What can I say? Almost one week in this program. It has been an amazing time! I have enjoyed every single minute of this trip. From the very first day landing in Frankfurt I knew that I had come to the right place and that the little "sacrifices" that I made would be worth it.
The first day in Bonn we learned the history of the city, walked around and learned a lot about traditions in our welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Then came our very first foreign lecture on the evolution of homeopathy. Personally, this lecture was very interesting since I had a tiny little background with the subject thanks to my mom and her all natural remedies, as well as with homeopathic remedies. I think that perhaps, I will try to incorporate some of this knowledge into my practice. The information and history of homeopathy were very, how shall I put it, informative and it shed light on areas of the subject that I did not know. In addition to homeopathy, the visit and audiotour of the Haus der Geshischte der Bundesrepublik Deutschland walked us through modern German history (post WWII). Our tour taught me some things I did no know, it was a totally different learning experience, a living history class. The museum was very big, but the expositions were all real and the tourguide very informative.
Köln, Cologne, whatever you want to call it, I will stick with AMAZING. The sheer sight of the Kölner Dom (The cathedral) left me so amazed that Cologne is definitely on my list of cities to revisit with more time. The tour of the city taught me a lot about this wonderful city and yes I did have my very first beer (German beer, second one in my life) in the little restaurant we ate at. Cologne's colonialism reminded me a little of San Luis Potosí, the city I grew up in, because the architecture resembles it in a way. Of course, architecture in San Luis is prominently more Spanish, but they all date back to Roman times right? Our visit to the cathedral was also very cool since we got to see the relicary where the remains of the Three Wisemen are supposed to be. It is a little, well not so little, golden box on the back of the altar before the chapels and it is heavily protected. It is only opened on January the 6th, King's Day and people walk by and can see the relics. In summary, I think Köln was definitely worth the visit and I will come back and visit the museums and glass galleries again!
Now moving on to Nazi Euthanasia Porgrams. This is perhaps the solemn part of this blog. Dr. Wasser's lecture really opened my eyes to the atrocities that took place at the time. It was sheer dehumaniyation of groups of people, people that could not otherwise defend themselves for being handicapped, blind, deaf, or old. I had never heard about these "forgotten victims" of Aktion T4, butlearning about them here was bone chilling. Just knopwing that the 'instigators' were people with high education and even some in health professions made me think that perhaps there is a lot that we will never understand, but at least we are glad those times have come to pass.
Neue Jahr! December 31st! Our arrival to Berlin was delayed a bit, but neverhteless we got there! We celebrated New Year's at the Festmeille and a group of us actually made it all the way to the Brandemburg Gate! We were there to count down and welcome 2009! (A Whoop!!!) I hope that this new year 2009 brings us all what we need and especially health to continue with experiences like this one. So far our days in Berlin have been productive. We visited Sachsenhausen, a model concentration camp and prison, and we got to know the Berlin Metros and Subways pretty well. Today's tour was absolutely awesome and I have many pictures of Berlin's most notorious landmarks. In short, Berlin is beautiful, cold (SNOW!!!) and super interesting. Tomorrow we are off to Dresden and then we move to Prague.
Bis dann!!!!
Friday, January 02, 2009
Thursday, January 01, 2009
These boots were made for walkin!
I thought I was going to have to wait until I landed in Germany for this trip to really start but as I was sitting in the DFW airport Saturday night, Michelle and Brian popped out of no where and it turned out that we were all on the same flight. We ended up talking to this ridiculously chatty guy from the UK and lucky for us our flight was delayed for two hours so we pretty much heard all of his life story.... He followed us all the way to the terminal of our connecting flight in the Heathrow airport.
I really enjoyed our tour of Bonn and the awesome view of the Rhine river. It was alot of fun to wander around the shopping center and attempt to order food in my limited german. The german pizza I ate is still my favorite lunch so far.
When we went to Cologne and went inside the Catherdral I was at a loss for words. The detail in the stained glass windows was incredible, I just couldn't stop taking pictures.
The Homeopath lecture was very interesting and introduced me to a new perspective of medicine. I never realized how much botany was involved and how detailed the dilutions were for each remedy. I'm glad i was introduced to an up and coming style of medicine such as Homeopathy, especially since its more popular in Europe than the US.
Yay for the tour of Berlin tomorrow!
Lauren
I really enjoyed our tour of Bonn and the awesome view of the Rhine river. It was alot of fun to wander around the shopping center and attempt to order food in my limited german. The german pizza I ate is still my favorite lunch so far.
When we went to Cologne and went inside the Catherdral I was at a loss for words. The detail in the stained glass windows was incredible, I just couldn't stop taking pictures.
The Homeopath lecture was very interesting and introduced me to a new perspective of medicine. I never realized how much botany was involved and how detailed the dilutions were for each remedy. I'm glad i was introduced to an up and coming style of medicine such as Homeopathy, especially since its more popular in Europe than the US.
Yay for the tour of Berlin tomorrow!
Lauren
Wow
This trip is just flying by, I can't believe that we're already coming up on our first free weekend to Prague! It's going to be time to go home before we know it. For my blogs I've decided to post the "Reader's Digest" version of my journal entries.
The travel day getting here was way too complicated for my tastes, and I have never had any kind of mishaps while travelling before.The only good thing that happened was the free pizza we got in Abilene because we were stranded there for 2 or 3 hours. And the fact that my bag didn't make it until a day after I did was not helpful at all. It has taken me a very long time to get over the jet lag, but I think I'm finally on a better sleep schedule. During our stay in Bonn, I loved all the people that we spent time with! Olaf was an amazing guy that made the *best* breakfast for us every morning, and hanging out with him on Tuesday evening was great! Stefanie was so cute and helpful and didn't mind helping me with my luggage situation. Dr. Zack was cool too, I definitely enjoyed his tour of the city and his saying about the difference between Americans and Germans. I was a little sad when we had to leave as I was finally getting acquainted with the city and being able to (kind of) make my way around. All the buildings and architecture that I've seen has been so amazing, it's going to be hard going back to College Station with its plain-Jane buildings.
The discussion on homeopathy by Dr. Weiland was interesting, I had no idea that alternative medicine was that big in Germany. I've never been to or known a homeopath, so most of what he was talking about was new to me. I am going to want to check out his website with all the plants and what they are used for in this field of medicine. The Cologne excursion was fantastic! I could tell that Andre really loved his hometown and the things he showed were great. I loved the cathedral and the history behind it; I especially remember the competition with France and the three wise men. Dr. Wasser's first lecture was very intriguing. I had heard only a little bit about euthanasia in Germany before the war, and learning all the details about what kinds of people were chosen for this procedure was horrifying. And the transfer of doctors from euthanasia centers to concentration camps makes sense, but is still a terrible fact. After class someone told me that in American in the 1920s or 30s (maybe? correct me if I'm wrong), there was also a similar kind of happening. I had never heard about that at all, so that's another thing I want to read more about when I get the chance. It's hard to imagine the US going through a time like that, but like Dr. Wasser said, we're all the exact same except for the way we think. These events could happen anywhere.
