Tom and I tried to rent some bikes but that did not end up panning out. Probably a good thing because the guy at the hotel lobby said this was a difficult place to ride bikes in. I ended up doing some shopping and bought a pair of jeans and a shirt. Dont ask me why I didnt bring a pair. Certainly should have. They were inexpensive which surprised me, stylish too.<br />Last night we went to the opera. Only the second time I have been to the opera. It was a great experience and a great show. We saw the Barber of Seville, it was funny and had great classical music. It was of course in Italian but we could follow along somewhat. We all got dressed up and looked dapper in our outfits. We then went exploring out on the town afterwards and had a great time meeting local and checking out the local scene.<br />Today was awesome. It was a day I knew I would enjoy before the trip. We went to a very medieval city called Lubeck. I wish I could show you the pictures today but you will have to wait. Maybe I will do it at the hotel computer which is a little too expensive for my taste. Once again I digress. We took a train ride to Lubeck which is 45 minutes from Hamburg. At the entrance of the city is a famous imposing gate which allowed or prevented people from entering the city. The city is surrounded by a river which as you can imagine was great for defensive purposes. Well we are walking around the gate and Henry our tour leader mentions to me, that guy looks like Newt Gingrich. Sure enough I am thinking to myself that does look a lot like me. Well no one wants to ask so I go up to him and say excuse me are you Newt Gingrich and answers yes I am. Can you believe we saw and met Newt Gingrich in the little town of Lubeck. I introduced myself and a couple of us got pictures with him. I apologized for disrupting him and we went on our little merry way. We had a wonderful day viewing historic German and European architecture. We saw many cute houses with wonderful flowers and courtyards. There are also many historic churches that are awe inspiring. All in all just a fantastic day. Except for one thing, the torrential downpours. The weather as I mentioned leaves something to be desired for.<br />Tommorrow we head to another school and Hamburg university. Adios till next time</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-39138508095236511112009-06-19T08:38:00.000-07:002009-06-19T09:13:31.445-07:00Schwerin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_b8MLURdHDCDeHXYdjCrnkQfQ-SsOkQD2Dk7LSFTDq33xU_fBJpZ7Nfg3ckM6b-n2HtysoynkfcF2DjxzM4Kxbr3SndD6mAY7-M9FtJ6hxI9w-3U2jzwgT6nB9ZM_pKa6Y4QnpCavFoQ/s1600-h/IMG_1727.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349071669764588034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_b8MLURdHDCDeHXYdjCrnkQfQ-SsOkQD2Dk7LSFTDq33xU_fBJpZ7Nfg3ckM6b-n2HtysoynkfcF2DjxzM4Kxbr3SndD6mAY7-M9FtJ6hxI9w-3U2jzwgT6nB9ZM_pKa6Y4QnpCavFoQ/s320/IMG_1727.jpg" border="0" /></a> Students at the elementary school we visited today. Exactly how I remember it.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiCZF58W7NDOmyq52w3QY_tyVFOb62Dez_WqVrNVlJoAiXih7Lx6dZuO_opOLRAQbKUnqkXWWBj1ulvZ4vV_nYW4BDBlGbCpnl7qHqE99BuxerxmpsleSEIyL4ZtQ__2A26OWnoK3qJ9l/s1600-h/IMG_1663.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349071659432787714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiCZF58W7NDOmyq52w3QY_tyVFOb62Dez_WqVrNVlJoAiXih7Lx6dZuO_opOLRAQbKUnqkXWWBj1ulvZ4vV_nYW4BDBlGbCpnl7qHqE99BuxerxmpsleSEIyL4ZtQ__2A26OWnoK3qJ9l/s320/IMG_1663.jpg" border="0" /></a> View from the castle to the town. Amazingly charming city. I could see myself living here.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoazhfaR7b-PIOGBDSev9_jtPFh2qeqJmghyphenhyphenEU9msv4V7wj5xCRpdT8u9gE1gI1Y12sSzWIE5XV-1kPstcd5ftouHQuDxj7NJ1n2XKMfYTQsqnF_fI6DoWASYqiE2zAtdKbtmNIucGU2j4/s1600-h/IMG_1680.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349071655370721106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoazhfaR7b-PIOGBDSev9_jtPFh2qeqJmghyphenhyphenEU9msv4V7wj5xCRpdT8u9gE1gI1Y12sSzWIE5XV-1kPstcd5ftouHQuDxj7NJ1n2XKMfYTQsqnF_fI6DoWASYqiE2zAtdKbtmNIucGU2j4/s320/IMG_1680.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />In front of the Schloss. I had a great time checking the castle out.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfKh0x36A3cqCOpELDv4b4XhblLMcZ4A9C_ArTvc1X0nDjxFTPBfOltDLQ9wZ5fm8gErEy3U0yxQyR3NidH8Chf5zS7ExevyCk_uvuskZTIhM2jpkGaa8Q27BFzAvE1lG8gi-LnwEk3rQ/s1600-h/IMG_1656.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349071649597923298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNfKh0x36A3cqCOpELDv4b4XhblLMcZ4A9C_ArTvc1X0nDjxFTPBfOltDLQ9wZ5fm8gErEy3U0yxQyR3NidH8Chf5zS7ExevyCk_uvuskZTIhM2jpkGaa8Q27BFzAvE1lG8gi-LnwEk3rQ/s320/IMG_1656.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KK3AKxG_t8H8znXyRhafpsnslsg5WFDLxkorkKoEINnv3hby01PGvjZ02wEAizcCajhQGEyDhoYfI-gf__7oemC4lzco3Ag4T7-_V3j3Lp2Vz32Xdm04EA-94QmQydYiGLdu75c-poWT/s1600-h/IMG_1649.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349071642690668866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KK3AKxG_t8H8znXyRhafpsnslsg5WFDLxkorkKoEINnv3hby01PGvjZ02wEAizcCajhQGEyDhoYfI-gf__7oemC4lzco3Ag4T7-_V3j3Lp2Vz32Xdm04EA-94QmQydYiGLdu75c-poWT/s320/IMG_1649.