The hills were most certainly alive today.

May 19, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

 

The hills were alive today in Salzburg. I honestly think that my dad was more excited about this excursion than I was considering how much he loves the Sound of Music. Before this trip I never really had much desire to go to Salzburg. As Austria goes I’ve always been more interested in Vienna as a travel destination. This little side trip definitely sparked my interest in the city, as it was phenomenally gorgeous and full of history.

What I was excited about before leaving was that we would be in the Alps. I am a self-admitted mountain girl, outdoorsy as they come. The Alps have been on my bucket list for quite some time. Even though I didn’t get to do all that I would have liked to in them like hiking and skiing and such, it was nice just to be in the fresh mountain air for a while and surrounded by their beauty.

First, we were led on a walking tour through the city. We visited the garden are where one of the scenes of the Sound of Music was filmed. It was neat to see in person because I grew up watching that movie frequently. It was also absolutely beautiful, lush and intricately designed. In an interesting turn of events, horrible for the photographers in the group, there was a man fishing around in one of the fountains for coins people had thrown in. That is something I always find noteworthy to remember when traveling. We tend to always think the grass is greener on the other side but even in these idealized tourist destinations there is poverty and hunger. To me, that is always sobering and eye opening.

We then continued our tour through the old section of the city. Although it was rainy and cold outside, it was still pretty cool to walk through such an old and historic city with such an interesting perspective on events like World War I and II. It was very similar to Germany in some aspects, the language obviously and some of the food. The one thing I noticed to be the most different was that the people have more of a laid-back mountain attitude than Germans do in Berlin and Munich. They seem to be much more go-with-the-flow and easy going, which was somewhat of a relief from the more hard-nosed, serious Germans.

We finished our trip to Austria off with a meal that was equally relieving: chicken. I haven’t seen chicken for as long as we have been in Europe and I have never been more excited to have a piece of poultry set on my plate before. I don’t eat a lot of meat typically so Germany has been a shock to my system. Even when I do eat meat it is only ever fish and poultry, never red meat, which the Germans are very fond of. This meal was a welcome change to my hearty diet as of the last few weeks.

Austria was good to us and I can definitely see the draw to this beautiful mountainous country. It certainly has a lot to offer to any traveller.

Filed Under: Blogs, Michelle Graessle ·

Day 9 – Salzburg Day Trip

May 19, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

bridge

Salzburg, Austria was on the agenda for today and I had no idea what to expect because I haven’t even seen The Sound of Music, which is apparently sacrilegious. We started off our walking tour at Mirabell Palace and gardens, where everything was gorgeous except for one half naked gypsy man wading through the fountain for spare change.

We then crossed the river on a bridge with a chain-link fence covered in the infamous “love locks,” just like we have at Schenley Park in Pittsburgh, but in a much higher volume.

We ate dinner at Restaurant zum Eulenspiegel and had some of the best apple strudel that has ever graced my taste buds with its presence.

Filed Under: Blogs, Richelle Szypulski ·

Day 8 – CM

May 19, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

5-19-13

 

After an emotionally exhausting day yesterday we took a relaxing trip to Salzburg, Austria, home of Mozart and setting of The Sound Of Music.  The city is beautiful, and so are the Alps.  They reminded me of the Rockies in Colorado, the terrain is flat with rolling hills and then the mountains shoot straight up.

 

We took a walking tour of Salzburg including scenes from The Sound of Music and the home of Mozart.  The tour didn’t take long because the town is not very big.  Afterwards, the group broke off and a few of us went to a brewery that was founded by monks almost 400 years ago.  The visit was well worth the hike to find it.

 

Filed Under: Blogs, Connor Mulvaney ·

5.18.13

May 18, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

5.18.13

 

On this day we took a trip to a place of sadness, death and hope. We visited Dachau, a concentration camp outside of Munich. We stood at the site of which we have learned about for many years going through school. We walked through reconstructed bunkhouses that resembled those that prisoners lived in during the time the camp was opened. This reconstruction showed us how the numbers increased during these years and how the bunkhouses became more and more crammed.

 

It’s awful to think of all those people living in such a way but it is even more awful to think of the people who died in such circumstances. This trip to Dachau was quite emotional for all of us to experience the stark realness that all of this happened not that long ago.

