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R-95 Takes the Englischer Garten

Get Around Round Round R-95 Gets Around

March 2, 2015 / apittman / 0 Comments

Hello everyone! I know, I know, I have been really lazy and haven’t posted anything in a while. Myself along with the rest of the group have been super busy with traveling and preping for our spring break in 3 weeks time. Our first stop a while back was the musical center of Leipzig in Saxony. Liepzig was incredible and rich with culture and history every where you looked. While in Leipzig our group visited the Nikolaikirche in Leipzig which not only has historical significance to Johann Sebastian Bach but also to the Monday Demonstrations in the late 1980’s demonstrating against communist rule.

Outside of the Nikolaikirche

This is the outside of the Nikolaikirche (they wouldn’t let me take photos inside) but the inside of it is very beautiful with large white vaulted cielings and greek columns lining the nave that look like they have coconut tree leaves sprouting to the top of the cieling. We also got to see the Thomaskirche which is the final resting place of Johann Sebastian Bach. Also we were privaledged to listen to a concert on Bach’s works at the Thomaskirche. The concert was absolutely beautiful simply put. The music in general in Leipzig was fabulous. Everywhere you looked their were street performers either playing violins, guitars, accordions, or all three! (Not really because people don’t have enough hands but that would be pretty cool though).

The Resting Place of J. S. Bach

Thomaskirche

While in Leipzig, the group also visited the Johann Sebastian Bach Museum located directly across the street from the Thomaskirche. The museum was very fun and informative because of how interactive it was. Also the museum housed a belt buckle and thimble that are supposedly from the original coffins of Bach and his wife Maria Barbara at their original burial places. Also while in Leipzig I visited the Battle of Nations Monument on the northern side of Leipzig. The Battle of Nations Monument is a monument commemorating the combined defeat of the Napoleon in 1813 by the nations of Prussia, Austria, Russia, and Sweden.

Battle of Nations Monument

Personally the size of the monument took me completely by surprise. From pictures I saw before going I thought that it was going to a lot smaller but it is truly massive. Where the monument stands is supposedly were Napoleon stood himself during the battle (so the story goes). Overall, Leipzig was a college city with fantastic music everywhere you listened.

Our group also visited the massive (joking) city of Wittenberg for a day trip to see Martin Luther’s home as well as the castle church where Luther (supposedly) posted his 95 theses on the castle church door. The doors are unfortunately not original because the original doors burned down in a fire. These doors happen to be bronze and inscribed on them are the 95 theses. This also means that these doors have 95 doctorates in theology (sorry, bad joke).

Luther’s Casa (House in Spanish)

Castle Church Door

After Leipzig and Wittenberg our group had another fun day excursion to Eisenach where we visited the Wartburg castle. At the Wartburg castle, Martin Luther was ‘kidnapped’ and taken there by Frederick the Wise’s men for Luthers own protection after the Diet of Worms. The Warburg castle also happens to be the spot of the Wartburg Festival in 1817.

Inside the Castle

Wartburg Cast

Eisenach also was home to the first Bach museum, that was for a while believed to be Bach’s own home. However this was disproven recently, but never the less it is still a great museum. One exhibit was Benjamin Franklin’s own glass harmonica.

The last stop on our Luther and Bach trip was Erfurt. Erfurt was amazing, not only because of St. Mary’s Cathedral, but also because they had amazing Thuringian sausages at a local stand for only 1 Euro! That is a deal that even Vince from Sham Wow could sell me on.

Inside the St Mary’s Cathedral

We also saw the St Severus Cathedral that happens to lie directly adjacent to St. Mary’s.

St Severus Cathedral

Left-St Mary’s. Right-St Severus.

After our group trip. Myself along with Raechel, Morgan, and Jared went to Munich. Let me tell you folks. Think of all of the possible German stereotypes possible, then close your eyes. Congratulations you are in Munich! Munich was by far my favorite place I have been. The people, the scenery, the history, the lederhosen. It is ALL there! Our hostel we stayed at offered a free 3 hour walking tour of the city that included the glockenspiel, which in iteslf was amazing. The glockenspiel is Munich’s biggest attraction, and not only was it cool to see that, but to look behind me and see a group of no less than 500 people all staring up at it. We also saw the famous and original Hofbrauhaus which had a very cool atmosphere to it. On a more depressing side of history, the top of the Hofbrauhaus is a larg banquet hall, and in this banquet hall is where Adof Hitler gave one of his first speeches to a large group of people.

