Berlin (part 2) on PhotoPeach
Berlin (part 3) on PhotoPeach
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Another awesome day in Berlin
Guten tag! This day was incredible. After a wonderful breakfast with my new Australian friends at the hotel, I went on a motor coach tour of the city. It was extremely beautiful. Here are some highlights:
- Under de Linden- This street was once Berlin’s main street and recreational thoroughfare. Of the 64 buildings that once lined the mile long street before the war, only 13 remain (most of which have been dramatically altered). I never completely understood how devastated Germany was after WWII. The guide made a wonderful point during the tour. He noted how Americans tend to take pride in the contributions that women made during the war at home. German women were responsible for cleaning up a devastated city. After the war, there were few men left in Berlin to help undertake the major efforts that were required to begin reconstructing the city. All of this was also done while the country was still occupied (either by Soviets in the East or the Allies in the West). I included a picture of what appears to be white building surrounded by other buildings. Where the building stands was the site of a huge book burning by Hitler in 1933. Over 20,000 books were destroyed at the site.
-Synagogue- This synagogue wasn’t destroyed during The Night of Broken Glass in 1938. I’m not exactly sure why, but somehow it managed to survive the war. I’m not sure if there are Jews in the area that attend service there. Either way, what a tremendous site and idea. The fact that a synagogue exists and is used in Germany today is a miracle after the Nazis and then the Communists (almost 45 years of oppression and discouraged religious freedom.
-Reichstag- This was the site of German Parliament when Hitler came to power. He staged a fire there in 1933 that ultimately allowed him to claim emergency powers that he used to suspend civil liberties. While there, I caught part of a tour in which the docent indicated that he thought the Russians were more responsible for winning World War II than the United States or Great Britain. He made a very convincing argument. I didn’t have my notepad and he wouldn’t let me record him speak, but he based his argument on the idea that the Russians were responsible for pushing an entire front back (after Germany attached them) and that once provided the weapons that they did most of the dirty work (such as the Battle of Berlin).
He also explained the importance of two monuments located near the Reichstag. The first monument he explained was dedicated to the political opponents of Hitler who were killed after he seized power. It consists of a series of plates with the individual’s death date and political party affiliation. The second monument was built by the Russians to commemorate their victory and as a memorial to their fallen. They built this within weeks of the war ending. In building the memorial they were expressing their thoughts about Hitler . The exact spot of the memorial was where Hitler planned his main government building for the “capitol of the world.” This was the Russians way of expressing their distaste for Hitler’s plans.
-Remnants of the Berlin Wall- Not only was there the wall, but right next to the wall there was the museum called Topographie Des Terrors. Rather than go to Potsdam, I elected to walk back to the museum and learn a lot more about how the Nazi government worked and was organized. The site of the museum is where the SS building once stood. There is so much history and minutiae involved with the museum; I cannot begin to describe it. It basically walks individuals through how the Nazi government was setup. Here is the link to their website:http://www.topographie.de/en/topography-of-terror/nc/1/
-Kaiser-Wilhelm Church- I couldn’t help think of what a waste of a beautiful church. The church was bombed out during an Allied bombing raid in 1943. As a monument to what had been an important civic building before the war, the city decided to leave (what was left) of the foyer of the church standing. The people of Berlin (who have a nickname for everything) affectionately refer to it at the “hollow tooth.”
-What to do on a 95 degree day in Berlin? Rent a bike and go for a ride. I had a blast; it seems this the way many people get around here. I saw so many beautiful buildings and corridors, stopped at a grocery store and purchased a small dinner for myself, bought two antique steins from an antique store, met a woman from New York and had a twenty minute conversation with her when I only intended to ask her to take my photo, and just relaxed. My body is still not quite adjusted to the change in time, so it was nice to get a little relaxation in.
Wakeup service is set for 5:45 tomorrow, then off for one very long drive to Warsaw. Danke for reading.
- Under de Linden- This street was once Berlin’s main street and recreational thoroughfare. Of the 64 buildings that once lined the mile long street before the war, only 13 remain (most of which have been dramatically altered). I never completely understood how devastated Germany was after WWII. The guide made a wonderful point during the tour. He noted how Americans tend to take pride in the contributions that women made during the war at home. German women were responsible for cleaning up a devastated city. After the war, there were few men left in Berlin to help undertake the major efforts that were required to begin reconstructing the city. All of this was also done while the country was still occupied (either by Soviets in the East or the Allies in the West). I included a picture of what appears to be white building surrounded by other buildings. Where the building stands was the site of a huge book burning by Hitler in 1933. Over 20,000 books were destroyed at the site.
-Synagogue- This synagogue wasn’t destroyed during The Night of Broken Glass in 1938. I’m not exactly sure why, but somehow it managed to survive the war. I’m not sure if there are Jews in the area that attend service there. Either way, what a tremendous site and idea. The fact that a synagogue exists and is used in Germany today is a miracle after the Nazis and then the Communists (almost 45 years of oppression and discouraged religious freedom.
