I have spent the past few days in Berlin, a city of war and revolution. What I wasn't expecting Berlin was the best history course I have ever taken! I took a great free guided tour with a young woman who whirlwinded us around the city, pointing out all of the historical important sights, as well as a few of the funny ones! I didn't realize how much history Berlin holds until our "quick" history lesson to bring us up to date with the beginnings of WWII. Ten minutes we were getting the rundown on Paritsa Platz and were on with our day.
I saw so much that I could bore you with all the details and lose you in all the history, but I was really intrigued by three places.
One of my favorite places was the Reichstag: the government house. The history of this building is the roots to much of Berlin and Germany. The house of Parliament was here prior to the beginning of Hitler's reign; the night it was burned down, he acquired power. It was here that it became a place for German "government" but Hitler was doing all of his dictating from somewhere else. It was rebuilt after the fire but during the attacks on Berlin during WWII the dome was damaged and not rebuilt. It stood on the West side of the wall for years, home to the non-Communist government and when the Wall came down it became the symbol for how things were to be run: the dome was rebuilt and opened to all people. From the dome you look down to Parliament, on to the decision makers, above them. In perspective, the law makers look up to a mirrored form showing the people watching them, time 100 from the mirrors, reminding them who has the power and who they are representing. Pretty powerful stuff!
Another one of my favorite places was the Memorial to Murdered Jews of Europe. This remarkable piece of art takes up hundreds of square feet with stone pillars of all heights. In perfect rows they are open for interpretation; none was given by the artist. Some say they are to represent the massive amounts of graves the Holocaust created, but many argue that it is symbolic in different ways. Possibly a 3D bar graph of the rise and fall of anti semitism, others say it is there to create just one particle of the uncomfort that Jews felt before they were murdered. You get to walk through the pillars and it is haunting; you don't know who is near you, around the corner, or where you are going. Very thought provoking, but even more so it where the memorial is. Just around the corner is the former site of Hitler's bunker. With only a simple sign explaining the logistics of the actual bunker, nothing else was put there. It is in the car park for apartments; oddly enough, these apartments have menorahs and the star of David in some of the windows!
The most interesting place I thought was the Bebelplatz sight of the Book Burning. On May 10 1933 Humbolt University's library, just across the street, was emptied of all "controversial" books; books, journals, and reports written by Jews, about Gypsies, or anything else that Hitler didn't like. Although this wasn't the largest book burning, it has become the most famous because Hitler was there. I think that the memorial is very powerful: a room in the ground with 4 walls of empty bookshelves. There is no door; we can replace books but we can not go back in time and replace the quote by poet Heinrich Heine (in German translated to) "where books are burned, in the end people will burn." His quote is from 1820!
With all that said, I went to all the famous sights of Berlin:
~Brandenburg Tor...and the plaza
~Rathhaus Berlin...and the Christmas market
~Berliner Dom
~Berlin Wall...and the Topographies of Terror Memorial
~Check Point Charlie...over rated but there for visitors
~Reichstag...great views from the dom
~TV Tower...a modern built icon but a bit silly
~Schloss Charlottenburg...old Prussian palace
My photos will have little bits of history about all the places I visited and random things that I saw! That's all for now!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Cheese, Chocolate and the Czech Republic
Every fall the schools get a break for a week and a half. This year Barbara, the girls and I went to the Fribourg region of Switzerland for a few days. We stayed in the very little town of Schwartzee where the hiking was plentiful. We spent one day hiking and another day in the town of Gruyere…yes, like the cheese. We toured the Cailler chocolate factory, with an amazing tasting room! Then we were off to the Gruyere cheese factory. We began with lunch…all cheese dishes and then did a “tour” where we learned how cheese was made, why Gruyere cheese is unique and then watched them put the cooked cheese curd into the molds…35kilos each! We also got to view the aging room with the machine that flips every mold of cheese regularly. After the cheese factory we went to the Gruyere Castle, the main attraction of Gruyere. It was unlike any of the castles I have seen. It was fully furnished and landscaped. There was information everywhere explaining each room and everything in it. It also had SPECTACULAR views of the mountains. The third day of the trip we went to Murten, an original walled medieval city. We did a scavenger hunt with Clara that lead us all over: on the walls, into the towers, to a cannon! It was a great town, very beautiful and full of interesting history. We then headed home with a stop at the butterfly pavilion near Bern.
