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Day 14 - Europe 2013

Traveling day today. We were up at 3:30 a.m. and off to Munich airport. Catching a flight to Paris and then a direct flight from Paris to Pittsburgh.

What a great two weeks it has been.

Six countries; US, England in the UK, France, Belgium, Germany and Austria.

Great times with great people. The weather could not have been better.

We were delayed many hours in Paris. All told our travel home consumed around 26 hours. No problems. It was a wonderful adventure.

Blessed.

Day 13 - Europe 2013

Today we visited Salzburg, Austria and took a walking tour of the city.

 

We then traveled back in to Germany and up in to the Bavarian Alps and to Hitler's summer home, Eagle's Nest.

 

After visiting the Eagle's Nest we went back down to the Documentation Center and had a tour of the bunker system. Amazing. We then hiked down to where Hitler's personal residence had been. A phenomenal tour!

Day 12 - Europe 2013

We took a driving tour of Munich. Our tour guide was named John and he was fantastic.

We went to BMW world, it was enjoyable (and had free toilets)    :)

 

We went to see the glockenspiel chime at 11:00 a.m. We walked around to various food and craft shops. We had lunch at Marienplatz and had some wonderful entertainment. 

We spent the afternoon at the concentration camp in Dachau. There are no words. It was very informative and meaningful to walk the land. The memorials in place were very moving.

 

We had dinner at Ratzkeller in Marienplatz. It was fabulous and fun. We took the train back to the hotel and shared some time in the lobby. This has been a great group and I'm sad to see this trip coming to an end. I am certainly looking forward to getting home though!

Day 11 - Europe 2013

We drove to Nuremburg and visited the Documentation Center which was on the grounds of where the Nazi's staged their rallies while in power. An absolutely incredible museum. The buildings that are in place are tremendous and the museum does a great job of presenting the Nazi presence in Nuremberg.

 

We arrived in Munich and drove past the Olympic stadiums from 1972.

Dinner was a bust but we had spaghetti at the hotel. Early night tonight as we have a busy day tomorrow.

Day 10 - Europe 2013

We started later (9:45) due to our late arrival. We took a 2 hour bus tour of Berlin with Craig as our guide. Craig is an American and did a great job.

We went to the Memorial to Jewish that died in World War II. This is a haunting memorial and the designer will not reveal his symbolism. Craig shared his interpretation - that maybe some blocks that did not protrude from the ground were obstacles for the Jewish people that were already part of the culture of Germany prior to WWII. For instance, the Jewish people had been taxed differently. Other blocks were more raised out of the ground. As you move towards the center of the monument the blocks are bigger obstacles and more intimidating. You get overwhelmed and intimidated. Maybe these represent the ultimate obstacles that the Jewish faced with ultimately death being the largest obstacle. The symbolism also applies to the US and other allies in that we did not recognize the obstacles being placed in front of the Jewish people until they were too large to overcome.

 

Craig showed us a piece of the Berlin Wall that pays homage to a moment in 1961 and an iconic photograph taken in that moment. The moment capture Conrad Schumann jumping from East to West in 1961 as the East begins laying down barbed wire to separate the city. This became an iconic moment representing the desires of easterner to be in the west. Craig told us that the effect on Conrad Schumann was sad unfortunately as his family resented him leaving and he ultimately committed suicide.

Craig also showed us where hitler's Bunker was located, near the Jewish Memorial.

We visited many other points of significance including the Russian Memorial, the Reichstag (Parliament), the Brandenburg Gate, the President's home and the Victory Column.

Unfortunately we ate at the McDonald's by Checkpoint Charlie. We were rushed for time and Christian wanted a McDonals's burger.

Craig told us about how the East erected a TV tower meant to show their dominance. However, it became quickly known, and an embarrassment to the East, that the tower reflected a cross when the sun was overhead. The Eastern government attempted to halt this through paint and chemicals applied to the tower, but never could. Reagan even mentioned this in a speech in Berlin.

 

I got a great picture from the bridge by our hotel.

Raj, Sonu, Christian, Sarah and I played Rummy in the lobby until late. Tomorrow we leave Berlin and head to Munich.

Day 9 - Europe 2013

We left Spa Belgium and visited the Henri Chapelle  American Cemetery and Memorial. The Cemetery is beautiful and I walked end to end. The views of the surrounding villages were also breathtaking. Raj and I followed a 'quiz' provided in the information area and found the graves of the Tester brothers; three brothers killed in WWII and immortalized in the movie Saving Private Ryan.

 

We then traveled to Cologne to see the Cathedral.

We had lunch then a quick walking tour of Cologne. We then took in the shopping district. Tonight we have some interesting change in plans related to our travel connections and will be traveling to Berlin with an a.m. arrival.

Due to significant flooding throughout Europe our train was diverted and had to travel very slow at times. We did not get in to our hotel until approaching 1:00 a.m.