8.31.2012

gerMANY Photos From my Trip.

Okay so I have made an executive decision.

In this the European season of my blog is just going to be loaded with pictures.
Partly because I just bought a new lens and Europe is beautiful and that is a recipe for oodles and oodles of pictures.

But also partly because, as you can see, I don't always have the best internet so my postings will be a little bit more scarse. And there are just so many stories to tell I can't JUST pick 3 or so pictures. To make it easier, I am just going to describe each incredible experience below each picture (not that you need a lesson on how to read a blog, but I said it... so consider yourself taught).

Before I head off to Berlin in my photo-adventure, I have to finish up with the be-a-U-ti-ful Prague...

Angela + Me + Briana + Bethany
At the John Lennon Wall... years and years of writings and graffiti on this wall.
Just having a grand ol' itme

You know, just my best friends and I... chillin' on the Charles Bridge.
It was twin day at school, but we couldn't pick just one friend so we were triplets.
Do we look like locals!?
The Prague Clock! Everyone gathers around it and cheers at every hour.

NOW OFF TO BERLIN!!!
Angela is so spiritual in her sleep ;)
Bullet holes in the pillars at the museums. Put there by Nazis and Russians.
This was a crazy site to see. So eerie, yet so funny that his bunker is now a parking lot, nothing special about it and nothing left to commemorate it, but a small little plaque telling what it is.
Holocaust Memoral
2,711 Cement blocks of all shapes and sizes
Each block represents about 2,000 victims 
This speaks for itself ;)
Where the Berlin Wall used to run.
There are Bricks in the ground throughout the city marking where it was.
From the East side of the part of the wall that is still standing.
Just some friends at painted fragments of the Berlin Wall
Pork knuckle.
Yes, I ate that.
It was flipping fantastic.
A little art exhibit in the middle of the park.
Private cell for prisoners they wanted to keep in solitary confinement at Sachenhausen Concentration Camp.
The above picture is from the concentration camp memorial site that we went to yesterday. First of all, our tour guide was the best tour guide for any tour that I have ever had. He knew how to keep us engaged, he was extremely knowledgeable, he taught us more than what was seen at this concentration camp, he gave us lessons on life; like the factors of evil and what you need for strength. He gave voice to the Nazis and showed us their side and how we need to not necessarily excuse their actions, but empathize for them and understand them. Yes, some were sick, disgusting people who did awful things for the fun of it, but some were under a lot of pressure, and had an immense amount of other factors going into what may have caused them to dehumanize their victims. I think if I had been living in Germany during WWII, I can't say I wouldn't be Hitler youth. I can't put myself, in the mindset I am in now with the knowledge that I have of the war, in the position of the people of that time and say I wouldn't be rallying up with him. 

It's sad. It's sick. It's disgusting. But it happened. And there is nothing we can do about it except learn from it. Learn from not only the prisoners, but from the guards. Learn from the land that is there, the story it tells.

I am thoroughly enjoying my travels. Interactive learning is an incredible way to be immersed in the past.

I am off to Wittenberg today where Martin Luther, one of the founders of the reformation, lived!

3 comments:

  1. I love this, you and your amazing insight. Keep 'em coming!

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  2. Love knowing that you are safe and thoroughly enjoying your travels. You have such a zest for life and such a talent in writing and photography...to name a few. Love you lots and continue exploring and enjoying. God Bless You!! xoxo

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  3. Wonderful photos and wonderful insight, Hannah! Thanks for sharing!Love Auntie Jimi ... I forgot how to post comments so it says anonymous but it's me :)

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