That's it for now, this is getting a little long and people need the computer. Auf wiedersehen (sp?)!
The travel day getting here was way too complicated for my tastes, and I have never had any kind of mishaps while travelling before.The only good thing that happened was the free pizza we got in Abilene because we were stranded there for 2 or 3 hours. And the fact that my bag didn't make it until a day after I did was not helpful at all. It has taken me a very long time to get over the jet lag, but I think I'm finally on a better sleep schedule. During our stay in Bonn, I loved all the people that we spent time with! Olaf was an amazing guy that made the *best* breakfast for us every morning, and hanging out with him on Tuesday evening was great! Stefanie was so cute and helpful and didn't mind helping me with my luggage situation. Dr. Zack was cool too, I definitely enjoyed his tour of the city and his saying about the difference between Americans and Germans. I was a little sad when we had to leave as I was finally getting acquainted with the city and being able to (kind of) make my way around. All the buildings and architecture that I've seen has been so amazing, it's going to be hard going back to College Station with its plain-Jane buildings.
The discussion on homeopathy by Dr. Weiland was interesting, I had no idea that alternative medicine was that big in Germany. I've never been to or known a homeopath, so most of what he was talking about was new to me. I am going to want to check out his website with all the plants and what they are used for in this field of medicine. The Cologne excursion was fantastic! I could tell that Andre really loved his hometown and the things he showed were great. I loved the cathedral and the history behind it; I especially remember the competition with France and the three wise men. Dr. Wasser's first lecture was very intriguing. I had heard only a little bit about euthanasia in Germany before the war, and learning all the details about what kinds of people were chosen for this procedure was horrifying. And the transfer of doctors from euthanasia centers to concentration camps makes sense, but is still a terrible fact. After class someone told me that in American in the 1920s or 30s (maybe? correct me if I'm wrong), there was also a similar kind of happening. I had never heard about that at all, so that's another thing I want to read more about when I get the chance. It's hard to imagine the US going through a time like that, but like Dr. Wasser said, we're all the exact same except for the way we think. These events could happen anywhere.
That's it for now, this is getting a little long and people need the computer. Auf wiedersehen (sp?)!
Thoughts on Homeopathy
During the lecture by the homeopathic doctor (whose name was to intimidating for me to even attempt to write down), I was thinking about why there is such a difference in views on homeopathic medicine in the United States and Western European countries. My experiences of homeopathic medicine are very limited and my knowledge of it is even smaller. In my opinion it feels that the homeopaths here take their profession more seriously and scientific than the homeopaths back in the states. It must be very hard for everyone in our group to understand the rationale for the dilutions and the entire concept in general. We have all taken 2-4 years of very definite, provable sciences and this seems to be much lower in those departments.
This does not mean that I believe his entire profession is a crock, I just know for sure that is not the direction I want to take my education. The scientific laws and physical principles are things that I take comfort in for the ability to be discovered. This area needs much more research and science in my opinion. I am very glad he came though, he was very professional and a great speaker
This does not mean that I believe his entire profession is a crock, I just know for sure that is not the direction I want to take my education. The scientific laws and physical principles are things that I take comfort in for the ability to be discovered. This area needs much more research and science in my opinion. I am very glad he came though, he was very professional and a great speaker
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Finally...
During my preparation for departure for the German history of medicine winter program, I have been trying to prepare my mind for the learning possibilities ahead. The purpose of my preparation is to give more background information concerning their societal, historical and ideological differences of importance. I want this experience to be more than just a winter trip for school credit.
My favorite part of the pre-departure lectures was the possibility of mainstream anti-Semitism in the 1930’s being directly related to the individual views of Martin Luther four hundred years earlier. Ideas like this thrill me and I hope that we are lectured on more cause-effect history.I am confident that I am putting in adequate pre-departure review of the history of Germany to have a basic frame to piece together ideas pertinent to the shaping of the nation.
On a more surface view of my aspirations for the experiences of Germany, I am looking forward to the new tastes, smells and experiences that await there. I am also looking forward to getting to know the customs of the people as well as the individuals going on the trip.
I am currently still trying to throw all of my stuff that feels warm into a bag and trying to remember all the papers I’m supposed to bring. I can’t wait to get to know everyone and to experience new things with new people. Hooray German beer!
Just Jon
Howdy! My name is Jon. I am a Texas Boy from the United States of America. I am writting this blog before I leave for the anticipated Germany trip. I am excited to be going on this trip I have only been out of the state 3 times in my life, and I have never been outside of the United States of America. I am a boy looking to see what some part of the outside world looks like. I will be experiencing a lot of firsts. I will be taking my first plan ride. I will be leaving the country for the first time. I will hear the German language in it's natural setting for the first time. I will be traveling with a group of people who I am not too familiar with for the first time. I will be on another continent for the first time. I will ride on a passenger train for the first time. I will be taking my first winter class. I will be the farthest I have ever been away from my family for the first time. I will be the first in the family to travel and study abroad. While all of these things are my first and there are many more for me, I see this as the greatest time in my life. I get the opportunity to experience a whole new culture for the first time in my life in a host country. To think, I am only 19. I feel free. I hope this trip is a blast of fun. Well, hope to see you soon.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Supercalifragilisticexpealidoucious
On the eve of departure, I find myself camped out on my couch in my pjs watching Mary Poppins as my mom asks me if I've finished packing yet and of course I use the usually response, yeahh sure, but really I still have piles of sweaters, socks, and random voltage adapters blocking my doorway to my bedroom. I'm taking the redeye flight out of DFW Saturday night so from the perspective of a procrastinator, I have plenty of time to pack, unpack, and reorganize things so I can zip my duffle bag shut!
During the few days when the weather actually was in the 30s last week, I volunteered to get the mail from the mailbox just so I could test out my first real winter coat, needless to say I felt pretty cool, or should I say warm? With each following trip, I tried out a new article of winter wear, gloves, then a hat, not to mention all of the scarves that I dug out of my closet. The neighbors just stared, until I explained that I was crossing the Atlantic Ocean to study abroad after Christmas.
This will be my first trip out of the US besides Mexico and I'm so excited and grateful to be able to experience a new culture and make new friends. I'm looking forward to hearing from the German medicine proffessors and visiting the museums and all of the historic sites. It will also be really cool to have some down time to go explore on our own and find some neat places to take in the scenery.