 

While at Dachau two things struck me the most. The first was when we walked to the crematorium. Our tour guide explained the process of disinfection showers, the gas chambers and the incinerators as we walked through the rooms designated for these cruelties. We walked the same pattern as those suffering such a horrible tragedy. It was very solemn and eerie as we traced their footsteps.

 

The second thing that struck me the most, was something that I almost missed. As I was walking out of the museum. I looked around for fellow group members and noticed a large leather bound book on a stand. This book listed all the prisoners of Dachau through out it’s years as a camp.

 

It is hard to see all of those names recorded for all of time. At least by reading these names the memory of these people will live on forever. They will be remembered for their bravery and for living through the awful treatment done to them by other humans.

 

As we parted from Dachau the sun was shining and the sky was blue. The perfect weather for a happy mood and a smile on all of our faces. It was difficult to enjoy the day while the memories of all of the prisoners were so recently impressed upon us. The further we got from Dachau our moods lightened and chatter began to stir about the evening ahead. We discussed plans for shopping, dinner and going out to explore the Munich.

After gobbling down a quick bite to eat we headed for shopping at the major tourist region on Munich, Marion Platz. The shopping trip was a huge success for most of us! Though I regret spending so much money it was an opportunity to get products not sold in the United States. I have to remark about the purse I treated myself to. It’s a large black leather purse decorated with zippers. To make the purse even more interesting and practical it has two straps that can be worn at the same time. One on the shoulder of the same side that the purse is on and one that goes across the chest to the opposite shoulder. This allows for the weight to be evenly distributed.

 

This long day will be the first of three traveling days to excursions throughout Austria and Bavaria. As I get ready for sleep I am preparing my new purse for the travels ahead.

 

Guten Nacht!

Filed Under: Blogs, Johnie Freiwald ·

Dachau Visit

May 18, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

Today we went to Dachau, the concentration camp outside of Munich. I have already visited the camp before. This was my second time, but it was still just as powerful as the first time I went there. The first time I visited Dachau, we were behind schedule on our itinerary, so we had to cut the trip short, which means I didn’t get to see the whole camp. I’m glad that this time I got to see all of it.

It’s so weird to think that we were walking in a place where such a horrible event occurred. It’s unfathomable even. We were able to see reconstructions of the barracks and it was just awful how prisoners were piled into wooden bunks that were meant for a much smaller capacity. That part always gets me, imagining 100s of people jam packed into on room.

We were also able to see the memorials for the Jews, Catholics and Protestants. Following that, we went to see the gas chamber and the ovens that bodies were burned in. Last time I was at Dachau I did not get the chance to see these parts. Imagining the herding of people into the gas chambers and then pushing the dead ones into the ovens really got to me emotionally.

Lastly, we went into the museum and saw film on Dachau. The museum always has an emotional affect on me. The part which affects me the most is seeing how gaunt and skeleton-like the prisoners all were in the camps. The film gets me very emotional too. Again, it’s seeing the prisoners in such a horrible unhealthy state.

Filed Under: Andrea Karsesnick, Blogs ·

On to Munich

May 18, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

We arrived safe and on time in Munich Friday, a blessed change from our journey overseas from Pittsburgh. We met our new tour guide, Arnoud Beck, who is originally from Amsterdam, and made our way into the city.

Arnoud gave us a nice introduction to the city once we dumped our luggage at our new hotel. He was kind enough to bring a wheelchair for Carson. Lots of walking here, and he stunned us with the most amazing feat: He held on to that wheelchair as we rode the escalator up to the Marienpletz. (We found out on the way back there is indeed an elevator to transport her down the underground mall that led to the square. Thank goodness! I could see her rolling back down the escalator and the two of us back in a hospital ER again.)

I don’t know what I expected to find in Munich. I knew it would be different from Berlin, but I didn’t expect it to be the tourist attraction that it is … so many people here! We’re also arriving on a holiday weekend, but really! Just throngs of people walking through this center of town, looking around, shopping in stores, eating in cafes and restaurants, and just having a great time.

Lots of churches, beautiful architecture and buildings to see. Much of Munich, like Berlin, had to be rebuilt after the war. More construction is going on here, but not nearly as much as in Berlin.

We ended with a traditional German dinner — sausages and sauerkraut, pork and pretzels. Most of us came right back to the hotel to sleep. I did fall asleep quickly once I got settled into my tiny, tiny room (I call it the cheese wedge, as that is how it is shaped).  Unfortunately, I am above a street lined with a number of hostels. Lots of noise last night. That and an upset stomach meant I tossed and turned for quite a while.

