A Volkswagen Day

It was a Volkswagen day today. We boarded a train to Wolfsburg early and then had (too much!) time to walk around the city before our guided tour of the main Volkswagen plant. We had an excellent guided tour of the factory while riding in a customized Volkswagen Golf with several customized trailers. We rode in this nice comfortable vehicle while our guide drove us and talked to us about the automobile making process. It was a great tour, however we couldn’t photograph anything, so no pictures of the new Volkswagens rolling off of the assembly line. I do have a picture of the factory below though. This plant is the largest sized automobile plant in the world.

We then had lunch in the city and after that we went to Autostadt (Automobile City) which is right next to the automobile factory. This huge complex is Volkswagen’s delivery point for their cars (you can pick up your customized car here to much fanfare), a car history museum, a driving and education training ground for kids and adults, and a showroom for Volkswagen brands like Lamborghini and Bentley among several others. You can see a Lamborghini Diablo GT below that is #1 of only 80 produced.

Also, here are the two large storage columns that have the cars ready for pickup by its owner. They are constantly loading these up and unloading them automatically using robotics.
After our car day we were able to move up our departure time on the train back to Hannover so we can have an early dinner and then pack-up to leave for our next stop after a day of visiting an elementary school tomorrow. We head to Frankfurt tomorrow evening.

A new hotel room

I have been having a heck of a time connecting to the internet during my stay here in Hannover. My room's internet system didn't work, and then the wireless didn't work for me either. So, I finally switched rooms and now I have a REALLY beautiful room. And, I am back online!

This morning we are up early and ready to take a train to Wolfsburg to visit the Volkswagen Automobile Factory.

Unloading a gift!

Today was back to business for us as we got an early start and went out to visit a high school here in Hannover. We visited a gymnasium high school, which is the highest of the three levels of high schools here in Germany. These students have tested into these schools, and most will go onto college. It was certainly quite a bit nicer than the school we visited in Berlin. I did get to give away one of my presents that I brought on the trip for our speakers, so I am very excited not to carry it anymore. It was a picture book of Indianapolis, and you can see me giving it to the headmaster of the school below.

After that we went to more of a middle school and had lunch before a short tour. Lunch was catered in because in Germany they often do not have cafeterias in their schools.

Then came a short train ride to a nearby city called Hildesheim. We visited an office for ongoing teacher professional development and heard about their programs. Then we toured this quaint little city and saw its amazingly old timber buildings like the one below.

After that we headed back here in Hannover and then had dinner at a Spanish restaurant. We all shared lots of tapas before retiring for the evening. Tomorrow will be an early morning before we head to visit a Volkswagen plant.

A day of walking around Hannover

Today was a lazy Sunday afternoon with a late start out of the hotel after breakfast, and just a day of wandering around Hannover. We started at the rathaus (city hall), which was a magnificent building. One of the most interesting parts of this building was that inside it had models of Hannover from various years like the 1600s, 1930s, 1946, and present day. The 1946 model was particularly interesting to see because you could see how the city was bombed nearly to oblivion during WWII. It was bombed because it was making rail cars for the war, and because it was on a major rail line. You can see one view of that model below:

And a picture of the city hall from the front as well for you…

We continued to go around the city looking at the sights and sounds of the town. One really fun aspect of the city is its old world charm as seen in the picture below. Remember, all of this has been rebuilt since 1945.

Then we headed to a beautiful gardens for the afternoon and for lunch. For dinner we had Bavarian German food for dinner…very heavy meat and potatoes food that really put us all in the mood for sleeping after a full day of walking and relaxing on a Sunday.

In Hannover

I checked into my room, and I got lucky and got the best one. I have a balcony on the top floor as you can see below. I have had good luck with hotel rooms on this tour.

After checking in we went to dinner, and to watch the big soccer game tonight between Russia and Denmark. After dinner we walked around the town a bit to see part of a music festival that is happening now. Now, I am just getting ready for bed as I hear cars driving up and down the street honking like mad because Russia won the game tonight.

Berlin Departure

After an brief internet café visit, we met back at the hotel, retrieved our luggage, and headed via bus to the train station to go to Hannover. We said goodbye to our great tour guide Evelyn, who will continue her work on her Ph.D. after she recovers from her time with us! Then, we lugged our baggage to the train station, boarded a fast train that drove at a top speed of 228 KPH, and arrived in Hannover an hour and a half later. We then rode taxis to our hotel. You can see us below in the Berlin train station that is one of the busiest in Europe.