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /> Schwerin<br /><br /><div>Well I finally feel like I experienced the true Germany that I have been searching for. After the leaving the internet cafe we went down to the city center. It was enchanting and charming, exactly what I was looking for after leaving Berlin. Schwerin is the capital of Mecklenberg Pomerania. It is the site of the famous Schloss castle located on a tiny island with a moat around it. We walked around the city center for a little until we came upon the imposing castle in the background. To me this was the most incredible structure I have ever seen. I was captivated the instant I saw it. I paid my six euros and headed for heaven. I had such a great time checking out the various rooms. It was rather overwhelming and amazing for me. Thinking of the history and seeing the extravagant rooms was very satisfing for me. After touring the castle I walked all around it. I then headed to another part of town and had a great time just walking where I wanted. Everything has been planned and organized so it was nice to have some time to do what I wanted. I stopped in a little restaurant and had a great chat with the owner. I have had an amazing time just talking to the locals. I am very much looking forward to talking to random people when I begin my travels. </div><br /><div>Today we went to an elementary school and sat in on classes. It was exactly how I remembered elementary school. The teachers are amazing and really show a lot of interest in their students. We also had a great time conversing with the teachers and discussing similarities and differences between our education system. We then went to a technical center which was a little on the boring side. Our last activity was a visit with the economic development corporation. I enjoyed the presentation by the gentlemen. He is actually part American. His father was stationed in Germany for the US army and met his mother, a German. He gave us a presentation on the various industries and attractions in the county of Mecklenberg Pomerania. It was interesting.</div><div> </div><div>We are about to head out in another hour to Hamburg. Hamburg is the second largest city in Germany. I kind of wish we were visiting another small town. But I am sure we will have a great time. </div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-47317925713457224992009-06-18T05:36:00.001-07:002009-06-18T06:21:27.260-07:00Berlin & Schwerin: Death Confronted!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzNHr9SgSamuuPGCgv87bTwKUbivBF67U_SMQnqUGNlBARjgSfmmik3GJbHJ_zOHWinhpbnSfCL2vjE0UWGO1e5cLtdPVrylun5FFQLXBzNfnaI07pjhKT2ueyJY7M-63iwZlahN23__y/s1600-h/IMG_1646.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348654856414669058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzNHr9SgSamuuPGCgv87bTwKUbivBF67U_SMQnqUGNlBARjgSfmmik3GJbHJ_zOHWinhpbnSfCL2vjE0UWGO1e5cLtdPVrylun5FFQLXBzNfnaI07pjhKT2ueyJY7M-63iwZlahN23__y/s320/IMG_1646.JPG" border="0" /></a> My new students. German kids from a school we went to today. Wow kids are the same all around the world. Inquisitive, curious and full of spunk.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPFSDuaBCXSorm-Ys-I6nJ3lIEg1qLyzpRMF-j5nQHgpF5eEHTtG4yOdCls7VlMQp6IwJlRqTG8IUP8-vNIomFWuJ_47aTPR_wDf-aIkCmC0VX9IifXDsKKmbquKUItosDo-2lGRebTSZ/s1600-h/IMG_1640.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348654844202044178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPFSDuaBCXSorm-Ys-I6nJ3lIEg1qLyzpRMF-j5nQHgpF5eEHTtG4yOdCls7VlMQp6IwJlRqTG8IUP8-vNIomFWuJ_47aTPR_wDf-aIkCmC0VX9IifXDsKKmbquKUItosDo-2lGRebTSZ/s320/IMG_1640.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Student I sat next to in class, Erick. He was the class clown. At the end of class I had to tap him on the knee and motioned for him to pay attention. Still correcting kids half way around the world. He immediatedly turned around and payed attention.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Wa0CO1ct5GtBE-kubO6MujZFQlL8LBQhsM-QiH_R1KV-bQ6iLN7QNAYDcPrdYZ3CEVF6qr_zhdxOnmF9V6QWz1PyX0QNJAMgC-oPYhO_aYrgtY46Dp-umewm6BzEkqRP0NCdNgAus0Z1/s1600-h/IMG_1609.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348654842453611554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Wa0CO1ct5GtBE-kubO6MujZFQlL8LBQhsM-QiH_R1KV-bQ6iLN7QNAYDcPrdYZ3CEVF6qr_zhdxOnmF9V6QWz1PyX0QNJAMgC-oPYhO_aYrgtY46Dp-umewm6BzEkqRP0NCdNgAus0Z1/s320/IMG_1609.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Police officer on duty for the student protest. Our driver was so bad he even had to laugh. Wow almost didnt make it home alive. Certainly an experience we will never forget.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oQhasQwcTNfdIaxVd4XJ102CeABcqpJSqc2ZYOJX6z7z2CgiKNFXqknoiQpHhUu69aXOJJkCS3vr_1AP3m7bt8RzaVxh_zbU9ng6NK4-vtBAj3sV7CzHtetje9jQAkPg4q-iX37oWSok/s1600-h/IMG_1606.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348654831086601650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oQhasQwcTNfdIaxVd4XJ102CeABcqpJSqc2ZYOJX6z7z2CgiKNFXqknoiQpHhUu69aXOJJkCS3vr_1AP3m7bt8RzaVxh_zbU9ng6NK4-vtBAj3sV7CzHtetje9jQAkPg4q-iX37oWSok/s320/IMG_1606.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Student protester. Berlin was filled with student activists.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9DaKo1qAqm2sfWgc5pU-qbMacySuVWMndhNs583bDCfGKW1uM7kmnPAcaFnSl9bBaferuHdXVIcENWPyhfAnOij6wGdhsNCsgg3hx1BTffN_kvzGNVbscrOm7_WHUXogniUOFIHJMOY1/s1600-h/IMG_1589.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348654265756753714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9DaKo1qAqm2sfWgc5pU-qbMacySuVWMndhNs583bDCfGKW1uM7kmnPAcaFnSl9bBaferuHdXVIcENWPyhfAnOij6wGdhsNCsgg3hx1BTffN_kvzGNVbscrOm7_WHUXogniUOFIHJMOY1/s320/IMG_1589.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The man, our tour leader, who almost got us killed. I respect the fact that he was able to laugh about it. He is a great tour leader by the way.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-66KxxbuKWkjPCau_BKo8X97W9lZmclFEuQYlKJSllY63AIxLgGt3tHuS8_HCSQdz5TU8UKoLi8IUUoN8EuAdkufK37G8TCoXxRX0Wf4wHoFHX6t4YHU_LYGUv0YMI3GzzP6NvNr4Q1aw/s1600-h/IMG_1616.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348654258345675954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-66KxxbuKWkjPCau_BKo8X97W9lZmclFEuQYlKJSllY63AIxLgGt3tHuS8_HCSQdz5TU8UKoLi8IUUoN8EuAdkufK37G8TCoXxRX0Wf4wHoFHX6t4YHU_LYGUv0YMI3GzzP6NvNr4Q1aw/s320/IMG_1616.