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A Deeper Look into History

When touring London and visiting all of its magnificent sites, it’s hard to believe the city was once the victim of six straight weeks of bombing during World War II. Referred to as the “Blitz”, Londoners suffered intense bombing by German forces which killed over 43,000 civilians and left more than a million households destroyed or damaged. And that was all in London. Granted a huge part of Europe suffered similar if not worse devastation, it’s incredible to think about what people had to endure around 70 years ago.

A common sight in London during the ‘Blitz’ in World War II

On Tuesday I had the chance to visit the Duxford Aircraft Museum, which lies nine miles south of Cambridge and is considered to be one of the most important air bases during in Britain during the World War. The museum, which contains the largest collection of historic aircraft in Europe, is one of the best ways to really get a grasp of the atrocities and devastation caused by both World War I and World War II. The aircraft on display was astounding. The Spitfire, Concorde, Messerschmitt, Hurricane, you name it, and there’s a really good chance they have it.

Messerschmitt BF 109E – most famous German figher in WWII

One of seven hangers at Duxford Aircraft Museum

After learning about World War I and World War II in our British History course here in Cambridge, it felt appropriate to view the planes and a lot of the weapons and vehicles used by many of the countries involved in the war. I was able to learn a lot about the hardships the soldiers and pilots fighting faced, as well as the women and children on the home front. It’s crazy to think that around 7.5 million women were recruited for war work between 1939 and 1945. It’s even more shocking to think that around 100 million people died from both wars. Visiting Duxford Aircraft Meseum was a very enlightening experience and it emphasized how much the world has changed and how fortunate I am not to have had to endure living in such a difficult era.

The U.S. Air Force’s F-15 Eagle

And for Americans like me and the rest of our group, the American Air Museum provided the perfect opportunity to admire the largest collection of U.S. aircraft outside of America. They had an impressive collection, housing famous aircraft such as the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird (once the fastest jet in the world), P-51 Mustang… to name just a few. It was especially significant for me as my Uncle is a retired Major General from the U.S. Air Force and flew some of the aircraft on display, such as the F-15 Eagle. It was a special experience to be able to see up close and touch the same type of fighter jet he once flew. As a kid I was always fascinated by jets and to finally be up close to some was extremely memorable, to say the least.

Throughout the entire visit I learned a lot about European and American history. I considered myself to have a decent knowledge of past and current events, but I soon realized there was a lot of information I didn’t know. The museum taught me a lot, but it also helped open my eyes up and take a deeper look into history. It’s amazing what you can discover if you’re actually looking.

Getting Into the Holiday Spirit!

November 18, 2010 / Julie Johnson / 0 Comments

Countdown to Christmas: 37 days.

I find myself in the holiday spirit much earlier than usual. Since Thanksgiving isn’t a celebrated holiday in England, I’ve found it perfectly acceptable to sing Christmas carols several times a day, buy an Advent calendar two weeks before December even starts, decorate gingerbread men, and even purchase a “Grow Your Own Christmas Tree”, even though it will probably only be two inches tall by the time I leave England.

I was thrilled when I was walking downtown for my weekly grocery shopping this past Monday, and realized a discount Christmas store had opened only a few blocks from my house. I felt like a child while walking through there, “oohing” and “aahing” at every ounce of tinsel and lights. Cambridge’s skinny little streets have also been turned into a fascinating show of lights by night, and even seeing the unlit lights hanging in the daytime brings a smile to my face.

Gingerbread Men – Just as much fun to make as they are to eat!

I’ve always been a huge fan of Christmas, but this year, I find myself even more appreciative of the values it brings. After not seeing my family for several months, I will relish every moment of the laughter and hugs that Christmas dinner and the unwrapping of gifts will bring. I daydream about curling up near my grandparent’s fireplace for a good nap, helping my other Grandma to decorate the tree, and even attempting to dress my dog in the Santa outfit that she always refuses to wear.

Just as the famous song goes, “I’ll be home for Christmas..” But in my case, it won’t be only in my dreams 🙂

Changing of the Guard in Athens!

November 18, 2010 / derekschnake / 1 Comment

Here’s a video of the changing of the guard in Athens. In front of the Parliament building, the guards change every hour on the hour in this manner. But unlike the stoic guards at Buckingham palace, these guards will bite back if you mess with them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BwDOshTF_o

Viva, SWAPO, Viva?

November 17, 2010 / Christiana Redman / 0 Comments

This past weekend I experienced something I’ve never experienced before: a political rally. But this wasn’t just any political rally. This was for SWAPO.

SWAPO (South-West Africa People’s Organization) has officially been in power in Namibia since 1990, when Namibia

A man raises his fist as a sign of support for SWAPO

achieved its independence. SWAPO got its start in 1962 as a nationalist movement and it played an instrumental role in gaining Namibia’s independence through use of guerilla attacks to fight the South African military.