After we returned to Basel, I flew to Prague with my friend Amelia. We stayed with HS friends Lizzy and Allison. The first day, with the plan to go to Cesky Krumlov, bus tickets were sold out so we went to Plzen. Turned out to be a great idea! It was icky weather so we spent the day at a beer museum learning all about the history of beer and how it was and is made. We then proceeded to lunch at the museum, getting a free beer. Then off we went to the Pilsner Urquell brewery, one of the oldest breweries in the world! We got to see how it is made and packaged, tried the raw materials and of course had beer tasting. It wasn’t just any beer either; it was the unpasturized, unfiltered beer. Very good but very filling! Once we were all beered out, we headed back to Prague where we spend the night dancing with Lizzy and Allison.
Cesky Krumlov was awe-inspiring. A small town in the mountains, it is home to the 3rd largest castle in CZ and is a World Heritage area. With sunny skies and the colors changing, we couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful place. Huge gardens to walk through and beautiful architecture, it was a great place to wander. We enjoyed lunch near the river, a very delicious lunch of pizza and eidam cheese (as if I hadn’t eaten enough cheese before!) The town was small, we wandered for a while, enjoyed sun on our faces and headed back to Prague. Once again we had a fun night out with Lizzy, new bars and dance clubs, and the Czech specialty, Absinth!
Adventuring around Prague was the best way to rejuvenate ourselves after a late night out. A beautiful walk through the park lead us right from Lizzy’s to the Prague Castle, the largest castle in the Czech Republic. Unfortunately it was Sunday therefore very crowded, but we still enjoyed the beautiful courtyards, unbelievable buildings and immaculate gardens. From the castle we walked down to the Charles Bridge. Famous for it’s statues, there was preservation work on many of them, but it didn’t keep us, or the crowds, away. With artists and performers on each end, it was a very fun way across the Vltava River. From there we headed in to Old Town Square. Beautiful churches and buildings surround the square full of people. Tourists and locals photographing, picnicking, and meeting friends everywhere; quite a place! After walking so much, we headed back home for an early evening.
Kutna Hora was the last stop of the “Czech Tour” I found myself on. Unfortunately Amelia had to leave early to catch her plane, I was able to go to the Sedlec Kostnice, also known as the Bone Church. Bones of over 40,000 people were arranged in pyramids, coat-of-arms, and chandelier. They were found when the church was built on what was a mass burial ground from the plague. A bit grotesque but quite the sight. I also met very interesting people on the way there and back…one of the best parts of traveling! Now that I’m back, all I need is a bit of recovery time…I wear myself out! I can’t wait to travel over Christmas!
After we returned to Basel, I flew to Prague with my friend Amelia. We stayed with HS friends Lizzy and Allison. The first day, with the plan to go to Cesky Krumlov, bus tickets were sold out so we went to Plzen. Turned out to be a great idea! It was icky weather so we spent the day at a beer museum learning all about the history of beer and how it was and is made. We then proceeded to lunch at the museum, getting a free beer. Then off we went to the Pilsner Urquell brewery, one of the oldest breweries in the world! We got to see how it is made and packaged, tried the raw materials and of course had beer tasting. It wasn’t just any beer either; it was the unpasturized, unfiltered beer. Very good but very filling! Once we were all beered out, we headed back to Prague where we spend the night dancing with Lizzy and Allison.
Cesky Krumlov was awe-inspiring. A small town in the mountains, it is home to the 3rd largest castle in CZ and is a World Heritage area. With sunny skies and the colors changing, we couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful place. Huge gardens to walk through and beautiful architecture, it was a great place to wander. We enjoyed lunch near the river, a very delicious lunch of pizza and eidam cheese (as if I hadn’t eaten enough cheese before!) The town was small, we wandered for a while, enjoyed sun on our faces and headed back to Prague. Once again we had a fun night out with Lizzy, new bars and dance clubs, and the Czech specialty, Absinth!