-Reichstag- This was the site of German Parliament when Hitler came to power. He staged a fire there in 1933 that ultimately allowed him to claim emergency powers that he used to suspend civil liberties. While there, I caught part of a tour in which the docent indicated that he thought the Russians were more responsible for winning World War II than the United States or Great Britain. He made a very convincing argument. I didn’t have my notepad and he wouldn’t let me record him speak, but he based his argument on the idea that the Russians were responsible for pushing an entire front back (after Germany attached them) and that once provided the weapons that they did most of the dirty work (such as the Battle of Berlin).
He also explained the importance of two monuments located near the Reichstag. The first monument he explained was dedicated to the political opponents of Hitler who were killed after he seized power. It consists of a series of plates with the individual’s death date and political party affiliation. The second monument was built by the Russians to commemorate their victory and as a memorial to their fallen. They built this within weeks of the war ending. In building the memorial they were expressing their thoughts about Hitler . The exact spot of the memorial was where Hitler planned his main government building for the “capitol of the world.” This was the Russians way of expressing their distaste for Hitler’s plans.
-Remnants of the Berlin Wall- Not only was there the wall, but right next to the wall there was the museum called Topographie Des Terrors. Rather than go to Potsdam, I elected to walk back to the museum and learn a lot more about how the Nazi government worked and was organized. The site of the museum is where the SS building once stood. There is so much history and minutiae involved with the museum; I cannot begin to describe it. It basically walks individuals through how the Nazi government was setup. Here is the link to their website:http://www.topographie.de/en/topography-of-terror/nc/1/
-Kaiser-Wilhelm Church- I couldn’t help think of what a waste of a beautiful church. The church was bombed out during an Allied bombing raid in 1943. As a monument to what had been an important civic building before the war, the city decided to leave (what was left) of the foyer of the church standing. The people of Berlin (who have a nickname for everything) affectionately refer to it at the “hollow tooth.”
-What to do on a 95 degree day in Berlin? Rent a bike and go for a ride. I had a blast; it seems this the way many people get around here. I saw so many beautiful buildings and corridors, stopped at a grocery store and purchased a small dinner for myself, bought two antique steins from an antique store, met a woman from New York and had a twenty minute conversation with her when I only intended to ask her to take my photo, and just relaxed. My body is still not quite adjusted to the change in time, so it was nice to get a little relaxation in.
Wakeup service is set for 5:45 tomorrow, then off for one very long drive to Warsaw. Danke for reading.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Berlin
I’ve finally arrived in Berlin. The first observation I made was that traffic is extremely congested. The tour guide explained that they have been undergoing major construction projects. I guess there isn’t a whole lot that separates us (except for the types of electrical plugs we use). It took me about ten minutes of looking at the electrical socket in the airport before I figured out that I would need a converter.
At dinner, I met the nicest couple from Australia. They told me about all of their travels. They are in the process of an eight week tour of Europe. They were fascinated about Nightingale and the American education system. We enjoyed a feast at the hotel. I plan on having breakfast with them tomorrow.
After dinner tonight, I went for a walk around Berlin. Initially, I only planned to walk en route to Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial. I was concerned that it wasn’t part of the tour that I am getting tomorrow. The walk ended up turning into a six hour stroll through many different parts of the city. I’ll have a lot of pictures to share from this stroll. In addition to finally making it to the memorial, I also saw and learned about Checkpoint Charley, the Brandenburg Gate, and the Berlin Wall. Here is what I learned:
The Holocaust Memorial is in a section of Berlin that was practically destroyed during the war and the building of the Berlin Wall. It is on the site of where the Propaganda Minister, Dr. Joseph Goebbels, kept an office during WWII. A memorial to the death of European Jews was first suggested in 1988 by Lea Rash and Eberhard Jackel. It was not approved until 1999. Even though the museum was closed by the time I arrived (and closed on Mondays ugh!), the elegant and simple design of the pillars is reflective of a powerful metaphor. Six million is a number that is thrown around and is hard to conceptualize. I felt as though the 2,700 pillars of varying heights help to demonstrate that tremendous possibilities existed for the individuals who lost their lives. They were individuals, not just a group. Walking among the memorial, you are a single individual among a sea of pillars. The memorial does a good job of making one consider what really separates us from them. I believe the answer is very little other than time and tragic circumstances.
The Berlin Wall was enforced from 1961-1989. Over the years, numerous people died trying to cross from East to West Germany. There are 136 confirmed deaths from shootings, but thousands of other undocumented shootings occurred to curb border violations. Individuals who shot people engaged in a border violation were often given bonuses and became decorated in East Germany. President Reagan gave his famous speech in front of the Brandenburg Gate. I took a picture in front of it.
