Mainz, Germany - - - Our Last Goodbye

We had our last city tour today and our final dinner together as a group before we all head our separate ways. It's been an amazing experience that will stay with me forever.

Frankfurt, Germany

Had an awesome time walking the streets of Frankfurt and soaking up to history.

Deutsche Bank & the Goethe House

Today was a great day. We took the train to Frankfurt where we listened to a presentation on corporate responsibility from Deutsche Bank. Then we toured the home of Goethe. In between we toured the town of Frankfurt.

World's Largest Cuckoo Clock

In Wiesbaden you will find an amazing cuckoo clock...

Rudeshelm, Germany

A wonderful river side town full of German culture and flare.

The Rhine River

It was an awesome day. We were able to cruse down the Rhine River near Rudeshelm where we saw some of the most beautiful castles.

Geisa, Germany

We had an opportunity to take a few days to stay in a renovated castle in Geisa, a sleepy little German village on the former East/West border during the Cold War. It was very beautiful. Words cannot describe it.

Point Alpha --- Geisa, Germany

We had an awesome opportunity to visit Point Alpha (the border between East and West Germany during the Cold War). I learned a great deal about the area and Cold War that I didn't know. The exhibit at Point Alpha is one of the best Cold War exhibits I have ever experiences. The staff there are amazing and very knowledgeable. It was truly amazing.

Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp

As I walked through the concentration camp memorial of Bergen-Belsen I was flooded with emotions. Emotions of sadness and anger. The entire time it rained while we were there as if the angels up above were still weeping for those who perished during this horrible time.

Auf Wiedersehen Bremen...Day #8

Early morning walk to say Auf Wiedersehen to Bremen.

Bremerhaven & Bremen --- Day#7

Today we took the train to Bremerhaven to see Europe's fourth largest seaport and automobile hub. Afterwards we experienced a guided tour of Bremen before participating in a tour of Beck's Brewery. Tomorrow we head out to Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp and then to the village of Geisa.

Bremen, Germany --- Day #6

Today we got a chance to visit the school Hermann-Bose Gymnassium.  While we were there we were able to visit with teachers and students. Afterwards, we discussed environmental issues with the UMWELT BILDUNG about environmental education in Bremen. Lastly, we were given some free time to walk around and see the sights of Bremen. Hope you like them as much as I.

Remembering the Past...

Throughout all of Germany (except Bavaria) there are these little cobble plaques outside of homes and busineses. Each plaque has the name of the person who use to live there and where deported by the Nazis. It also tells you which camp they were sent to.

Bremen, Germany - - Day #5

We made it to Bremen, visited the Chamber of Commerce and the Mercedes Benz Factory.

Last Day in Berlin

At the station heading to Bremen.

Berlin, Germany -- Day #4

We had a very interesting day today. We were able to visit a Turkish neighborhood  known as Little Lebanon and the Kreuzberg Museum. While there we learned about the hardships of the migrants. Afterwards we went to the Commissioner of the Senate for Issues of Integration and Migration. Through these two experiences I learned a great deal about how the migrant sees him/herself as a member of two nations with neither claiming either.
Lastly we went on an excellent Midnight Tour of Berlin's most famous monuments.

Berlin,Germany --- Day #3

Another busy day in Berlin. We started off the day visiting a school in West Berlin where we learned about the school and students. We then went to see the Holocaust Memorial. It amazes me how expansive and thought provoking it was. Next we got to see the Brandenburg Gate. A marvelous piece if architecture. Lastly we were able to tour the Reichstag, the German Parliament.

Berlin, Germany --- Day #2

Had a great day full of activities. We started out with a discussion from Dr. Wolf Wagner about Germany today. Then we had lunch at Goodtimes Thai restaurant.  Later we went to a chocolate store called Fassbender & Rausch. They had the most amazing chocolate structures I've ever seen. We then when to the Stasi museum and had a very informative discussion with the director and a personalized guided tour. Afterwards I had a chance to visit Checkpoint Charley and have my passport stamped. Lastly I got a chance to see the actual remnants of the Berlin Wall. So all-in-all it was a great day.

Berlin, Germany --- Day #1

We finally made it to our first destination of Berlin, Germany. After settling

in and eating a quick lunch, we went on an awesome bus tour of some historical sites in Berlin. My favorite has to be the Berlin Wall. I'm hoping to get to see even more sites once I get a bit more free time.

After our tour, we went on a "Boat-Ride" Grilling adventure. Interesting and fun.