Berlin & Prague pt. 1

Happy Sunday!
I've just returned from an excellent whirlwind trip to Berlin, Germany and Prague, Czech Republic. It was an awesome week and I don't even know how I can describe everything that has happened. I'll do a rundown of everything that happened in 2 different postings (1 for Berlin, 1 for Prague) on a day by day schedule, just to keep things simple.

Berlin
It was incredibly cold in Berlin while we were there from Monday to Wednesday, with temperature never reaching the 0°C mark. In my opinion our time was far to short to see many parts of the city and we were constantly pressed by short days and sub-zero temperatures.

Monday
Was up at 5:00 to get on the train to Berlin. Arrived in Berlin around 2, checked into the Bax-Pax hostel and immedeately went on a city tour. The tour was on a bus and left a lot to be desired as we didn't stop or get off to take pictures. We ate some dinner and hung out that evening.
Tuesday
With the morning free several of the other IES guys and I went to the Neues and Altes museums on Museum Island. The Neues had exhibits with Egyptian artifacts, Germanic artifacts and lots of historical information. It is also home to Nefertini, known as the most beautiful woman in Berlin. The Altes Museum, though smaller than the Neues, had an excellent exhibit on Greece with many pieces of sculpture and art. Afterword we took some pictures of the Berlin Cathedral, which is actually a Protestant church, but weren't able to go inside as they wanted 3€ just to look around, way to steep a price for college students.
The afternoon included a trip to the German Bundestag and the Reichstag. The Reichstag has undergone many changes since it's original construction in 1894, most recently the construction of the large glass dome that replaces the original dome which burned down in 1933 and a large scale remodel. The building is filled with history with Russian on the walls, Adolf Hitler's name on a plaque, and old secret tunnels out of the building; it does however have a very modern touch with it's large glass dome providing excellent views of Berlin and the Parliamentary proceedings.
I also visited the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, also known as the Holocaust Memorial. This 4.9 acre plot of land in central Berlin is filled with 2,711 concrete blocks of varying sizes. The  memorial leaves a lot of interpretation to the visitor and the information center provides a history and many personal examples of Jewish persecution during the Nazi rule in Germany.
Finally we had a meeting with Dietmar Nietan, a member of the Bundestag who spoke with us about his action within the Parliament, Committees, the EU and several Jewish cooperation organizations.


Wednesday
Another early morning we departed for a meeting at the German ministry for Defense and spoke with Lt. Col. Hamann about Germany's continuing role in Afghanistan and the future of German military operations. He had to leave us early, as he needed to write the Mandate that would be presented later that day to Angela Merkel (German Chancellor), overall he was pretty awesome. We also got a brief history of the building, and the Hollywood movie Valkyrie, even seeing where Tom Cruise was shot.
After lunch we headed to the Auswärtiges Amt (German Foregin Ministry) and heard from a Dutchman about German foreign policy and Germany's role in the European Union.
We headed back to the hostel, changed, and departed for the train station for our continuing adventure on to Prague, Czech Republic.


General Impressions
Berlin, while not the most beautiful city in Europe is full of history and culture. The city has changed hands and governments many times in its short history and it is easy to see that Germans have remaining impressions about their history and may sometimes feel embarrassed for that history. However, even though the Berlin wall fell only 20 years ago you can barely see a difference from what used to be East and West Germany and the continued ability of the German people to persevere and adapt is really astounding. I definitely want to head back to Berlin when I have some more time, to see some other sights that I saw only in passing or didn't have a chance to see at all(Checkpoint Charlie, The Pergamon, DDR Museum, Schloss Charlottenburg, German Film Museum, Potsdamer Platz, Berlin Wall remains, Jewish Museum, and the Topography of Terror). From my visit I would highly recommend a stroll down Unter den Linden, a tour of the Reichstag, the Holocaust Memorial, and Museum Island.

That was intense

I'm now finished with the "intensive week" of the program that was based solely on EU studies and German which culminated with a German Quiz and class on a Saturday! Now that classes have started you might think the amount of fun and excitement would have settled down, but really every moment is a new exciting experience.