One last afternoon in Berlin

After our Trabant adventure Tracey and I headed towards Brandenburg Gate to find where Hitler’s bunker was located. This was the place that he hid during the end of WWII, and the place where he killed himself and had himself burned so he wouldn’t end up like Mussolini. We did find it, though perhaps fittingly it is simply a sign now. The bunker was blown up and filled in by the Russians (Soviets) and now has apartment buildings on top of it.

We got another look at Brandenburg Gate, and also at the new American Embassy that is just being finished now. It is located just beside Brandenburg Gate, and will be officially opened on this July 4th. President Bush will attend its official opening ceremony.

After a lot of walking around the city and stopping in various gift shops and other little stores, we did come to the Germany Historical Museum. This is a huge museum that you could spend all day inside, but we spent about 1.5 hours seeing the highlights. I enjoyed especially seeing the medieval armor as you can see below.

Driving a Trabant

Well, today was the big day! I have been looking forward to perhaps finding a way to experience a Trabant while I am in Germany, and the Trabi Safari was my chance. We had breakfast this morning and then checked out of our hotel, then Tracy (a teacher from Missouri) and I set out to drive a Trabant. I really wanted to do this tour, but unfortunately I can’t drive a manual transmission car. So, Tracy volunteered to go along with me and drive. Evelyn, our trusty tour guide, booked the event and Tracy and I rode the U2 (very appropriate) underground metro to the location of the Trabi Safari company. They have a huge parking lot full of these East German cars that have become a symbol of socialism and the East. These cars are very ugly, made of plastic, and very slow with a tiny two-stroke engine. Yet, to me, they are beautiful in a very kitschy way. Anyway, Tracy and I showed up, paid our money and then got instructions on how to drive the car. Tracy is a driving pro, so she had no trouble. Here is the company that sells the tour:

These cars are quite small and very quirky looking as you can see below.

We took off with a lead car leading the way, and us following with three more cars behind us. The tour was in English, with the tour guide in the lead car explaining all about the city as we drove by many important landmarks. It was quite an adventure with Tracy constantly shifting the car and both of us laughing almost constantly at absurdity of the time we were having. To add to our fun was that everyone one that we passed on the street started laughing at the cars, and even trying to get their cameras out quickly to take our pictures! We are now in quite a few tourists' scrap books.

We drove by all the important city landmarks and heard a lot of information. But, overall, it was the car that made it fun.

After a nice hour drive we pulled back into the parking lot and I got my chance at the wheel. I immediately stalled the car since I had no idea what to do, but on my second try to get it into gear I did manage to drive it around the parking lot in first gear before having Tracy park it in reverse.

It was a great time, and a real highlight of my trip. Below you can see part of the excellent lineup of Trabis that this company has, including some customized ones (I like the classic ones myself).

Leaving Berlin

We leave for Hannover today in the late afternoon via train, but first we have several hours of free time, and I am going to be on a Trabant tour of Berlin, among other things. So, google Trabant to find out a little bit about this car that has been a favorite of mine for a while. I will probably post next from Hannover late tonight.

A Revue Show

We went out for Thai food this evening for dinner, I had duck with sweet and sour sauce and fruit and vegetables. It was very good. After dinner we had the chance to see the Glanzlichter der Revue. This was a revue show that featured everything from trapeze artists to dancers and even chorus lines. It was quite a show that has been a Berlin tradition for years and years. Then, it was back to the room to see the end of the Croatia and Turkey soccer match. Turkey won in a shoot-out, so that means they are playing Germany on Monday night. This will be a huge game, but it will be even bigger because Germany has tons of Turkish immigrants. So, everyone will be excited for that game.

Museums

After lunch we had some free time to explore what we wanted to see, and I chose to go with several others to see the Pergamonmuseum and the Altes Museum. The Pergamonmuseum is famous for its display of the Pergamon Altar from 170 BC (see it below). It is quite a spectacular collection of ancient works, though the display of the Market Gate of Miletus was closed for construction work.

The Altes Museum (Old Museum) is famous because it houses the Nefertiti. This famous work is in just about every world history textbook ever created. This piece is over 2000 years old, and is still in great shape. It was great to see this artwork, along with many other great works.

Finally, one more thing we saw today, and had seen several times before, was the Victory Column. This great column and gold statue was created in 1873 after several victories in wars against France, Denmark, and Austria.