Besides my reoccuring fears of "beeping" when I go through security, I'm ready to board the plane! I can't wait to arrive in Cologne!!!
Happy Travels!!
-Lauren Lewis
I Can Hardly Wait
I can’t believe that I will be boarding a plane for Germany tomorrow!!! I enjoy traveling more than almost anything; however, I have never been to Europe before. I have spent a good amount of time in Central America, which I expect to have prepared me for certain elements of being in a foreign country, surrounded by an different language, and an unfamiliar cultural. Nevertheless, I imagine that the European culture I will soon have the pleasure of experiencing will be quite a contrast from my previous travels abroad.
I was extremely attracted to this program because of the opportunity to travel abroad, the direct application to my major of study, and because I knew it would be a great way to get involved with my new university! I just transferred to A&M this semester, after spending two years at the University of California. Although I loved every second of my time in LA, I missed my family, long-time friends, and good ole Texas hospitality (plus I felt a need to carry out a third generation legacy at Texas A&M). So anyways, when Dr. Wasser presented this trip the first week of class, I knew this was for me. Everyone in my family was so supportive, and I am more than grateful to have been given this chance of lifetime. I have had a very comfortable transition to A&M and really enjoyed my first semester, but I think that spending three weeks in Germany with one of my professors and many new friends will only make my experience at my new university all the better. I am really looking forward to the new friendships that will be established during this trip and the lasting memories that we will share together.
I have had an interest in medicine since before I can remember, so I find the idea the combining the history of medicine with an experience abroad to be most fitting. One of the things I am most looking forward to is visiting a few of the hospitals in Germany and possibly observing surgery. Last year, I had the opportunity to shadow a pediatric surgeon twice a week in the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, and the two of my trips to trips to Honduras consisted of me helping (to my limited ability) a team of pediatric orthopedic surgeons in the military hospital of Tegucigalpa. I find it very exciting that I will be able compare my previous medical experiences with the German medical facilities, personnel, and practices. I am also extremely eager for all of our sightseeing extravaganza, both the academic and not so academic activities.
I really do not have any anxieties about the next trip. I love adventure and find the unfamiliar exhilarating! I want to immerse myself in the German culture, especially the food, music and arts (all HUGE passions of mine). I am beyond excited about the timing of the trip…New Years in Berlin, need I say more! And, I think that freedom that we are given for weekend travels will make the program even better. Knowing that I will be experiencing the culture of not one, but FIVE countries is unbelievable!
I am not fully sure what to expect, but I like it that way. I have an open mind, and am eager for all that I will learn in the upcoming weeks. As for now, I am going to go attempt to finish SQUEEZING all of my clothes and shoes into the limited baggage space Dr. Wasser suggested.
Can’t wait to see all ya’ll in Germany tomorrow!!!
~Amanda
I was extremely attracted to this program because of the opportunity to travel abroad, the direct application to my major of study, and because I knew it would be a great way to get involved with my new university! I just transferred to A&M this semester, after spending two years at the University of California. Although I loved every second of my time in LA, I missed my family, long-time friends, and good ole Texas hospitality (plus I felt a need to carry out a third generation legacy at Texas A&M). So anyways, when Dr. Wasser presented this trip the first week of class, I knew this was for me. Everyone in my family was so supportive, and I am more than grateful to have been given this chance of lifetime. I have had a very comfortable transition to A&M and really enjoyed my first semester, but I think that spending three weeks in Germany with one of my professors and many new friends will only make my experience at my new university all the better. I am really looking forward to the new friendships that will be established during this trip and the lasting memories that we will share together.
I have had an interest in medicine since before I can remember, so I find the idea the combining the history of medicine with an experience abroad to be most fitting. One of the things I am most looking forward to is visiting a few of the hospitals in Germany and possibly observing surgery. Last year, I had the opportunity to shadow a pediatric surgeon twice a week in the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, and the two of my trips to trips to Honduras consisted of me helping (to my limited ability) a team of pediatric orthopedic surgeons in the military hospital of Tegucigalpa. I find it very exciting that I will be able compare my previous medical experiences with the German medical facilities, personnel, and practices. I am also extremely eager for all of our sightseeing extravaganza, both the academic and not so academic activities.
I really do not have any anxieties about the next trip. I love adventure and find the unfamiliar exhilarating! I want to immerse myself in the German culture, especially the food, music and arts (all HUGE passions of mine). I am beyond excited about the timing of the trip…New Years in Berlin, need I say more! And, I think that freedom that we are given for weekend travels will make the program even better. Knowing that I will be experiencing the culture of not one, but FIVE countries is unbelievable!
I am not fully sure what to expect, but I like it that way. I have an open mind, and am eager for all that I will learn in the upcoming weeks. As for now, I am going to go attempt to finish SQUEEZING all of my clothes and shoes into the limited baggage space Dr. Wasser suggested.
Can’t wait to see all ya’ll in Germany tomorrow!!!
~Amanda
I can't believe it!
It still hasn't completely hit me that I'm leaving for 3 weeks in Germany tomorrow! I feel like I just barely had time to see everyone at home and relax after a hectic fall semester. Still, even with the subconscious denial that I'm leaving soon, I am so incredibly excited about this trip! I have been to Europe once before, but it was under completely different circumstances. For that trip, I had just graduated from high school, I knew almost all of the 30 kids going, and it was purely a fun-oriented, sightseeing excursion. Now, I'm in the middle of my sophomore year, I kind of know a few people going on the trip, and this is going to be a life-changing learning experience (though I'm sure we will get *plenty* of sightseeing in!). I am definitely looking forward to getting to know everyone really well over the next few weeks, and I cannot wait to immerse myself in German culture. Since the group I went with last was so big and every single moment was planned for us, there was no freedom to simply wander and explore on our own. That, I think, will be one of the best parts: being able to find out for myself cool spots in Germany that I like. The part of the program that I am most looking forward to is the opportunity that we will have to observe an operation. I have never been in a lab or job that allowed me to be in the operating room or dissect anything myself (besides a rat in 6th grade!), so that should definitely be a neat experience. Though I am excited about tomorrow and the following weeks, I am also a bit apprehensive. Besides the tiny fear I have of travelling internationally alone, I also feel nervous about stepping way outside of my comfort zone. Very rarely do I place myself in situations where I am kind of going in blind and not surrounded by friends, but this will help me be able to do that, and I'm sure others have similar anxieties that we can work through together! :) Oh, and I am most definitely anticipating the awesome German food that is praised by everyone that has been to Germany. I have very high expectations for this trip in every aspect: educational, cultural, even social, and I have no doubt that they will all be met and exceeded by the time it's time to go home!
