jbschafer's Guestbook
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Date: 27th July 2009
Missing you already!
Sounds like you're off to a good start! We had a lazy day, given that we took Jilly to CR at 4:30am. Thanks for blogging--it's a nice way to keep up with you guys. We are missing you already!! xo to all, Di
From Blog: On the Road Again
Missing you already!
Sounds like you're off to a good start! We had a lazy day, given that we took Jilly to CR at 4:30am. Thanks for blogging--it's a nice way to keep up with you guys. We are missing you already!! xo to all, Di
From Blog: On the Road Again
Date: 27th July 2009
interesting
How in the world did you find this place. Looks rater intriguing.
From Blog: On the Road Again
interesting
How in the world did you find this place. Looks rater intriguing.
From Blog: On the Road Again
Date: 27th July 2009
Thanks for the update . . .
Looking forward to more pictures.
From Blog: On the Road Again
Thanks for the update . . .
Looking forward to more pictures.
From Blog: On the Road Again
Date: 19th April 2008
kids in park
All those kids you saw were high school seniors making the obligatory pilgrimages around the main city sites, posing for pictures. Kids from all around the region are bussed into Moscow to do this--the city is overrun with with seniors for the whole last week of May. It's quite odd seeing them in their black apron/white shirt dresses--and sexy high heels! Gotta love all those huge bows in the hair, too!
From Blog: The joys of getting lost in a strange town
kids in park
All those kids you saw were high school seniors making the obligatory pilgrimages around the main city sites, posing for pictures. Kids from all around the region are bussed into Moscow to do this--the city is overrun with with seniors for the whole last week of May. It's quite odd seeing them in their black apron/white shirt dresses--and sexy high heels! Gotta love all those huge bows in the hair, too!
From Blog: The joys of getting lost in a strange town
Date: 16th July 2007
reality is reality - truth is subjective
Ben, as a student of Russian language and culture 20 years ago I travelled to Russia with the intellectual/academic intent to find out the "truth" about Russia and its people and to teach my people that Reagan and all our stereotypes were wrong. It is so important to reflect on the context as a whole (like you do) and on the condition that our perception (stereotyping) is shaped by our own culture, i.e. our own values. What I learned are a few valuable lessons in ethics: ideology, like power, is ethically neutral - how you use them is either evil or benevolent. Life is Russia has been marked by self-serving leadership for nearly a century. People who become the victims of evil have three choices: stay a victim, become a perpetrator, or change their attitudes. When in Moscow, I was often approached by "simple folk" with the question: "What do you want here? You have everything and we have nothing. Why don't you go home?" It made me feel like a perpetrator - as if I was responsible for their suffering. Anyway, no need to apologize for your observations. Few would want to live somewhere where the majority has not internalized the same values that one holds. To be sure, there are many many simple Russian folk who have learned to lead their lives according to certain (universal) values. You find them more easily outside of St. Petersburg and Moscow. These Russians place great value on treating guests with overwhelming hospitality.
From Blog: Farewell to Mother Russia
reality is reality - truth is subjective
Ben, as a student of Russian language and culture 20 years ago I travelled to Russia with the intellectual/academic intent to find out the "truth" about Russia and its people and to teach my people that Reagan and all our stereotypes were wrong. It is so important to reflect on the context as a whole (like you do) and on the condition that our perception (stereotyping) is shaped by our own culture, i.e. our own values. What I learned are a few valuable lessons in ethics: ideology, like power, is ethically neutral - how you use them is either evil or benevolent. Life is Russia has been marked by self-serving leadership for nearly a century. People who become the victims of evil have three choices: stay a victim, become a perpetrator, or change their attitudes. When in Moscow, I was often approached by "simple folk" with the question: "What do you want here? You have everything and we have nothing. Why don't you go home?" It made me feel like a perpetrator - as if I was responsible for their suffering. Anyway, no need to apologize for your observations. Few would want to live somewhere where the majority has not internalized the same values that one holds. To be sure, there are many many simple Russian folk who have learned to lead their lives according to certain (universal) values. You find them more easily outside of St. Petersburg and Moscow. These Russians place great value on treating guests with overwhelming hospitality.
From Blog: Farewell to Mother Russia
Date: 3rd June 2007
nice!
http://www.weingut-roessler.de/fernsehen.html
From Blog: The tradition of the Stammtisch
nice!
http://www.weingut-roessler.de/fernsehen.html
From Blog: The tradition of the Stammtisch
Date: 1st June 2007
I would have to say the cable car ride with cow in tow was one of the highlights of Switzerland!! It certainly is not something your average tourist can claim to have done!! (luckily the cow behaved himself) I liked your picture of the earthen pyramid. It appears to my "trained" eye that your interpretation of them is correct!
From Blog: The Hills are Alive
I would have to say the cable car ride with cow in tow was one of the highlights of Switzerland!! It certainly is not something your average tourist can claim to have done!! (luckily the cow behaved himself) I liked your picture of the earthen pyramid. It appears to my "trained" eye that your interpretation of them is correct!
From Blog: The Hills are Alive
Date: 30th May 2007
I want to go!!