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Thats how I roll. I barely fit in the Trabi.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ryfwAF0YYZKRNuppqhCFLPFaCkLulJhF3c0gsZtPsvjKSyT9XA9KCHRciP7qW0N1gt-SyKNRIRckxos856pQZvukVKvdnjofOYe0xoK48GC2lnI48HEF17swNrm-6FwROa-6mV36AHuq/s1600-h/IMG_1623.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348654251438032786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ryfwAF0YYZKRNuppqhCFLPFaCkLulJhF3c0gsZtPsvjKSyT9XA9KCHRciP7qW0N1gt-SyKNRIRckxos856pQZvukVKvdnjofOYe0xoK48GC2lnI48HEF17swNrm-6FwROa-6mV36AHuq/s320/IMG_1623.JPG" border="0" /></a> The girls I walked around Berlin with after the Trabi ride. We had a great time walking around the city. We need the exercise after all the food we have been treated to. Amazing, as I mentioned we are being treated like princes and princesses.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Hello all, I am now in Schwerin. We spent our last day in Berlin yesterday. We were given some free time yesterday to explore so that was enjoyable.</div><br /><div>Ok well I will begin. Yesterday morning we met with a woman from the Berlin Senate Department for Urban Development. Our discussion centered around the decision by the government to reconstruct the Berlin palace which was destructed in the 1950s due to war damage. There has been a lot of debate and discussion in regards to the reconstruction and location. Building will be begin next year and will take around four years. There will be a lot of building in general in the near future. Some agree, some disagree with the plans to expand. </div><br /><div>Later we were given time to explore, as I mentioned, on our own. We had a reservation to go on a Trabi tour. For those who dont know the Trabi was an East German car that was symbolic of the inefficient economy of east Germany. Even though it was one of the stronger Soviet Bloc economies. This car had a waiting list of over ten years. Pathetic considering it is not all that nice or nor does it run that well. Once you got this crappy car you had been waiting for it more than likely was not the one you ordered. Different color, that sort of thing.</div><br /><div>There was eight of us in two cars. We were allowed to drive while being given a tour by two tour guides in the car ahead. As most of you know I do not drive a stick so I was the copilot. Well it was entertaining, embarrassing, hilarious, and death defying all at the same time. Our driver, Henry the group leader, never figured out how to switch gears. We were either in first or third the whole time. The shifting is done by a hand lever. Talk about awkward and confusing. There were several times where we navigated through the busy streets avoiding people, bikes, mopeds, cars and large buses. What an interesting experience.</div><br /><div>After our very entertaining and dangerous experience we went to a Vietnamese restaurant for lunch, excellent by the way. First time trying this type of food. There have been several of these new eating experiences for me. Later we walked around Berlin saw some beautiful churches, shops and sights. We went back to the Brandenburg gate and saw students was once again protesting in mass numbers. </div><br /><div>We then headed back to the hotel and reorganized for our train ride to Schwerin. Schwerin is located in the north in Mecklenburg state. It is exactly what I picture when I think of German towns. Very quaint. I am about to go explore so I will share later. I am about to go to a castle located on a little island, very excited. </div><br /><div>Last night we got to our hotel and got ready for dinner. Dinners have been amazing here, they last like two hours though. By the way Schwerin used to be a part of East Germany. We will be heading to the west soon. This morning we went to a middle school and observed how their day is. We were able to sit in on a class for fifty minutes. I sat down next to this little sixth grader that was absolutely adorable. I think he was trying to show off for me however. We were communicating as best as we could without distracting him or getting him in trouble. He seemed like the class clown. I think a lot of the same practices I saw the teacher using I use as well. It was such an awesome day. As you all know I LOVE kids and being around kids. After observing class we were able to go outside and see this exhibit on the GDR or the former communist party of East Germany. This bus goes around to various areas and explains the GDR to students who have no recollection of it. Several of us were saying that it is not a good sign that this needs to be done as far as the fact that many east Germans long for the days of socialism. Interesting indeed. Well before I went to the bus I walked around the schoolyard and met some new friends. They were interested to know about me and I in them. One particular boy remembered my name and wanted to know so much. At the end of our visit it was so cute he said bye Tim. My friends have several pictures of this that I will get later.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I am gonna go. Have to explore Schwerin. I will be taking pictures of the city and will share in the future. The following are pictures of Berlin and our school experience. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-4723322418258884772009-06-16T14:47:00.000-07:002009-06-16T15:45:48.128-07:00Berlin Day 3<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQwJstARg6Wr_uV1P71Aiw1VcmTJ87Zj0fgEb78Q295uf94YAI1HU02hz_hR2cdWNyjJKjdVLdlEQrLdMzZJMXba3JEDy97Vu4tuTsKa6ZBDnALp_fUzNX21aD76W3DwLXl1qNX7u3cfK/s1600-h/IMG_1581.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348059122412614018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQwJstARg6Wr_uV1P71Aiw1VcmTJ87Zj0fgEb78Q295uf94YAI1HU02hz_hR2cdWNyjJKjdVLdlEQrLdMzZJMXba3JEDy97Vu4tuTsKa6ZBDnALp_fUzNX21aD76W3DwLXl1qNX7u3cfK/s320/IMG_1581.jpg" border="0" /></a> Restaurant where we had dinner. I gave the dance lessons. Students you know how good of a dancer I am.