Glockenspiel

Marienplatz

R-95 Takes the Englischer Garten

We also were able to visit the beautiful Englischer Garten.

This past weekend, our group was able to visit the amazingly picturesque city of Heidelberg where we received a tour of the only college of Jewish studies in all of Germany. After we also received a small tour of Heidelberg itself. Honestly, everything looked like it could be on a post card.

Just Beautiful

Shelby with the Heidelberg castle in the background

The day after Heidelberg Shelby, Morgan, and myself traveled to Frankfurt for the day to get the one. The only. Chipotle. Yes that is right there is a Chipotle in Frankfurt and it was worth every minute of that train ride. We also walked around and saw the old Rathaus and were outside of the election room where the electors met to decide who would become the next Holy Roman Emperor. Unfortunately it was raining during our exploration of Frankfurt so I couldn’t take my camera out. But Frankfurt so far was the first city to remind me of the U.S. Frankfurt is also home to the European Central Bank and is home to the Euro Tower. Frankfurt was a nice city that looked the least like the Germany people tend to imagine, but nevertheless it was a lot of fun (and Chipotle was so worth it).

A couple of us will be traveling to Vienna this weekend so check in next Tuesday at the latest for another blog post about what was once the seat of the Habsburg Empire! Thanks for being patient and keep on keepin on! For everyone on spring break at Valpo, be safe and have fun! Until next time ladies and germs, this is ya boy Austin P signin off from the land of sausage and bread, peace!

“I think it’s my adventure, my trip, my journey, and I guess my attitude is, let the chips fall where they may”

~R.I.P. Leonard Nimoy

10 Things I’m Learning

Ten Things I’m Learning

1. Sunset runs are so refreshing and a good way to let out the day’s stress. It’s also a good way to explore this beautiful city and enjoy the mountains and the day’s sunset.

2. Time alone and away from technology is so good and so necessary. It’s very important to live in the moment not just for a little, but for a while and let yourself enjoy it.

3. Let people miss you. Sometimes it’s very necessary and while it is hard to be away from people you care about, sometimes it makes them miss you more.

4. Spending money is not a bad thing. If the money you spend allows you and other people enjoy their life a little more, then stop feeling so darn guilty.

5. Dairy products — like ice cream and Don Pedros, while tempting, are not worth feeling horrible and laying curled in fetal position from a tummy ache for hours after. However, sometimes they are worth it.

6. Being on the road is fun and it’s exciting to meet new people but coming home is also nice. It’s good to lay your head somewhere solid for a little while.

7. It’s ok to read the same book over and over. If you like it, keep reading it again and again. Underline your favorite parts and circle your favorite words. Make it yours.

8. I was born in the wrong era, I like letters way way way to much. But they make me very happy.

9. Be better at managing my time. Let myself have work time and play time.

10. Enjoy every second left here. Don’t put things off. If you have a chance to do something here — DO IT. The only time is now.

The Satisfaction of Stamps

February 28, 2015 / Navy Browning / 0 Comments

One simple joy of traveling, is the getting the beautiful, unique stamps you receive at customs when crossing international borders. Pictured here is the filled-up passport of one of the study center directors, Alfonso Meléndez who is from El Salvador, which has this intricately colored and culturally-relevant designs. Here in the Valpo Costa Rica program, we have finished up our two classes of Spanish, culture, history and social justice and are getting prepared to start our internships in different areas and organizations in the country. We are also excited to welcome the group of nursing students who are coming to work in clinics for underserved populations in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Right now I’m making sure I have my bilingual medical terms down as I’m translating this week!

Italy Trip: First Stop – Venice!

February 23, 2015 / mstoughton / 0 Comments

From February 12-14 six of us Cambridge students began an adventure through Italy and Spain. We stopped in Venice first which was great because Carnevale was going on and people dress up in fantastic costumes and masks! The city itself was gorgeous too. Nothing like floating on a gondola during Valentine’s Day weekend. The gondola man does not make too bad of a date!

: Gondola port

: Along the canals

: The floating city

: Carnevale

: Carnevale

: Carnevale

: Carnevale

: The Adriatic Sea

: Venice

Valentine’s Day in Switzerland

February 23, 2015 / jzemke / 0 Comments

Living in a huge city like Paris, life is always moving as if there is a continuous sea of people running one way or another. While it is exciting, it can also be stressful or lonely. Therefore this Valentine’s Day weekend I left for peaceful Switzerland, basking in the beautiful streams and gorgeous mountain views.

