Germany - Part 2 - Berlin

On our last full day in Germany, the Schünemanns took us to Berlin, where, on the next morning, we would catch our flight back to the U.S. Wilhelm drove us, and it was our first time on the Autobahn. Wilhelm cruised at 210 kph (125 mph) for part of the trip.

Our first stop was in Potsdam, to see some beautiful gardens and castles (left). This was the site of the Potsdam Conference, with Truman, Stalin, and Churchill deciding the post-war fate of Germany. After a quick walk through parts of the grand gardens, we headed for Berlin, where we got a view of the enormous new train station, and then walked past the Chancellery (right), where Chancellor Angela Merkel lives and works – similar in some respects to our White House – on our way to the Reichstag (below).
The Reichstag, or the Bundestag as it is more correctly called today, is the house of the German Bundestag or Parliament. The building was originally opened in 1894, and was destroyed by fire in 1933. It was entirely rebuilt, leaving only the original facades, and adding a beautiful globe on top. We ventured to the top of the globe for a beautiful view of Berlin, and then had coffee and dessert in the restaurant located there.
It was moving to walk so easily across what had been the Berlin Wall, seeing some sections that have been preserved, and walking without fear or concern through the streets of the former East Berlin. Again we saw some noteworthy sites, including the Berlin Cathedral (above) and the Holocaust Memorial (below). The memorial was quite moving, walking into the depths where you are overwhelmed and disoriented by the stele, and then walking back up and out into East Berlin once again.
We walked through the Brandenburg Gate (below) on our way into and out of East Berlin. Memories of the people gathered there as the Berlin Wall came down flooded back. And the history – two World Wars, the Holocaust, the Communist state, the Wall, “Ich bin ein Berliner,” “Mr. Gorbachev, tear this wall down,” all the bombs dropped, the people killed, the buildings destroyed… and rebuilt – was overwhelming.

“They will build houses and dwell in them;

they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit….

The wolf and the lamb will feed together,

and the lion will eat straw like the ox,

but dust will be the serpent’s food.

They will neither harm nor destroy

on all my holy mountain,

says the LORD. -- Isaiah 65

Germany - Part I

After a fortnight in Scotland, I flew with Karin to Germany. We arrived in Frankfurt, where we stayed at the… Hotel Hamburger Hof!! We arrived late in the evening, and were a bit tired, and our book about Germany informed us that within a few blocks of our hotel (conveniently nestled by the main train station) was the red light district and an area filled with drug addicts. The guide book said that the red light district would be an interesting tourist visit(!), but we decided to skip it. Instead, the next morning, before boarding a train for Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony), we visited the Römerberg, where we saw some Roman ruins and visited the Kaiserdom Cathedral – St. Bartholomew’s, where the Holy Roman Emperors were crowned (below).

We were met at the Hildesheim train station by Wilhelm and Johannes Schünemann. We spent the next few days with the Schünemanns, following a wonderful program that they had prepared for us. We visited the places where traditionally decorated table linens are stamped and dyed (Einbeck), where traditional pottery is made and glazed (Fredelsloh), and where fine porcelain is made (Fürstenberg). Another day led to visits to Hameln (remember the Pied Piper of Hamelin?) where we saw beautifully restored half-timbered houses (below). So much of the beauty of German cities were destroyed in the war. Some has been rebuilt, some has been made new. Seeing these sites made me think of another reason to pray for peace – not only because of the death and devastation, but because modern warfare kills civilians and destroys the beauty that people have created.

We had the joy of visiting a lot of cathedrals, abbeys, and churches. We saw a lot of different styles and got to climb to the top of some church towers, including Hamelin’s cathedral (left) and Hildesheim’s St. Andrew’s Church (right).
Hildesheim’s St. Mary's Cathedral has some remarkable features including a beautiful bronze door, a beautiful New Jerusalem, with 24 gates, descending over the altar (left), and a 1000-year old rose bush that survived the bombing in March 1945, when most of the Cathedral was destroyed (right).

We also had time for some fun. I was able to check off one item from my “bucket list” – I got to play tennis on a red clay court! I don’t think Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer have anything to worry about from Wilhelm, Gerd, or me (left). We also enjoyed a lot of delicious food, including a fine venison dinner from a deer Wilhelm had shot just two weeks before (right).

Back In Pella

Sorry about a lack of posts from Germany, but I didn't have much access to a computer to do any posting. Karin and I are now back in Pella for a few days before we fly to Denver for the Quiet Waters Counseling Intensive.

Our time in Germany was wonderful -- we saw a lot of great sites and had a fantastic time with the Schuenemanns. I hope to get some photos from Europe posted between now and Friday, so be sure to check back!

The Fortnight Is Over

My fortnight in Scotland is over. It was remarkably dry - we had a few showers while Karin and I were in Edinburgh, otherwise there was no rain to speak of. We had a wonderful time seeing the city.

Our flight to Frankfurt was uneventful, and getting around with my little German has been a fun adventure so far. Tomorrow we leave on the train to visit Wilhelm's family until Monday morning, when we fly home. We are looking forward to seeing Germany, and to seeing Wilhelm and his family.

Wie geht es Ihnen?

One of the things that I had hoped to do before our trip was to learn some conversational German.  I worked at it some, but the last month before the sabbatical were very full, and my study of German was put aside.  I'm now trying to cram a bit -- it will be interesting to see how much I will actually be able to learn before we get to Frankfurt, and whether or not I will be able to get us around the airport, hotel, restaurant, and train station before we meet up with the Schuenemann family.

We had great excitement last night, as Sam's Little League team was in the semi-final round of the tournament, and Sam, with the bases loaded in the bottom of the last inning, hit a ball over the centerfielder's head for a 2-run, game-winning single!  He was so excited!  Then he was sad, because we planned to have him go camping today with his cousins (Karin would join him next week) and that would mean missing the championship game.  He chose to be at the championship game and wait to go camping until next week.  We'll see how his big game goes!

Tyler comes home tonight from the mission trip with the YACS to Minneapolis.  It sounds like he's had a good week.  We've heard little from him, so I assume that's good news.  It will be good to see him.