The Grande Finale

Hamburg was a really big concrete jungle that made me realize I appreciate nature over man-made 'beauty.' I did a harbour tour in a little boat. I saw some of the huge cargo ships, we even cruised under the bow where Leonardo would have been saying "I'm the King of the world." The captain kindly directed me to a really old restaurant for a seafood dinner. The only table free was for 8 people. I sat down, ordered my beer and fillets and was joined by a group of really big, German men who proceeded to take over my table and not even look in my direction. Nice. After the great fish, I joined a double-decker bus tour and saw the major sites from the top level. At the train station, I passed about 20 police with riot gear and some fierce-looking puppies: I think there was a football game or something. Surely, the wouldn't be there for me, right?

I took the train to Luebeck with much anxiety since I couldn't successfully book a dorm for the night. The second place had an empty room so I rested easy. I had a nice look around town as I walked from one end to the other carrying my ridiculously heavy backpack. The Hostentor (gate) has two slightly-leaning towers that guard the entrance. They are impressive! After a good night's sleep and hearty breakfast, I headed out to catch a boat tour. It was good, but since it was all in German, I mostly smiled and nodded. The ticket guy came by occasionally and pointed things out to me in English, which was really nice of him. I saw the city from the top of a church, viewed the several-hundred-year old town office and had cake in a famous cafe. I saw the shattered bells in another church. They fell during a WWII bombing raid and were left where they fell. I think it was one of the most powerful war memorials I saw (besides the camps, of coarse).

I had to move hostels then race to catch the train to Travelmuende, which is a beach-resorty place on the sea. I saw Germany's oldest lighthouse and accidentally wandered past the nude beach (FKK). I was looking for shells along the shore, glanced up and saw things nobody should ever see. The town was nice, but I found it a little difficult to enjoy: my anxiety for the coming days was building. The last time I saw the ocean was in Zanzibar and everything seemed okay. This time, it was a bad dream that I can't wake up from.

I had supper back in Luebeck at a cafe beside the river and the gates. It was a nice setting to finish off with. The people watching was fantastic as there was an outdoor concern just down the street. Mullets are very popular in Northern Germany.

I took an early train to Schwerin, dropped my bags and had breakfast in a cute, little half-timber house. The waitress spoke no English, so I had to really break out my German. It was challenging and fun. I think we both enjoyed it.

The palace at Schwerin was the nicest one I visited. The audio tour was excellent and the rooms were gorgeous. I can't believe people actually lived (and continue to do so) like this.

I discovered my favourite piece of art so far: Venus teaching Cupid to shoot his bow. Cupid followed me around the room with his eyes and bow. I wasn't scared, he's already got me once.

The grounds were all recently re-done. There were many statues, but I couldn't locate David holding Goliath's head. This lead to some interesting conversations as I asked people where David was. I had some fun with this one, but it turned out, David was being fixed and wasn't to be seen.

At 12:30, I was smelling roses in the garden instead of meeting Micha at the top of the Dom. I contemplated not going, but decided I was a better person than that. On the way up, I stopped to admire the bells, when they went off and scared the bejebes out of me. The view of the city was excellent, seeing him again was difficult.

We took the autobahm to Berlin. It was less scary this time, I can't decide if it was because he drove faster or if the traffic jams prevented the real speed-demons from gaining momentum.

I packed my stuff and everything just barely fit. We went into the city for all-you-can-eat-sushi. It was really good sushi. After some souvenir shopping (I had a tiny bit more room), we checked out Checkpoint Charlie, the Holocaust Memorial, and the Brandenburg Tor. Goodbye Berlin!

The flights home were good. I left Berlin at 7:20 and arrived in London at 9:45. I wrote in my journal, shopped and evacuated when the fire alarm went off. Just before I boarded the plane at 2:30, they announced me name and summoned me to the desk. I thought someone had died, but they just wanted me to change seats.

All my banana leaf items and honey made it through customs. Jess came to pick me and I got to see her boyfriend and new apartment for the first time.

I imagined running to the North Saskatchewan River, rolling in the muddy bank, and shouting "I'm home!" ala Kevin Costner in Robin Hood. Since I hadn't really slept for 2 days, I resisted the temptation.