Adventuring around Prague was the best way to rejuvenate ourselves after a late night out. A beautiful walk through the park lead us right from Lizzy’s to the Prague Castle, the largest castle in the Czech Republic. Unfortunately it was Sunday therefore very crowded, but we still enjoyed the beautiful courtyards, unbelievable buildings and immaculate gardens. From the castle we walked down to the Charles Bridge. Famous for it’s statues, there was preservation work on many of them, but it didn’t keep us, or the crowds, away. With artists and performers on each end, it was a very fun way across the Vltava River. From there we headed in to Old Town Square. Beautiful churches and buildings surround the square full of people. Tourists and locals photographing, picnicking, and meeting friends everywhere; quite a place! After walking so much, we headed back home for an early evening.
Kutna Hora was the last stop of the “Czech Tour” I found myself on. Unfortunately Amelia had to leave early to catch her plane, I was able to go to the Sedlec Kostnice, also known as the Bone Church. Bones of over 40,000 people were arranged in pyramids, coat-of-arms, and chandelier. They were found when the church was built on what was a mass burial ground from the plague. A bit grotesque but quite the sight. I also met very interesting people on the way there and back…one of the best parts of traveling! Now that I’m back, all I need is a bit of recovery time…I wear myself out! I can’t wait to travel over Christmas!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Settling in and enjoying Basel
It has been a bit over a month and I am really enjoying my time in Basel. My family here is great. Alma (11mo) is learning everything so fast, Kaete (4) and I love to run around and have special Thursday nights together, and Clara (7) had a great birthday party and is known for having wonderful braids everyday (thanks to me!).
I live in Dornach, a town outside of the city. Dornach is beautiful. There is a castle ruin just up the road where we had Clara's 7th birthday party. It was a knight's games party, with archery, jousting, catapult and scavenger hunt through the ruin that ended at the Dragon's nest full of "eggs" (paper mache balloons with sweets inside). We ate cake like a castle and chicken with our hands and had to throw the bones over our shoulders. Clara's entire class was invited and it was a blast.
At first it is easy to think that Switzerland is quite similar to the US. Very developed, similar money, education and careers alike. But as I have been here I notice and appreciate the differences. The language barrier is the most obvious. Although I can usually say that I don't speak German and they know English, I am making an effort to learn German. The problem is that you are taught hi-German, which is what Barbara and Norbert speak, but in Basel all I hear is Swiss German, which is REALLY different. Oh well, I'm trying!
The food is also great. Although I can get just about everything that I would eat in the States here, the "local" fare is AMAZING! I eat so much bread and cheese and chocolate! I went grocery shoppping with Norbert, which includes going to France and Germany. In France I was told to go to the cheese counter and get a few things. I was so overwhelmed! After I finally got three, I turned around to find Norbert and the entire wall behind me was ALSO cheese! I went to a Raclette party...you use a special grill and make veggies and melt cheese under a broiler in a special tray. Then you put the veggies on potatoes and top it with the super melty gooey cheese! WOW!!
I have been exploring in Basel a lot. I have finally become very comfortable on public transport...to go from my house to Basel city I take a bus to a train to a tram...and I have to time is all just right so that it only takes 25 minutes! I went with a friend to go to many of the recommended sights in Basel to take photos...we had both been but alone or without a camera! Basel is really beautiful; it is right on the Rhine river and has so many beautiful, old buildings. The Marktplatz, the market in the center of town, has the beautiful old town hall building and just from there is the Muenster cathedral. There are also towers and gates from when the city was walled which are very large and ornate...especially for a wall! There is the Tenguely fountain made by a well known artist/inventor with crazy water everywhere and children playing in it on warm days. There are cobblestone walk ways and "roads" barely wide enough for 1 car. It is quite enchanting.