Today we traveled to Dachau, the concentration camp I had listed as a must-see on this trip from the start. Arnoud led us around the buildings with good authority. Seeing first hand the barracks, the memorials, the crematorium and more brought back so many memories of world and American history classes.  He told us we would get emotional, but I already knew I would.  The museum exhibition, the film, the re-created rooms and the stories just were heartbreaking. How could people do this to fellow human beings? Why could this happen? Fear and a quest for absolute power is the answer, along with economic conditions that provided the excellent backdrop for such butchery. I won’t get those photographs out of mind for a long time, and I bought two books to learn more.

I had looked up Dachau’s website and knew there was an photography  exhibition of Dachau survivors who returned to visit. The nun who took those portraits, Sister Elija Bossler, lives in the convent right behind it. The exhibit of 30 portraits of the 100 she took was striking in it simplicity and display of her talent. I bought the catalog and will read it carefully. She knew recording these survivors would maintain the camp’s history.  She didn’t treat them as victims but brave survivors who came to confront their past.

Looking at the site, its museum and information center, visitors can see the care that has been taken to maintain this camp, striving to keep it as a reminder of the evil that inhabited this planet. We have so many genocides and wars tearing apart countries, killing innocent people, and ruining lives right now. Why does this occur and how can they be stopped? Difficult questions with no easy or simple answers.

Jan Getz and I spent the shopping leisurely and enjoying Marienplatz on our own. We ended the excursion by attending a special Mass and candlelight service at St. Peter’s Church, a lucky find as we searched for some small gifts. Jan said it best: It was almost necessary to find some solace and comfort in a church ritual after our morning visit to Dachau. Just beautiful singing and music in a beautifully rebuilt church that had been bombed in World War II proved to be that perfect complement.  We couldn’t understand much but relished this small look into German culture and religion. And exchanging hugs and handshakes at the sign of peace took on a special meaning for us today.

Filed Under: Blogs, Helen Fallon ·

Day Six

May 18, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

We awoke bright and early at 4am to prepare for our flight to Munich.  We had a quick breakfast and were soon on our way to the airport.  We boarded the plane and off we went.

Thankfully, we landed safely and all of our luggage was accounted for.  We hurriedly met with our new tour guide and hopped on a bus.  He pointed out some of the things that Munich has to offer on our way to the hotel.  After storing our luggage in our rooms, we went on a brief walking tour of the city.  We went to Marienplatz, visited a church and ate lunch at a German restaurant.  We finished our small adventure and went off to our first Munich media visit.

We visited the Munich Tourism Office and spoke with the Public Relations Representative Isabella Schopp.  Isabella told us about the different festivals and projects that the tourism office organizes.  She also told us many facts about the city of Munich.  She was such a sweet woman and seemed as if she really loved Munich and everything it had to offer.  After her presentation, I had the opportunity to speak to her on a more personal level.  I find it amazing that she is only 23 years old, she seemed so mature and well represented for her age.

We ended the night with dinner at Cafe am Marienplatz.  Here we tried various sausages and meats, which are a really big thing in Germany.  After a long, eventful day, we headed to the hotel and went to sleep.

Filed Under: Sara Tallerico ·

Day Five

May 18, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

Sadly, today was our last day in Berlin.  We began the day with our media visit to Axel Springer.  Axel Springer is one of the most aggressive journalism schools in Germany.  We had the opportunity to speak with Rudolf Porsch.  He gave us an in depth explanation on the academy and the responsibilities of the students.

After he gave us a brief history lesson, a few of the students came in to talk to us.  They were really down to earth and had a lot to say.  They explained their current project to us and told us a little bit about themselves.  What struck me the most was the age difference between the students.  One student was 18 while another was 31.  They were vastly different in age but they all seemed like they meshed really well together.

Following lunch with the students, we met with Leeor Englaender.  Mr. Englaender is the assistant to the editor in chief for Die Welt.  Die Welt is one of the most prominent newspapers in Germany.  Mr. Englaender explored the history of Die Welt and how far they have come.  They are an extremely innovative team and are constantly thinking about the future.  What surprised me the most was that Die Welt is on the top ten most paid for applications for an iPad.  Germans really seem to trust Die Welt, which is very important in the success of their company.  Overall, this media visit was by far my favorite.

