Computer problems

Are making blogging virtually impossible.

Be bach as soon as possible! :0(

Off to Scotland

Friday was an early day as we had to gather to take a bus to the train that would take us to Scotland. Moving about with 80-some people is not easy. It was over a four hour train ride, but it did provide me with some time to get some things done and it was comfortable.

When we got to Edinburgh, we walked to the hostel. My mom thinks Tallahassee is hilly? Oh my. I thought I was going to die. I am actually glad that I brought my larger suitcase which has wheels rather than the smaller one that I would have had to carry. (The bruises still haven't healed from carrying it to and from Berlin!). Ay the hostel, all 80 of us had about 15 minutes to pile out belongings into a "secure" storage room that clearly states, "Leave valuables at your own risk.". I am not exactly what secure means. The key was at the front desk where anybody was free tongo up and ask for it.

First thing on the agenda was a walking tour and those hills are just as steep when you don't have luggage. Add to that, we had a guide that walked too fast, apparently unaware that we all were nt alway able tonget across the street. Then, she didn't feel the need to wait for everybody tonget caught up before starting her stories. That being said, it was beautiful.

You know, on these guided tours, I just love the stories. On this particular day, my favorite story was that of a dog, Bobby. Bobby was the dog of John Gray, a Edinburgh police officer. They were inseparable for the two years they shared before John died of Tuberculosis. It is said that Bobby laid on John's grave for the rest of his life, nearly 14 years! He, the dog, has been memorialized as a symbol of loyalty! It was a very endearing story!

We checked into the hostel when we got back from the walk. I was assigned to room 516, European, which is the 6th floor. We were told that there was no working elevator. I almost burst into tears and headed back to the train station right then and there! Two angels in the form of FSU undergraduate students saved the day and carried my bag up all those steps. If only they had offered to carry me, it would have been perfect!

After the getting settled in, so to speak, there was finally time to eat. Shelly, one of my roommates (who was simply delightful) and I headed back up the hill and found a place about which we had heard good things. I had salmon with potatoes and vegetables. It truly was a wonderful dinner and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Shelly!

Shelly and I both decided to stay in and ended up talking until quite late. So thankful for her as a roommate on this trip!

Nightingale Museum and Class

Pictures will be added when I have access to a better internet connection!

Thursday is class day, so after a load of laundry, off I went. I don't know if I have mentioned, but to get to my classroom, I walkout of my building (102), enter another building (99) where I go down a flight of steps and then I walk up two flight of steps. On this particular day, the classroom was very hot, but knowing we wouldn't be there for long, we tolerated it well.

After what we called "story time" we headed out to the Nightingale Museum. We took the tube, changing once. I am not too comfortable with the tube, so I am always glad to travel in groups.

I was amazed to be reminded of the story of Florence Nightingale. I remember reading a book about her, resulting in the only time that I ever considered being a nurse. I was 10 and in fourth grade. This desire soon passed, thankfully.

A cool thing happened on the way back from the museum. Rhonda and I left with Dr. Karioth because we were not too certain as to how to get back. As we started out, I mentioned the time which prompted Dr. Karioth to realize that she was late for a meeting, so we hailed one of the infamous black cabs. This was my first time in a can in London and they are nothing like the few I've taken in Tallahassee. It was a good object lesson that if I am lost, they are really quite nice. I only wish had learned they lesson earlier in the trip. I could have saved myself a lot of anxiety.

On that note, it was funny to me that as Dr. Karioth and I talked about what a wonderful option the black cabs were when you are in a pinch, I commented that when lost, to take a cab would be admitting defeat. Her perspective is that it reflects good problem solving skills. I could stand to learn a lot from her and adopt many offer laissez a faire attitudes.

In our afternoon class, we take two presentations by students. One was on massage and reflexology and the second was about acupuncture. Obviously this is my complimentary health class! I found them both interesting, but I'd have to see it to believe it. On the other had, if it makes someone feel better, providing relief, who am I to argue!

After class, I had a good talk with Dr. Karioth. I am so thankful for her willingness to take time with each of us. I love the stories that she can tell as only someone who has been able to come to London for so many years can do!

When I left Dr. Karioth, I had decided that I was going to see Mama Mia. I mapped it out and was just about to leave when I thought that I should just check to see when the shows were for which I already had tickets. It is a good thing that I did, as I had a ticket to see The Holy Rosenburgs at the National Theatre!

Having become a little less confident about getting around London, I left quite early. As it turned out, this allowed for time to go to the Waterloo Tube Station where I was able to top off my Oyster card (add more money to my bus/tube pass) and a hit ip an ATM machine. These were things that I needed to do before Friday's trip to Scotland.

The show was in the Cottleston Theatre at the National Theatre. This was my first time in this theatre. It is a relatively small theatre and I was in the top tier of seats. Then entire play takes place in the living room/ dining room of am home. In this small theatre, it felt as If I were eavesdropping on this Jewish family whose were dealing with the death of their son. His military funeral was to be the next day. I was thankful for the many humorous moments as, without them, it may have been overwhelming.