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1Smys2pqObrrnUxCECCTr1ZIgzUn1zuXz7oim1eSTFuwiP3Hb0HuQzSxYYuNqagNNDG6i3Z0j5DjiND_wMRsh-lJ1GQc1vmxIvt_fEUk7nbwTb0lTZwyt6h2zw3GolSkldh0_1YpYchN/s1600-h/IMG_1580.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348059112395738338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl1Smys2pqObrrnUxCECCTr1ZIgzUn1zuXz7oim1eSTFuwiP3Hb0HuQzSxYYuNqagNNDG6i3Z0j5DjiND_wMRsh-lJ1GQc1vmxIvt_fEUk7nbwTb0lTZwyt6h2zw3GolSkldh0_1YpYchN/s320/IMG_1580.jpg" border="0" /></a> Outside of the bohemian restaurant. Really cool historic building, originally from the early 1900's.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXxDAo8tqkUQdCH-fn197HWSX59QKQbKFboJiEyMjQnw5cRRpxI37INZgQgIqpLIwuL51N6hKUrYR8GcOlXOyVxGm_gxmhWOyROmYGZzN-XesCVoSSk5T3pmEetz9jXYon9lFoVWNJXtk/s1600-h/IMG_1579.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348059107779547026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXxDAo8tqkUQdCH-fn197HWSX59QKQbKFboJiEyMjQnw5cRRpxI37INZgQgIqpLIwuL51N6hKUrYR8GcOlXOyVxGm_gxmhWOyROmYGZzN-XesCVoSSk5T3pmEetz9jXYon9lFoVWNJXtk/s320/IMG_1579.jpg" border="0" /></a> Right in front of checkpoint Charlie. I later got interviewed a few minutes later.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXkwsOvE2685bfgrHwIkKLsTacqGMYw3-HWKCzgQcTNLaFQbxNAJ_Y0pkcbsSsBn9LlN6X3rf9V3bwlUiHtGiKvCzsaxEG6zVFxitljgV-MxiANXhUSPX2CbWrTkxmyZ6f-TyVQzpZ1N2/s1600-h/IMG_1578.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348056783404509490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXkwsOvE2685bfgrHwIkKLsTacqGMYw3-HWKCzgQcTNLaFQbxNAJ_Y0pkcbsSsBn9LlN6X3rf9V3bwlUiHtGiKvCzsaxEG6zVFxitljgV-MxiANXhUSPX2CbWrTkxmyZ6f-TyVQzpZ1N2/s320/IMG_1578.jpg" border="0" /></a> That is me in front of a torn out piece of the Berlin Wall. Next to Checkpoint Charlie.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDkdsiVcj_pBnzMnL0yLSyAUkvRnPByqKW86J3HiSOaGiTJ0rtrMcS4OuwXdOpSWLmt7uHrAzfWT1SLbscZopuA_ksiycfqjf3v9D8tuEct2uhKkJFyVl4ggT5kQDm_Ld5zNiFaRJuGae/s1600-h/IMG_1577.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348056780207559506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDkdsiVcj_pBnzMnL0yLSyAUkvRnPByqKW86J3HiSOaGiTJ0rtrMcS4OuwXdOpSWLmt7uHrAzfWT1SLbscZopuA_ksiycfqjf3v9D8tuEct2uhKkJFyVl4ggT5kQDm_Ld5zNiFaRJuGae/s320/IMG_1577.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Border crossing between freedom and secretiveness. Soviets were something else!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfkYja5X9UDUsJWoD-uu931RAtyhprrQyUBAmTMljMnVD8bQWCPtWKke4wfZ2j61UesGOI7oq0g86YxtsjFXj-qJwWOY3L0bvpoSAr_jRAHwH95RAKBu6IerNSkcIX0SWtgHG53oauQfj/s1600-h/IMG_1574.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348056770976846338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfkYja5X9UDUsJWoD-uu931RAtyhprrQyUBAmTMljMnVD8bQWCPtWKke4wfZ2j61UesGOI7oq0g86YxtsjFXj-qJwWOY3L0bvpoSAr_jRAHwH95RAKBu6IerNSkcIX0SWtgHG53oauQfj/s320/IMG_1574.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The building where we had the lecture on teacher training in Germany. Very cool looking building outside of Germany.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSnnNQ8botpYf2Qi6GgJF46G55OKbEETtMj8zcy9zpanyjomc8-2p0LNKvghMcJFKYlpRujFCB-GKtfuYNRjTkxdNbL9iYvd9Vd_s-fAwrMjJfR2Q6BYGT_kUNd0VwagD0KcBqwFiVTUg/s1600-h/IMG_1573.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348056767324382722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSnnNQ8botpYf2Qi6GgJF46G55OKbEETtMj8zcy9zpanyjomc8-2p0LNKvghMcJFKYlpRujFCB-GKtfuYNRjTkxdNbL9iYvd9Vd_s-fAwrMjJfR2Q6BYGT_kUNd0VwagD0KcBqwFiVTUg/s320/IMG_1573.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />View from inside of that building looking out.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIYCNrUrrQnKYS8Tcxz-gbtvKtNlspVzqH4rqj_6oRYtNUsfvjD6qoiazygvviaG04l0lcyHoiWgAyiRzEbpdKTybrUMMC9BKn9uXgshWaZxhbonuixCl_edhPgzkBUM-KKl1GnmDdJt4/s1600-h/IMG_1570.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348056761344843666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIYCNrUrrQnKYS8Tcxz-gbtvKtNlspVzqH4rqj_6oRYtNUsfvjD6qoiazygvviaG04l0lcyHoiWgAyiRzEbpdKTybrUMMC9BKn9uXgshWaZxhbonuixCl_edhPgzkBUM-KKl1GnmDdJt4/s320/IMG_1570.jpg" border="0" /></a> First activity of the day at the Berkeley of Germany. It was crazy, the protesters blockaded buildings. This is not the protesters, these are those silly looking Americans named my colleagues. Here though is a banner displaying their dissatisfaction with the current situation.<br /><br /><div> </div><div>Well, I will now be known all around Copenhagen, Denmark. No, I didnĀ“t do anything stupid. I was interviewed by a journalist from Copenhagen for a newspaper article to be published on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. I was getting my passport stamped at Passport Charlie, the checkpoint between east and west Berlin, when a woman asked if she could speak to me about why I was visiting and what the checkpoint meant to me. Somebody needs to keep an eye on that for me. She took my name and seemed very captivated by my charming personality : )</div><br /><div>The day began early. We left the hotel at seven in the morning. We went to west Berlin, finally. I don't care what the Germans say there is a noticeable difference. Especially in the old American sector of west Berlin. Much more modern and well off. We went to a college university to have a meeting with a professor of environmental policy. However, when we got there we couldnt get in the building to meet with the lady. There is a lot of change going on in Germany right now. The students are protesting against their education system and the possibility that they might actually have to pay for their education. College is free for Germans, however the education system is really different over here and that is another conversation for another day. It was cool seeing the students protest and blockade buildings and doors. We were able to meet with the lady in another building. The lecture was very interesting learning how progressive Germany is in regards to renewable energies and the environment. I have a lot to talk about here too when I get home. Jess you would have loved this conversation and dialogue, even I was interested and came away thinking that I need to make some changes in my life to become more environmentally friendly. </div><div> </div><div>Following this we went to a nice little cafe for coffee and croissants. Very charming little place.