The Last Week in Dresden

So, for an update on my last days in Dresden…a long list of what I did and saw:

Climbed to the die Frauenkirche’s dome.

Alte Meister Galerie (Old Master’s Gallery)
Here I saw Raffael’s Sistine Madonna among hundreds of other paintings.  I still haven’t figured out why the most famous paintings are famous.  Why is the Mona Lisa so much more famous than Giuseppe’s work?  Or Wenzel Lorenz Reiner?  Or Johann Georg de Hamilton?  Good thing nobody asked me!

Galerie Neue Meister (New Master’s Gallery in the Albertinum)
LOTS of paintings from the past 200 years.

Skulpturensammlung (Scupture Collection in the Albertinum)
Some very strange modern sculptures, such as a very large pile of 3-ring binders, boards, foam, metal things that looked like smashed up bed springs (you get the idea)…all stacked very squarely in a cube.

Städtische Galerie Dresden – Kunstsammlungen (Municipal Gallery and Art Collection)
Art ranging from the 16^th Century to the present contemporary art.

Rüstkammer (Prince’s Armoury Collection)
Wish I’d have had this as a resource for my History of Christianity Crusade Horse project!!!  Described as “one of the world’s most outstanding collections of parade arms, armour and costumes” from the 16^th-18^th Centuries including various weapons (lots of cool knives and swords), various suits of armor for both knight and steed, and jousting equipment.

Festung Dresden (Fortress Museum)
You’d never know by looking at the Brühl Terrace that it sits upon the remains of the royal residence of Saxony!  Inside, one can see the last remaining city gate and the oldest stone bridge of the city.  There are also some pretty neat stone spiral staircases, guard rooms, battlements, military chambers…

Early Friday morning, I left my little apartment in Dresden and headed for Neuendettelsau.  It took a little over 6 hours by train with 3 changes.  My train into Nürnberg was 15 minutes late, giving me 2 minutes before the next one was to leave.  There I was, once again hauling my 98473475839 pounds of Trödel (junk) up and down the steps trying to get to my next train in time.  I am forever thankful for the lady who stopped to help me up the last set of steps!

Pax.

On to NEUENDETTELSAU!!!

Today was the last day of German language class #2.  Success.  I have much to write, some of it already written, however not to my satisfaction.  I must give my internet back shortly as I head for Neuendettelsau in the morning...so a detailed update will come soon after I arrive and get internet sorted out.  Hopefully early next week.

Pax.

ä, ö, ü, and painful grammar...

Well, it is once again Sunday night and I was planning to write a good update on this very full past week. But, after 7 hours of studying yesterday and another 3 hours tonight, I'm tired and frustrated and it's 11:30...waaaay past bedtime!

However, as offensive as it may be to some, I must share the ridiculous conversation I had with my auntie this afternoon about my attempt at German. I guess it can't be offensive if it is about my attempt at German and not German itself???  No, only to my cous' who doesn't like the "V" word--beware Jessie!

It went something like this:

Auntie:  "I probably can't even MAKE some of the sounds!"

Me:  "It's hard to make serious vomit noises.  Then combine them with the right mouth shape."

Auntie:  "You even have to have the right mouth shape??????"

Me:  "To get the right vomit accent."

That about sums up my current frame of mind, so I'm going to bed.

Pax.

Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz

Königstein Fortress from Königstein

Saturday was our Goethe-Institut Ausflug ("Outfly" or "exkursion") to Königstein Fortress and Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz. Six of us ditched the tour of the fortress (we felt kind of bad for doing so) in order to go explore other parts of Sächsische Schweiz like the sandstone mountains and the Bastei bridge. It was totally worth it! The fortress was neat, but the bridge and mountains were unbelievable.  There are so many pictures I want to share!

As much as I dislike walking, this was good, more like climbing than anything else. Up and up and up... There was a point where I wished for my friend, Becky.  Long story short, she carried me piggy-back style part way up to Harney Peak during our trip to South Dakota.  All because I was complaining about her and my mom making me walk that far.  I went because they told me there was a gift shop at the top of the mountain.  All we found were BLACK clouds followed closely by a hail storm.  There we were in our shorts and sandals and nothing but cameras on top this crazy mountain.  Pure tourist.  Anyway, there wasn't a gift shop at the top of this climb either, but there was a bar.  Almost as good.  We didn't stop long.  We were running out of daylight which meant we were also running out of heat.  The view was breathtaking, both out of beauty and height.  I'm usually the one seeing how far over the edge I can hang.  I didn't do that here...completely.

