A weekend in München

*This is our group in front of the valley from the road down from Neuschwanstein.

Last night we arrived back in Eisenach after a 3 day weekend in Munich.
*I don't have pictures uploaded on my computer yet, but I will put them up soon!

We left on Friday morning, met PT at the train station and hopped aboard our train. The train was packed and we were thankful that we had reserved seats in advance. The train ride to our first stop Fulda was only about 50 minutes then we got on another train headed straight for München (this is what Germans refer to Munich as). München is the capital city of Bavaria, Germany. The name comes from root of mönch "monk". The monks used to reside in this area of Bavaria which is where this city of over 1.35 million inhabitabts residing inside of city limits. (When including the urban areas of Munich the population is around 5 million)

We arrived to Munich around noon and headed to our hotel. We stayed at Hotel Mark which was a nice cheap place close to the train station. After we checked in and brought our bags to our rooms we walked around to the inner city where we finally got lunch! (After fixing a mishap with the tickets for our trip to Neuschwanstein Castle and Linderhof Palace.) We ate lunch at a little beer garden outside, although it was a bit windy, we managed to survive. After lunch, Ike and I got a pickle and the rest of the group got a pretzel.

After lunch we had some free time to roam the city until Frau Losch's group got to Munich (around dinner time). Ike, Justin and I walked around the city and watched the Bavarian knock the Austrian off his horse at the main clock tower. (This is a tradition in Bavaria that every hour *during tourist season* the little marry-go-round thing at the top of the city hall (Rathaus) knocks the Austrian off his horse and a little victory song is played.) After wandering around downtown Munich we met up with the couple students in Frau's class. We had dinner at the Augustinerkeller (a very well known place in Bavaria). The rest of the night was ours to roam around.
On Saturday we went on a bus tour. I wasn't really sure what to think of this at first, because I didn't know how good of pictures I would be able to get from the bus of the castles. However, I was happily surprised when I found out that we would get out and actually tour each of the castles (Linderhof and Neuschwanstein). This castle and palace are two of the most photographed castles in all of Germany (Neuschwanstein is one of the most photographed in the world). You may know Neuschwanstein castle from pictures closer to home (the Walt Disney castle was designed after this model of "fantasy" castle building). According to Wikipedia:

"The conception of the castle was outlined by Ludwig II in a letter to Richard Wagner, dated May 13, 1868;

"It is my intention to rebuild the old castle ruin at Hohenschwangau near the Pollat Gorge in the authentic style of the old German knights' castles...the location is the most beautiful one could find, holy and unapproachable, a worthy temple for the divine friend who has brought salvation and true blessing to the world."
My grandpa had been telling me about this castle before I left, so I was so excited to actually get to see it in person! (...Talk about a once in a lifetime opportunity!)

After getting traveling about 3 hours each way to the castles, and having a tour of both castles we got back on the bus and headed for Munich. The tour guide on the bus was so funny! She was German and spoke very good English. She was very witty with her comments, which is something that I don't think I could ever master in another language.

When we got back we headed downtown to the Hofbräuhaus for dinner. We had the buffet it was a lot of food, but it was really good! While eating dinner, we only got dubbed as "the American's" once!! (haha) We also got to watch an old school Bavarian dance take place.
Later that night we went to a little pub to sit down for a while and when we were there the Bayern-München soccer team won the German National Soccer League Championships.
Sunday during the day there was a celebration at 3:00 pm at the Rathaus (city hall). All the television stations had trucks set up and there were Polize everywhere! We sat down for a little while in an outside restaurant after church and the streets were soon getting packed with people setting up for the (rally).
After this we went to the art museum for a little while to look around. We saw Albrecht Dürer's self portrait. (yes, the original!) *After taking art history this past semester I was more excited to see it than I would have been in the past.


After this long weekend full of site seeing, walking, and celebrating we are heading back to Eisenach. This week we will be working at the Castle Monday-Wednesday. Thursday (May 13th) we will head to BERLIN!!! I can not wait for this weekend... other than the fact that we get to see Blue Man Group on my birthday, there should be many other opportunities that lie ahead!

Until tomorrow... or the next day.
:) Bis Später

Eisenach...

*This is the view from where I work everyday. Es is ser schön! (It is very beautiful)*

This is our first week in Eisenach. I absolutely love it here.
There are many things I was not expecting for this trip, but I certainly was not expecting everyone to be so friendly and welcoming! It is so nice to meet people and have them invite you to their office anytime you need.

