Was für eine Stadt ist Berlin!

1) German food: what surprised you? What tasted good/bad. What would you recommend to your American family and friends?

In Berlin gibt es nicht nur "deutsches Essen". Auf der Straße findet man z.B. Spezialitäten aus China, Griechenland, Türkei, usw. Die Liste endet nie! Unsere 
Gastfamilie ist ein gutes Beispiel: Die Mutter ist Ethnologin, und studiert Portugiesisch. Sie hat in als Studentin Brasilien gewohnt, und die Kultur interessiert sie sich viel. Aber, sie ist Berliner. Sie kocht Delikatessen aus beiden Ländern - Deutschland und Brasilien. Ihr Mann kommt auch aus Portugal, und isst gern deutsches und brasilianisches Essen. Wir haben gut gegessen, das stimmt! Und natürlich hab ich mein Lieblingsspeise gegessen - Schnitzel. Finde ich auch, Cola schmeckt besser in Europa. Ich trinke seltsam Cola in den USA, aber sie ist so lecker dort...

2) The train ride to Hamburg: What was it like to spend 2 hours on a train? Why do you think Germans take trains? What are the dis/advantages of taking the train?

Der Ritt nach Hamburg war nicht so schlecht. Ich bin viel länger mit dem Zug gefahren, so für mich war er angenehm. Ich denke, dass Deutsche mit dem Zug fahren, weil es so günstig und leicht ist. Es ist auch teuer ein Auto zu haben - Führerscheine sind teuer, und Benzin auch. Diese sind natürlich Vorteile - ein Nachteil ist, dass man nicht die Züge kontrollieren kann. Es ist möglich deinen Zug zu vermissen! 

3) What is the best/worst experience you have had so far?

Meine beste Erfahrung ist Mahlzeit mit unserer Gastfamilie. Ich finde, dass "Familie Zeit" sehr wichtig für Europäer ist. Sie kommen alle zusammen, sprechen über den Tag und Arbeit, und essen langsam. Diese Elemente sind nicht so oft in amerikanischen Familien repräsentiert. Typischerweise essen amerikanische Familien schnell und vor dem Fernsehen, finde ich.

4) The Berlin Wall: Talk to a Berliner about the wall, reunification, "Ostalgie" (i.e. the nostalgic feelings East Berliners have about life in the East). 

Ich habe beide Seiten gehört. Manche Leute vermissen wie Dinge in der DDR waren. Andere denken, dass es ganz besser jetzt ist. Im Museum haben wir gesehen, genau wie verschieden war der Osten. Unsere Gastfamilie hat gesagt, dass man nicht in der Vergangenheit bleiben.

5) Hamburg: How does it differ from Berlin? 

Die Stadt ist echt kleiner. Obwohl Berlin viel größer ist, ist die Stadt viel gemütlicher. Hamburger sind einfach snobistisch! Aber die Stadt selbst ist doch schön. Wenn man Häfen und das Meer magt, ist Hamburg perfekt! Die Meeresfrüchte haben auch gut geschmeckt! Ich möchte die Stadt wieder in den Sommer oder Frühling besuchen.

6) Cook for your German host family and write about what they thought of your efforts!

Leider haben wir nicht für unsere Gastfamilie gekocht. 

7) Find something that that we have in America but is somewhat different in Germany 

and explain the difference.

Die Züge sind offentsichtlich verschieden. Man kann mit dem Zug fast überall in Deutschland und Europa fahren, und in den USA geht das nicht. Wir haben zwar Bahnstationen, und in großen Städten U-Bahnstationen, aber sie sind ganz anders. Die USA ist ziemlich groß, und fast jede Familie hat ein Auto. In vielen Fällen ist es besser mit dem Auto zu fahren. Und wenn möglich ist Fliegen auch viel schneller. Ich fahre mit dem Zug lieber, aber es ist nicht möglich hier in Tennessee.

8) Share something about the part of Berlin, "Kiez", your host family lives in. What is special about that part of Berlin?

Die Stadtteil ist sehr unterschiedlich. Es gibt Leute, die aus der ganzen Welt kommen. Unsere Gastmutter hat gesagt, es gibt ein Friseur über die Straße, der nicht aus Deutschland kommt, und sein Schild das Unternehmen falsch geschrieben auf Deutsch ist. Es ist sehr leicht die verschiedene Kulturen zu sehen.

9) Describe your experience with one word.

Kalt! Im Bild: unsere erste Ausblick Berlin...ich dachte, es wird kalt...

Angenehm, aber kalt!

10) Sachsenhausen ...


Sachsenhausen war eine unheimliche und traurige Erfahrung. Ich finde es sehr traurig, dass Menschen andere Menschen wie im Holocaust behandeln können. Wir müssen nie die Vergangenheit vergessen, und nie lass es wieder passieren. Ich hab kein Fotos gemacht, weil es nicht etwas ist, dass ich genauso errinnern will.