Little orange "spot"?  That's a rock climber.

Then there is the bridge...the Bastei.  This is what initially motivated me to plan additions to the Goethe-Institut's tour of the Königstein Fortress.  After a couple hours of hiking and climbing, we reached the bridge.  Only, I didn't know it was the bridge.  It's hard to see when you're standing on it.  We got our tea and candy at the bar (to the music of a Baptist group out "evangelizing" tourists--I can't imagine climbing all that way carrying instruments!) and then I made the group backtrack across the bridge to the gate to the "real" view.  Go figure.  It's free to walk across the bridge but there's a fee for seeing it?  €1.50 later I was on metal bridges looking very far down between the grates under my feet.  The only thing that would have made them better is if they were swinging bridges.  ("What is your name?  What is your favorite color?...")  Anyway, it was all worth it.  The loop back to the main trail from "The View" also took us through the ruins of a rock castle.  I can't imagine living that high up with cliffs every few feet!

Bastei Bridge among the sandstone mountains.

This was a needed trip and was very refreshing.  In Dresden, I am beginning to go a little stir-crazy like I tend to do in cities.  What a perfect day to be out exploring the beauty of Saxony.  Class continues to be enjoyable and some days are easier than others.  So soon this course will end and I will move on to Neuendettelsau...about the time I get things figured out in Dresden!  By the way, I managed to buy the right milk after class today.  I'm sure my friends were wondering about my sanity as I had a refrigerator full of cheese and a carton of lactose-free milk.  Oh, and my latest plan...I'm picking up glass bottles along the side of the road as I walk.  I'm learning which ones I can turn in for money.  Thanks to Richard, I'm up to €1.36!

Pax

People watching...

What amazing things one has the opportunity to see when one takes the time to just sit and watch.

 Pax.

Tag der Deutschen Einheit und Die Frauenkirche

Looking across the Elbe toward Dresden's Altstadt.
Bottom left corner is the Aussie boy that bought me a beer.
We sat on the hill and watched the sun set.

I apologize for missing a week! I was planning on catching up only a few days late and the last half of the week and most of the weekend Internet has been fickle. Much has happened in the last week and tomorrow, week 2 of class begins. This course is much more difficult than the previous course. I am thankful for the weekend but also look forward to joining all the other students as we learn with and from each other. My new friend, Lynette has kept me busy with everything from exploring the city to watching YouTube videos of "Winnie Puuh" auf Deutsch. 

Typical "East German" architecture in Dresden's Altstadt.

3 Oktober, 2011 marked the 21st anniversary of German unity, Tag der Deutschen Einheit. This day is the celebration of West and East Germany uniting, following a series of events that began early in 1989 with openings in the Iron Curtain into Hungary. The fall of 1989 saw the non-violent demonstrations of the Friedliche Revolution (Friendly Revolution), the fall of the Berlin Wall in November, and in March of 1990, the GDR's free elections. The Unification Treaty and the Treaty on the Final Settlement With Respect to Germany led to the official unity of Germany on 3 Oktober, 1990. Here in Dresden there was much celebrating, loud music, tents with crafts and of course, food.

die Frauenkirche

http://www.frauenkirche-dresden.de/startseite+M5d637b1e38d.html

Check out the "History", "Reconstruction", and especially the

"Peace and Reconciliation" links!

This past week was the first week of class in Dresden. I have been here a week and a half now and what a difference there is between Bremen and Dresden. Unintentionally, I chose two cities, one in the former "West" and one in the former "East". Much less English is spoken here in Dresden, the city is not as "kept up" as Bremen is, and whether intentional or not (I make no judgement) a mild sense of hostility from the locals. Yet, the reason I chose Dresden has already been worth everything: die Frauenkirche.  From the first time I saw this church in 2009, I was drawn to it, and still now, I feel deeply connected to it as it speaks to me about myself and my relationship to God and to the world.