Need I tell you that I am extremely jealous of your opportunity to be in northern Italy. I hope some day to return there. It is one of the nicest places in Europe. Your pictures were lovely.... Mom
From Blog: The Hills are Alive
I want to go!!
Need I tell you that I am extremely jealous of your opportunity to be in northern Italy. I hope some day to return there. It is one of the nicest places in Europe. Your pictures were lovely.... Mom
From Blog: The Hills are Alive
Date: 29th May 2007
Subways in DC and arrival in Wiesbaden
Hey Ben, remind me to tell you when you're here about my DC subway story. It was many years ago, but I'm guessing not much has changed. I started thinking that it might be a better idea for me to pick you up at the airport on Thursday. I don't know how we'll communicate that you've arrived at the Wiesbaden train station. I'm not sure how available the public phones are there. Also, I'm not sure you have my number. What do you think? I still have your itinerary and can meet you at the airport without a problem. We are very much looking forward to having you here for a while. I hope we can keep you as interested as it sounds like you've been so far. The weather's been yucky, but we'll keep our fingers crossed for an improvement. Enjoy Italy! (P.S. They love kids there. We loved visiting with our gang. Germans are not quite so welcoming in general.)
From Blog: Pack up the Kids, Amy. We are moving to Bolzano
Subways in DC and arrival in Wiesbaden
Hey Ben, remind me to tell you when you're here about my DC subway story. It was many years ago, but I'm guessing not much has changed. I started thinking that it might be a better idea for me to pick you up at the airport on Thursday. I don't know how we'll communicate that you've arrived at the Wiesbaden train station. I'm not sure how available the public phones are there. Also, I'm not sure you have my number. What do you think? I still have your itinerary and can meet you at the airport without a problem. We are very much looking forward to having you here for a while. I hope we can keep you as interested as it sounds like you've been so far. The weather's been yucky, but we'll keep our fingers crossed for an improvement. Enjoy Italy! (P.S. They love kids there. We loved visiting with our gang. Germans are not quite so welcoming in general.)
From Blog: Pack up the Kids, Amy. We are moving to Bolzano
Date: 28th May 2007
Ah, Italy!
Yes, Italy does sound more like my kind of place than Russia. I can see you sitting outside a cafe with a beer in hand enjoying dinner! Have a pizza for us. Love Aunt Doris
From Blog: Pack up the Kids, Amy. We are moving to Bolzano
Ah, Italy!
Yes, Italy does sound more like my kind of place than Russia. I can see you sitting outside a cafe with a beer in hand enjoying dinner! Have a pizza for us. Love Aunt Doris
From Blog: Pack up the Kids, Amy. We are moving to Bolzano
Date: 28th May 2007
No need for the fur hat
Let me assure you, Mike, that it gets HOT here. Low 30s to nearly 40 in the sun at times (translate that to 80 to 100?)
From Blog: Hot town, summer in the city...
No need for the fur hat
Let me assure you, Mike, that it gets HOT here. Low 30s to nearly 40 in the sun at times (translate that to 80 to 100?)
From Blog: Hot town, summer in the city...
Date: 27th May 2007
Thanks
Nice blog. Yours opinion was very interesting for me. Thanks.
From Blog: Farewell to Mother Russia
Thanks
Nice blog. Yours opinion was very interesting for me. Thanks.
From Blog: Farewell to Mother Russia
Date: 26th May 2007
Ivanov
Hi Ben - we had a (long) uneventful trip home...hope you your connections on sunday (or saturday?) are smooth. Enjoyed your blogs...here's a small fix: Ivanov painted The Appearence of Christ and I believe he was a 19th century painter.
From Blog: Holy Schmoley...
Ivanov
Hi Ben - we had a (long) uneventful trip home...hope you your connections on sunday (or saturday?) are smooth. Enjoyed your blogs...here's a small fix: Ivanov painted The Appearence of Christ and I believe he was a 19th century painter.
From Blog: Holy Schmoley...
Date: 25th May 2007
Thanks for sharing your thoughts--it's been fun to read them and keep track of you! Stay safe and keep having fun! Di
From Blog: Computer access is hard to find
Thanks for sharing your thoughts--it's been fun to read them and keep track of you! Stay safe and keep having fun! Di
From Blog: Computer access is hard to find
Date: 24th May 2007
Moscow
It is interesting to hear that Moscow is hot and humid. I guess I have always thought of Russia as being cold year-round. A lot of historical buildings/landmarks over there. I look forward to seeing more pics of your trip. Hi Katie -- Hope things are going well for you and your family. My website provides details on what I've been doing: www.mikewiethorn.com
From Blog: Hot town, summer in the city...
Moscow
It is interesting to hear that Moscow is hot and humid. I guess I have always thought of Russia as being cold year-round. A lot of historical buildings/landmarks over there. I look forward to seeing more pics of your trip. Hi Katie -- Hope things are going well for you and your family. My website provides details on what I've been doing: www.mikewiethorn.com
From Blog: Hot town, summer in the city...
