Still blogging

So I haven't exactly kept this blog running. Being free of daily interaction with a computer is a good thing. But it does present a challenge when you tell friends and family you can follow my progress here. Although I am back, I would like to use this to fill you in on what I've been up to. So come back have a look at photos and find out what I've been up to the last two months.

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The Reichstag: The German Parliament

GSE, Districts7250 tours the Reichstag

One morning I went on a run. After asking the woman at the hotel reception desk for ideas of where to go she suggested following the River Spree, which runs through Berlin. With map in hand I ran out the door in search of the river. It was rather easy to find. At one point, I veered away from the river through a wide pedestrian path way and found myself in front of a building, the top of which read "Dem Deutschen Volke." I think this means the German People. I thought maybe this is where the group is touring tomorrow. People were queing on the front steps of this building to go inside and it was not even 9:00am. My team and the New South Wales GSE team were set to go to Parliament the next morning. Sure enough a little over 24 hours later, I arrived at that very building, the Reichstag.

Model of Reichstag

The Reichstag is home to the Bundestag, the German Parliament. After the Cathedral in Koln (Cologne), it is the 2nd most visited building in Germany. Fortunately, we did not have to wait in line. A tour, in English, was arranged for us with Dr. Klinan Jaeger. He focused on the architecture as well as the history of the buidling. Dr. Jaeger touched upon the grafiti, written by Russian soldiers when they occupied building. When Parliament was moved to the Reichstag, a concious decision was made to leave this history in tack.

S bahn on the way to the Reichstag


Passed through the Brandenburg Gate


The Reichstag

Writing on the Walls of the Riechstag left by soldiers

Katharina Sieverding ( I think)

Reichstag Blue, Special color made just for Parliament

Dome of the Reichstag

Meeting with Thilo Hoppe, Green Party

Aurich, Lower Saxony

Dem Deutschen Volke

Pergamon Museum

While in Berlin, I visited the Pergamon Museum. Originally I wanted to go to the Papyrus Museum. Instead, I went to the Pergamon, with Oldendburg Rotary club hosts Richard and Gisela, as well as Barbara, the GSE team leader. To my surprise I really enjoyed the visit!!! The museum actually houses three museums in one including, the Collection of Classical Antiquities, the Museum of the Ancient Near East, and the Museum of Islamic Art.



Part of the Frieze, Pergamon Museum

First week in Photos

Later today marks one week in Germany. Thanks to Gudula, my wonderful and current host mother, I've been able to finally upload some photos.


New South Wales and New York GSE teams do wall sits at Hannover train station.
Monday May 25


Brad and Amy at Vivolo's in Hackeschen Markt, Berlin-Mitte


@ Deutscher Bundestag, The German Parliament, Berlin
Wednesday May 27


Doris and Lisa at Inner Wheel meeting.
Thursday May 28


Irmi, guard and growler at Leffers in Oldenburg.
Friday May 29


Host, Gudula Hugenroth, laughs at Noelle's phrase book.
Friday May 29

Berlin

Greetings from Berlin. Packed up. Had breakfast with the Neddemeirs and left for the Oldenburg train station. There Virginia and I met the rest of our team and met the Australian team too
Brian, Benny Blogger, Bradley, Kim- head lady, Jackie, and Amy. My first impression- what a gregarious groups that seems to get on well. We traded business cards and I ate their chocolate. Thanks for sharing mates.

We've eaten a snack lunch and will soon leave for a walking tour of Berlin.

Greetings from Oldenburg

I arrived yesterday. The last two days I have been at the Neddemeir's in Oldenburg. They have been great hosts, sharing stories and feeding Virginia and I. This morning they took us to downtown Oldenburg, saw the old town hall, castle, and stopped for tea and coffee before heading back to the house. I hope to upload some photos from the garden we visited. Should get off the computer so Virginia can use it. Also need to pack for Berlin. Taking the train there in the morning where will will have three days and share time with the Australian GSE team.

Holy mother. Tomorrow starts in five minutes. And that's when I'm leaving. Not until the evening though. I can not believe it's almost here. Yikes.

My mother's a god send! She helped me finish the laundry, so that I could visit Molly D for her birthday. Back home now and tying up loose ends.

I can't believe it's time.