I also went to Augusta Raurica, an area that was settled by the Romans hundreds of years ago and the amphitheater still is there. For the RomeroFest I attended, there were gladiators fighting and stalls with people doing trade work as it would have been done long ago. Bakers, weavers, wood working, metal working, marble carving, artists, and more. There was also chariot racing. The best part was that everyone was dressed in costume!
I am really enjoying my time here. Fall has arrived and the fall festivals are beginning. Weather is cooling off too. The girls have begun after school activities, so I'll be helping out with Clara's Girl Scout troop and volunteering in Kaete's preschool class. Clara also has violin and Kaete has soccer one day a week! I have been hanging out with a group of AuPairs (or former AuPairs). We have had dinner parties, nights out at the bars, and tourist adventures! I also go climbing 2-4 days a week before I go pick the girls up from school and have met a couple of nice people there too. I also can't wait for upcoming things, trips, parties, festivals! So much to do...I'm not sure how I'll get it all in in one year!
I live in Dornach, a town outside of the city. Dornach is beautiful. There is a castle ruin just up the road where we had Clara's 7th birthday party. It was a knight's games party, with archery, jousting, catapult and scavenger hunt through the ruin that ended at the Dragon's nest full of "eggs" (paper mache balloons with sweets inside). We ate cake like a castle and chicken with our hands and had to throw the bones over our shoulders. Clara's entire class was invited and it was a blast.
At first it is easy to think that Switzerland is quite similar to the US. Very developed, similar money, education and careers alike. But as I have been here I notice and appreciate the differences. The language barrier is the most obvious. Although I can usually say that I don't speak German and they know English, I am making an effort to learn German. The problem is that you are taught hi-German, which is what Barbara and Norbert speak, but in Basel all I hear is Swiss German, which is REALLY different. Oh well, I'm trying!
The food is also great. Although I can get just about everything that I would eat in the States here, the "local" fare is AMAZING! I eat so much bread and cheese and chocolate! I went grocery shoppping with Norbert, which includes going to France and Germany. In France I was told to go to the cheese counter and get a few things. I was so overwhelmed! After I finally got three, I turned around to find Norbert and the entire wall behind me was ALSO cheese! I went to a Raclette party...you use a special grill and make veggies and melt cheese under a broiler in a special tray. Then you put the veggies on potatoes and top it with the super melty gooey cheese! WOW!!
I have been exploring in Basel a lot. I have finally become very comfortable on public transport...to go from my house to Basel city I take a bus to a train to a tram...and I have to time is all just right so that it only takes 25 minutes! I went with a friend to go to many of the recommended sights in Basel to take photos...we had both been but alone or without a camera! Basel is really beautiful; it is right on the Rhine river and has so many beautiful, old buildings. The Marktplatz, the market in the center of town, has the beautiful old town hall building and just from there is the Muenster cathedral. There are also towers and gates from when the city was walled which are very large and ornate...especially for a wall! There is the Tenguely fountain made by a well known artist/inventor with crazy water everywhere and children playing in it on warm days. There are cobblestone walk ways and "roads" barely wide enough for 1 car. It is quite enchanting.
I also went to Augusta Raurica, an area that was settled by the Romans hundreds of years ago and the amphitheater still is there. For the RomeroFest I attended, there were gladiators fighting and stalls with people doing trade work as it would have been done long ago. Bakers, weavers, wood working, metal working, marble carving, artists, and more. There was also chariot racing. The best part was that everyone was dressed in costume!
I am really enjoying my time here. Fall has arrived and the fall festivals are beginning. Weather is cooling off too. The girls have begun after school activities, so I'll be helping out with Clara's Girl Scout troop and volunteering in Kaete's preschool class. Clara also has violin and Kaete has soccer one day a week! I have been hanging out with a group of AuPairs (or former AuPairs). We have had dinner parties, nights out at the bars, and tourist adventures! I also go climbing 2-4 days a week before I go pick the girls up from school and have met a couple of nice people there too. I also can't wait for upcoming things, trips, parties, festivals! So much to do...I'm not sure how I'll get it all in in one year!
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