</div><br /><div>The next activity was visiting a school that educates teachers. I must admit I did not enjoy this lecture. It was hard to understand. The man spoke in German forever and then it was translated to English, very hard to understand and follow. I was not able to follow. Good thing they had more coffee there.</div><br /><div>We then went back to east Berlin where we had lunch. We had a very cool lunch, I had some turkish lamb sandwich, delicious. We ate outside and enjoyed the day.</div><br /><div>After lunch we went to the Foreign Office for integration and migration. Fascinating discussion on how immigrants have had an effect on modern Germany. Dad you knew I was interested in this aspect so I was all eyes and ears. I asked some questions and really got a lot out of the discussion. However many of us were not pleased with some of our colleagues from South Florida. I was rather embarrassed and ashamed of their questioning. They really layed into our speaker about how the governments policy in regards to immigration is meant to keep or prevent people from assimilating and feeling German. They made it seem to our speaker that our country is much superior to Germany in regards to this issue. It took every ounce of my being to not say anything. I later found out that the overwhelming majority of our group was appalled with the tone of the questioning. We certainly have our own problems with regards to immigration. I prevented our speaker with my gift, a quilt from a Mennonite woman who's family is originally from Germany. It was an appropriate gift since we were discussing not only immigration but also emigration. I then later bought a brochure written in Polish about the second largest immigrant population in Germany, the Poles. I was going to give it to my Grandpap to look over. As some of you know my grandfather is 100% Polish. Very informative and enriching discussion minus some uncomfortable interrogation by two of my colleagues. </div><br /><div>Our last activity was visiting Checkpoint Charlie. As I mentioned this was the site of the border between east and west Berlin. The gate is still there. The museum described the terrible events of the cold war in this area. From the June 17 revolution which was violently put down by the Staszi or east German secret police, the attempts to smuggle people out of east Berlin and many other events of that period. I enjoyed the museum but we only had an hour and fifteen minutes to check it all out. Although after awhile I could only read so many stories of escape attempts. However I have come to the realization that I need to read some more about the Staszi and just how brutal the Soviets were. Unfortunately even today the Russians refuse to open up documents to help the healing process. I have my concerns about the Russian government to say the least. There are so many secrets that are still being withheld. </div><div> </div><div>Lastly, I promise, we went to an awesome restaurant in the bohemian section of Berlin. The restaurant is sort of like an open hall that offers dance lessons. We walked in and witnessed lots of couples working on their tango, waltz and who knows what else. Very cool restaurant from the early 1900's. The restaurant, just like most of Berlin, was heavily damaged during the war. However it was recently redone using old pictures as the standard to rebuild. We had a great time!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-45285646488598170722009-06-15T15:06:00.000-07:002009-06-15T15:46:40.347-07:00Berlin Day 2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfu2DAYLk2qY5P16grAX_1NzdFAhNfrcOKSpaCASCk59GKXERnfV7IuSh9TOoEkRClCectdsk5YhX3-7pMd2YSoldXQTvoshG48Zz1YGpjxeTKuJSs-X89H3922FdPp4Ks3lf7bHJpG-6l/s1600-h/IMG_1557.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347687665448008834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfu2DAYLk2qY5P16grAX_1NzdFAhNfrcOKSpaCASCk59GKXERnfV7IuSh9TOoEkRClCectdsk5YhX3-7pMd2YSoldXQTvoshG48Zz1YGpjxeTKuJSs-X89H3922FdPp4Ks3lf7bHJpG-6l/s320/IMG_1557.jpg" border="0" /></a> Me in front of where the treaty to end WWII was held.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhT3lQLgh-G0dw3r4TO4vh8KrGod4lPI0COZAKrYly-nvGzHeaNJz6akUIRcLiIPrD-sbi0iRL60YZ-INdDFSOinq7a_36H0rVd6kX3klhhQ6SxNSVqtcKeNTOC6GotlasXg-sYE5tRxPn/s1600-h/IMG_1552.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347687664354783010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhT3lQLgh-G0dw3r4TO4vh8KrGod4lPI0COZAKrYly-nvGzHeaNJz6akUIRcLiIPrD-sbi0iRL60YZ-INdDFSOinq7a_36H0rVd6kX3klhhQ6SxNSVqtcKeNTOC6GotlasXg-sYE5tRxPn/s320/IMG_1552.jpg" border="0" /></a> Building where the treaty was signed. Later became communist torture and investigation location. The things that occurred in this building I shiver to think about.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-i36TxA8pKFgMNYLI-NYYjxAyF640yTjdeeYeZcSrokqCZS19Mve5WES2sJMFq14WaXY2k0Rg86x1nLVommvYHtENEK0nzhRg7cfNoCi7_iLFIPTssqMjIRS4GoLpd2UA0pUzziQ3hVMt/s1600-h/IMG_1543.