Notable Events:

I helped a group of tourists find their way to an info center and a Pharmacy in Freiburg.

I've discovered the beauty of German Pastries and have consumed many delicious tasting snacks from them.

If you have never experienced Dönner Kebab, you are missing a whole world of amazing food. Dönner is a type of wonderful shaved meat, with cabbage salad and sauce, rolled into a Yufka (tortilla type thing) or put in a pita. They come from the Middle East, and were mostly brought here by the Turkish immigrants. These shops are everywhere and are basically German fast food. We have discovered possibly the best Dönner shop in Freiburg, called Euphrat, it is life changing.

While we're on the topic of food, the Wurst stands around the local markets and in small shops are also amazing and have provided several excellent lunches over the last week. There are tons of different types of Wurst and they are all delicious.

I had my first experience at a German Discothek yesterday, which was quite a lot of fun. Those places party until odd hours of the morning. I simply can't dance that long. Great way to celebrate the end of the long week though.

I've learned an awful lot of German in the last few days and am now even starting to pick it up in the streets and on the tram. I can even understand what someone says when they ask me a question about my food order!

I leave for Berlin and Prague on our first program trip on Monday morning. It promises to be a lot of fun and very educational. It will be great to see some great things in some beautiful and amazing cities. I'll make sure to write lots about them when I come back!

Week 1 - Starting Strong

I have now been in Germany for 1 week, have had some time to observe, collect my thoughts, and evaluate the place I'll be calling home for the next few months.

"Home"

My new home in Freiburg im Breisgau is the in area known as Vauban, along Merzhausen Strasse. The dormitories (More like multi-bedroom flats) used to be army barracks, and since being built in the 1920's have housed the French army, the Nazi army, the squatting hippie population, and now University students. Currently under renovation, the buildings are very simple and have the basic amenities required. I have a large 3rd floor room (it's the 2nd floor in Germany) which I share with one roommate, Ben Thorne. The room is modestly outfitted with beds, cabinets, and desks. I've got a bathroom that measures approximately 3x5 (yes, that's the sink, toilet, and shower. An interesting fact - All the dorms in this area are powered with solar power, and I have solar panels on the roof of my building.

My flatmates (whom I've met thusfar) - Michael, Felix, Pilar (pronounced Pee-lu) from Spain, Lara have all been very nice and welcoming, and willing to help when Ben or I need it. The German university semester ends in early February and break continues for about 6 weeks, so Ben and I will have the place mostly to ourselves.

Shopping in cooking in Germany thus far has been much the same as in the US, the only difference is that I can't understand the words on the packaging! But I'm quickly learning the important words. The other major difference is that everything comes in smaller portions, so therefore Germans buy less, but more often. And since the store is only 300meters away, that's not a big challenge for me.

Nearby, we also have the hippie commune, which was given to them by the city after they were pushed out of the student dorms. There is also a group of squatters on the land near the Tram station that has been there for over a year in protest of a commercial building that was going to be built on the same land. "Kommando Rhino" has caused some new city policies, such as disallowing building on "green" (previously un-developed) land.

IES Center and Classes

The IES Center, or Villa Gleichenstein, which was built in 1882, is my 2nd home and where I take all of my classes. The center has been recently renovated and is now a beautiful building which sits on the corner and is surrounded by a wonderful garden. The center is very close to downtown Freiburg and only a few minutes walk from shops, bars, restaurants, and public transportation. The center has brand new video equipment for classrooms and is quite comfortably furnished, most likely all with Ikea furniture!

So far we have only had 2 courses, as we are still in the "intensive orientation" phase of the program. We have German language, and our Political Science seminar. The German class is challenging, yet very interesting, and I am quickly picking up lots of important words and phrases (like how to ask for telephone numbers!). In our seminar we are just starting with the history, setup, and functions of the European Union, but as this will be the basis for most of the semester, and later the Model EU, it is good information to know! Not unlike school in the US, my courses have plenty of reading and homework involved, I guess there is no escaping it! Other classes begin on Monday, February 1st, after we return from Berlin & Prague.