German Public TV and Radio, and a Market

Today began with a later start (10:15 AM!) and then a trip to Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg, the Berlin/Brandenburg public radio and TV station. It was really an amazing visit, with our guides talking about the differences between American and German public radio, showing us some radio and TV studios, and even a practice session of a philharmonic orchestra. Germany finances its public radio and TV by having its citizens pay a certain monthly free if they have a TV and/or radio. I think it was about 18 euros per month (27 dollars) to have a radio and TV. In this way everyone pays for the public TV and radio. There are also commercial (private) TV and radio stations as well that have more viewers. The public radio and TV system was set up by the Americans after WWII to provide the citizens with a way to spread information, not propaganda. It is independent from the government, so it can say what it wishes to say. Also, this radio building itself has a very unique history dating before WWI, and then continuing with the Soviets taking the building and holding it even after the allies held West Berlin. The Nazis used the building for propaganda during their rule. Below you can see their philharmonic orchestra practicing in the large recital/recording studio that this building houses.

After this morning meeting we went to a Turkish Market for lunch and shopping. I had another Doner Kabob, which I have decided I really like, and then we waded through the dense market where everything imaginable is for sale. Take a look at the market below, and at the Turkish bread stand in the picture.

Germany Wins!

After our birthday party for Sarah, we had a break and then went out to a traditional German restaurant for a meal, and then to watch the BIG soccer match between Germany and Portugal. Soccer is everything here, and the Euro Cup is almost as big as the World Cup, so the fans of the German National Team are everywhere. One interesting note is that normally you don’t see German flags flying, in fact that was considered a bad thing to do an most likely meant you were a very radical person or a Neo Nazi. However, since the World Cup last year, people are beginning to fly the German flag a lot during these important soccer matches. Well, Germany won 3-2 and the hundreds in the garden that we watched it in went nuts! There were 5 TVs all around the outdoor place and everyone had a great time.

A Birthday Celebration

After a quick lunch of bratwurst and coke, we continued on to Freie Universitat Berlin (Berlin University) to hear about German higher education. Enough said….
However, things got much more fun because it was Sarah’s birthday today, so we had to celebrate. We tricked her to come up to the top of the hotel and presented her with a John F. Kennedy doughnut. When Kennedy said his famous line, “I am a Berliner!” he actually really said “I am a doughnut.” He misused the word and so the Germans knew what he meant, but it was still funny. Still we all shared doughnuts in honor of her birthday today. You can see Sarah receiving her gifted from (l to r) Gerrit, Linda, and Evelyn, and then Sarah. (Gerrit and Evelyn are our Berlin guides during our time here—Linda is our program leader from Ohio.)

Prussian Palaces

Today began with a drive outside of town to Potsdam. There we got to see several palaces and gardens from the Prussian kings. We visited the Sanssouci Palace (the first picture), the New Palace at Sanssouci (the second picture), and several other important landmarks. It was a very beautiful grounds much like Versailles outside of Paris. We got to tour the New Palace and saw some very stunning rooms.

Next we went to the house of the Wannsee Conference. The Wannsee Conference was a Nazi gathering that decided the “Final Solution” to the “Jewish Problem.” The house is now a memorial and historical site about the Nazis and their persecution of Jewish people in the 1930s and 1940s. It was really sad to see some of the things that these people believed and carried out. There were some very crazy ideas that this whole group of people bought into and worked for….it makes you wonder how people could do such a thing. The house is pictured below:

More Berlin Wall

We next visited a famous Berlin porcelain factory called KPM WELT. Though it was interesting, I will be honest that it wasn’t all that excited to me since I can’t imagine why someone would spend thousands of dollars on pottery. Next though we went to see the Berlin Wall memorial where there is still part of the wall standing. It was very interesting to see what the wall complex looked like, because it wasn’t just a wall. There was a west wall and an east wall, with a kill zone in between and towers and barbed wire and guards all along it. In the photo below you can see a little better what it did look like when it was operational. Remember, this cut the city in two.

Now, I am back at the hotel after a very long and tiring day. We are heading out in a bit for Turkish food. Berlin has a huge Turkish population (their biggest migrant population), so having Turkish food here is necessary. I won’t update again tonight unless something goes wild with my meal!

More walking around Berlin

After our school visit we went to see a little more of Berlin, focusing on this very nice new area called Potsdamer Platz. We saw some very neat buildings, and again we saw where the wall ran right through the city. In the photo below you can see the pavers that show where the wall used to run through Berlin.