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347687656548007890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-i36TxA8pKFgMNYLI-NYYjxAyF640yTjdeeYeZcSrokqCZS19Mve5WES2sJMFq14WaXY2k0Rg86x1nLVommvYHtENEK0nzhRg7cfNoCi7_iLFIPTssqMjIRS4GoLpd2UA0pUzziQ3hVMt/s320/IMG_1543.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /> Never seen an elevator like this. There is no open and close you jump in and jump out. I rode in it of course. Should of had someone take a picture of me.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMQbmmbd8LoK2qe6McKKv2Fzs0oopBGZJwREuo6wTbihSbGt-phyphenhyphenhXMUlswhCiCh3ROBLqveXI76_shjjZfXLFBXVAdKmHvso1eYGVNGCmfV95vSGRAxXMDj77scGaFO1AaMh9f-Bye73/s1600-h/IMG_1542.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347687651571613698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGMQbmmbd8LoK2qe6McKKv2Fzs0oopBGZJwREuo6wTbihSbGt-phyphenhyphenhXMUlswhCiCh3ROBLqveXI76_shjjZfXLFBXVAdKmHvso1eYGVNGCmfV95vSGRAxXMDj77scGaFO1AaMh9f-Bye73/s320/IMG_1542.jpg" border="0" /></a> Outside famous church which escapes me. I will edit later, massive structure that was damaged heavily during the war. Surprising it is not that old, from the early 1900 s. Remember students that is not that old thinking historically, especially in Europe.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6n87NeepcY4o0L81hiGjt1fR3IJwVwqtRfRilia4ORaWSe5z4cpOaUJdB4whB2x0QbrYSMoKDY0YjFvMqjo43GYn6Lx7z0PkR-0R3N32EaaFkDkSzqy40OGLE26oxexrtAc2cKY3lhRy/s1600-h/IMG_1540.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347687645484071698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6n87NeepcY4o0L81hiGjt1fR3IJwVwqtRfRilia4ORaWSe5z4cpOaUJdB4whB2x0QbrYSMoKDY0YjFvMqjo43GYn6Lx7z0PkR-0R3N32EaaFkDkSzqy40OGLE26oxexrtAc2cKY3lhRy/s320/IMG_1540.jpg" border="0" /></a> Is that the model I always see in pictures? He looks like Brad Pitt.</div><div><br /><br /><div>Hello, rather late here so I will try to make it short. Not so sure if that is possible with me but I will give it a whirl. Another amazing day. I have pinched myself several times making sure it is true that I am in fact here. This morning I got up around five a.m. I put my pictures on the blog, which I royally messed up, went to the swimming pool then had breakfast with some friends. The pool was crazy. It has a device that creates waves in the pool to make a current so that it is harder to swim. Really cool and the first time I have seen that. Then for breakfast there were tons of assortments of various fruits, meats, yogurts, cheeses, basically anything you can think of. I will try to get a picture tomorrow. I feel like I am royalty here. INCREDIBLE!!!!</div><br /><div>We then walked down to the Goethe Institut here in East Berlin. It is located in a hip part of town that has been redone in the last couple of years after reunification. We were given a lecture and discussion by an educated man that was incredibly enlightening. The topic of the discussion was Germany today. I will share this discussion with some of you when I get home. Long story short, Germans struggle with the perception of themselves. They almost feel uneasy showing any nationalism or pride in their country. The soccer world cup a couple years back has helped them with this and their unification. He talked a lot about challenges in modern day Germany as I mentioned it was very well done.</div><br /><div>Following this we went down to the Foreign Affairs office where we had another incredible meal with a German diplomat. She was very kind and treated us with the utmost class. </div><br /><div>We then took the bus way out into east Berlin. We visited a museum that once was headquarters for the German Army engineers. This was also the site where the treaty to end World War 2 was signed by the four major powers. Incredibly this museum is not really known about it. Much of the room where the treaty is signed is still intact. I was amazed to be in this room. The history of this room is all I just kept thinking. The creaky floors were original, the chandeliers, walls. After the war the Soviets used it for their secret police were torture and questioning was done. The terrible things that were done in this museum creeped me out thinking about it. The Soviets were known for their cruelty and viciousness. If only the walls could talk. Later the soviets made it into a museum, kissing their own butts for what they did. Our tour guide got emotional to the point that she cried at one point. It made me rather emotional too. The Germans I give them credit have accepted and faced their mistakes head on. The museum showed the bitter realties of World War 2, the Holocaust and Communism. I learned a lot and enjoyed every second of it. </div><br /><div>Later we went to the Alexanderplatz square where east Germans demanded their freedom in 1989. Massive protests occurred and they succeeded by bringing down the Berlin Wall. This is the twenty year anniversary of the wall coming down so there are many exhibits in the square. One was a movie showing the emotional reunion of east and west and also the cruelty of the communists. It is amazing to think how far they have come in twenty years. </div><br /><div>Lastly we went to a nice Asian restaurant where I was able to try an assortment of foods I never had. It was very good. We also just had a great time socializing and discussing our reactions to the day.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-1397429579033541992009-06-14T21:24:00.000-07:002009-06-14T21:28:36.605-07:00Brandenburg Gate & Holocaust Memorial<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1TLTK-s2BAQC44t16Eq-tSwZp_pZYVJeSLpwpGOfL3m8iRvP9HKuwlnNnHpGIj0g-hkY8ClUPnz449dGkMSk4KN6WcSJglHKgyoNGNRYuk7AHu7tDWU9SoV4c80PZ16Z3E37Nx5WIBs8/s1600-h/tim+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347405988322986962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1TLTK-s2BAQC44t16Eq-tSwZp_pZYVJeSLpwpGOfL3m8iRvP9HKuwlnNnHpGIj0g-hkY8ClUPnz449dGkMSk4KN6WcSJglHKgyoNGNRYuk7AHu7tDWU9SoV4c80PZ16Z3E37Nx5WIBs8/s320/tim+016.