The trip to Berlin & Prague is one of the 3 included trips during the IES program. These trips, along with several smaller day trips will help us gain a greater cultural and functional understanding of the EU. The 3 trips are: Berlin & Prague; EU Institutions in Brussels, Luxembourg, Paris, and Strasbourg; and 1 of 3 options in either Northern, Southern, or SE Europe.

Freiburg

Freiburg is a beautiful city with lots to see and a wonderful feel to it. It is a large city by German standards, with around 214,000 residents, and is the 4th largest city in the state of Baden-Württemberg. Freiburg is also known as Germany's "sunniest" city, though as of yet I've only seen the sun once! The city has a number of "green" initatives, that have earned it the name Green City, the ruling party in Freiburg is the Green Party.

Getting around in Freiburg is a very simple task, public transport is literally everywhere. Just a few steps from my flat there is a tram that will take me downtown, the train station, or to other locations around town. There is also a vast bus system that serves many surrounding areas. And of course, when I need to get out of Freiburg the Deutsche Bahn trains will take me anywhere in Germany.

There are a number of sights to see around Freiburg and lots of places to go. The Black Forest is only about 15 min walk from my dormitory, allowing me to get out into the wild and away from civilization very easily. The local Münster Cathedral was completed in the 14th Century and dominates the main city square. The downtown area has many shops and restaurants through the narrow alleys, and back streets. The city center, at Bertoldsbrunnen, is surrounded by department stores, bakeries, and is constantly filled with people. There is no vehicle traffic (aside from service vehicles) through downtown Freiburg, and only pedestrians, bikes, and the tram come through the area.

Outside the city there are many villages. One village we visited was Staufen, which we visited to see a local festival and parade, as well as walk to the local Castle ruins were we could see the land for miles around and even see across the Rhine River into France.

Within Freiburg there are many excellent cafes, bars, and restaurants where you can have a drink or a bite. The local beers "Ganter" and "Rothaus" are to be found everywhere and are quite excellent. On most evenings students can be found in the bars and clubs (Discotek) chatting or relaxing.

Life in Freiburg is generally relaxed and simple, and while the people here are always working and doing things there always seems to be time to sit down and have a Bier with friends.

That is it for now. More posts to follow soon. Thank you all!

GOOOOOOO!!!!!

Guten Tag!
Well, I made it - all the way to Germany, through immigration (they let me in thank God), customs, the trains, and into a hotel in Frankfurt. Man, what a day.


The Itinerary:
Today:

• Depart Denver Intl. Airport - 5:35 PM
• Arrive Frankfurt Intl. Airport - 11:45 AM
• Unload off plane (onto Tarmac) and take bus to terminal - 12:15
• Clear Immigration - 12:20
• Wait for luggage - 12:25- 14:00
• Board Regional Bahn to Frankfurt am Main - 14:34
• Arrive Frankfurt Hbf - 14:50
• Check into Hotel - 15:20

Tomorrow:

• Wake up, when I am rested and over my Jet-Lag - 9:00-10:00
• Hotel Checkout - 12:00
• Board train to Freiburg im Breisgau
• Arrive Freiburg - Cab to IES Center
• IES Check-in - 9:00-17:00

Things I've learned so far:

• Expect the unexpected. 2 reasons: 1 - while checking in on Monday morning at DIA, I discovered that Lufthansa has a policy that international travelers may may have 2 bags, each weighing no more than 23 kg. I had 2 bags, but one was 25 kilos, the other only 16. This meant opening my luggage at DIA and shuffling around my belongings. 2 - Upon arrival in Frankfurt and after passing through immigration (where I was asked no questions and said nothing but "Hello") I proceeded to baggage claim. Unfortunately, Lufthansa seemed to have "misplaced" 3 luggage carts, with 1/2 of the plane's passenger's luggage on it, mine included. I then got to wait around for 1 1/2 hours while they sorted out the whole mess and I eventually got all my luggage.
• Keep your eyes open, and ears too. Very important to consider, although Germany doesn't have much crime, thief's take advantage of people who are obviously foreign, lost, or otherwise not tuned in. So walking around, looking at the ground (or a map, or a phone etc.) while listening to music on an I-Pod, makes you an easy mark. Note: I have not been victimized, or seen this happen - and hopefully I won't - but it is info worth passing on anyway.
• Someone around you speaks English. All you have to do is ask, most people can hobble together a few sentences, and anyone who looks important, or wears a uniform of some kind can probably help you find what you're looking for. It never hurts to ask (asking in German helps too!)
• Less is more. I brought a lot of crap, I'm sure once I get moved into my dorm space I'll get everything organized, but man it feels like a lot to haul around, even just walking through the train station and around the airport.
• My German needs a lot of work. It is basically useless for any practical purpose at this point beyond saying hello, goodbye, please, thank you and asking if someone speaks English.

