Exploring Eastern Europe: Today is the big day!

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.

4 comments:

Nicole ZumpanoJune 27, 2010 at 8:51 PM
Oftentimes we aren't aware that events or moments are significant as they are occuring. That's why this blog will be such a great journal of a once in a lifetime trip!
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Erin McDonaldJune 28, 2010 at 8:47 AM
Good luck on your exciting journey! What an awesome opportunity. I look forward to reading about your experience.
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Mr. BarrJune 28, 2010 at 4:45 PM
Nicole... knowing that I will be writing about my experience has made me more aware than I think I might have been otherwise. I'm so glad that I decided to blog about my experiences.
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Vanessa HoffJuly 1, 2010 at 7:11 PM
Sounds like you are having an amazing time. Post more photos if possible. Enjoy! Vanessa Hoff
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My Travel Agenda

June 27- I have an overnight flight to Berlin.

June 28- Berlin- Today will mostly involve time to rest and explore the city.

June 29- Berlin- I will get a guided tour of the Ku' damm, the restored Reichstag, the Brandenburg Gate, Charlottenburg Palace, Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, and Checkpoint Charlie. If time and weather permits, I will go to Potsdam in the afternoon.

June 30- Berlin-Poznan, Poland-Warsaw- Most of the day will be spent on a bus to Warsaw. There will be a break in Poznan, which is a historic river port. The drive is supposed to be very scenic.

July 1- Warsaw- Morning tours of the Old Quarter, the Cathedral of St. John, Lazienki Palace, the remnants of the Jewish ghetto. I will also attend a local museum that will show a film about what the city was like before and after the war.

July 2- Warsaw-Czestochowa-Auschwitz-Krakow- En route to Auschwitz, I will stop at a monastery in Czestochowa to view its Black Madonna (the country's national symbol). The afternoon will be spent in Auschwitz. From Auschwitz, I will travel in the evening to Krakow.

July 3- Krakow- I will receive a tour of Krakow. A few highlights of the tour include Market Square, 14th-century Jagiellonian University, St. Mary's Church, and the Wawel Royal Castle. The afternoon is free time to explore. Hitler loved Krakow. As a result, much of the old city still remains. I look forward to exploring.

July 4- Krakow-Slovakia-Budapest, Hungary- Most of the day will be spent driving through Slovakia. Slovakia is still densely wooded and brown bears roam free.

July 5- Budapest- I will receive a guided tour of the world's second largest synagogue. I will also see the Thermal Baths and Fishermen's Bastion (which provides a view of the entire city).

July 6- Budapest- Vienna, Austria- I will receive a tour of the Jewish Quarter, Hofburg Palace, and St. Stephen's Cathedral.

July 7- Vienna- Today is a day to rest and explore the city. I have nothing concrete planned, but I may see the capital of Slovakia if tour guides recommend it.

July 8- Vienna- Brno, Czech Republic-Prague- There will be a break at Brno to view Napoleon's headquarters during the "Battle of the Three Emperors." More time will be spent driving to Prague; I will explore Prague walking at night.

July 9- Prague- I will have a tour of the Jewish ghetto, the Old Town, St. Vitus Cathedral, Hradcany Castle Grounds and the Astronomical Clock in the morning. I will explore walking in the afternoon.

July 10- Prague-Dresden, Germany-Berlin- I will get a tour of the city; it was badly damaged by the Allies during bombing raids. I will also see Zwinger Palace. From Dresden, I will return to Berlin.

July 11- Berlin-Munich, Germany- I will board a flight and arrive in Munich.

July 12- Munich- I will do a self-guided tour of the city.

July 13- Munich- I will go to Dachau Concentration Camp for a tour and do more exploring in the afternoon. This was the first camp built by the Nazis.

July 14- I will fly out of Munich to return home.