Now I'm off to charge my ipod, buy a warm hat, eat some Mexican food (oh, I will miss it), and start (yes, I am the ultimate procrastinator) packing my duffel! See you all in a couple days!
Now I'm off to charge my ipod, buy a warm hat, eat some Mexican food (oh, I will miss it), and start (yes, I am the ultimate procrastinator) packing my duffel! See you all in a couple days!
Lord, I was born a ramblin' man...
So I just got back from my second trip of the break. Two weeks ago I was in Pittsburgh for an interview, and today I got back from Ohio where I was visiting family for the holidays. It seems that I'm always on the go lately, even during the school year, with rugby away games and med school interviews. But each of those trips has been 5 days or less. Thus, this trip will be by far the longest trip I've taken in years, and probably my whole life. I've been looking forward to this opportunity for about 4 years. With my graduation looming on the horizon, I feel that this trip will give me some experiences, teach me some lessons, and help me understand some perspectives that I need before I embark on the next phase of my life.
As far as anxieties go, I've got a few. Planning has never been a big priority for me, and since a trip such as this pretty much demands a lot of preparation, I guess I would put money on me forgetting something or looking stupid because I didn't bring the right gear. Nevertheless, I have been preparing an awful lot, and think I'll be just fine during the trip. More than that, though, is just fear of the unknown, as my mom would put it. This is not only my first time in a non-English speaking country without my parents, but the farthest I've ever been away from home. I guess I just don't know what to expect, and only hope I'll make the right choice if I'm faced with a conflict or complication. Again, I've been preparing for those times, and trust that Dr. Wasser, the study abroad department and my parents have given sound, useful advice.
But now that the trip is only a day away, I'm excited more than anything. I can't wait to experience this part of the world. The only other time I've been to Europe was a trip I took to Ireland for a week during my junior year of high school with my rugby team. I loved that experience and am sure I will love this one. I remember the culture and tradition was so rich, and the citizens so proud of its beautiful land and great ancestry. I suppose that the United States is still comparably such a young nation, that this feeling isn't felt as strongly here at home. I feel that it is because of her great tradition and ancestry that the origins of many things can be seen and understood so much better in Europe. That is also what I hope to gain from this experience: a better understanding of history, namely, the history of medicine.
Thus, I look forward to Sunday morning with open eyes, ears, and an open mind. As my stepmother says, I'll try to be like a sponge the whole trip. By the time January 17th rolls around, I don't want to be the same. I just have to remember to take pictures, or a lot of people will be very upset...
PEACE
Asher
As far as anxieties go, I've got a few. Planning has never been a big priority for me, and since a trip such as this pretty much demands a lot of preparation, I guess I would put money on me forgetting something or looking stupid because I didn't bring the right gear. Nevertheless, I have been preparing an awful lot, and think I'll be just fine during the trip. More than that, though, is just fear of the unknown, as my mom would put it. This is not only my first time in a non-English speaking country without my parents, but the farthest I've ever been away from home. I guess I just don't know what to expect, and only hope I'll make the right choice if I'm faced with a conflict or complication. Again, I've been preparing for those times, and trust that Dr. Wasser, the study abroad department and my parents have given sound, useful advice.
But now that the trip is only a day away, I'm excited more than anything. I can't wait to experience this part of the world. The only other time I've been to Europe was a trip I took to Ireland for a week during my junior year of high school with my rugby team. I loved that experience and am sure I will love this one. I remember the culture and tradition was so rich, and the citizens so proud of its beautiful land and great ancestry. I suppose that the United States is still comparably such a young nation, that this feeling isn't felt as strongly here at home. I feel that it is because of her great tradition and ancestry that the origins of many things can be seen and understood so much better in Europe. That is also what I hope to gain from this experience: a better understanding of history, namely, the history of medicine.
Thus, I look forward to Sunday morning with open eyes, ears, and an open mind. As my stepmother says, I'll try to be like a sponge the whole trip. By the time January 17th rolls around, I don't want to be the same. I just have to remember to take pictures, or a lot of people will be very upset...
PEACE
Asher
Thursday, December 25, 2008
2 Days Away?!
I feel like this trip to Germany has snuck up on me. I know we’ve been going to meetings all semester but since I’ve gotten home for break it seems like the time has flown by and now I’m leaving in two days. I am so excited for this adventure to begin I can’t even put it into words. Germany has so much history to it, hopefully I will be able to take it all in.
I’m definitely excited to be in the German culture for three weeks (which seems like a long time to me, but it probably will go by so fast). I have lived in Brazil and traveled to Italy and El Salvador so I’m not really worried about any culture shocks or differences in food preferences. But I am worried about the language barrier. When I went to Italy with my mom we found out that the Italians were friendlier if we spoke Spanish rather than English, so we got by with no problem. But I am absolutely lost when it comes to German except for cramming in the numbers and basic phrases starting yesterday. Hopefully enough people speak English where I can get by without resorting to sign language too much. I am also worried about the ridiculously long plane ride I have into Amsterdam. I have arthritis in my lower back which makes any position uncomfortable for too long, so this plane ride could be the worst 10+ hours of my life but it will be worth it when I get into Germany.
Since I’m neither pre-med nor pre-vet (I’m pre-pharmacy) I may not have the direct connection to the lectures as the other students, but I still feel that I will learn a lot from the lectures since Germany is always so advance when it comes to medicine. I’m especially looking forwards to the lectures Dr. Wasser mentioned about “complimentary medicine” or homeopathic medicine. I’ve seen what side effects heavy medicines have caused in family members and I think homeopathic medicine is definitely worth exploring.
I am definitely the worst person in the world at packing. I either way over-pack or under-pack. Also I can’t find the wool socks I know I had. So as I’m faced with this daunting task, I hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas and I’ll see you in Germany!
I’m definitely excited to be in the German culture for three weeks (which seems like a long time to me, but it probably will go by so fast). I have lived in Brazil and traveled to Italy and El Salvador so I’m not really worried about any culture shocks or differences in food preferences. But I am worried about the language barrier. When I went to Italy with my mom we found out that the Italians were friendlier if we spoke Spanish rather than English, so we got by with no problem. But I am absolutely lost when it comes to German except for cramming in the numbers and basic phrases starting yesterday. Hopefully enough people speak English where I can get by without resorting to sign language too much. I am also worried about the ridiculously long plane ride I have into Amsterdam. I have arthritis in my lower back which makes any position uncomfortable for too long, so this plane ride could be the worst 10+ hours of my life but it will be worth it when I get into Germany.
Since I’m neither pre-med nor pre-vet (I’m pre-pharmacy) I may not have the direct connection to the lectures as the other students, but I still feel that I will learn a lot from the lectures since Germany is always so advance when it comes to medicine. I’m especially looking forwards to the lectures Dr. Wasser mentioned about “complimentary medicine” or homeopathic medicine. I’ve seen what side effects heavy medicines have caused in family members and I think homeopathic medicine is definitely worth exploring.