Checkpoint Charley was an important gateway between the East and the West. My hotel would have been located in East Germany.
Once I am able to explain the concept of a drugstore to someone, I will post today’s pictures. I am glad that everyone knows English for the most part, but certain words that are common parts of “American English” are foreign to individuals who have learned English elsewhere. I forgot the correct cord to upload pictures from my camera and need to buy a new one. All-in-all…not bad for a first day, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s guided tour. You’ll hear from me soon.
At dinner, I met the nicest couple from Australia. They told me about all of their travels. They are in the process of an eight week tour of Europe. They were fascinated about Nightingale and the American education system. We enjoyed a feast at the hotel. I plan on having breakfast with them tomorrow.
After dinner tonight, I went for a walk around Berlin. Initially, I only planned to walk en route to Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial. I was concerned that it wasn’t part of the tour that I am getting tomorrow. The walk ended up turning into a six hour stroll through many different parts of the city. I’ll have a lot of pictures to share from this stroll. In addition to finally making it to the memorial, I also saw and learned about Checkpoint Charley, the Brandenburg Gate, and the Berlin Wall. Here is what I learned:
The Holocaust Memorial is in a section of Berlin that was practically destroyed during the war and the building of the Berlin Wall. It is on the site of where the Propaganda Minister, Dr. Joseph Goebbels, kept an office during WWII. A memorial to the death of European Jews was first suggested in 1988 by Lea Rash and Eberhard Jackel. It was not approved until 1999. Even though the museum was closed by the time I arrived (and closed on Mondays ugh!), the elegant and simple design of the pillars is reflective of a powerful metaphor. Six million is a number that is thrown around and is hard to conceptualize. I felt as though the 2,700 pillars of varying heights help to demonstrate that tremendous possibilities existed for the individuals who lost their lives. They were individuals, not just a group. Walking among the memorial, you are a single individual among a sea of pillars. The memorial does a good job of making one consider what really separates us from them. I believe the answer is very little other than time and tragic circumstances.
The Berlin Wall was enforced from 1961-1989. Over the years, numerous people died trying to cross from East to West Germany. There are 136 confirmed deaths from shootings, but thousands of other undocumented shootings occurred to curb border violations. Individuals who shot people engaged in a border violation were often given bonuses and became decorated in East Germany. President Reagan gave his famous speech in front of the Brandenburg Gate. I took a picture in front of it.
Checkpoint Charley was an important gateway between the East and the West. My hotel would have been located in East Germany.
Once I am able to explain the concept of a drugstore to someone, I will post today’s pictures. I am glad that everyone knows English for the most part, but certain words that are common parts of “American English” are foreign to individuals who have learned English elsewhere. I forgot the correct cord to upload pictures from my camera and need to buy a new one. All-in-all…not bad for a first day, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s guided tour. You’ll hear from me soon.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Today is the big day!
I often teach my students to focus on how they felt at a given moment and use how they felt as a way to put the reader in the moment to start personal narratives. Anxiety, excitement, and fear (that I forgot to do something) are all mixing together in pit of my stomach right now. I'm sure everything will be fine, but it is always hard to just leave (especially for nearly three weeks).
I am looking forward to seeing many sites; the list goes on and on. For now though, I will just be happy to have a smooth flight and not lose my luggage en route to Berlin.
I am looking forward to seeing many sites; the list goes on and on. For now though, I will just be happy to have a smooth flight and not lose my luggage en route to Berlin.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
How do I leave a comment?
It is really simple to leave a comment. Here are the four easy steps:
1. Go to where it says "comment as"
2. Scroll down to where it says "name/url"
3. Type in your first initial and your last name
4. Type your comment in the comment box and post it. I view and read all comments before they are visible, so please don't worry if you don't see your comment right away.
Thank you for taking the time to read and respond.
1. Go to where it says "comment as"
2. Scroll down to where it says "name/url"
3. Type in your first initial and your last name
4. Type your comment in the comment box and post it. I view and read all comments before they are visible, so please don't worry if you don't see your comment right away.
Thank you for taking the time to read and respond.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Thank You
I am tremendously grateful for the Chicago Foundation for Education. This trip would not have been possible without the generous funding that I received from CFE. CFE has several different grant opportunities for teachers; I have learned so much through the work that I have done while participating in CFE study groups and implementing small grant projects. I highly recommend exploring their websites:
http://chicagofoundationforeducation.org/ (the parent organization that funds several different types of grants)
http://www.fundforteachers.org/home.html (the grant that funded my learning exploration)
I would also like to thank colleagues, friends, and students that agreed to follow the blog and share this experience with me. I am lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life.
http://chicagofoundationforeducation.org/ (the parent organization that funds several different types of grants)
http://www.fundforteachers.org/home.html (the grant that funded my learning exploration)
I would also like to thank colleagues, friends, and students that agreed to follow the blog and share this experience with me. I am lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life.
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