Date: 24th May 2007
Hi Wow
This comment is less for my brother (although I am enjoying the trip through you, I am more excited to hear how things are in Bolzano!!) and more in response to seeing a comment from Mike W. How the heck are you?
From Blog: Hot town, summer in the city...
Hi Wow
This comment is less for my brother (although I am enjoying the trip through you, I am more excited to hear how things are in Bolzano!!) and more in response to seeing a comment from Mike W. How the heck are you?
From Blog: Hot town, summer in the city...
Date: 24th May 2007
Nice Observations!
Sat at Doris and Al's last night and read some of your latest observations and enjoyed the great pictures. We commented on the fact that your trip will soon be 1/2 over. Its gone very quickly for those of us who are simply reading your news. Hope that AMY is doing well through it all! We look forward to seeing she and the girls this week-end. Love Mom
From Blog: Come on ride the train....
Nice Observations!
Sat at Doris and Al's last night and read some of your latest observations and enjoyed the great pictures. We commented on the fact that your trip will soon be 1/2 over. Its gone very quickly for those of us who are simply reading your news. Hope that AMY is doing well through it all! We look forward to seeing she and the girls this week-end. Love Mom
From Blog: Come on ride the train....
Date: 23rd May 2007
Thank You!
Thanks for taking us along on the trip! Most of us would not have the opportunity to do a trip like that and it is very facinating. Uncle Al loves reading the blogs. We llok forward to images of Italy and then of course, Germany and the kids there.
From Blog: Hot town, summer in the city...
Thank You!
Thanks for taking us along on the trip! Most of us would not have the opportunity to do a trip like that and it is very facinating. Uncle Al loves reading the blogs. We llok forward to images of Italy and then of course, Germany and the kids there.
From Blog: Hot town, summer in the city...
Date: 22nd May 2007
A little bit of hip-hop
Come on ride the train....isn't that a song by the Quad City DJs?
From Blog: Come on ride the train....
A little bit of hip-hop
Come on ride the train....isn't that a song by the Quad City DJs?
From Blog: Come on ride the train....
Date: 22nd May 2007
Thanks for all the blogs
I never would have anticipated that description of Russian women. I always have the grandma-type in my head. I'm glad you are safe and having a wonderful trip!
From Blog: Are you tired of my cultural observations??
Thanks for all the blogs
I never would have anticipated that description of Russian women. I always have the grandma-type in my head. I'm glad you are safe and having a wonderful trip!
From Blog: Are you tired of my cultural observations??
Date: 18th May 2007
Actually, I'm enjoying the observations . . .
Sounds like Russia has a unique combination of traditional and Western culture. Clint Eastwood movies and South Park . . . sounds like they have embraced some American favorites.
From Blog: Are you tired of my cultural observations??
Actually, I'm enjoying the observations . . .
Sounds like Russia has a unique combination of traditional and Western culture. Clint Eastwood movies and South Park . . . sounds like they have embraced some American favorites.
From Blog: Are you tired of my cultural observations??
Date: 18th May 2007
blue skies
I kept thinking in all of your outdoor photos that the weather looked tremendous! I checked out the weather channel the other day and they said it was really nice in moscow. How fortunate to start your trip that way! Thanks for the photos, its incredible!
From Blog: Touring St. Petersburg
blue skies
I kept thinking in all of your outdoor photos that the weather looked tremendous! I checked out the weather channel the other day and they said it was really nice in moscow. How fortunate to start your trip that way! Thanks for the photos, its incredible!
From Blog: Touring St. Petersburg
Date: 16th May 2007
Maybe we are working better with the Russians!
Ben, I had to laugh about the steam situation. They must work under the same system as the US Military in Germany. The heat comes on on Oct. 1st and goes off on May 1st, regardless of weather conditions. We had a warm, beautiful fall. We had heat even though we didn't need it. We've had a wet, cold spring, but no heat to warm things up. I think it's easier as far as paperwork goes when they handle it this way. Hope things are comfortable for you as your stay progresses!
From Blog: Random Observations
Maybe we are working better with the Russians!
Ben, I had to laugh about the steam situation. They must work under the same system as the US Military in Germany. The heat comes on on Oct. 1st and goes off on May 1st, regardless of weather conditions. We had a warm, beautiful fall. We had heat even though we didn't need it. We've had a wet, cold spring, but no heat to warm things up. I think it's easier as far as paperwork goes when they handle it this way. Hope things are comfortable for you as your stay progresses!
From Blog: Random Observations
Date: 14th May 2007
Beautiful pictures
What wonderful pictures. Glad you are having some free time to sight see. Continue to be careful and safe. Aunt Doris
From Blog: Sunday in the Suburbs
Beautiful pictures
What wonderful pictures. Glad you are having some free time to sight see. Continue to be careful and safe. Aunt Doris
From Blog: Sunday in the Suburbs
Liz Kersting
non-member comment
Vacation
Looks like you are all having fun on Vacation. Oh and let me add Chritopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492. I had to say that just for Matt because when I said it yersterday I messed it up. Have a safe trip and see you when you get to Michigan!!
From Blog: On the Road Again