I am definitely the worst person in the world at packing. I either way over-pack or under-pack. Also I can’t find the wool socks I know I had. So as I’m faced with this daunting task, I hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas and I’ll see you in Germany!
I'm Leaving on a Jetplane...
I can't believe that I will be leaving for Germany in just two days! Seems like just yesterday that I was discussing the trip with my parents and signing all of the initial necessary paperwork. Now I'm busy packing up my backpack and making sure I have my passport handy!
This time of year always makes me very aware of how blessed I am, and the wonderful family and friends I have. But this Christmas will live forever in my memories. I really couldn't be grateful enough for this opportunity to travel and learn so many things that will benefit my future education, career, and life in general. I hope my sister has a chance to study and travel abroad in the next few years also.
I am really looking forward to all of the sightseeing that we'll be doing, but also all of the lectures and things we will be learning while on the trip. Initially I was a little worried about my lack of German-speaking abilities, but I know Dr. Wasser and Stephanie will help us in the area as much as we need. It will also be very interesting to see how the Germans interact with us, as Americans. During my other trip to Europe, I never had a problem, and the natives were always very hospitable, so I don't see why the Germans would be any different. I am a little nervous, however, about finding my way through the airports in the connecting flights. You would think with all of the traveling I've done in my life, I would have a little more confidence in this area. But mom and dad won't be there to follow through the busy terminals to the correct gate this time! Mom assures me it will be a good "learning experience" for me, so I guess I'll just have to face the challenege!
I know that this trip will change me, in ways that I can't even imagine yet, and that is very exciting. Being neither pre-med or pre-vet (at the moment), I hope to maybe find something that interests me, or gives me more of a passion for the major I'm in, and the route that I'm currently traveling in school. I think that passion is one of the only things I'm lacking in school right now, and I believe that it plays the largest role in a person's life, especially when it comes to their education and career. Lacking passion can be detrimental to even the smartest of people. Hopefully going abroad and learning of another culture will give me a new perspective and appreciation for all that I'm doing, which I'm sure it will!
Germany here I come!
This time of year always makes me very aware of how blessed I am, and the wonderful family and friends I have. But this Christmas will live forever in my memories. I really couldn't be grateful enough for this opportunity to travel and learn so many things that will benefit my future education, career, and life in general. I hope my sister has a chance to study and travel abroad in the next few years also.
I am really looking forward to all of the sightseeing that we'll be doing, but also all of the lectures and things we will be learning while on the trip. Initially I was a little worried about my lack of German-speaking abilities, but I know Dr. Wasser and Stephanie will help us in the area as much as we need. It will also be very interesting to see how the Germans interact with us, as Americans. During my other trip to Europe, I never had a problem, and the natives were always very hospitable, so I don't see why the Germans would be any different. I am a little nervous, however, about finding my way through the airports in the connecting flights. You would think with all of the traveling I've done in my life, I would have a little more confidence in this area. But mom and dad won't be there to follow through the busy terminals to the correct gate this time! Mom assures me it will be a good "learning experience" for me, so I guess I'll just have to face the challenege!
I know that this trip will change me, in ways that I can't even imagine yet, and that is very exciting. Being neither pre-med or pre-vet (at the moment), I hope to maybe find something that interests me, or gives me more of a passion for the major I'm in, and the route that I'm currently traveling in school. I think that passion is one of the only things I'm lacking in school right now, and I believe that it plays the largest role in a person's life, especially when it comes to their education and career. Lacking passion can be detrimental to even the smartest of people. Hopefully going abroad and learning of another culture will give me a new perspective and appreciation for all that I'm doing, which I'm sure it will!
Germany here I come!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
3 DAYS!!!
It is so hard for me to believe that we will be in Germany in 3 days!!! I was the first person to sign up for the program about 9 months ago and I think it's just now becoming a reality that I will be thousands of miles away from home for 3 weeks! (This seems like such a long time for me to be gone, even though I'm sure it will go by quickly once we're there.) I am so excited about the entire program, but since the only time that I have been out of the country was right across the border to Juarez, Mexico for a mission trip, I really have no idea what to expect when we're in Europe.
Let's see...I feel like there are quite a few things that I am nervous about. Right now as I'm thinking about being gone for 3 weeks, I feel like the hardest thing will be getting used to not being able to talk to my family very often. I know I'm 21 years old and it may seem silly that I talk to my mom everyday, but I'm a momma's girl, so it will be unusual for me to only talk to her a couple times over a 3 week span. I'm sure when I'm over there I'll be busy and having fun and won't feel the need to talk to her or my boyfriend much, but right now it's one of the biggest anxieties I have. Another thing that will be a big adjustment for me is the weather there. I have lived in Texas all my life and never travelled any place that is really cold so it will be a completely new experience for me. I have both Under Armour leggings and shirts to wear under my clothes as well as warm socks, gloves, hats, scarves, and a big jacket so I should be fine, but I get cold really easily so I'm still a little nervous. I'm also nervous about pick-pocketers. However, I'm much more reassured after having the opportunity to talk to my friend's mom, who gave several helpful suggestions about how to keep everything safe. The language barrier also makes me slightly nervous. I have tried to learn the basic words that Dr. Wasser told us at our meetings, but I'm still not comfortable at all speaking German. I will definitely make an effort to speak German, but it is also reassuring that English is not a rarity there, so I'm hoping I will make it by fine.
I have never heard much about Germans or their lifestyle besides what Dr. Wasser has told us, so I don't really have any preconceptions about Germany or the people there. I'm thankful for all of the history lessons that Dr. Wasser gave us and the little bit of language that he taught us since I didn't know much about Germany before. I learned a great deal about Germany from these lessons and because of that I think I'm even more excited about the trip.
I am most excited about all the sites we will visit. I know this is a very general thing to be excited about, but the pictures of buildings in Europe that I've seen are spectacular and I can't wait to see them in person. I'm interested to see how we'll be accepted by the Germans and people in other countries that we're visiting. I'm very much looking forward to learning more about the history of medicine and visiting the medical schools and museums and hearing all of the lectures. I think I just covered generally what we're doing in the trip, so I guess I'm basically excited about everything!
I can't wait to see everyone in Germany in 3 days!! It will be incredible!! Now I think it's about time that I started packing!