11) What are some German words you have learned during your stay?

Ich kann mich nicht errinnern, aber ich hab Will ein wichtiges Wort unterrichtet: Penner! ...es ist ein Insiderwitz...

12) How have these 10 days changed your life?

Ich habe schon Berlin besucht, aber diese zehn Tage waren toll. Ich habe neue Fruende gemacht, und habe eine große Stadt erforscht. Jetzt sage ich, dass Berlin meine Lieblingsstadt ist. Ich will sie sofort wieder besuchen, und im Moment suche ich Arbeitsstelle in der Stadt. Weiß ich nicht, ob ich Erfolg haben werde, aber warum soll ich nicht versuchen? :)

The Trip of a Lifetime

After visiting Germany, and Europe for the matter, for the first time in my life, I have to say it was an experience. The definition of an adventure to say the least. It all started in Berlin where we meet our host Henrick. Great guy who showed us around and gave some great instruction on places to hit up. From there my two roommates, Drew Farley and Josh Frieler, and I started partaking in the food and drinks of Berlin! The food was great. It focused a lot on the meat which was great because I'm no vegetarian. We had schnitzel to pan fried fish and everything in between. Our first events where the Story of Berlin museum where I got to see my first bunker. It was quite a sight even though it never had been used. We then ventured to the Ka De Vee. The Germans definitely got it right with this supermarket! It was huge with everything ranging from cloths, food, electronics, and even a $33,000 bottle of whiskey. The next day we went to the Mauer or the Wall as we say it. It was a great tour by our guide and soon to be friend Stefano. We then seen the beautiful Potsdam Castles which is something that I did not expect at all. I mean who thinks of castles when they think of Germany? They were incredible however, and that turned into being one of my favorite parts of the trip. We had some lunch in Potsdam and got back to Berlin to get in bed since the next day we were getting up to go to Hamburg. Hamburg was an amazing port city that gave a good change of pace to Berlin. There we had some fresh fish, stayed in a youth hostel, and toured the city. We even got to go in a tunnel that crossed the channel. My roommates and I had an adventure to put it lightly. We returned to Berlin shortly after where we explored more of the city, seen some famous buildings, we to an incredible chocolate store, and ended up in Checkpoint Charlie. Kind of touristy but still fun. That night I actually met up with a friend of mine who lives in German and she and two of her girlfriends took myself, Farley, and Josh out to a club/bar to enjoy the nightlife. It was great running into a old friend of all places Europe. The next day was a bit gloomy where we visited Sachsenhausen, a concentration camp near Berlin. It was definitely an experience that I think everyone should have but fun not at all the word to describe it. Sobering describes it well. After that, it was some German theatre and more sightseeing. We seen the primary government build of Germany, the Reichstag. We then went to the tower in the middle of Berlin to take in the view which was pretty breath taking. We then had to accept our trip was coming to an end. It was sad, but we were happy to get back to our home in the States. We said our goodbyes then headed home..........besides the massive blizzard that came and destroyed our flight schedule putting us way behind schedule and losing our luggage. But I got it back and had a great time. I'm extremely glad I went on this trip and have enjoyed telling the stories about it! Pictures will come very soon!

Sachsenhausen Concerntration Camp

Before we even left the United States, I wasnt really sure if I would want to visit the concentration camp.  I had a feeling I would not enjoy it as its obviously not a happy topic.  I had the idea that I've understood the grief, sadness, tradgedy, and utter un-humanlike display of events that takes place at these camps we have all been informed of when we study the Holocaust in schools.  I debated about going the entire trip, so when the moment finally came I chalked it up to a once in a lifetime opportunity and joined the group.  I feel like I was correct in my feelings and assumptions after visiting.  Although, I will admit to having learned things particular to this camp, and also having learned things in general that I was not aware of.  All in all, it was a sobering experience that opens ones eyes and makes you really appreciate the things you have to be thankful for, as well as the things you are thankful you didnt have to endure.

This first picture is on the gate going in the camp, it translates to "Work Sets You Free".

 This second picture is of
an area where they conducted
mass executions by shootings
and then placeing the bodies
in an oven near by.

The picture below is of the first place they experimented with gas in any concentration camp.

This last picture is of a sign near the end of our tour right around the same spots as the mass execution area, and first gas experimentations area.  The sign was also in German just to the left of this picture.  It was certainly a poignent statement after touring the entire camp.

 

Die Mauer (The Wall)

The Berlin Wall.  It has been my experience in talking with people once I had returned that most of them had very little knowledge about why the Berlin Wall was built.  Myself included.  Our tour guide Stefano taught me more about post war Germany and the Berlin Wall than any other history teachers I had previously encountered. (Not to say anything negative about the professors before, I'm sure I played a roll in that caper).  In learning what Stefano had to say, I was taken back at the concept of the entire war, post war, and Berlin wall all together.  Below is a depiction of a famous picture regarding the wall, I will also include an excerpt from Wikipedia to describe it.