SWAPO has been accused of torturing and committing other human rights abuses against suspected spies during the struggle for independence. SWAPO denies these accusations, although there are many pieces of criminalizing evidence.

After independence and after SWAPO became the dominant political party, Sam Nujoma was elected as Namibia’s first president. He changed the constitution so that he could run for a third term in 1999. In 2004, he was replaced by Hifikepunye Pohama, who many describe as Nujoma’s hand-picked successor. He is still in office.

History lesson aside, what you should know is that SWAPO is still dominant in politics here. They usually receive about 75% of the vote at each election and it does not look like they will be out of power any time soon. There is great loyalty toward the party from people all over Namibia because they led the country to independence. However, now they are abusing their power and instead of focusing on developing the country, developing themselves and their political prowess.

A convoy of children arrived to attend and perform at the rally

The rally I attended was just up the street from our house. It looked like a party: loud music, dancing, singing. It was appealing. The afternoon started off with some announcements and introductions of new council members. Then we moved on to an address by Sam Nujoma’s son, Utoni Nujoma (who, by the way, is now the Deputy Minister of Justice as well as a representative in the National Assembly).

It is amazing how much so many of the people worship this guy’s dad, and thus him. A direct quote that was made by one of the council members about Sam Nujoma was “Nelson Mandela and Sam Nujoma were the same leaders, just marketed differently.” Fascinating.

The entire event was spirited and focused on the incredible things that party has done. At least one every 5 minutes someone would shout “Viva, SWAPO, Viva!” either from the audience, the podium, or from their cars as they passed on the street. SWAPO clothing was everywhere and I stood out in my pearl earrings and rose-colored dress from New York & Co (Hey, I’d just come from church!). Fists were raised and pumped and thrown in the air. Children, brought and indoctrinated by their parents, danced to praise SWAPO’s name. An incredible sight to see.

My experience at the SWAPO rally really capped off my semester of studying Namibian politics. We have been talking about all the struggles Namibia has been having and all of the challenges it will have in the future. It hasn’t been hard for us to see that in order to develop this country SWAPO is going to have to lose its power and make room for another party more focused on developing the nation, not itself.

Las Alpujarras

November 16, 2010 / John Webster / 0 Comments

I have spent the last two Saturdays up in the Alpujarras, a mountain range on lower south side of the Sierra Nevada characterized by its spring water and Jamón Serrano (ham that is dried in the mountains). The Alpujarras has many small villages tucked into the sides of the mountains or on plateaus. You can hike the entire Alpujarras in one week on the GR-7, which runs through the Alpujarras all the way up through Spain, France, and Italy, to Greece.

The GR-7 looking over Lanjarón

On my first trip I went with four others to Lanjarón, a long and narrow village. Using my Andalucia Travel guide from Lonely Planet (a must have for this semester, thank you mom) we stopped at a tourist office where the guide showed us a good trail and gave us a map. Then we went to check out the view from the Arabic castle. It was phenomenal. The Alpujarras doesn’t get a lot of attention because it’s right next to the Sierra Nevada, so the castle was a great find that not too many know about.

My second trip was with another set of friends, this time we headed to Pampaneira. When we arrived the tourist guide told us we could take the bus from a village further up the mountain, so that way we would have time to make a substantial hike. We headed up and sideways along the valley through Bubión and Capileira, stopping every little while to take in the view. At one point I could see the snow capped Sierra Nevadas, the village dotted valley I was in, the lake it led to, and the sun-reflecting Mediterranean ocean, all from one place!

Classic Alpujjaras pine trees on the way to Bubión

Nearing the end of our trek we tried to cut off the path in order to try to summit before the bus came. Of course, fate would have it that we just ended up in a field with a horse staring at us. Then we had to walk behind what looked like a quiet house, only to find a small barbecue party on the other side. After they stared at us once they pretended like we didn’t exist, phew! We awkwardly played along and walked around their house back to the street. Embarrassing!

We found a praying mantis on the hike! Had a blast doing some photography with him

We ended up having a little time in Capileira before the bus came, so we sat down at Bar El Tilo to have tapas. At one point I had

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...

to ask if we could have a minute to think and was told, “En las Alpujarras no hay estres” (in the Alpujarras there is no stress). Very chill, thank you cool waiter guy with yoga pants. Then as we ate the plaza below us filled up with people lining up to get roasted chestnuts. At first puzzled, I went down to check it out and discovered they were free! Someone gave me a small newspaper which I used to scoop some up. So great! I have no idea who was cooking them or why they were free, or if it was custom, but it was fantastic.