Let's see...I feel like there are quite a few things that I am nervous about. Right now as I'm thinking about being gone for 3 weeks, I feel like the hardest thing will be getting used to not being able to talk to my family very often. I know I'm 21 years old and it may seem silly that I talk to my mom everyday, but I'm a momma's girl, so it will be unusual for me to only talk to her a couple times over a 3 week span. I'm sure when I'm over there I'll be busy and having fun and won't feel the need to talk to her or my boyfriend much, but right now it's one of the biggest anxieties I have. Another thing that will be a big adjustment for me is the weather there. I have lived in Texas all my life and never travelled any place that is really cold so it will be a completely new experience for me. I have both Under Armour leggings and shirts to wear under my clothes as well as warm socks, gloves, hats, scarves, and a big jacket so I should be fine, but I get cold really easily so I'm still a little nervous. I'm also nervous about pick-pocketers. However, I'm much more reassured after having the opportunity to talk to my friend's mom, who gave several helpful suggestions about how to keep everything safe. The language barrier also makes me slightly nervous. I have tried to learn the basic words that Dr. Wasser told us at our meetings, but I'm still not comfortable at all speaking German. I will definitely make an effort to speak German, but it is also reassuring that English is not a rarity there, so I'm hoping I will make it by fine.
I have never heard much about Germans or their lifestyle besides what Dr. Wasser has told us, so I don't really have any preconceptions about Germany or the people there. I'm thankful for all of the history lessons that Dr. Wasser gave us and the little bit of language that he taught us since I didn't know much about Germany before. I learned a great deal about Germany from these lessons and because of that I think I'm even more excited about the trip.
I am most excited about all the sites we will visit. I know this is a very general thing to be excited about, but the pictures of buildings in Europe that I've seen are spectacular and I can't wait to see them in person. I'm interested to see how we'll be accepted by the Germans and people in other countries that we're visiting. I'm very much looking forward to learning more about the history of medicine and visiting the medical schools and museums and hearing all of the lectures. I think I just covered generally what we're doing in the trip, so I guess I'm basically excited about everything!
I can't wait to see everyone in Germany in 3 days!! It will be incredible!! Now I think it's about time that I started packing!
Hello Deutschland, see you in 3 days!
So where do I begin? So many thoughts are running through my head...first blog...first trip to Germany...should I be helping my mom cook Christmas Eve dinner? But I shall try to focus on this blog. For any of you who saw my childish grin every Sunday as Dr. Wasser tried to prepare us for the experience to come, it should be of no surprise to hear exactly how excited I am. For the past week I've been telling family and friends of this wonderful opportunity that I had the chance to be apart of, but I'm ready to stop talking and start traveling!
I've had my fair share of traveling outside of the country. One of my favorite experiences being summer school at Cambridge University. So my anxiety doesn't come from going beyond U.S. borders but being outside English speaking territory, especially when I step off my plane in Frankfurt and attempt to find the train station. However, I'm pretty resourceful so that shouldn't be a problem. The reality of it all hasn't quite hit me. As my mom is running around wondering if I have enough socks, I keep repeating "Mom, I'm going to be fine". I think the fact that one backpack worth of clothing is technically enough is very reassuring to me, especially since I'm taking a small duffel!
Besides all of the amazing sites we're going to see and lectures we're going to hear, I'm very interested in how the Germans will receive us Americans. I'm ready to soak in the German culture, and being the respectful Aggie I am, prove the "stupid American" stereotype that I have received in the past, wrong! It is so important to remember that we are guests and ambassadors at the same time so BRING IT ON!
"I met a lot of people in Europe. I even encountered myself." ~James Baldwin
"Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." ~Mark Twain
Up Up and AWAY!!!
It's only a few days till lift off, and the excitement is continually building. This will be my first (but hopefully not last) time to leave the country and visit another. Again, the excitement is building and words escape me. There is no way to fully explain what I am expecting out of this trip because I know any expectations I have will be blown out of the water after the first day. I expect to see and experience things I have never before, but defining it beyond that is useless. I will be wordier once the journey begins and my experiences can be reflected on, but until than I will leave you with the simple fact that this trip is going to be AMAZING!!! See everyone in Germany soon!!!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Getting Ready for Deutschland
One summer, my dad took our whole family to Italy because he had a ton of American Airlines miles that he thought were on the verge of becoming worthless. World affairs being what they’ve been, he jokingly quipped, “Enjoy it. We may be among the last Americans who will be able to fly on an airplane anywhere, let alone Europe. You’ll tell your grandchildren what it was like seeing little buildings from way up in the sky.” Since then I’ve been to Germany, and I’m now preparing for my third time in Europe (fourth, actually: I was two years old and have almost no recollection), so let this stand as a warning to all you would-be Oracles. No telling what’s on that horizon.
I can say that I’ve seen Germany and Germans, but I haven’t seen these parts of Germany nor have I seen Germans practicing medicine so I’m very excited about this trip. Like Vincent Vega said in Pulp Fiction: “It’s the little things about Europe that are so different.” I think it’ll be the small differences between American and European medicine that will surprise me the most. The fun thing about catching those differences is asking myself, “What does this way do better? What does this way do worse? How did it come to be this way here and our way over in the states?” I think this will deepen my understanding and appreciation for medicine in a way that is simply not possible within our borders.
My main concern is one I have for any trip I go on. It’s not especially personal, but it is especially specific and I’m afraid that I couldn’t stand the irony of putting it into print only for it to come true. I’ll keep it to myself for now. A secondary concern is, already ironically, posting for this blog. The trial of putting thought and word into writing has never brought me joy. I know that’s a problem, I hope Dr. Wasser isn’t offended for me saying so, and I’ll suffer it like the little kid that knows the gross medicine is good for him.
“…to travel is to leave the inside and draw dangerously near the outside. So long as he thought of men in the abstract… merely as those who labor and love their children and die, he was thinking the fundamental truth about them. By going to look at their unfamiliar manners and customs he is inviting them to disguise themselves in fantastic masks and costumes. Many modern internationalists talk as if men of different nationalities had only to meet and mix and understand each other. In reality that is the moment of supreme danger--the moment when they meet. We might shiver, as at the old euphemism by which a meeting meant a duel.” I think I’m prepared for a little danger, how about y’all? I look forward to seeing all of you in Bonn, and I hope you all enjoy the rest of the holiday at home.
I can say that I’ve seen Germany and Germans, but I haven’t seen these parts of Germany nor have I seen Germans practicing medicine so I’m very excited about this trip. Like Vincent Vega said in Pulp Fiction: “It’s the little things about Europe that are so different.” I think it’ll be the small differences between American and European medicine that will surprise me the most. The fun thing about catching those differences is asking myself, “What does this way do better? What does this way do worse? How did it come to be this way here and our way over in the states?” I think this will deepen my understanding and appreciation for medicine in a way that is simply not possible within our borders.