Earlier this week, I read an article about how technology can actually detract from the study abroad experience. Searching for places with wifi to have access to social media, posting every moment of the trip. In Bern and the village of Thun, I made an active decision to turn off the technology, only taking photos and appreciating the nature around me.

No photo can truly show the magnificence of the Alps, the way the quiet streams sparkle under the sun as swans swim towards the mountains. The sun warms your skin, as you walk along and breath the fresh air and hear the birds singing above you. I climbed to the highest tower in Thun, seeing the landscape of forests, streams, and mountains unfolding before me. Moments like this make you reconsider what is important-collecting souvenirs with exciting stories or simply appreciating the experience.

Coastal Living: Swakopmund

February 23, 2015 / Katie Wilson / 0 Comments

On Thursday our group of 14 took off for a long weekend in Swakopmund. Located on the coast and next to the massive Namibian port Walvis Bay, Swakopmund was originally inhabited by Damaras and later settled by the Germans. Despite the four hour drive to the coast it passed relatively quickly between naps and breathing in the cooling air. The heat break as we drove West was so welcome — there’s a twenty degree difference between Windhoek and Swako. The most incredible thing about Swakopmund was the scenery as we drove up; we were greeted by palm trees, beautiful rising dunes, and the Atlantic Ocean. Seeing the ocean meet the desert will always be one of the most breathtaking things.

The Desert Meets the Sea

Before settling in we visited the memorial site for the OvaHerero/OvaMbanderu genocide that occured from 1904-1908 at the hand of German colonialists. The site is right before the bridge the leads from Swako to Walvis Bay. Many people are not aware that this site exists and I think it is important to overlook the German influence in the town and realize what that really means.

The next day we headed to Walvis Bay which boasts the largest Ports in Southern Africa. It’s also a safe place for Sea Vessels and Cargo Ships because it’s a natural deep water harbor. This also contributes to the business since bigger Cargo ships can dock as well. The imports from Walvis Bay service from South Africa to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. When we stopped at the Lagoon, I found a really beautiful dock and took a picture with it because I liked it so much.

While in Walvis Bay we visted NACOMA (which is an enviormental centere), Walvis Bay Multipurpose Center (which is a youth mobilization community outreach that focuses on AIDS/HIV, relationships amongst genders, and preventional care and support) and NamPort –he shipping yard. Namport manages both the Port of Walvis Bay and the Port of Luderitz which is much further south. Namport is essential in catering to the Import/Export needs of Southern Africa, increasing the competitiveness of SADC regions trade (through port services), and facilitate growth in Namibia by boasting one of the largest, most efficient trade routes in Africa.

Before leaving Walvis Bay we did what we came here to do: climb Dune 7. Dune 7 is the highest Dune in the world and located in the Namib Desert and is 383m tall.

Miranda and I before the climb!

The climb up was practically vertical and it took about 5-7 minutes to climb to the very top. However, the view from the top was absolutely breathtaking (literally… I sat in the sand and caught my breath for a little) and made the “breathless” assent completely worth it.

That night I traveled down to the jetty and was able to take some amazing shots of the sunset. (Again, I’m kind of obsessed).

On Saturday we had a free day, we could do whatever we wanted. Some people choose to go ride ATVs in the desert, others went skydiving, some hung out at the beach, and me and three friends went on a Boat Ride. We saw Seals, Pelicans, Dolphins, and tons of other cool critters. One of the coolest things we witnessed was Pelican Point which is home to THOUSANDS of seals. It’s one of the largest seal colonies in the world according to our Captain. We also had a seal jump in our boat which was kind of a shock (Seconds before the Captain was telling us how just last week an aggressive male seal took a chunk out of a passengers arm… yikes). They’re quite dense creatures up close. I also tried oysters for the first time and they are very much so an acquired taste. Afterward, my friend Louise and I decided to make the whole day ocean themed and walked to the Swakopmund aquarium and hung out there for a while and then ended our day at the beach. It was an awesome day and I took plenty of pictures.

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Visiting Swakopmund and Walvis Bay was probably one of my favorite adventures to date and it was wonderful to get away for the long weekend. Not only is it a beautiful place, but it’s rich in history. It’s definitely on my list of places to return to one day.

Sunset, Volcano, and Beach on Ometepe Island, Nicaragua

February 22, 2015 / Navy Browning / 0 Comments

During our visit to Nicaragua, we visited the Island of Ometepe in the middle of the Lake of Nicaragua. The island is made up of two volcanoes, (one active!) and breathtaking biodiversity. The island is home to wild monkeys and petroglyphs from early inhabitants, while one can even find sharks swimming in the Lake! This photo was taken on a lovely stroll down the beach where one can find locals playing a pickup game of soccer, called a “mejenga” in Central America, as well as backpackers from around the world soaking in the sun and serenity of the island. The clouds in this photo are made up of the steam that comes out of the active volcano.