Different Dispositions, Same Sensitivities

November 15, 2010 / Allie Sauber / 0 Comments

Maya Angelou once said, “Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.”

This quote really resonates with me. While I haven’t necessarily made any lasting friendships with those of other countries, the traveling, keen observation, and friendly small-talk that has taken place has been sufficient enough to demonstrate that we truly are all innately the same.

On the train to Venice, I was sitting across from a mother who was with her one-year-old child.

View of Italy from train

I remember not being able to take my eyes off of that precious being, as any smile she made inevitably became one that light up my face, too. How can one not smile at a smiling baby? However, the affection, love, and gracious attention that the mother gave her child was what touched me the most. For, it was apparent to me that a mother’s love is the same regardless of geographical location. While the outward demeanor of an Italian woman is different from that of an American’s, the inward sensitivities that exist are ultimately the same. Both women have the same profound, immeasurable, and unmatched love for their children. Although this may seem like an obvious observation, it was a heart-warming moment for me, as I am starting to miss that very same love. Although suddenly, that specific love wasn’t so absent anymore.

Dinner in Tubingen

Another observance of a similar love has been one that is romantic in nature. It seems that in every city I’ve visited, there is love expressed between couples quite outwardly. Whether it’s straddling the loved one or french kissing for minutes on end in a popular park, their expression of love toward one another lacks shame and modesty. While that kind of overt public display of affection is generally unacceptable in America, there is something boldlyinspiring about the sight of those young, passionate lovers caressing one another. I do not mean to say that those are appropriate gestures for my life (because they’re not), but their affectionate audacity is ultimately a lovely proclamation of their love. Although the love I share with my loved one is more private in nature, it’s fulfilling to see that same inner passion existing in all the world.

Though the differences between my life in American and my life in Germany are endless, one thing has remained beautifully stable: we are all blessed with the same sensitivities, whether it is between a mother and her child or two lovers.

The beauty of Switzerland

November 14, 2010 / Amber Will / 0 Comments

Switzerland is known for its overpriced lifestyle, its neutrality, and the beauty of its panoramic view everywhere you go. On my weekend trip to Switzerland, I thankfully only had to encounter the latter and avoided aiding in the Swiss economy almost entirely. Packing PB&J sandwiches really helps the wallet stay full.

Outlook from the train to Luzern

And traveling in Switzerland does the opposite for your memory card on your camera. There are so many scenic pictures that could be from postcards wherever you look. It’s fascinating to be around such real and untouched beauty; the picturesqueness of the views made me stop and think about how awesome God’s creation is and how much time He must have spent in creating Switzerland because He did it right.

There are all these small little towns enclosed by broad and magnificent mountains; you have the Alps on one side and some more ‘minuscule’ mountains on the other. Just riding around on the train can bring about some amazing pictures. All in all, I traveled to four cities all in the central part of the country: Zurich, Bern, Interlaken, and Luzern. Although all of them had superior scenery in comparison to many other cities that I have traveled to, Luzern was definitely the most beautiful.

Aided by the warm and sunny weather, Luzern was a truly gorgeous town to walk through. Matt and I only spent a few short hours there, but we got to see much of the city. Chapel Bridge was constructed in the first half of the 14th century and is one of the oldest wooden bridges standing. Walking across it allowed us to see paintings up along the rafters showcasing local history. Much of the bridge burned down in 1993, but the rebuilding was quick and allows for visitors to still witness the history of the fortified city. And across the water were the most scenic views of the Alps. Simply breathtaking. Matt and I took picture after picture to try to capture the magnitude of the sight.

The Dying Lion of Luzern

Further along into the city is the Dying Lion of Luzern; it is a carved lion in a piece of rock that portrays the pain and suffering of the massacred Swiss Guard in 1792 during the French Revolution. The emotion is clearly strewn upon the lion’s face making it a very powerful sight to behold. Also in this part of the town are the Nine Towers. These towers are left over from the fortifications of the city which was built in 1386. This remaining history is so important to the city and drives the tourism in the area.

The trip to Luzern would have been enough to satisfy me in visiting Switzerland as a whole. The other areas I went to were beautiful as well, but Luzern was the epitome of perfection. It was the perfect way to end my tour of Switzerland and a perfect way to unwind from the hectic 17 day break before. Luzern is a place that brings you so much closer to your surroundings and to God; it is not a place to miss.

A look back at Fall Break

November 14, 2010 / Amber Will / 0 Comments

I did say I would write more about fall break, and now since I feel like I have finally had some time to relax, this is the perfect time. My break was planned in a way to basically encircle Germany to hit all of the destinations too far away for just a weekend trip. Most of this excursion was spent with my boyfriend, my roommate, and my boyfriend’s roommate. Four people on an experience of a lifetime.