To recap, Michael #1 style, Top Five Events from Africa:
5. Mchomo (meat on a stick)
4. Bwindi: hiking, cooking with Immaculate, dancing Calipso
3. The Great Migration in the Serengeti
2. Zanzibar
1. Examining an anesthetized lion

Top Five Things I did in Europe:
5. Salzburg with Sabrina and Theresa
4. The Gutenberg Museum in Mainz
3. Castles, Palaces, Fortress, and other ridiculously big homes.
2. Dresden
1. Vising the Siefert's in Michaelstat.

Top Five Low Points: we don't need to go there.

Now that I'm home, I can't believe I did all these things. Life will never be the same again. As I prepare to enter my 3rd year of Veterinary Medicine in a few days, I have a lot to get ready! I plan to work hard, enjoy the homestretch, and try not to think about what might have been.

Up next: I'm going to Kentucky for the American Association of Equine Practitioner's Student Conference over the September Long weekend.

Whirl Wind

I'm neglected to write because I've been so busying seeing the most amazing things:

I went to Salzberg with Sabrina and her friend Thersa. We had a fabulous time touring Mozart's birthhouse, the castle, and the rest of town.

I took a train to the middle of nowhere to visit the Sieferts in Michaelstat (ironic name, huh?). When they walked me into the door, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Cafe Siefert serves a vast oray of sweets, chocolate, marmalade, cakes, and eis (Ice Cream). Then they asked what I wanted to try! Bernd is the world champion sweet chief! His sister Astrid was my host for the stay and took very good care of me. I got to 'help' her decorate a cake! She took me around Michaelstat and showed me all the good sites including the castles, the 500 year old town hall, and the beer gardens where I tried Apfelwien (apple wine). We took a day trip to Würtzburg. It was a nice city with a fabulous palace. Next, we went via the autobalm to Rothenburg. It was just as scary and crazy as people said. As the cars zoomed past us, I couldn't help but wonder 'what would their mothers say?'

Rothenburg was awesome! I am so lucky to be named after such a beautiful place.

Hiedleberg was next on the agenda. Astrid took me to the castle and we had a great time shopping. I took the train to Mainz, birthplace of Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press. After a good night's sleep in my own room at the hostel (luxury!), I saw the dom. As I was propping my camera to snap a picture, an old man said 'come with me.' He took me around the corner to the best view then snapped my picture for me. Nice guy. The museum was amazing, almost a religious experience for me since books have been such an important part of my life. I took a train to Bingen and hopped the boat on the Rhine. I had a chance to look around before the boat came. Another beautiful place with some fantastic wine. I landed at Bacharach and dropped my bag so I could wander around. The town great old buildings and a wall. I hiked up the hill and viewed the castle I couldn't get a room in, then walked along the town wall. It was nice to have some piece and quiet (lots of kids on the boat). I had supper at the cutest little cafe with a grandpa waiter. He was so sweet.

Back on the boat, I happened to sit next to 2 guys from Mannhiem. They turned out to be lots of fun and we had a great visit as the gazillions of castles passed by. There were so many castles, I think I lost count. I think the owners must have thrown rocks at eachother turing times of conflict. I took the train to Köln. It was raining as I stepped out of the train station. I looked around to get my bearings and completely lost my breath. Across the platz stood the Köln Dom. It was so beautiful and magnificent, I stood there for 5 minutes gapping. In the morning, I toured the town and saw the important sites: the Dom, the Roman museum, and the Chocolate Museum! It was fantastic. I took a train to Hamburg where I am now.

I want to see the city today then go to Lübeck and maybe Rostock before I go to Berlin to fly home. I can't believe it is almost over!

Still here...

I joined a free walking tour of Munich and learned all about some amazing historical sights. The guide was hilarious and I really enjoyed myself. We started with the famous Glockenspiel which has characters that act out famous Bavarian historical events. I saw the sights related to Hitler and the Third Reich, I listened to tales of beer drinking and rubbed 2 lion's paws for good luck. I think the 1st one I rubbed this summer was more lucky!