Die Frauenkirche was destroyed in the bombing of Dresden in February, 1945.  It was left a pile of rubble, as a memorial, until 1985 when the process of restoring the church began.  It was not until 2005 that it opened.  You can see in the picture a few black bricks.  Those are the original bricks usable after the bombing.  Inside die Frauenkirche, the old spire cross is now displayed in its blackened and bent form...as it was left when the building collapsed.  What draws me to die Frauenkirche is the restoration of the old--with many of the same materials--into a new creation; new beauty while still bearing the scars of its painful past.

http://www.frauenkirche-dresden.de/turmkreuz+M5d637b1e38d.html
Link to pictures of the old and new spire crosses and their stories.

Pax.

On to Dresden!

My class in Bremen, missing Jawaad, Monica, Yumiko
and Marcus (taking the picture)

My last week in Bremen was beautiful--sunny and warm.  Wednesday was our last day of class and of course we had to party with yummy food...mostly chocolate!  It was sad to say good-bye to my classmates and to Teagan.  Such a short time and so many new friends.  Yesterday I began my new life in Dresden.  By the time I get done with all this traveling, I'm going to have carrying all my belongings in my own two arms down quite well!

I am already missing Teagan who was such a big help in the transition to German culture and life...and buying food!  Last night I managed to get tomato paste to go on my tortellini.  It works, just a little strange.  At least it is tomato!

My apartment in Dresden is quite lovely.  It is bright with big windows that open, on the second floor.  The bathroom is almost as big as the main room, and the kitchen is smaller than the ones in Blair House (I didn't think there was such a thing!).  I have a refrigerator, an electric water boiler thingy, a sink, and a 2-burner stove.  There is something that might be a coffee maker of some sort, but I have no idea how it might work so I'll be drinking instant coffee.  There is even a TV with one channel!

Tomorrow morning I plan to scout out the Dresden flea market, which I believe is along the Elbe River.  Other than that, I am committing the weekend to studying both German and for my independent courses through Wartburg.  I am pondering buying a used bike and the possibility of selling it back at the end of the month.  Perhaps one is better off renting one for a month? 

It won't be long before I find my way to the Altstadt (the old, restored part of Dresden).  I look forward to visiting the Frauenkirche again, a beautiful church restored after the bombings of WWII.  I am also anxious to see what else there is to find in the Altstadt!
For now, I have just eaten half the jar of peanut butter with a spoon, and being 8:30, I think my achy bones can crawl into bed.  More to come soon!



Pax.

Neuengamme and Buchenwald

Thought I'd post a few more pictures showing the very different experiences of Buchenwald in 2007/2009 and Neuengamme yesterday.

Buchenwald 2007

Buchenwald 2009

Buchenwald 2009

Buchenwald 2007

Buchenwald 2007

Neuengamme 2011

Neuengamme 2011

Neuengamme 2011
Die Verzweiflung von Meensel-Kiezegem
(The Desperation of Meensel-Kiezegem)
A memorial to the villagers of Meensel-Kiezegem murdered in Nazi roundups
and in honor of the victims' mothers and widows.

Pax.

Neuengamme Concentration Camp

These last few days have been perfect out. Warm, sunny, and just a bit of a breeze. After class yesterday, I drug Teagan to Verden, the "Rider's City" where the Deutsches Pferdemuseum is. There are horses everywhere. Well, I never saw a live horse, but bike racks have horse designs, statues, and the sidewalk has horse shoes with names--I'm guessing sort of like "bricks" you can buy and have your name put on in support of something.  What was super exciting about these horse shoes was that I was determined to find a name I know..and I did!

Teagan in front of the Pferdesmuseum.

The Pferdemuseum itself was neat.  Unfortunately, no pictures allowed.  I didn't know horses were used in WWII.  The museum had the goggles and gas masks worn by horses for protection. Wild. Lots of bones and skeletons, stuff on floating teeth, types of saddles (side saddle, AP saddle, some very strange saddles!) some horrific bits from forever ago that made me cringe as well as a series of bits showing the process of production of the popular Aurigan (similar to KK) bits. There was a preserved fetus and of course preserved guts of sorts. Lots of fun.