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIndEczOnkUa24OTIdHNXzGWhAMuITbphd4FgzwV_rDcbzlGLvnfmXUf7ev6YQdGumUHgx_dxZinzO-xzBlDzmb8-4QzvnjuoHuTPw0ykCGvAr_74XRAIEmLYuAWGJI7v-TwT5LgC7uOuj/s1600-h/tim+015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347405984483210194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIndEczOnkUa24OTIdHNXzGWhAMuITbphd4FgzwV_rDcbzlGLvnfmXUf7ev6YQdGumUHgx_dxZinzO-xzBlDzmb8-4QzvnjuoHuTPw0ykCGvAr_74XRAIEmLYuAWGJI7v-TwT5LgC7uOuj/s320/tim+015.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is me outside of the Brandenburg gate. Notice the sculptures inscribed inside of the pillars depicting key points in German History. I was able to get my passport stamped here. Sorry for the assortments of posts. I am still learning how to do this. Plus you can only post five pictures per post. I am getting better though.<br /><div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-28076416180230393042009-06-14T21:20:00.000-07:002009-06-14T21:24:51.663-07:00Reichstag<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09ePrNOBYihe0146PpE4uWBwS6C6biuONSw9IWUtdbqQbT6Rm-sk2AiyVRDr7HhDA-Cc0oM_OteDEeHjq9rjORdBaTrXvGh4b0hzGxbar5ou5unt7cnZr_hvnDh3WoazmSCsABz6Imog_/s1600-h/tim+013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347405567631650962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09ePrNOBYihe0146PpE4uWBwS6C6biuONSw9IWUtdbqQbT6Rm-sk2AiyVRDr7HhDA-Cc0oM_OteDEeHjq9rjORdBaTrXvGh4b0hzGxbar5ou5unt7cnZr_hvnDh3WoazmSCsABz6Imog_/s320/tim+013.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwTfgCeTYBJpJZDJFYUSAUyei94hVIGYbbN486KCzEBdriNtDCMRk0udEaofLaizFIpxRvebmSJ3lcCa62KVKEkjKcjxpYmKbAdScIm98Y4fBqMc_qIXGXmz7xaNLdMWs9gcEEOUnfmHG/s1600-h/tim+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347405565072390866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwTfgCeTYBJpJZDJFYUSAUyei94hVIGYbbN486KCzEBdriNtDCMRk0udEaofLaizFIpxRvebmSJ3lcCa62KVKEkjKcjxpYmKbAdScIm98Y4fBqMc_qIXGXmz7xaNLdMWs9gcEEOUnfmHG/s320/tim+012.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpT39b5v2ON9hvMsJbaMN8IT1It2FHYnMqSlRTMDjbEKMsB2qplb5_ZHywVHBnYFpgBuHkGsvBPhC4DVtok0kkArMzV33Aa5E7t9oUKicKvipJxNSX5CWeejbKjtfxhG6_ujIVBpAlJcOy/s1600-h/tim+011.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347405560990733058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpT39b5v2ON9hvMsJbaMN8IT1It2FHYnMqSlRTMDjbEKMsB2qplb5_ZHywVHBnYFpgBuHkGsvBPhC4DVtok0kkArMzV33Aa5E7t9oUKicKvipJxNSX5CWeejbKjtfxhG6_ujIVBpAlJcOy/s320/tim+011.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6_R4cSfcGOQoSldQuujCtCC6_a24G7zF9WfgaS-fBK0jvHSClod-N8QpfTCzmcBfw_lgoe7pISalE1Rj-wqofmt6TmYlf73mHp2JgIo2dWiiGMx__YWmNcbTFEAbU1ARq7iEapzHBlVi/s1600-h/tim+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347405554505249730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6_R4cSfcGOQoSldQuujCtCC6_a24G7zF9WfgaS-fBK0jvHSClod-N8QpfTCzmcBfw_lgoe7pISalE1Rj-wqofmt6TmYlf73mHp2JgIo2dWiiGMx__YWmNcbTFEAbU1ARq7iEapzHBlVi/s320/tim+010.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswRlSiLSMGAGEZ0aXhULccSVr4dlKjmazRZpTC_OIg10r6eB6Xm-XlmHizsyyjsZzV3rf8m9JUXuY7-F512Fo8pwK21GzZQR0BBv4LaDO5Gw5jYgiX3Ay-6HmyY4HcceHEeh6YkAGnHog/s1600-h/tim+014.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347405547430910178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiswRlSiLSMGAGEZ0aXhULccSVr4dlKjmazRZpTC_OIg10r6eB6Xm-XlmHizsyyjsZzV3rf8m9JUXuY7-F512Fo8pwK21GzZQR0BBv4LaDO5Gw5jYgiX3Ay-6HmyY4HcceHEeh6YkAGnHog/s320/tim+014.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-29249479516739514062009-06-14T21:16:00.000-07:002009-06-14T21:20:19.062-07:00Berlin Day 1<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtSkusZAHGfvtgy6X5Cn1bS3DwL4XmRA2S3XctYxjiXIvLLldv7aVqYS3oULb-qqFN8QLDaZXXQY5gT50X8uDTB1FgthOrlFVVBeVmjWZ5zKyVav0_0rzni9bBbRX5Shen2GZq7tYh34c/s1600-h/tim+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347404378656593346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtSkusZAHGfvtgy6X5Cn1bS3DwL4XmRA2S3XctYxjiXIvLLldv7aVqYS3oULb-qqFN8QLDaZXXQY5gT50X8uDTB1FgthOrlFVVBeVmjWZ5zKyVav0_0rzni9bBbRX5Shen2GZq7tYh34c/s320/tim+009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8r3PpoIeAoyrbd1DuvlBM3V0CZEC-LNzwYGF08Oqz9ZagDvYuTAjpRXyV3jkh41WG1LgimSygytPGquurHPu390Tp8XNqiKYz2tdDqD3acLrWb08TuoGSrLrZ7T517TKI3iViBEoDE2F/s1600-h/tim+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347404374568963778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8r3PpoIeAoyrbd1DuvlBM3V0CZEC-LNzwYGF08Oqz9ZagDvYuTAjpRXyV3jkh41WG1LgimSygytPGquurHPu390Tp8XNqiKYz2tdDqD3acLrWb08TuoGSrLrZ7T517TKI3iViBEoDE2F/s320/tim+008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUxupVqeF8KFvRbT_aAq_u14YQ5eFELP85nE7lhKrZoOa7HaU7od_T2ENLXPwPQXH6OKfwLx9_yVCoUyIaB3GZQgxXcuxn80wtArsh6xw-hp8qLyblv43ZFGk5HcKCNXeweYeruFyslDo/s1600-h/tim+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347404370394667186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUxupVqeF8KFvRbT_aAq_u14YQ5eFELP85nE7lhKrZoOa7HaU7od_T2ENLXPwPQXH6OKfwLx9_yVCoUyIaB3GZQgxXcuxn80wtArsh6xw-hp8qLyblv43ZFGk5HcKCNXeweYeruFyslDo/s320/tim+007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiivfD3vNy3U6XJxUz26zB4OX7S_Ix1zdaQLTwy4M9_aL4YJgvMh3IViMZWZXhgTPCUht3pCN9h9kD1brtiP4gBwtNqpIkAb5KHHCFSosxvbuFsSXNU5itNcVaZPx-kRAKYZwKmQgTy8T/s1600-h/tim+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347404367832326034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZiivfD3vNy3U6XJxUz26zB4OX7S_Ix1zdaQLTwy4M9_aL4YJgvMh3IViMZWZXhgTPCUht3pCN9h9kD1brtiP4gBwtNqpIkAb5KHHCFSosxvbuFsSXNU5itNcVaZPx-kRAKYZwKmQgTy8T/s320/tim+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-69588225855342044502009-06-14T20:55:00.000-07:002009-06-14T21:01:29.770-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxsdQe5w9bonsV7Zo_CWoB33j7Ny0OxvSsseIA3ekRTMelt5kDqa4O6UjdEYcg6FbDaRjjpC8DJYoMPNlAxgzL4dRa3HDa2ac7FL5jlfeVa9W7