I met Sabrina, a friend of Michael's. She took me for Bavarian food, which was amazing. Even more amazing, she introduced me to beer with lemonade. 1 Litre later, I was feeling pretty good about Munich. Sabrina's tour included Hitler's favourite pizza place, the veterinary campus including the infamous party room, the nude sunbathers in the Englischer Garten, Siegstrasse 12 where I sent so many letters, cards, and good thoughts, the site where Oktoberfest is held, and finished with a beer garden.

Yesterday, I learned fairytales are true. I visited the ultimate fairytale castle, Neuswanstein, located in Fuessen. I was up at 4am, took the 4:50 train, and made it into the short line for tickets before 8:30am. I toured both castles and marveled at their lavish interiors. There were so many fine things to look at, my eyes didn't know where to focus.

I took the cablecar to the top of the hill and had a spectacular view of the alps and castles. Only after I had started up did I realize people were parasailing from the top. I wish I had done a tandem jump...would have been a great way to see the castles. A Chinese-German guy rode the train with me home and we had a good time comparing the three cultures. He also taught me some more German, which is great.

Today, I went to Dachau Concentration Camp. I decided to join a tour this time and I was glad I did. Our guide didn't gloss over certain details or cite the politically-correct statements like I heard in Sachsenhausen. This place was just as horrible, if not worse. I walked through a gas chamber. The design and planning seems incredibly sinister. Someone worked hard to plan such an efficient system. What really struck me this time was a description of how the German people felt. Only about 40% actually voted for Hitler, the rest had to support or face the consequenses. I found myself wondering what I would have done...deep questions that will never have an answer.

Tomorrow, I think I will be going to Austria with Sabrina to see the birthplace of Mozart. After that, I'm not sure because I can't reach Dr. Siefert's family and there is a huge rock concert in Rothenburg (the tourist office told me to come Monday when they have all cleared out). It's okay, I'll find something to do and someplace interesting to visit.

Berlin, Dresden, and München

I went to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp outside of Berlin. For the second time this summer, I stood in a place of tremendous human suffering and was horrified by the actions of humanity. The shoe testing site was a track made of various types of terrain. A company commissioned a 'study' to evaluate various shoe sole materials. Men were forced to march for hours at a time. If you stopped or collapsed, you died. I walked through the passage between infurmiry buildings and felt like I was near the dementors described in Harry Potter: that I would never be happy again. Once I was outside, the audioguide revealed that the passage was used to store bodies when the autopsy room was full. This is one experience I couldn't have shared with anyone.

I got lost leaving the memorial and a kind man took me to the trainstation. I guess he restored my faith in humanity. I rode to Berlin with a group of Austrian guys who were on their annual beer-drinking holiday. They had some excellent travel advise.

I went to the Jewish museum and was again horrified. It changes things when personal stories are involved. I decided to attend a show to remind myself of the good things in life. The only thing I could get tickets for was a Spanish Dance rendition of an opera. It was fantastic! They were incredible. It occurred to me as I watched that people living in concrete jungles must be so far removed from nature's beauty that they rely on art to fill the gaps in their lives. I met a Dutch couple and had a drink with them after. It was really great to visit with such nice people.

I met up with Dr. Siefert's friend, Gudrun. I expected an elderly grandmother, instead, I was greeted with a lively blonde with more energy that I have! Her English was a bit rusty from lack of use and my German hasn't improved significantly, so communication was slow but rewarding. She fed me juice and cake, showed me around her massive garden, then insisted on taking me to Potsdam. Ok! She got me there, set me up with tickets to the palace and left me to explore. What a great experience! I saw several of the palaces (including the room where the king ordered the start of WWI). The gardens were magnificent.

After consulting various people, I choose Dresden over Leipzig, despite my gut feeling. I ended up going twice! I was almost there when I was asked to show my ticket, only I couldn't find it. Another girl I was sitting with had a pass that wasn't good for the Czech Republic, so we got off at the next stop and went back to Berlin. My pass was sitting at the deli where I bought my breakfast. I caught the next train back and was absolutely delighted. The hostel I stayed at is located in a trendy, youthful part of town. I dropped my stuff and headed to the Old City to see the magnificent buildings. Although they were bombed to smithereens during the war and have been resorred, I was still in love. Classical music played from a hall as I walked the edge of the Zwinger. I am so happy I went.

