Soren's Stories

Berlin is a unique city. I would definitely recommend taking a guided tour that way you can completely understand the history behind the amazing buildings and structures. We took a four hour walking tour... that ended but being more like five hours BUT it was really amazing.   First, Lunch! We found a little hole in the wall pizza and pasta shop with amazing pizza. We couldn't read the menus but hey you can't really go wrong with pizza. During the walking tour we got to see some really amazing parts of Berlin but what was even cooler was learner the stories behind them and why they are so significant. For example, this large pointy building was built by the soviets like a big middle finger to West Berlin. It was built during the space race (that is why is looks so much like sputnik). The buildings existence is ironic for two reasons- first, when the light reflects off of it, the light creates the shape of a cross. The soviets had outlawed religion so people called ...

Life Update        Today in class we learned about the stages of culture shock.  -Honeymoon stage -Frustration -Adjustment -Acceptance -Mastery As we begin our second week in the villa, I am starting to feel my toes start to skim the second stage of culture shock. I love it here. The currency system is super interesting, the public transport it convenient, the culture is unique; however, there are parts of home that I miss.  -Friends and family -Chickfila -Rosas -My car -People smiling in public -English i.e. English music, English signs. English menus  -Noise -The rest of my wardrobe  -Mexican food -BBQ The food here is excellent. Around here you will find a lot of deli meets and bread. I am a bread fanatic so it's basically heaven. The problem is that everything in the grocery stores around is in German so it's hard to be 100% positive what you're buying. So far I have accidentally purchased meatballs...

Leipzig- A History Lesson I am not a historian, and the only knowledge I have of the history of Leipzig is what I heard during the tour; however, I will impart the knowledge and enthusiasm I have. Also, here is a  link to a Wikipedia article about Leipzig for further reading. The Synagogue Memorial  On November 9, 1938 the synagogue in Leipzig was burned, and the Jews who attended there were persecuted throughout World War II. The Synagogue Memorial in Leipzig is a raised platform with 140 empty chairs to represent the 14,000 members of the Synagogue. Our tour guide described the memorial as one of the most moving memorials in Germany. I think it is because the simplicity requires you to think and reflect on the lives the chairs represent. It is an open air memorial situated in the entrance to the main part of the city so we walk by it nearly every day, and it's nearly impossible to walk by without at least some reflection. Stolperstein- ...

Germany is Beautiful! The summer weather is cool, and everything is green. We are staying in a historic city so lots of the buildings date back to before WWII and the newer buildings are equally breath taking! Finally in Germany- Our First Few Hours in Deutschland Headed to the Villa  It wasn't a super long trip to the villa in Leipzig, but after nearly 24 hours of traveling I was asleep for most of the ride. One thing I did notice was that Germans drive on the right side of the road... I was not expecting that.  The German country side is beautiful! Leipzig is apparently "Paradise City" There's a lot going on around the city this summer Exploring the Villa The street our villa is on. Alex vs Canal Okay so there is a canal behind our villa. It's beautiful, but because of the weather here it's pretty cold. In the middle of a debate about the depth of the water next to the dock, Alex d...