TgrZqq3iORsNxh_7nVVZXbSSikeGHk5/s1600-h/tim+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347399536186980498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxsdQe5w9bonsV7Zo_CWoB33j7Ny0OxvSsseIA3ekRTMelt5kDqa4O6UjdEYcg6FbDaRjjpC8DJYoMPNlAxgzL4dRa3HDa2ac7FL5jlfeVa9W7TgrZqq3iORsNxh_7nVVZXbSSikeGHk5/s320/tim+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1QCObO2SivisGZocxJ0OrMFUZqhI1HAmvn3YgnMnHVwA3aFVO-gzRccwjhfkvptr42DB7ubySE1ztaao-qIvUx7Na10IyMSakMFCDL_zqh91tKGlrcuf6jOwbAqnaVzhz65NkcLAS_9g/s1600-h/tim+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347399529321872578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1QCObO2SivisGZocxJ0OrMFUZqhI1HAmvn3YgnMnHVwA3aFVO-gzRccwjhfkvptr42DB7ubySE1ztaao-qIvUx7Na10IyMSakMFCDL_zqh91tKGlrcuf6jOwbAqnaVzhz65NkcLAS_9g/s320/tim+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uAMabWYlVJgVRKiNBPg6XaOvrqeSPUbxlavM9be8Tn3z6HkbVtpaeCLXxJwFJK7viP4k5IZjIIFlMOmzW-l44gq0C7t-Ogmyrn9gLsoKQyPHgXMAY65rgb3kR12ytdhMUSKmFELMmefI/s1600-h/tim+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347399527506376562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uAMabWYlVJgVRKiNBPg6XaOvrqeSPUbxlavM9be8Tn3z6HkbVtpaeCLXxJwFJK7viP4k5IZjIIFlMOmzW-l44gq0C7t-Ogmyrn9gLsoKQyPHgXMAY65rgb3kR12ytdhMUSKmFELMmefI/s320/tim+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmH0QaxYN5__nirFiPDXEavrB0xQ6kEH3ypGn4ejM2NBnXph570p04u1roHViCv5xeYgBZjRBtbYm5RnqKREOHhrKfn-Sn-8i5bN7D8f4xNaKiy0a3gGHRHiGOA_uGo9IAk8rt7k8j_Dw/s1600-h/tim+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347399513499761122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmH0QaxYN5__nirFiPDXEavrB0xQ6kEH3ypGn4ejM2NBnXph570p04u1roHViCv5xeYgBZjRBtbYm5RnqKREOHhrKfn-Sn-8i5bN7D8f4xNaKiy0a3gGHRHiGOA_uGo9IAk8rt7k8j_Dw/s320/tim+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIL6IO_daGI9buQlmKPH14U-IcXCWjda9Ru9Xl3cntImo0gYTNb9H6saEa1LZYtE4L3QzUElUsxFhLWBsRpb1ahtsgHWfGjuNBofke8S75tbxkjOpQ6qyY9mGzdT4HAOMaRgIOXtFA8_I/s1600-h/tim+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347399508423590498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIL6IO_daGI9buQlmKPH14U-IcXCWjda9Ru9Xl3cntImo0gYTNb9H6saEa1LZYtE4L3QzUElUsxFhLWBsRpb1ahtsgHWfGjuNBofke8S75tbxkjOpQ6qyY9mGzdT4HAOMaRgIOXtFA8_I/s320/tim+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-61401442513596775032009-06-14T11:37:00.000-07:002009-06-14T12:06:33.390-07:00Berlin Day 1Wow, where do I begin. We left yesterday around 5:45.<em> I have not slept since yesterday morning. Well not exactly I slept for one hour from Frankfurt to Berlin. So I am exhausted to say the least. We got into Berlin around 11:30 am. It is now 8:45 p.m. If today is any indication of how the trip is going to go than I am in for quite the trip. Everything is first class all the way. Berlin is an interesting city to say the least, not what </em>I expected. The contrast between East and West Berlin is quite obvious. For my students you will remember that Berlin was divided into four zones after the war. In 1961 the Soviet Union built a wall around Berlin to keep people from leaving to the west. Upon leaving the airport we headed to our hotel to freshen up and drop our luggage off. The hotel is quite spectacular. Very modern and artistically designed. Our rooms are wonderfully designed and comfortable. I am looking forward to going there soon to crash.<br />After leaving the hotel we went on a bus tour through Berlin. Our bus, by the way, is a pretty sweet Mercedes Benz. We headed to the only remaining portion of the Berlin Wall that is still intact. It certainly was interesting to see the wall and the land that separated the east and west in between.<br />After visiting the Berlin Wall we went to the Reichstag. The Reichstag is like our Capitol Building or Great Britain's Parliament building. We were given special access to the building and had our own private tour. Our tour lady did an excellent job describing key events in German history presently and currently. The Reichstag was set fire to before WWII and the Soviets also took over the building at the end of the war. There are still bullet holes in the building. They have kept this visible on purpose for the whole interior of the Reichstag has been redone. It truly is an incredible structure.<br />Following the Reichstag we went to the Brandenburg gate. The gate was built in 1871 by the Prussians. It was basically a city gate. The city gate would be closed at the end of the night. During the cold war the Brandenburg gate separated east and west Berlin. I actually got my passport stamped, Checkpoint Charlie. The architecture is fascinating. Don't worry pictures will come soon. I am at a train station now writing this all so I am not able to load pictures. I will when I get back to the hotel.<br />Following the Brandenburg gate we went to a holocaust memorial. Not much to report there except that I need to take a break from the Holocaust for awhile. Very sad memorial, the museum is very honest and forthcoming. However the memorial is rather bizarre. Not sure I understood it, which really I think is the whole point.<br />Just got back from dinner, service and food were incredible. I had a Gypsy schnitzel. Absolutely incredible. Sorry for the bad grammar and punctuation. Keyboards are different here. Talk to you soon. Tomorrow we are off to meet some prominent folks so that means I need to be on point.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5783829125700031557.post-49782524712666693662009-06-10T21:20:00.001-07:002009-06-10T21:24:41.501-07:00Two more days!Well, as one might expect I am extremely excited to begin my travels to another far off land. I have been very fortunate to be selected by the Goethe-Institut for this amazing opportunity. I will try my best to relate my experiences and observations to you all.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5