On Tuesday we started our internships. Ike, Justin and I took the 9:02 bus to the bottom of the castle hill. From there it is quite a steep walk up the mountain to the castle. However, the view from the top is well worth the walk. (My legs are getting in shape!) Once we got there we met the gate keeper who would give us our keys. Keys to a castle... I didn't know it would be so awesome! However, if we lose or misplace the keys it is 10,000 Euros to replace them.. OOFTA!!!!! After that we talked with a couple workers (our new colleagues) and read about the castle for a couple hours, had lunch and then went along on the 1:30pm English tour of the castle. That was very nice to be able to hear all about it in a language I can understand! :) After that we headed down the mountain back to our apartment.

Brianna works at the register at the Luther Haus. The first day was a little tough because she was working with a man who is maybe not so fond of Americans. :\ Hopefully it will get better.
Stephen works at the radio station with some fun guys. He did is going to interview us all for a story he is doing. It seems like his work has been the most productive so far!


The rest of the couple days we have been back to our work places and things have gotten better.
Brianna didn't have to work with the (grumpy) older man, and Stephen visited the castle with us to record an English tour and interviewed us.

This weekend (starting tomorrow, Friday) should be very fun! We are headed to Munchin (Munic)!! I am very excited about this trip. We are meeting with Frau Losch's group to travel around and have some fun :]

I will be writing next week sometime when we get internet again.

Chao...
*Bis später*

If anyone wants me to add anything to the blog, please just let me know! I would be happy to put in a few more picture (although this takes a mighty long time sometimes) or add a couple more details or something!

traveling...

*This is a picture of the 5 of us in inner city Neunburg. *Brianna, Me, Ike, Justin & Stephen*

Guten Morgen:: Today’s stops:: Neunburg. Buchenwold. Eisenach.


Today we drove to Neunburg. Went to main “inner” old city and walked around for a while. It was supposed to rain, but it didn’t even rain on us! But, right as we got into the van it started to rain.. Boo!

We went to the Bier Garden right outside of the old city. I had viel, potatoes, und ein bier (and one beer)! *it was a large portion of food! (but really delicious!) After being in Neuenburg for a while we headed to Buchenwald. We started out watching a movie in German with French subtitles (?), so we were just a little confused to start out the time there. However, after that we walked around the concentration camp. We didn’t have a whole lot of time there so what we saw was pretty limited and just a touch on certain things. It still pulls at your heart, just thinking that you are standing in the exact same spot as someone was years and years ago working until their death. The thing that struck me the most was the wording on the gate outside of the camp. It read Jedem das Siene: meaning, to each his own, to the Nazi leaders this was translated to the meaning of "you deserve this". Referring to the prisoners inside the camp. Saying that they deserved to be there was absolutely hurtful to hear. We ended the tour of Buchenwald by walking around their old cells and just talking.


On a more positive note, we finally arrived in Eisenach today! It is a beautiful little city hidden in the middle of a couple mountains (hills). We got to meet Hieke and Wolfgang. Such wonderful people! Heike was the lady who was in charge of getting our housing put together and Wolfgang works with her in the city council (hall). They brought us to our housing and … wow! It is absolutely lovely! I couldn’t imagine a better place for us to stay. It is in the middle of the city, not far from all of our work places. Brianna will spend this month working at the Lohe museum. Stephen will be working for the radio station and Justin, Ike and myself will be working at the Wartburg Castle!


Tomorrow we are going to meet the mayor of Eisenach and have a guided tour! Should be very exciting!! (Pictures will be up soon on my facebook!)

Auf Wiedersein.

Jet-Leg is getting to me...

Day 2 in Germany!

Today was May Day around here it is also known as Labor Day! Many businesses were closed this afternoon in order for the "festivities" to take place. I think I could compare it to a large Wartburg Homecoming or town fair of some sort. They close down some streets and have a bunch of tents set up. People are free to talk around the whole town and experience life in Nuendettelsau. The tents have everything from food to live music to souvenirs to purchase.