Right now it is snowing in Frankfurt, covering the ground with yet more of the white stuff. The weather here makes me glad that I am from Colorado, and know how to dress and prepare for cold weather. I feel bad for the students in my program who are from Los Angeles, Florida, Texas etc. because not owning a winter jacket here would be really bad.


Hope everyone enjoyed reading, I'll be sure to give constant updates. Any feedback is welcomed and appreciated!


Auf Wiedersehen,
Evan

Ready...Set...

Getting Ready:
Anticipation is quickly building.
I'm now a week away from January 11th and my departure to Germany.
As preparation continues for this trip I can't help but get more & more excited. There are so many things to do and seemingly so little time to do them. I've gone back and fourth on what to bring, how to pack, and what I want to do when I get there.
My most interesting adventure so far has been shopping and deciding what to pack. Since I'll be away from home for 6 months, but only able to take a few suitcases, I've had to determine what I really need. And once I've figured that out I have to figure out how to pack all of it.
I've got 2 brand new suits to take with me, and several people have asked why I need them - so: I need the suits because part of the European Union programs includes field-study trips where I will be meeting, and visiting EU Government locations and meeting with dignitaries from different countries, so I have to look real sharp.


A little more about the program:
The program starts on January 13th, in Freiburg, Germany, which is in the South-West corner of the country, near the Black Forest, France, and Switzerland (map). After the start of the program, there is a 10 day intensive orientation and German language course, followed by a number of field study trips. These include destinations such as: Berlin; Prague; European Parliment in Strasburg, France; Tallinn, Estonia; Stockholm, Sweeden; London, England; Barcelona and Madrid, Spain; Rome; Bucharest, Romania; Sofia, Bulgaria; and Athens, Greece.
At this time I'm not 100% sure on what courses I will be taking, but I'm probably going to be taking several History classes, Political Science, and lots of German Language (in case you don't know, I speak almost no German)
There are 58 students in the program, most of them from the United States. I will be living in dorms, with other students from the program and from the local university in Freiburg, and traveling to the IES Abroad Center for classes.
If you'd like more information about the IES program, please visit IESabroad.org


Contact and Travel:
Though I'll be arriving on January 12th the IES Program doesn't offically start until the 13th. So once I arrive in Frankfurt, around 11:30 AM I'll probably check into a hostel, or if I've located a couch to surf, drop off some of my stuff, and hit the town to try and see some of the sights as well as reset my body clock for the 8 hour difference.
A simple translation: If it is 12 noon in Denver CO, USA - It is 8:00 PM in Freiburg, Germany. So don't call me at 8 PM, as it will be 4 AM in Germany :)
Once in Germany some of my normal communication methods will be unavailable to me. So if you desire to contact me there are serveral preferable ways to do so.
You can easily Facebook me (facebook.com/ekaverman), E-Mail me (ekaverman@gmail.com), AIM me (kvemn), or Skype me (ekaverman).
I would love to hear from all my friends and family throughout my trip, as I will probably get homesick.
I will try and make regular posts with relevant info about what I've been doing, how things are progressing, insights and experiences I'm having, all while trying not to ramble. I'll post some pictures and so fourth here and you can view all the photos I've taken on Picasa.
Thank you to all of those who came to my going away party in Fort Collins last week, it was great to see all of you and I hope to see you all again once I come back from Germany.
If you'd still like to see me some time before I leave I will be around until the 11th, so let's have coffee, lunch, or something.


Well that is all I have for now, my next post will probably be from Germany!