Day Trip to Windsor Castle

February 21, 2015 / stephanieblack / 0 Comments

While everyone has been off galavanting over Spain and Italy during first break, Jessica and I have been taking several small trips around England. Our first stop was last week in Dover, and our next trip was to Windsor and Eton to see Windsor Castle.

Before we left, we checked online ahead of time just to make sure that it was open, because we didn’t want to have a repeat of our Dover trip where we arrived and found the castle closed. Luckily for us, the castle was open and we hopped onto four different trains to Windsor. The castle is very cool because on the outside, it looks old and very medieval, but on the inside, it has been renovated and decorated.

During the winter months, the State Rooms are often open to the public. We got to wander through all of the State rooms, which were very interesting. St. George’s Hall had hundreds of family crests covering in the walls and the ceiling. The stairway entering into the rooms was covered in a great display of antiquated swords, guns and other weapons, showing off the power of England to all who come to visit. My favorite room was one decorated in red (my favorite color) and gold, with an entire wall of windows that overlooked the gardens outside.

We also got to see Queen Mary’s dollhouse. This dollhouse is absolutely amazing. It was built to reflect the culture and fashion of the times, and was incredibly elaborate. They said that all of the golden plates in the dining room were made of real gold, and the Crown Jewels were actually small jewels. If I had a dollhouse like that, I could have played with that dollhouse for hours.

Because we went on a Sunday, St. George’s Chapel was not opened to the public, as they were holding services all day. We did get to see the outside of it, and the rest of the outside of the castle as the sun was going down. It was very pretty.

We had a great time traveling down to Windsor, but were very happy to take a few days for a break before our next day trip adventure. Coming up next is our trip to York!

Chilling in Granada, Nicaragua

February 18, 2015 / Navy Browning / 0 Comments

This past week, our group visited Managua, Granada and Ometepe Island, Nicaragua. Here are sophomores Jennifer Carpenter and Jasmine Lopez taking a break after touring around the colonial and colorful city of Granada.

Day in Dover

February 14, 2015 / stephanieblack / 0 Comments

We’re already at our first week break of the semester! I can’t believe that it’s already been a month since the new group arrived. This week, the majority of the group is headed off to Spain and Italy. Jessica and I, however, decided to stay in England and use up our Britrail passes and travel to a couple of places in England that we really wanted to see.

Dover Castle

Yesterday, the two of us trained down to Dover to see Dover Castle and the White Cliffs. Dover Castle sits on top of one of the cliffs, and the town sits below it. We had to walk all the way up that cliff to get to the castle, only to discover when we reached the top that Dover Castle was closed. Needless to say, we were quite disappointed, and had to settle for taking pictures of the outside of the castle. Luckily, the weather was pretty nice, so the climb up wasn’t too bad.

Our next stop was to try to find a good spot to see all of the White Cliffs. There was a winding road that led from the castle down and toward the cliffs. We thought that the it would take too long to follow that winding road, so we hopped a fence and walked through a lovely English pasture down toward the road. It got a little sketchy when our third fence-hopping experience happened over a barbed wire fence, but we had fun frolicking through grassy fields and seeing the scenic side of Dover.

The first fence we hopped on our trek down to the road

After wandering back to the road, we ran into a very nice couple who kindly suggested that maybe the best place to see the cliffs would be on the waterfront instead of on top of them, which is where we were. So we made our way back into town and walked along the water. We never really got a good look at the cliffs because there were cars and overpasses in the way, and we didn’t have a car. It was a little disappointing, but we did spend some time picking rocks on the beach, and watching the waves coming in and out, which is my favorite thing to do.

Our day ended with a visit to a museum in Dover which houses the oldest seafaring boat that has been found. This boat dates back to the Bronze Age in 1550 BC, and was excavated from Dover in the early 1990s. It had to be the biggest attraction to the museum, because it was pretty much the only thing inside, but it was still pretty cool to see something that old.

Overall, our little misadventure turned out to be pretty fun. I would probably like to go back to Dover and actually see the castle one day, but that was a fun first time. It was also a good reminder that even when things don’t go exactly as planned, they can still turn out to be fun if you go with the flow.

White Cliffs of Dover

Pier in Dover

Bronze Age Boat

Student Stories from Around the World