I got adventuresome on the ways back and got a bus to Russell Square, hoping to stop by and pick up something from Dr. Karioth's flat. It all worked out well and, while at times, I was out ot sorts, it turned out to be a wonderful day in London!

Field Trip to the Globe Theatre!

Wednesday included a guided tour of the Globe Theatre. Now, this isn't the original theatre where Shakespeare's works were performed, but it is just like it. It is an open air theatre with the same style seating. It is interesting to note that the Globe was essentially rebuilt due to the passion of an American, Sam Wannamaker! The theater allows for about 1700 people, including 700 standing. In Elizabethan times, they could fit in about 3000 people because 1) people were smaller, and 2) there were no fire safety regulations! It is also interesting to me that the most expensive seats in Elizabethan times were, in fact, the worst search (behind the stage), but they were the seats where you could been seen!

Our guide for the tour was a actor from the Globe. He was wonderful! He had us practicing iambic pentameter and then he gave us each a card and based on how we treated each other, we had to line up in the order of the card. I had a king, so everybody bowed very low to me! It was kind of a fun way to teach us about theater!

After the tour, a group of us went and had a wonderful lunch before the 2:00 performance of "Much Ado About Nothing!" This place was a little classier than where I normally ate, but that didn't keep me from taking a picture of the napkin that I found quite humorous!

We had standing "seats: so I was right in front of the stage. The guide had told us that they view the audience as being the forth wall of the stage and, as such, are a part of the play. I can say that I really could see that as they were always making eye contact and even took the hands of one of our students during the performance! As much as I enjoyed it, standing in front of the stage, I couldn't do it for the second half. Fortunately, the University had extra tickets for the seated area. It was at the side of the stage, which wasn't nearly as good for seeing the show, but it certainly was nice to sit!

As with many trips in town, we don't head back together. I had dinner plans at 5:30 and the show didn't end until 5:00. I had no idea how to get back. Finally, I found a bus stop which listed a stop that sounded familiar as being close to our flats. I boarded, but soon realized that no stops were sounding familiar! Finally I asked the driver if we stopped where I needed to be, only to learn that I was headed in the wrong direction! So, off the bus I went and finally found the right bus and headed back.

Arriving at 6:30, needless to say, I missed dinner. This type of thing sends me over the edge and this was no exception. I let it ruin the evening, so I stayed in for the first time since the first weekend I was in London.

Back to the "Grind"

Tuesday, I actually had both classes! in the morning, we went to the Imperial War Museum. The focus was on the Holocaust exhibit. Again, this was a very difficult thing to see, but as someone't mother said, "If they could live it, I can look at it." Because I had just spent so much time in Berlin looking at this same issue, I determined to look from a different vantage point. For one thing, I read all I could about those people who were involved in the killings. I just have a hard time imagining how a person can get to the point of committing such atrocities on another human being. This was of particular interest since Doug had mentioned a dissertation he was reading wherein the researcher had found that many refused to take part in that and that there were really no consequences. They were still required to serve, but not in any capacity where they were required to directly, personally kill innocent men, women, and children

The other thing that I did was listen to many of the accounts of the survivors. I don't know who they managed to go on with life. I made note of a couple of quotes which really spoke to me. I am sure that I didn't get them word perfect, but I hope I can convey the point. One man said, "Once tortured, you remain tortured who is never at ease with humankind." Another man commented that he hadn't talked about it for 20 years until his daughter finally asked. He realized that if he couldn't tell his children, then how would they be able to tell their children and he "hoped that their future wouldn't become out past." A man said that when he was asked how he survived, all he can say is, "I don't know." He said that one day he was in a cab with a driver who was also a camp survivor. He asked the driver what his response was to that question. He, too, would just reply, "I don't know." The one that touched me most was a woman who described it as a stone thrown in a lake. At first the ripples are big, but as you move away from it, the ripples get smaller and smaller. She said that when you can no longer see the ripples, the stone was still at the bottom.

The other thing that I looked at were these small fishing boats. Here in the midst of amazing warcraft were a couple of small boats. It was amazing to me that in response to a sounding of the need for boats to rescue over 300,000 people in the Dunkirk evacuation that fishermen came forth with small fishing boats. It is a wonder that they didn't feel that they had nothing to offer in the face of such need. Instead of looking at how small their boats were, they were able to see the opportunity to rescue at least a few people.

When we got back to class that afternoon, we talked about what all we had seen. were talking about how almost disgusting it was to see people posing in front of the exhibit of shoes of the victims of the holocaust. One of my classmates, a wonderful, sensitive young man, was hesitant to confront these people primarily due to his age. It was an interesting conversation about taking a stand for what is right without regard for what others might think, particularly when we are in a place where we know nobody. Of course, wisdom is required, but we have a role to play. We couldn't help but to contrast what a difference between the attitude of the fishermen who seemed confident that they could make a difference and the attitude of the people in the midst of the holocaust.