I can honestly say that Istanbul was the most worthwhile destination; however, I wrote about that before and will not bore anyone with further details… just go there are see it for yourself! Rather than take time for that, I just wanted to write about my overall impressions about each destination: this will give a general feel for the area and also allow me to relive my travels.

After Istanbul, Matt, Brenna, and I went to Athens and Mykonos in Greece. Athens was a short trip, with more time devoted to the picturesque qualities of the Greek island. The weather was perfect while we were there adding to the overall allure to the city. Matt and I rented ATVs and drove around the entire island going beach hopping to wherever the map looked interesting. The time in Mykonos was pure relaxation and resort-like satisfaction. When we went back to Athens a few days later, we had to hit up the entire city in a short morning. Walking around at a decent pace to make sure we hit all of the monuments got to be tiring, but we ended up seeing everything we wanted to in a few hours.

Matt and I in front of the Temple of Hephasius, Athens

And let me tell you, I was geeking out to the max. Being a history major, I was enthralled to see all of the ruins left around Athens. The Acropolis was definitely jaw dropping, but I appreciated the Temple of Hephasius even more. This temple is the oldest remaining building of its kind, and it is still in such pristine condition. To stand in front of such perfect history like that gave me the chills and a look onto the world that is ever changing. No matter how little of importance you think something may be, in a thousand years people could be standing looking at our newest building thinking it was the most perfect historic monument. Freaky cool.

After our historic adventures in Greece, we traveled quickly to Rome. I have previously been to Rome in the past, and this visit was a quick review to what I have already seen. Unfortunately I didn’t get to the catacombs like I had planned, but I revisited the Vatican museum and took in the glory of the Sistine Chapel once more. This masterpiece does not need any words but only full dedication. It is a truly magnificent piece of art that has a lot of hidden jokes throughout. Props to Michelangelo.

Matt and I in front of an Amsterdam Canal

The north was next. Amsterdam was a beautiful city with water everywhere you looked. Besides some untimely rain, all of the experiences here were worthwhile. We were able to see the Van Gogh Museum, which is not worth the money but nice nonetheless. I again geeked out at the Anne Frank House, but we didn’t have time to go inside. This city is so great to walk around in though because you can get so completely lost without feeling you are doomed. The city looks too inviting to present any real danger. Just watch your purses in the red light district!

Copenhagen and Stockholm were both beautiful cities. We didn’t find too many touristic sites in either city, so we just spent most of our time walking around and thinking about the Dominoes we were going to order in Copenhagen. Copenhagen also has a part of the city called Christiana, which is a self governed section and gave me the extreme heeby-jeebies. Never going back there again. Stockholm was by far the coldest weather we encountered. The sun also set at about 3:30pm there, which did not do well for my freezing toes or my desire to actually see the city. Overall, this trip helped me grow in ways I didn’t imagine and take in sites I had only seen in my history text books. A well planned and well executed way to spend 17 days.

The Magic of Dance

November 12, 2010 / Lydia Mertz / 0 Comments

The other night, my friends and I attended “Muestra de Baile” here on campus in which students from the university performed a variety of dances from around the world. For those of you from Valpo, this is similar to the spectacular Dance Ensemble put on every year.

The very beautiful and seductive moves of Polynesian dancing.

The “Muestra de Baile” took the audience in a dancing journey that featured nine types of dance including salsa, folkloric, hip hop, Polynesian and more. It was fascinating to watch the dancers (mostly Mexican students with a few international students) as they swayed, popped and maneuvered their bodies to a variety of beats and rhythms.

Hip Hip to Usher-yes, in Mexico!

I couldn’t help but think that the hip hop piece that had Mexican students dancing to the very contemporary (and very attractive) Usher was simply globalization in dance form. While there was a modern vibe to the program, it also featured traditional Mexican folkloric dance from Veracruz. The couple that did this particular piece wooed the crowd with delicate steps but with a certain richness that made me so happy to be living in this country. My particular favorite was the traditional African dance. The beats were so raw and pure and made the performance incredibly energizing as the dancers shook their bodies.

The “Muestra de Baile” exemplified that dance illustrates the beauty of cultures and tempts an individual to learn more about a culture. As we gaze on the dancer, our eyes take on their movements and physical interpretation of the music. Whether it is seductive moves of Polynesian dancing or the raw vibrancy of the African dancing, it stirs up a hidden (and sometimes unspoken) desire and energy inside our souls that inspires us to transfer that to our bodies.

Traditional Mexican folkloric from Veracruz

This is the magic of dance. It inspires up to project energy from our souls to our bodies-if we allow ourselves to embrace it. Whether it is Polynesican, hip hop, the tango or whatever it may be, learn to dance. Allow rhythms and beats to transcend into your soul and into your beautiful body-it really is magical.