Und die toten Anderer Volker und Nationen.

Today was a bit more challenging.  It was unfitting to put this gorgeous of a day and Neuengamme Concentration camp together.  My hope was to get to Bergen-Belsen today, but apparently transportation is more difficult to that site on Saturdays.  I'm going to do my best to get there...somehow!  Anyway, I headed to Hamburg with the rest of the group and from there split for Neuengamme, another train and a bus ride farther.  With a little work, I managed to get off the bus at the right place, but the "camp" looked like a park so I kept wandering the streets looking for something that looked similar to Buchenwald...that's what I have to compare to.  I saw lots of neat things in my wandering, including some impressive stables and nice-looking horses out in fields along neat winding roads with flowers.

 

When I finally figured out that the first place I had been was indeed the edge of the camp (it was recognizable a bit farther in!), I went back and spent the next 3 hours there, hardly meeting another person.  It was empty, yet bright and full of life.  Other than the path, all was grass with gorgeous trees and bushes and flowers.  I will never fully comprehend what happenend in these camps, but the "sunny" atmosphere of the place and the day pushed me farther from reality.  As I waited for the bus at the end of the day, I wrote, "So many died here.  The paradox of life and death.  It was a struggle for me to realize all that this ground here has seen, its history, its story.  It is so beautiful I can hardly think of it as a concentration camp."

Perhaps there is truth here, that somehow, some way, beauty can return without forgetting the horrors of the past.  We still see the "scars"--building remains, graves, memorials, art.  The pain and suffering are not buried but remembered and respected as they give depth and meaning to the beauty that now is.  The beauty of life in the shadow of the cross.

Pax.

Bremen Weeks 2 and 3

Yesterday was a spectacular day.  The sun was finally out and I was comfortable with my light jacket as I walked the trails of Bremen's Bürgerpark after class.  I found there gorgeous bridges over water, dirt paths, grass and open spaces, trees and heavily wooded areas, even a little zoo that has the feel of a farm.  The animals had shelters with thatched rooves and grass and space to move around...maybe the best life a zoo animal can have!  Cows, sheep, goats, pigs, llamas, chickens, ducks, geese...and MINI DONKEYS!  Oh, this made me happy inside!

Today in my chronic coldness, I got another layer of clothes.  In the process, I lost my discipline and bought another hat.  I've been wearing it since I got home this afternoon.  Something about having a hat on my head...a hat of any sort, Aussie, Tilly, baseball cap, ski hat with ears, my fur hunting hat, my helmet...fills a space inside me that's empty without my hat. 

It's amazing how things, though very similar to things in the US, are so novel and exciting...like the yarn shop today. I've been in it before, but Europen yarn is different! Can't help it!  So I came home with 6 skeins of on-sale yarn and spent the afternoon crocheting.  Might turn into a scarf if I can quit ripping it apart every time it starts to look funny.  Then there's the grocery stores.  Everything is in different packaging and called something I don't understand.  It's new and exciting, even though it's really not...sort of.  Call me crazy.  It's okay, I'm not in denial...I have romantic ideas of a new land--and perhaps hats, too.  Perhaps this is a way of life we all could stand to live under a bit more, being able to walk the same streets day after day and see everything as new each time.  What would life be like?  What would relationships be like?

That reminds me of the beginning of "Creation and Fall", my current Bonhoeffer read.  He writes, "That God's work is good in no way means that the world is the best of all conceivable worlds."  He goes on a page later, "God wills to look upon [God's] work, to love it, to call it good, and preserve it." (Bonhoeffer, 25-26)  It seems to me that there is a strong connection between "preserving" and "being in awe of" the world around us. What we take for granted...the life that God preserves in us, in those around us, in creation.

What if we all had respect?  I find it fascinating, going back to a previous post about Germany not protecting me from myself, that people are so much more respectful here.  In my experience in the USA, as soon as there is a fence or a sign to keep people out, that's the invitation to cross it.  Check this out...no barrier but this little sign that says, "Please don't go here" (loose translation) and there are no signs of anyone being out there.  No paths.  No trash.  Why do so many Americans feel the right to cross boundaries such as this?

Pax.