Also, we visited the new Sony Center as well. This is a very modern set of buildings that are all connected and share a huge courtyard in the middle. They even moved a historical building over and then built this modern building hanging over the old building. They used part of the building to then be part of this new building. It was very impressive. You can see a view of the courtyard below:

For lunch we went to this really pretty park by one of the zoos. I had a traditional Bavarian German lunch of some type of sausage (I can’t remember the name, but it is veal) with mustard, potato salad, and part of a pretzel. I did have a Coke though, so it wasn’t an entirely German meal, but then again, Coke is pretty much universal now. By the way, you peel the sausage casing off of the sausage before you eat it.

We next went to a famous church that was heavily damaged during WWII. It was built in the late 1800s for the Prussian King. However it was damaged so much during the bombing in the 1940s that most of it was destroyed. However, they kept this part of it, and then built a modern church right beside it. You can see the modern church steeple to the left of the old church below in the picture.

Berliner Rathaus and a Hauptschule

We started today off by heading to the Berlin City Hall (the Berliner Rathaus) to meet with the spokesman for the mayor’s office. Berlin actually has something like 12 city area mayors, and then one mayor that oversees them all. We heard about modern Berlin, and a little bit about the history as well. For instance, Berlin has lots of doubles or triples of things because the city was divided in half. So, there are 2-3 zoos, 2 operas, etc. Each time one side of the wall built something, the other side did as well. When the wall came down Berlin was stuck with two of everything. Also, Berlin is in massive debt, in part because of the double buildings, but also because there is a civil servant law that says that you cannot fire a civil servant. So, if you work for the city (this includes teachers) then you can’t be fired. So, they are stuck with a bunch of extra employees that they don’t need, but still have to pay.
Anyway, after that meeting we went to a meeting at the Heinrich-Heine-Real bzw. Rutli-Hauptschule (a high school). This is a middle level secondary school, so the best kids don’t attend this one. There is a lot of trouble in Germany right now because they “track” kids out of either grade 4 or 6 to a path. If you are the top 1/3, then you go to the gymnasium level (pre-college), but if you aren’t doing well, then you go to one of two other lower levels. This basically dooms these other kids to not having a good job. Of course, most of the kids in these two lower levels are poor or minority students (Germany has a lot of Turkish people and these people aren’t integrated very well into the society). So, we heard about a new project at this school that is designed to help these kids succeed better. Below I have posted a picture of informational posters that were made about the USA.

Tripping Stones around Berlin

After our Checkpoint Charley visit we drove to the Goethe-Institut Berlin to hear a speaker on Germany today. It was a very good talk about Germany and the problems that they face today. Amazingly they really face most of the same problems we do, ranging from education reform to immigration to government pensions. After our talk we went on a walking tour of some classic Berlin courtyards. We saw some of them that were restored and remodeled, and some that were much like they were when it was East Germany. East Germany was a very run down and shabby city during the Soviet rule. We also saw some “Tripping Stones” that are all over Berlin. These little markers show where Holocaust victims lived when they were kidnapped by the Nazis and then eventually killed. Each little marker shows a name, when they were born, when they were deported, and what camp they went to where they were killed. The three plaques below show three different Germans that were taken from this building and killed at Auschwitz Concentration Camp. As you walk around Berlin you see these things everywhere. They are by no means done with them because there are probably more millions more to still lay down, unfortunately.

We did then walk to a very nice traditional German restaurant for a very nice dinner. I had a traditional plate of duck that was very good. Now, it’s back to the room for rest to prepare for another full day in Berlin tomorrow.

Checkpoint Charley

After lunch we headed to Checkpoint Charley. Checkpoint Charley was an allied (USA, Britain, and France) checkpoint for entrance into and out of East Germany (controlled by the USSR). Though it was completely destroyed when the wall came down, they have reconstructed it and built a museum where it used to be. It was a good place to visit to begin to understand some of the history of the wall. Many people were smuggled across this checkpoint with the help of army personnel, citizens, and diplomats. Google Checkpoint Charley to read much more about this important history landmark. You can see two views of Checkpoint Charley below:

Also, you can see where the Berlin Wall used to be here by Checkpoint Charley (indicated by the brick pavers and the plaque).

Finally, you can see me posing by a segment of the wall near the museum at Checkpoint Charley. The wall wasn’t that tall, but the armed guards that would shoot on sight was a major deterrent to anyone trying to sneak across.