Tuesday, June 16, 2015

23. BERLIN - EUROPE TRIP, APRIL 2015

FRIDAY, APRIL 24th
We drove from Dresden to Berlin
The first noticeable landmark was the Soviet Union's TV Tower "Fernsehturm"
It was erected during the Cold War.  When the sun shines on the dome tiles the reflection
appears in the form of a cross.  The German's called this the "Popes Revenge".
 

"Fernsehturm"
The Pope's Revenge


SATURDAY, APRIL 25th
Hop on Hop off  bus tour around the city to help us decide what we wanted to see


 
There were several demonstrations on Saturday.  This one was the protection of animals
who are being used as experiments
 
Grounds where there was a combination of the Jewish Holocaust and East and West conflicts
  Part of the Berlin wall
 
Visiting the Jewish Memorial 



Another demonstration, this was to remember the
Frederick the Great
He reigned as King of Prussia from 1740 to 1786
Humboldt University


 

St. Mary Church in contrast with the Communist's TV Tower

 A CANAL CRUISE



GEDACHTNISKIRCHE
Emperor William Memorial Church.  One of the most famous landmarks. the damaged
church tower is a symbol of Berlin's resolve to rebuild the city after the war and
a constant reminder of the destruction of war

 
SUNDAY, APRIL 26th
THE BERLIN WALL
We visited the famous area where the Berlin Wall is still standing
Picture of what it looked like back when the city was divided

This is the no mans land (the dead space between the cities.
If you were found in here, you were shot or imprisoned for trying to escape to the West

WEST & EAST (OST)

People who tried to escape, but did not make it

INSIDE THE WALLED AREA


OUTSIDE THE WALLED AREA



CHECK POINT CHARLIE




A picture of how the entrance and exit to the city was set up


CHECK POINT CHARLIE MUSEUM
Pictures inside the Check Point Charlie museum of different escape ideas that were tried






A mother hid her four year old in a laundry/grocery cart



 

hot air balloon......a movie was made about this experience


 

lunch at an outdoor cafe/John's experience with anchovies and snails on pizza (yum)

The Brandenburg Gate
It represented peace, ironically it was incorporated into the Berlin wall
during the years of communism

THE CAPITAL BUILDING


TWO CONTRASTS
 



Tuesday, May 26, 2015

22. DRESDEN - EUROPE TRIP APRIL 2015

FRIDAY, APRIL 24th

DRESDEN, GERMANY


WE WALKED THROUGH A MARKET PLACE BEFORE VISITING THE
OLD TOWN ON THE ELBE RIVER
In the back ground you can see "The Church of the Holy Cross"



FRAUEKENKIRCHE CHURCH
Church of our Lady
You can see there is a statue by the church, it is a statue of Martin Luther

ORIGINAL BLACKENED BRICKS FROM WORLD WAR II BOMBING

INSIDE THE CHURCH OF OUR LADY
INSIDE THE DOME
BALCONY







BRUEL TERRACE
Academy of Fine Arts
THE ROYAL PALACE (left) AND THE KATHLISCHE HOFKIRCHE (right) A CHURCH

KATHLISCHE HOFKIRCHE

KATHLISCHE HOFKIRCHE

THE ROYAL PALACE



PROCESSION OF THE PRINCES
The largest porcelain mural in the world, it has 25,000 tiles made from
the manufacturer Meissen
 Parade of Princes and Dukes to commemorate the 1000
year reign of  the Wettin Dynasty
 

SEMPER OPERA HOUSE


OLD TOWN DRESDEN

WE HAD LUNCH AT THE MARKET PLACE NEAR OUR CAR


Thursday, May 21, 2015

21. GRAFENWOHR - EUROPE TRIP, APRIL 2015

THURSDAY, APRIL 23rd

  EUROPE IS FAMOUS FOR THEIR SMALL CHAPELS ALONG THE ROADSIDES


THE TOWN OF GRAFHENWOHR


ARMY BASE WATER TOWER
John pointed out the tower where Hitler once watched his troops on the parade
grounds and even gave speeches from the water tower




 ON OUR WAY TO OUR GUEST HOUSE
Castle Ruins are everywhere in Europe
 
 CHECKING OUT THE CASTLE FROM OUR BEDROOM WINDOW
 A FARMER WALKING PAST US BY THE GUEST HOUSE
We are in the country
 WE STOPPED TO TAKE A PICTURE OF THE FRIEBURG LDS TEMPLE

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

20. NUREMBURG - EUROPE TRIP APRIL 2015

THURSDAY, APRIL 23rd
VISITING NUREMBERG
 THE MARKET PLACE


 DER SCHOENE BRUNNEN FOUNTAIN
Legends tell that if you spin the brass ring it will give you good luck
The day we visited the fountain was being worked on
 A picture of the fountain with out the construction
 A close up of the fountain
 A TOUR OF THE OLDEST CASTLE THAT WE HAVE SEEN ON OUR TRIP
IT DATES BACK TO THE 1100's.




 
 THE SINWELL TOWER


 LOOKING UP THE WINDING STAIR CASE
113 stairs
 LOOKING DOWN THE STAIR WELL

 A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE CITY BELOW US