The rest of class time included student presentations on nutrition and exercise. I am so impressed with the amount of learning and prep time we are all able to put in despite all of the wonderful distractions.

Of course, my main distraction is the theatre. I originally had dinner plans for Tuesday night, but they got changed. So that freed me up to hit the theatre. I have only a few nights left when I am in town without plans so I have a made our must see list. When I headed out, I had no idea where I was heading and then I found a show on my list. I was able to buy a ticket at the door for Pygmalion, which is essentially their version of My Fair Lady, without "the rain in Spain falling mainly on the plain!" It made for a wonderful evening!

Last Day in Berlin

Note: Pictures will be added when I have access to a better internet connection!

On my last day in Berlin, Doug and I had decided to take Ella to the park "with the hill." This is the highest point in Berlin. That, however, was to be Ella's mid-day walk and Doug is very diligent to keep Ella in her routine.

It just dawned on me that I may not have explained who Ella is or how she came to be a part of Doug's family. Ella is a dog who was rescued from the streets of Greece. Apparently, there are a lot of strays in Greece and there is an organization who fly over there and brings them back to Germany in hopes that they will be adopted. Ella spent 9 months in a foster family where she got acclimated to family life. In some ways, it appears that more care was taken to providing a smooth transition to Ella than is for many foster children in the states.

So, before it was time to take Ella for her mid-day walk, Doug decided to do some grocery shopping as he and Julien were having company that evening for dinner. When asked if I wanted to go, I had to factor in that this would require and addition trip up the 75 steps, but determined that experience of life in Berlin and more time with Doug was well worth the trip! When we returned, as I had done on previous days, I asked how long Doug would be in putting away the groceries, hoping to avoid the trip up, but soon learned that he needed some time to do some of the prep work for dinner. So, up the 75 steps I went and, obviously, I survived!

Soon thereafter, Doug and I, along with Ella, headed out to Victoria Park. As I mentioned this is the highest point in Berlin and provided a fantastic view. In addition, there is an artificial waterfall that falls down through it that was simply lovely. The whole thing reminded me a lot of "the valley" near where I grew up outside of Cleveland. But for the 90 degree heat, it was a wonderful walk.

One of the most exciting part part of the walk is that while Doug was pointing out where Ella's dog sitter lives, Ella started getting very anxious. This had happened before in response to certain types of whistles and other sounds from her difficult past. This time she was relentless. The next thing that I knew, Doug was almost running to stay with her. Finally, the issue because clear. Ella had sniffed out Nina, her dog sitter who was walking quite a ways in front of us. She was so very excited and relieved when she could finally visit with her friend!

We returned to the apartment, continued our conversation until it was time for me to leave. Doug was kind enough to take the first bus with me and get me on the second bus that would deliver me directly to the airport. Departing Berlin was much less eventful than arriving. I would have to say that this was, at least in part, to the fact that I was now more experienced with their processes.

Upon arrival back to London, the train that I had planned to take didn't travel to the destination I had planned to get off at. This provided the excitement (i.e., stress) for this let of the trip. I caught the Tube and traveled to a familiar station and walked the rest of the way for fear of getting on the wrong bus. I was tired and wanted to be home. I have bruises on my arms to document that my luggage was too heavy for such a walk (discount airlines have severe restrictions on carry on luggage, so I had a bag that I had to carry), but I survived.


I am so thankful to Doug, Julien and Ella who made me feel so very welcome. It was a wonderful trip and a little hard to return as it felt so much like home, being with someone who knew so much of my story.

Good, but not exactly fun.

Doug and Julien had brunch plans so I elected to venture out again by myself. I had determined that I couldn't do everything, so I was going to make it a priority to do those things that you needed to experience. That is any I went to the memorial yesterday. On this day, I made the difficult decision to visit a memorial/museum concentration camp. This required about a 50 minute train ride to the north end of the S1 train to Orenienburg. From there I walked about 20 minutes through this small town, which was pretty much closed up on this Sunday morning.

I had a lot of reservations about going there. I knew that it would be overwhelming and I was right. I was overwhelmed with the evil and couldn't help but wonder how people get to the point where they are able to do the horrendous things that were done there. I was equally as amazed at the fact that there are people who survived those atrocities and went on living. There were videos of survivors recounting horrific experiences that I feel certain I could not have endured.

I was glad for the walk back as I needed time to decompress. I stopped at what appeared to be the only place open to get food. I couldn't communicate at all,a but I pointed to a picture and ended up with what Doug later told me was classic Turkish street food. I really liked it and was quite proud of myself doe trying it!

The long quite train ride also provide some time to reflect. I concluded that as easy as it is to say that war is not the answer, I saw for myself that there are times that war is necessary. I am thankful, this Memorial Day weekend, that people interceded on behalf of people they would never know.

After some quite time at the apartment, we headed out to a beer garden to get dinner. I had a wonderful meal with leg of lamb and again, the evening was topped off by peppermint tea and one of Doug's wonderful cookies!