My main concern is one I have for any trip I go on. It’s not especially personal, but it is especially specific and I’m afraid that I couldn’t stand the irony of putting it into print only for it to come true. I’ll keep it to myself for now. A secondary concern is, already ironically, posting for this blog. The trial of putting thought and word into writing has never brought me joy. I know that’s a problem, I hope Dr. Wasser isn’t offended for me saying so, and I’ll suffer it like the little kid that knows the gross medicine is good for him.
“…to travel is to leave the inside and draw dangerously near the outside. So long as he thought of men in the abstract… merely as those who labor and love their children and die, he was thinking the fundamental truth about them. By going to look at their unfamiliar manners and customs he is inviting them to disguise themselves in fantastic masks and costumes. Many modern internationalists talk as if men of different nationalities had only to meet and mix and understand each other. In reality that is the moment of supreme danger--the moment when they meet. We might shiver, as at the old euphemism by which a meeting meant a duel.” I think I’m prepared for a little danger, how about y’all? I look forward to seeing all of you in Bonn, and I hope you all enjoy the rest of the holiday at home.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Germany, I am looking forward to meeting you...
The fact that I will be in Germany in a week from tomorrow seems so surreal to me. All semester, when people asked me what I was doing for winter break and I told them that I was going to Germany, I really didn't seem to think anything of it; but it is all dawning on me now. Oh wow. This is going to be absolutely amazing. Since freshman year of high school, I have always wanted to go to Germany. To explain, I took German as my foreign language credit in high school, three years worth of it, and completely fell in love with the language. I think it is so interesting and I really enjoy trying speaking the language (or at least trying, haha). Germany is my second-favorite country. When Dr. Wasser presented to opportunity to go to Germany while earning college credit at the same time, I didn't see how I could let this pass by. Going to Germany was something that I have wanted to do for a long time. I am looking forward to so many things. I want to see and learn first-hand all the things that my German teacher, Frau Parris, talked about in class, like die Brandenburger Tor, die Berliner Mauer, the food, the culture, the beer, wine, music, history, the language, everything. I am so excited that I will be immersed into all of these things, at last!
There are also some things that I am nervous about... I have issues with getting lost. I am not the greatest when it comes to navigation. My number one fear in Germany is getting lost. It will be the very first fear that I will confront unfortunately, because I am arriving in Germany a day earlier than everyone else and will be on my own for a day. I really, really hope I find my way around.
The second thing I am nervous about is being treated differently because I'm American. Summer 2005, I went to China for a couple weeks to play in an international softball tournament to help China prepare for the 2008 Olympics, and everywhere I went, I was welcomed with stares, pointed fingers, and poor "salespeople" trying to sell us fake Rolex watches or Gucci purses. We were followed these salespeople constantly and it always made me very nervous. It got to a point where a parent tried to shoo one of them away and he got yelled at in Chinese. I took numerous photos with Chinise families who asked to be in their family picture because I was American. Of course, these were only the bad experiences I had in China, I really enjoyed my trip there and met some extraordinary people as well. But point being, I don't want to be discriminated against because of where I am from. To be honest though, I do not think I will have much a problem with this in Germany; their culture is very, very different than Chinise culture, and Dr. Wassers testimony has settled most of my apprehensions about this.
The third and final thing I am worried about is getting pickpocketed, stolen from, or harmed by someone in Germany. In China, I was silly enough to bring the most vulnerable purse; a bright, shiny pink purse with a zipper (with a keychain attached on the zipper as well!). The thing is, I was completely careful with it, and I always had my arm around it, kept an eye on it, and NEVER left it anywhere, and I turned out to be fine. Even with salespeople following us everywhere. This time I will be safer and have a small, wrap around purse that goes inside my jacket, so I am not too worried about this, it is just in the back of my mind, especially since I will be in a hostel. But if I turned out okay in China, then chances are I will turn out okay in Germany.
Those are the only things I am worried about on my trip. But there are more things that I am excited about than nervous about. I am looking forward to this trip and want to go so, so bad! I can't wait! I want to do everything possible, I want to take advantage of every opportunity, and I want to make as many memories as I can. I am ready for this to happen. Bis dann!
There are also some things that I am nervous about... I have issues with getting lost. I am not the greatest when it comes to navigation. My number one fear in Germany is getting lost. It will be the very first fear that I will confront unfortunately, because I am arriving in Germany a day earlier than everyone else and will be on my own for a day. I really, really hope I find my way around.
The second thing I am nervous about is being treated differently because I'm American. Summer 2005, I went to China for a couple weeks to play in an international softball tournament to help China prepare for the 2008 Olympics, and everywhere I went, I was welcomed with stares, pointed fingers, and poor "salespeople" trying to sell us fake Rolex watches or Gucci purses. We were followed these salespeople constantly and it always made me very nervous. It got to a point where a parent tried to shoo one of them away and he got yelled at in Chinese. I took numerous photos with Chinise families who asked to be in their family picture because I was American. Of course, these were only the bad experiences I had in China, I really enjoyed my trip there and met some extraordinary people as well. But point being, I don't want to be discriminated against because of where I am from. To be honest though, I do not think I will have much a problem with this in Germany; their culture is very, very different than Chinise culture, and Dr. Wassers testimony has settled most of my apprehensions about this.
The third and final thing I am worried about is getting pickpocketed, stolen from, or harmed by someone in Germany. In China, I was silly enough to bring the most vulnerable purse; a bright, shiny pink purse with a zipper (with a keychain attached on the zipper as well!). The thing is, I was completely careful with it, and I always had my arm around it, kept an eye on it, and NEVER left it anywhere, and I turned out to be fine. Even with salespeople following us everywhere. This time I will be safer and have a small, wrap around purse that goes inside my jacket, so I am not too worried about this, it is just in the back of my mind, especially since I will be in a hostel. But if I turned out okay in China, then chances are I will turn out okay in Germany.
Those are the only things I am worried about on my trip. But there are more things that I am excited about than nervous about. I am looking forward to this trip and want to go so, so bad! I can't wait! I want to do everything possible, I want to take advantage of every opportunity, and I want to make as many memories as I can. I am ready for this to happen. Bis dann!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Europe... Germany... The beginning of an exciting winter!!!
I have been to Europe once before, as a sophomore in high school. We went to Paris on the eve of the Iraq war and the resentment against America could be felt everywhere we went, unfortunately, this included my host family. They were nice, don't get me wrong, but unlike my classmates, I spent most of my afternoons and weekends sitting at home while they went to the Eiffel Tower and other places around the city. Luckily for some of us, the ability to speak French spared us from being treated badly. Luckily for me, this meant I could go outside the house and wander (not too far) by myself. This trip taught me about European culture and their ideals. I learned that I should learn to respect others even if others don't respect you and most importantly, that everyone has their own opinions and ways to express them.