We had a farewell dinner at a very nice place in Berlin.  It is the oldest standing restaurant that the city has to offer.  We bid our goodbyes to our beloved tour guide and headed home for a long night of packing and sleeping.

Filed Under: Sara Tallerico ·

Day Three

May 18, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

We had some free time this morning to explore Berlin.  We decided to venture to the East Side Gallery.  It was on my bucket list to see the Berlin Wall, so I was really looking forward to it.

It was really surreal to stand at the wall and think of what it once represented.  To us, it looks like a simple concrete wall with mural paintings.  However, to Germany it represents a division.  That wall kept people away from their loved ones.  It kept them away from living a free life.  It was a really emotional thing to see.

The East Side Gallery is a portion of the wall that various artists decorated with murals.  They helped morph something that was once a hideous, horrible thing, into a beautiful masterpiece.  The murals were amazing.  There was a wide range of different kinds of paintings.  Some were thought provoking, some were tear-jerking and others were colorful and gave words of hope.  I wish we would have more time to explore the entire length of the East Side Gallery, but what we were able to see was really breath taking.

Afterwards, we visited Deutsche Welle.  Deutsche Welle is a public broadcasting station whose mission is to give German visions of life to the rest of the world.  What was astonishing to me was that they broadcasted in four different languages: German, English, Spanish and Arabic.  This company was extremely impressive and have accomplished a great deal of achievements.

We ate dinner at a small Italian place close to our hotel.  After a delicious meal we snuggled up in our beds and went to sleep.

 
Filed Under: Sara Tallerico ·

DAY 6 – Munich adventures

May 18, 2013 by · Leave a Comment
street

A beautiful cobbled street in Munich.

DAY 6 – Munich adventures

Munich is just what I imagined. When I think of Europe, I think of what Munich looks like – there are beautiful old churches and monuments and there is a diverse collection of people crowding the cobble stone streets lined with souvenir and chic shops. But I’m planning on exploring those later. Today we focused on eating some authentic German food!

We started out our day with a very early flight to Munich from Berlin. Despite some strict baggage issues, the flight wasn’t so bad. I ended up sitting next to a young guy from Chicago. He said he is in Munich for two weeks with some friends and they are celebrating his 30th birthday by visiting 16 bars.

Speaking of bars – after listening to the Munich public relations representative talk, I was surprised as to how many tourists, especially journalist, come here just for the beer. There are millions more tourists than locals here, so then it made sense that all the restaurants have English menus and the waiters speak it as well.

She also said that her organization doesn’t work with social media because Munich hasn’t gotten there yet – or something to that effect. This relates to what I wrote about in my research paper; many Germans are still not familiar with all the Internet has to offer. It seems like Germans from Munich are technologically behind those in Berlin. It will be interesting to see if the media organizations are like that in any way.

I wasn’t a fan of what I ordered at the first German restaurant we went to. There is just something about it – must be the extra salt. I feel bad saying this, but I could really go for a nice angus burger with Heinz ketchup. I think I have eaten sausage every day on this trip so far! But I am glad I tried everything!

The tour we had today was wonderful, but I feel like it is just a prequel to the castle we are visiting later along with other parts of Munich. Our new tour guide seems very down to earth and has a “no fluff” attitude. He will tell us how it really is, which means we can get the most out of the experience.

It was interesting to know that the glockenspiel is still standing in Munich after World War II only because soldiers used it as a landmark to bomb other entities in the city. It makes me wonder what the city would be like today if 90 percent of it were still in existence.

I was happy we stopped in front of the glockenspiel for a few minutes to wait for some of the group. There is so much to take in as the building is incredibly intricate and large. I asked Aimee if the monarchs of the past stood up there to look down at their people and if the figures at the top were something symbolic of that. Of course the answer was no, and she said something else interesting – these structures are so elaborate because the monarchs wanted to intimidate people and create a sense of power and also to attract them to the churches and religion. Yes, these structures are incredible, but then again, how many people under horrible conditions were forced to build them stone by stone!

Despite the weather, today was a great introduction to the city of Munich. There is so much to handle at once! Sometimes I wish my eyes could take pictures!

Filed Under: Blogs, Marina Weis · Tagged: ,
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