I took the early train to Munich and arrived around 1pm. I saw the main sights yesterday, drank a huge beer in a park (and barely stopped myself from dancing on the table as the blue-eyed bar man promised) and got a job offer to work as a groom at the University stables. It is really hard being here and I think I will be leaving soon. Everywhere I went was a place he had told me about or shown me pictures. It is not a good place to be alone. Munich is nice but every second person seems to be smoking. The streets are crowded and busy... I need a small town to visit and collect my thoughts.

Berlin or bust...

This is one busy city! I have been going full throttle to get all the sites in. I viewed the city from the Reichstag Dome (National Parliament building). I toured the Museum of Medical History. They had some crazy gross pathology specimines. Lucky for me (and my feet), they had only a few displays with English, so lingering wasn't an issue. I a saw the Deutches Historishes Museum (Germany History Museum) which had an interesting display on the war. It was interesting to hear the other side of the story. I passed through Checkpoint Charlie without a scratch.

Today, I bought some new shoes. I picked up HushPuppie Sandles in London and hoped the blisters would go away now that I don't have to run after Mr. Long-Legs-Let's-Go, but instead, they seem to have gotten worse. My theory is that my feet are not accustomed to so many hard surfaces and the new shoes. Combined, this has been rather unpleasant. The sales lady was great, she even sent my new über cool shoes to the till by a space-aged elevator. I also looked in KaDeWe, Berlin's Harold's equivalent, but refrained from buying. It was expecially hard in the chocolate section. I had my first Currzwurst (Curry Sausage), which was fantastic!

I saw the Museum für Naturkude (Natural History Museum) which was like the British Natural History Museum, only in German. Again, lucky because I had not reason to linger. I saw the Pergamon's exceptional display on Babylon. I had supper beside an ancient church. I sadly missed the Jüdisches Museum, but I'll try tomorrow.

Germany so far is gute. I think my lack of German hasn't been too much of a problem so far. The hostel I'm staying in is nice. Overall, things are working out just fine.

I am going to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp tomorrow. I might go to Dresden or skip straight to München, I can't seem to decide. You'll know when I do!

Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat Where have you been?

I'm in Berlin.

London was great. I saw the Tower, the bridge (which isn't falling), Oxford, the Underground, Westminster and St. Paul's, Buckingham Palace and the Royal Mews, Stonehenge, Chicago...the list goes on. It was so amazing to see these famous places. Today's Royal Day Out and Westminster was definately the best day here.

I continue to be amazed at how things run on time, work properly etc. compared to Africa.

I will be in Berlin for the next few days. I have lots to see and have no idea exactly how long it will take. From here, I will travel to Munich for another long stretch, then Rothenburg. From there, I want to take a boat trip up the Rhine River and see a few towns in the north, including a visit to Dr. Siefert's family to deliver a gift and try their world-famous sweets.

When life gives you lemons...

you make the most delicous lemonade ever! I had great lemonade in Queen Elizabeth National Park due to the abundance of lemon trees. Only, Mary, the elephant liked to pick the ripe ones!

Dr. Siefert was amazing. I had the time of my life with him and learned so much. Everytime I sat near him, I assumed my best sponge pose and tried to absorb as much of his vast knowlege as I could.

He darted a lion to radio collar it. I had my hands in the lion's mouth and got to hold his paws in my hand. Words cannot describe how amazing the experience was for me.

Then next day, we darted an elephant to remove a wire snare. Once again, I couldn't believe I was able to do what I did. I have my hand burried inside the wound, debriding the dead tissue to help this elephant literally get back on its feet. They have incredible ears! Pinch me!

I'm in London with he-who-must-not-be-named. I'm riding a rollercoaster of emotions here. The sites are amazing! This city is crazy busy and there is so much to see. I'm so fortunate to be here. The days have been jam-packed with site-seeing so this has left little time for internet. I will have some awesome pictures to show! The hightlight so far was the War Chambers and Winston Churchill museum.

Don't worry, Mom, I'm still alive and mostly well.