Blogs from Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany, Europe - page 7

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Europe » Germany » Hamburg » Hamburg August 9th 2012

Our final stop in Germany was to Hamburg, home of Europe’s largest red light district and second largest port. On our first night there we took the subway to go see Rathaus in Old Town and emerged to.... China time! A festival in the middle of the town hall square full of red lanterns and Asian trinkets. Even though Binnson claims that “It’s always China time!” we happily walked around inside. Along with China time, comes this big dragon statue that appears once every two years in the square that I forced Binnson to get his picture with (see photos). Moving on from there, we headed down the Alsterarkaden which was lined with shops, hotels, big malls, and restaurants along a water front. We had read something about Chile Haus and decided to go find it ... read more
Rathaus
Walking by the water
Rathaus

Europe » Germany » Hamburg » Hamburg August 8th 2012

Today was another busy day for the group, and perhaps the most mentally and emotionally taxing one as well. We began our day by meeting our guides, Monika and Joachim, at Harburg station at 8:30am. We proceeded as a group to Neuegamme Concentration Camp. Prior to and during World War Two, the Nazi regime set up a vast system of labor camps around Germany and Nazi controlled countries. Some were dedicated “extermination” camps, where the sole intent was to murder those who were shipped there. Others, like Neuegamme, were “work camps”. Those sent here were typically prisoners of war from Russia, resistance fighters from occupied countries like France and Norway, or others deemed socially unwelcome people (those considered lazy, unwilling to work, or even those who refused to give the Nazi salute). One could even be ... read more
Neuegamme
In The Museum
Listening To A Survivors Story

Europe » Germany » Hamburg » Hamburg August 6th 2012

Today was another eventful day for our students here in Hamburg. Some attended German school with their partners for the first time while a few others traveled to Neugraben to meet with a 4thgrade class there. Alec, Delaney, Robert and the Cammocks, Shaun, Chris and Jaycy, met me at Harberg Station in the pouring rain at 8:30 sharp. From there we traveled to meet the students who have been corresponding with Mrs. Reijm’s class at Edison via snail mail. We arrived a bit early and were given a full tour of the school campus which houses students from Kindergarten through 10th grade. 10th grade is akin to senior year in high school in the states. It was interesting to see such a mix of ages on the playground for sure. We learned that a wealthy benefactor ... read more
Class
Class Game
Robert

Europe » Germany » Hamburg » Hamburg August 3rd 2012

The amount of activities that we have packed into our first two weeks of the German leg of this exchange is almost unbelievable!We have had some form of group activity literally every week day, most of them taking up the entirety of the day and a large portion of the evening. I know that most of our kids have been busy over the weekends as well. Today was definitely no exception! We met at Harburg Bahnhof at 9:45 and were off to the city. We visited a very large museum which details the history of this important Hanseatic city from its origins around the year 900 until the present day. We learned about pirates in the Elbe, mass Emigration to the Americas, the great fire of 1842 and many other interesting events that have served to ... read more
Yup, We Climbed It!
Peering Down On The Way Up
Rathaus and Alster

Europe » Germany » Hamburg » Hamburg August 2nd 2012

Today was a VERY interesting day. We didn’t know just how interesting until the end of it. We met at Harburg Bahnhof at 9:30 and caught a bus to Wilhelmsburg near the river Elbe. At this point in the river it is safe to swim. As we travelled, we watched the lightning dance across the sky, not ideal swimming weather! Nevertheless, we decided to give it a go as the storm had passed safely by when we arrived. Some dug in the sand, a few ventured into the water, one was buried and others lounged on the beach for a couple of hours until it was time to go. The bus was about 15 minutes late, and I wish we would have missed it! This bus trip was about as bad as I have ever experienced. ... read more

Europe » Germany » Hamburg » Hamburg August 1st 2012

The Chaperones were not so subtly trailed to Hauptbahnhof this morning by some somewhat sly students who were utilizing every advantage they could possibly come by in order to win this most amazing of Hamburg races. We arrived to find several teams already at the pre-announced starting point. We met with each group to go over the plan, provide helpful hints and a map, and to remind them of safety strategies. By 10:07, they were all on their way! This was by far the earliest that all the teams have been on the course, speaking to the savvy and determination of all of the competitors. It was a great day wandering the city for the adults. Checking in with teams as we spotted them, or they spotted us. We got to speak to nearly every team ... read more
Prepping The Groups
Prepping The Groups
Purple Platipi

Europe » Germany » Hamburg » Hamburg July 31st 2012

Today we ventured in to the city as a mixed group for some shopping and a very cool ferry ride on the Elbe. On the calendar, we were supposed to visit Dialogue In The Dark, but due to a scheduling snafu, we will be realizing that experience on Thursday. So, it was 90 minutes of free time in the city for the kids. There were no complaints of course! We met back at Landungsbrucken in order to catch a certain river ferry. One of our host parents is the captain! We were treated to a great sightseeing experience from the decks of the boat and we also got to venture into and hang out in the wheelhouse to see just how the job is done! It was an awesome experience that not many people get! Yesterday ... read more
Boys In The Wheelhouse
Captain Jaycy
Docking

Europe » Germany » Hamburg » Hamburg July 28th 2012

Here for the weekend to visit my friend Claire who gave me a guided tour of the city! Hamburg is one of the biggest and most important ports in Europe and is clearly doing well economicaly. We visited the port, had some great seafood and saw the Hamburg nightlife including the Reperbahn! Turned out local football team St Pauli were playing at home and found out later it was Aberdeen!... read more
Some guy stuck in the harbor
Beer and Bratwurst
Dog nicks my Bratwurst

Europe » Germany » Hamburg » Hamburg July 27th 2012

It is safe to say that Praha lived up to the hype. Many of our friends described it as one of the most unique cities in the world and they spoke the truth. Our first two days in Prague were awesome and the last two even better. We spent one day climbing a hill to some beer gardens at the top. It was one of the best views you can get of the city and was one of my favorite memories from the trip. Playing some light music on the iPhone enjoying some beers with good company. It was a very relaxing time. That evening we ventured to the best meal we had in the Czech Republic and one of the best of the trip. This place was unbelievable. It was home to the largest beer ... read more

Europe » Germany » Hamburg » Hamburg July 26th 2012

No rest for the weary might not be the most appropriate motto for the group as a whole, but may perhaps be fitting for the chaperones. The kids on the other hand may be better served by the catchphrase “no let down for the strong” or better yet “Sleep? What’s that?!” Our wild week continued Thursday as we departed for the medieval walled city of Lubeck and an overnight stayat the youth hostel. Our weather karma remained strong as it was yet again a brilliantly sunny day! The German teachers have been joking this entire trip that it is the American’s that bring the summer weather. It had been cold and rainy up until the very day we arrived when it turned sunny and hot, just as it had the prior two exchanges! Shaun, Chris and ... read more
Lubeck At Night
Group On The Bridge
Waltzers At Night




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