To the other side of the Brandenburg Tor is the Holocaust Memorial ... which, unless someone had told me that I probably would have passed by wondering what it was, or putting it to modern art. Em explained that there was some controversy over constructing this memorial. For one thing it's only dedicated to the Jews that died and were persecuted, rather than to everyone. The point was also raised that it would be better to have a free bus that would take people to the concentration camp that's just outside Berlin so that people could really have a better understanding [View Full Entry]

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If Em hadn't have told us, we would have assumed that the empty corner across the street from some ordinary apartment buildings held any significance. In fact, this was the site of Hitler's Bunkers and where he spent his last days. He was hidden away in one of his bunkers as the city was being bombed. To the end, Hitler truly believed that they were going to win the war. Hitler was on a concoction of about 30 different medication prescribed by his physician, including some pretty heavy, mind-altering stuff. So whatever other health/mental issues he had, we sure his meds [View Full Entry]

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Remember pictures, documentaries or stories of the book burning by the Third Reich on May 10, 1933? Well, that was here, in Babelplatz. 25,000 titles were burned. Many were original first editions. Irreplaceable. The titles chosen were pretty much anything that the Third Reich didn't agree with. Books and journals were taken from the university library by students and fed into the bonfires. Today there is a fascinating memorial. Underground in the middle of the platz are empty, white shelves, with room enough to hold 25,000. The room is unreachable, but you can see it through a "windo [View Full Entry]

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This memorial is to remind us of the consequences of war, not only for those considered the victims, but for the soldiers and families as well. That's why buried in this memorial is a German solider and a holocaust victim, symbolizing that it doesn't matter which side of the war-line you're standing on, you are affected. [View Full Entry]

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SATURDAY!!!! OK, my blogging abilities are wearing thin. We'll see how many more of these I can pull out today. We made it to the Dresden train station kein problem (without problem) and had a direct ride to Berlin, about a 2 hour trip. Our first order of business was to find out hostel, which took a bit more work since I had gotten directions from a different train station in Berlin, not the main one. Oops. But Amazing-Beth to the rescue figured out our route in short order and we were on our way! It was a bit of [View Full Entry]

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FRIDAY!!! Last day in Dresden ... we leave tomorrow for Berlin. But since day number one was so fabulous, we've no doubt that today will be equally wonderful. Yesterday we bought some postcards, and I was going to write to my family "I'm having a wonderful time!" But that really didn't adequately express the experiences Beth and I were having. The only thing I could write that seemed to do justice was "I'm having the time of my life!" Yeah, that pretty much does the trick! We had talked about taking a train out of the city about 45 minutes [View Full Entry]

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THURSDAY!!! After an incredible night's sleep, Beth and I woke up mid-morningish ready for our day of exploration! Beth was studied up on the walking "tourist route" that would take us to all the fabulous site of the city. (Actually we found out once you're pointed in the right direction you can just follow the tall steeples of all the old buildings!) It was a fresh feeling day, chilly enough to be crisp, but not unbearably cold. (These poor Michigander girls are just wimps, huh?) Just after leaving the hostel we picked up some apples, grapes and crackers at a [View Full Entry]

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Hallo!!!! Today, WEDNESDAY (day 8?), Beth and I are leaving for "Holiday"!!!! She has 6 days off from work and we're going to Dresden und (and) Berlin. So you all will just have to wait on pins and needles for updates and photos until we get back next week. =) Lots of love from both of us!!!!! April [View Full Entry]

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WEDNESDAY Beth and I had a lovely relaxing morning, thankful for deciding on leaving on the noon train from Hassfurt. After all, why start the first day of vacation exhausted from waking up super early? We found out that we're already tired by the time we reach or destination, no matter what time of the day we arrive. Might as well have an easy going morning and just be able to sleep when you get where you're going. Anyway, that's our reasoning. Maybe we're just lazy! We took the bus from Hofheim (Beth's hometown) to the train station in Hassfurt. [View Full Entry]

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MONDAY -- Day 6? (I've lost track ... oh well) Another day for me to be a VET! OK, so I don't even come close! But it's fun when Beth introduces me at the farms because people always ask, "Is she a vet too?" And Beth explains, "No, she's a teacher. But her family has a dairy farm, so she knows a little about cows." Actually, I think I've become more a "Farm Girl" in the past 2 months then in the entire 25 years of my life! Who would have guessed! So I headed out with Beth at 5:30 [View Full Entry]

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