Learning a language implies learning about the culture of the country where it is spoken. I was born in Mexico, and my culture originates from there. I am very open to learning and I am appreciative of other cultures and people. I had to learn English to come to the US and I also had to adapt to the culture. I was never fully absorbed into the American culture because I chose to keep my own Mexican heritage. That heritage, along with my family's support, inspired me to get to know other cultures and learn more languages. I started with French, then with Italian, then a radical jump into Japanese, and now I am back starting with German. Each of those languages comes with very unique cultures. I have grown to appreciate each and every culture and honestly, nothing surprises me very much. For instance, some people may be afraid that "Europeans are very liberal," well, not really. My experiences in Paris showed me that this is a common misconception, and for quite some time, I fully believed this. I believed that Japanese were just like any of us, that their cities had high crime rates etc. Turns out, people respect each other and you can actually leave your laptop or cell phone on a counter or table, and it will be there when you come back from the restroom. We all have misconceptions, but as I learn more about other cultures, they are dissipated.
I expect this trip to be fun first of all. We are going to Europe, to Germany! I expect to have fun and make up for my experience in Paris. At the same time, I expect to learn about the history of the career I plan to pursue. I will enjoy visiting museums, cathedrals, hospitals (cardiovascular center) and being in Germany. To me, it is a whole new country I have never been to, so it is an opportunity to experience first-hand a new culture, one that I plan to learn more about as I learn the language.
I do have some anxieties, and they all stem from my family’s experiences in Europe. Of course the number one anxiety would be the language barrier. I cannot possibly speak good German in three weeks but I will do my best to learn as much as I can. My second concern in this trip is security. My aunt went to England and France, and she was pick-pocketed in the metro. I have tried my best to avoid picturing this, but as always the possibility exists. I will be careful. My third anxiety is distance to some extent. I will be thousands of miles away from friends and loved ones, and that is difficult for me since I come from a very closely knit cultural background. These are my three main anxieties with this trip, but I hope they all turn out to be minor.
As far as the preconceptions about Germany, Europe, and people, well, I don’t want to generalize. I really had most of my preconceptions clarified. We learned from our pre-departure orientation that Germany is a lot more than the Nazi era country and the instigator of wars. Germany has a lot to offer in the field of medicine and medical technology. I am thankful for the orientation program, because I learned that there are always roots for the misconceptions and a way to dissipate them. Europe and its people are friendly as long as we know how to be friendly ourselves. I believe that being on one’s best behavior and being respectful. I learned this when I went to Paris, and I plan to put it to action while we are abroad. I learned not to be judgmental of other cultures and lifestyles, but rather to adapt to them the best way possible.
I have a lot of expectations for the program itself. I also have notions that it will sometimes be difficult to stay focused on the subject amidst all the fun and all the other preoccupations. So I am biased because I think that the program – the class – will be difficult especially when it comes to assignments. More so, when we return to the US, we will have experienced a different culture and we will have the tendency to compare ourselves. I will honestly try my best to avoid comparing myself to Europeans.
I think the program will help me understand the roots of medicine. The visits to museums and clinics along with tours of the cities and free time excursions will help me become a well rounded individual. This program will involve making some sacrifices, such as spending New Year’s away from my family and girlfriend, but in the end, I think it will pay off. I expect to learn a lot, to have fun, and to develop a more critical view of European lifestyle and culture. In a way, I see this trip as a chance to enjoy what I didn’t in Paris and also to reinforce my career path.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Being home - feels good!! and sad...
So I'm finally back in College Station. I spent all of last week at my parents house because there was no one there. I really needed the peace and quiet and time to relax and chill with the dogs. When my parents finally came back in yesterday morning I had to go back over my entire trip for them. Since it had been a while since I had talked about the trip with anyone, going over my pictures and looking at some of the things I brought back with me brought up all of the feelings I had when I had originally got back. All I can say is that this trip has been amazing. I don't know if I will ever be able to experience anything like it. Being able to go behind the scences and receive information that the typical tourist wouldn't be able to get is something I am very grateful of. I'm actually having trouble trying to come up with words to describe it all. I do have to say though that as soon as I got home I was ready for certain home comforts that I wasn't able to have the entire time I was there. My sister picked me up from the airport late at night and took me to IHOP so that I could get, according to her, some American home cooking. Not sure that I could qualify the International house of pancakes as home cooking but we'll go with it cause it was good. The very next day her fiancee took me out for mexican food. Oh yeah!! Anyway, I've been able to see all of my family and friends and show them pictures of the trip and talk about what all I did in the big bad world of Europe. Every time anyone would ask me about it, I didn't know where to start because we were able to do and experience so many different things while we were there. Needless to say, every time I had the conversation it went on for quite a while. They all asked me what my least favorite part of the trip was and my answer was, the plane ride home. It was practically torture. I was so tired of traveling because of all the train and bus rides we had taken over the course of the trip and then to have to sit still on a plane for a total of 13 hours, I was about to go crazy. I pretty sure thats what the guy that was sitting next to me on my last flight thought because I could not sit still so I was constantly shifting around and trying to find something to occupy myself. Oh well, I made it home with all of my luggage and nothing breaking so I would say that the trip was a total success. Now that I've had some time to be home and look back, I miss Germany. It was a beautiful country with a great complex history and wonderful people. I'm glad to be home but I almost wish I could mesh the two and then it would be a happy place. :)
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
My last day in Germany......Again
On the morning of the 9th, Jordan and I went to the airport to catch a plane that was supposed to leave at 11:25. Well, as you can tell by my choice of words in the last sentence, it didn't! Apparently, an eagle flew into one of the engines of the plane we were supposed to take, thus grounding it for the day. Because of this, Jordan and I earned an extra day in Berlin with a nice free hotel room! We didn't leave the airport until around 3 pm, but we tried to make the most of the day so we went to west Berlin to see the remains of a bombed out church from WWII. On our way there, we decided to stop and eat at a Bavarian Beirgarten. After eating, we took pictures of the church, and walked in a few shops. While walking around, we found a guy on the streets that gives people fake tattoos, so we decided to get some! Mine was a cross from the ruined church, and Jordan's was a butterfly. After the tattoos, we did some more shoping and returned to the hotel.
The next day, things ran much more smoothly and we were able to fly back to Texas, making a stop in New York. At first, Jordan and I were not happy that our flight had been canceled, but we realized later that it was a gift to spend one more day in Berlin. I feel that we made the most of it, and now I am glad it happened!
The next day, things ran much more smoothly and we were able to fly back to Texas, making a stop in New York. At first, Jordan and I were not happy that our flight had been canceled, but we realized later that it was a gift to spend one more day in Berlin. I feel that we made the most of it, and now I am glad it happened!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)