On 15 August 1961, Schumann was sent to the corner of Ruppiner Straße and Bernauer Straße to guard the Berlin Wall on its third day of construction. At that time, the wall was only a low barbed wire fence. From the other side, West Germans shouted to him, "Komm' rüber!" ("Come over!"), and a police car pulled up to wait for him. Schumann jumped over the barbed wire fence and was promptly driven away from the scene by the West Berlin police. West German photographer Peter Leibing photographed Schumann's escape. His picture has since become an iconic image of the Cold War era. The scene, including Schumann's preparations, has also been filmed on 16-mm film from the same perspective.
Schumann was later permitted to travel from West Berlin to the main territory of West Germany, where he settled in Bavaria. He met his wife Kunigunde in the town of Günzburg.

Germany was divided in half, east and west.  West was the Allies and east was Communist.  They decided this in order to keep Germany from being strong and united after the war.  They also decided to do the same with the city of Berlin, this being the capital of Germany, in the same way east was communist and west was Allies.  So one could be in West Berlin, which was Allied territory, and still be in East Germany which was Communist.  When this began, most citizens in east Berlin fled to the west to get away from communist rule.  Over 150,000 citizens left, leaving no economy, industry, or workers.  So east Berliners needed a way to keep citizens on their side of town.  Enter the Wall.

This is a picure of rods they put in the ground to show where the wall used to be.This is a picture of myself standing next to an old part of the interior of the wall.  You can still see an old guard tower in the background.

This next picture is a part they rebuilt to the wall's exact specs to show what it really looked like and how intimidating and hard to traverse it could be.

Hamburg: How does it differ from Berlin?

In the words of Frau Baumeister, "Hamburg is very...chic." The women seem to wear more makeup and have more avant garde hairstyles and fashion. It is cold and snowy, as well. Maybe more so than Berlin. The Reeperbahn was fun to see, but I would like to see it at night, just not by myself! The tunnel under the Elbe was very cool. Hamburg is known as "Germany's Musical Theatre Capital" so there were lots of advertisements for "Der König der Löwen" and other shows that I would have loved to see. The hostel was comfortable enough, but the noisy kids kept me up most of the night. Overall, I had a great time in Hamburg.

Off we go to Hamburg...Shoo Be Do Be Do!

The train ride to Hamburg was a great experience.  It was a really good chance to see some of the German countryside, and typical german homes and lifestyles.  It was a definite retreat from the big city scenery, as well as a very efficient way to travel.  I think most germans take the trains as a reliable means of transportation paired with a cost effective effort as most residents take advantage of discounts for long term travel permits.  The first picture is the train map for Berlin.  Precise navigation using this map was a must to ensure we made all of our scheduled meetings on time.

The following pictures are of a large train station in Berlin, the large train station upon which we arrived in Hamburg, and a shot of a tunnel in the same Hamburg train station.

I really enjoyed taking the trains.  It seemed a lot easier than trying to drive a vehicle or rental, worry about and find a place to park (which would have been minimal in the big city's), and budget for the fuel costs.  Our host family told us that he sold his car 12 years ago when he moved to Berlin, living less than a block or so from an underground train station. (U-Bahn)

German Food

Coming from German backgrounds as a child coupled with the idea that I've rarely met a meal I didn't enjoy, I knew that the local fare would be a big part of the experience for me.  Anytime I travel, which in recent years has been quite a lot, I make it a point to eat and drink what the area has to offer.  Sometimes I even take the advice of locals or go to places with an outward appearance that may scare away other travellers that are less dedicated and not as willing to take a chance with their meals.  The first picture is my first authentic meal in Berlin.  I ordered the Schnitzel with boiled potatoes in brown gravy and a salad.  You can also see the meal my roommate ordered which was a steak in rice with salad as well.  Schnitzel is typically flattened pork cuts that are then rolled in raw eggs before they are dipped in a mixture of flour, seasonings, and spices before they fry it.  Needless to say, it was very good, although probably not so good for you (Ha Ha), I enjoyed every bite and hope to attempt my own recreation for friends and family.

The next picture is of questionably my favorite meal while in Germany.  What made it so delicious was the 3 different meats that came out on 2 skewers, accompianed by the french fries.  Looking back, I would have replaced the fries with something a little more authentic but it was a quick meal as I recall.  The meats were pork, beef steak, and a spicey sausage that was out of this country! (Ha)  The sauce that was on the meats only made it better.

 The last and final picture is of the typical German breakfast that we experienced with our host family.  It mainly consisted of hard rolls, salami and pastrami meats, several different cheeses, and lots of spreads, butters, jams, and jellys.  I really enjoyed the light but filling meals in the morning that are different from the bacon and eggs, sweet cereals, or other large and greasy American breakfast plates. (Which are also scrumtious! Ha)