A very nice German man (Heir Becker) showed us around today. He and his wife are probably two of the nicest people I have ever met! It is also comforting that they speak English! We met him at the train stop and then went to a museum nearby. He showed us so much stuff from the era of Willhem Lohe. (the man who originally started Wartburg College and Seminary). There was something I found extremely interesting in the museum.. while glancing around I noticed a beer bottle in one of the displays. When I looked closer I saw that it said "Drink Geyers"... this probably wouldn't have stuck out to anyone else in any other circumstance- however: my grandmother is Geyer!! (Weird huh, mom?)
There were a lot of other interesting things in the museum, but for time reasons, I will try to list them later. (Or you can look at the pictures on my facebook page at a later date).

After the museum, we went walking around the town with Heir Becker. He pointed out many things to us which were so interesting to learn! We finally got to the "mainland" of the city where the festival was being held. We walked into a tent to get our food, and enjoyed lunch to the band inside playing "Dancing Queen"... ha! I had a good laugh about that :) We had a pork schnitzel, salad and potato salad. I am not a big pork fan, and apparently in Germany pork is very very popular. :\
After lunch we walked around town more to see more of the town. I saw my first "pay to go potty"... You literally have to pay one Euro to use these restrooms which somewhat resemble a spruced up port-a-potty (if there is such a thing)... ALSO:: I saw some young lads in Lederhosen!

The Beckers were kind enough to invite us into their home... Keep in mind this does not happen often in German culture. (Unless you are family, close friends, or someone important) :)

After walking around some more we got to come back to the Mission House and take a little break- Heir Becker walks FAST (especially for a man of 84 years of age)! So, needless to say, from all the walking and jet-leg we were extremely tired! After the that we went to "Sommer" for dinner. This is a very well known restaurant in this city- and pretty fancy!

Next we went to the Becker's house! It was so nice :] Heir Becker and his wife Martha (pronounced Marta, like the girl from the Sound of Music) were so kind. As soon as we walked in the greeted us with handshakes. Right away they offered us drinks (and it would be rude in this culture to not agree to have a little something). So, they offered us a taste of their best wine- we of course could not decline... white dry wine is much better in Germany.


After celebrating Labor Day and spending time with the Becker's it is time to call it a night!

Guten Nacht!

Gestern amerikanischen, deutschen today!

This is Brianna, Ike, Me, JC and Stephen eating German pizza and enjoying some German beverages.

Guten Tag Americans! The title of this post is called "Yesterday Americans, Germans today"!

Today was our first day in Germany. We flew to Frankfurt from Chicago at 6:00 pm American time and arrived in Germany at 11:00 am. (It was an 8 hour flight- you can do the math to figure out what time that is in America!)

The airplane ride was ... interesting! The flight attendants came around with complementary drinks, then around 8:00 it was dinner time. We had the choice of pasta or chicken (both were kind of a mystery! :\ *I choose the pasta, it was not half bad!) A little while after dinner it was time for another complementary drink (I enjoyed some tomato juice!) Then we tried to sleep for a little bit, however that didn't work out too well so I watched the movie "Up in the Air" with George Clooney!! ;) After that we were shortly served breakfast which consisted of some Raspberry Yogurt and a pastry.

After 8 1/2 hours in the airplane (Oofta!) we finally landed! Pastor Trachte and JC went to get our van for the weekend and we waited at the airport. People watching was taken to a whole new level! Also, people there love dogs (not so much children)! We headed to Rottenburg (pronounced Rot-ten-berg) there we looked at the old buildings, and shops. We tried our first Bratworst (still not so fond of them!). After that we walked around the town more.

Next stop for the day, Nuendettelsau. This is the area we are staying for the weekend. Tomorrow is "May Day" here (which is Europe's Labor Day). From what we understand, it could somewhat resemble an Ausflug!! Haha. The place we are staying is nice, fast internet (hence why I am blogging while I have the chance), breakfast, lunch and dinner, friendly staff, and people who speak English! (which is always a relief for some of us... ok, all of us!)

For dinner we walked to a restaurant with German pizza. I was a little nervous about this to begin with because the German book I have been reading says that "German pizza is very different from American. It is thin, and could consist of toppings such as anchovies, corn, hot dogs, bratworst. However, it was much better than I had expected! We enjoyed a German bier, and then headed down the road for some German ice cream! Yummy!!

This jet-leg is going to catch up to me real fast! I already know it :\

However, by keeping busy during the days and going to bed when I should I have a feeling I will adjust to the German way of life very fast!

Auf Wiedersein! (Good Bye)

morgen mehr :) (more tomorrow)