We're in Munich now...we actually leave tomorrow for Austria but today after 12 we had free time so we decided to take the train to Dachau. Dachau is the sight of the first concentration camp of WW2. This camp was a 'work camp'. The nazi's used it to build materials for the war knowing that as long as there were prisoners here the Allies would never bomb the location.
The things I saw and felt I can't put into words. I am very thankful for what I have been given and for the fact that I was able to see and get a better picture of history.
It's crazy to think that I have been here for over two weeks. It's beginning to feel like home here, except the whole not always catching what everyone is saying to you. :) Our group here is very interesting to say the least...things keep happening that keep me on my toes that's for sure! I hope to have some interesting stories to tell.
The University at Passau has now set up an exchange program with A&M...hmmm...:)
When we toured Munich yesterday it was amazing to see how old the city is...and by European standards it's young. We walked through beautiful gardens (they had wonderful jogging trails) saw a beautiful palace, the paraliment building, the buildings that Hitler gave speeches on, marketplaces...the history here is amazing. I feel I just need a day to sit, drink coffee, and take it all in. I feel like I am under going a rollar coaster ride of emotions.
God has been teaching me A LOT! It's pretty amazing and I can't wait to share, being here has been such a blast but there have also been some battles and I thank you all for your prayers!!
Amanda
ps....Thanks Emily Anne for your 4 am text message!! Just when I thought I would sleep ;) love you! :)
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Sunday, July 22, 2007
No Prince Charming...
...at this Castle at least but then I'm no Cinderella...I should have worn my glass shoes! We went and visited the two castles in Fussen, the castle there called Neuschwanstein is the castle that inspired the Disney's Cinderella's castle. It was beautiful! Lots of fun as well!
Our time here in Passau has officially ended and we are heading to Munich tomorrow :) I am so excited. Val and I went to the train station and we got our tickets worked out for our extended stay. We are skipping Barcelona :( but it was really the only way to work it out.
Whew...well I need to get to packing, sorry this update is so short!
Our time here in Passau has officially ended and we are heading to Munich tomorrow :) I am so excited. Val and I went to the train station and we got our tickets worked out for our extended stay. We are skipping Barcelona :( but it was really the only way to work it out.
Whew...well I need to get to packing, sorry this update is so short!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
It's Hot Hot Hot!
Whew...well those wonderful cold, rainy days here in Passau are gone and now it it quite hot. We walk everywhere just to go into buildings with no air, I am starting to get use to it but I have to admit the constant sweating is not so great...especially when you are dressing nicely.
In 4 days we are leaving here :( I have really grown to love this little town. Its a lot like Bryan College Station yet so different. A little about this town:
-Shops close around 5ish (we get out of class between 4-5)
-There are gelato stands on every corner, and everyone eats all the time.
-Bars stay open until 5 am!! And yes some of us stay out until then ; )
-There are hills EVERYWHERE!
But the city is truly a beauty, words cannot discribe at all! It has a lot of italian influence.
We went to the local Castle yesterday and it was quite disappointing, we didn't get to see the castle just a tour about the city's history which we had gotten the first day here. The hike up there was long and quite hard, but worth it to see the view of the city.
Gotta run to class! We are learning about US relations with the EU today!!
Amanda
ps We are traveling to see the castle that inspired the Disney castle on saturday! How cool?! No missed trains this weekend ;)
In 4 days we are leaving here :( I have really grown to love this little town. Its a lot like Bryan College Station yet so different. A little about this town:
-Shops close around 5ish (we get out of class between 4-5)
-There are gelato stands on every corner, and everyone eats all the time.
-Bars stay open until 5 am!! And yes some of us stay out until then ; )
-There are hills EVERYWHERE!
But the city is truly a beauty, words cannot discribe at all! It has a lot of italian influence.
We went to the local Castle yesterday and it was quite disappointing, we didn't get to see the castle just a tour about the city's history which we had gotten the first day here. The hike up there was long and quite hard, but worth it to see the view of the city.
Gotta run to class! We are learning about US relations with the EU today!!
Amanda
ps We are traveling to see the castle that inspired the Disney castle on saturday! How cool?! No missed trains this weekend ;)
Monday, July 16, 2007
Mama Mia!
Whew! Well ladies and gents I am back from Venice and let me tell you are you all in for an ear-full on those 3ish days traveling there being there etc!!
Venice was BEAUTIFUL! The Italians really know what they are doing! I'll give you guys a quick run down on what happened...I don't want to tell too much because then what can I talk about when I get back?? Nothing and how many of you really know me to be silent :) So we rode in a Gondola, saw beautiful churches, fed birds, ate wonderful food, saw glass blowing, saw fireworks, got lost alot :) but that was a good thing, had a SCARY SCARY moment on a bus, missed our train, talked our way out of paying for additional tickets through different countries, went to Switzerland ;) (not on purpose), got told 'I love you' from some amazing Italian guys and well I think that gives you all a beginning look on what happend...don't worry my Journal will help me retell the stories when I get back to the good ole USA :)
But Venice really was a beautiful city, although I have decided that I like Italian buildings but I love German people...more relaxed and kinder spirts ;)
Well I missed the first part of the morning this morning due to train problems ;) But I am looking forward to tonight...we are sleeping :) I believe I got 4 hours of sleep this whole weekend and I am about ready to crash! I am attempting to stay up a little later so that we won't wake up to early in the morning.
Today we had a lecture about Effective Lobbying in the EU. SO INTERESTING!! The professor was great quick and too the point...unlike some of our previous lectures. Tomorrow we have a really long day they have added some lectures in because a professor from A&M is in the area. 9.30-12 and then 12-8!! We normally only go for 4 hours everyday 2 in the morning and then 2 in the afternoon! Yay for A&M proff, hiss for long day! But we do get to see a castle on wednesday!!! WHOOP!
Well I am going to go find some dinner! Love you guys lots...oh and POKE! :)
ME!
btw I totally found rice cakes in the grocery store here!!! (we finally found a grocery store!!)
Venice was BEAUTIFUL! The Italians really know what they are doing! I'll give you guys a quick run down on what happened...I don't want to tell too much because then what can I talk about when I get back?? Nothing and how many of you really know me to be silent :) So we rode in a Gondola, saw beautiful churches, fed birds, ate wonderful food, saw glass blowing, saw fireworks, got lost alot :) but that was a good thing, had a SCARY SCARY moment on a bus, missed our train, talked our way out of paying for additional tickets through different countries, went to Switzerland ;) (not on purpose), got told 'I love you' from some amazing Italian guys and well I think that gives you all a beginning look on what happend...don't worry my Journal will help me retell the stories when I get back to the good ole USA :)
But Venice really was a beautiful city, although I have decided that I like Italian buildings but I love German people...more relaxed and kinder spirts ;)
Well I missed the first part of the morning this morning due to train problems ;) But I am looking forward to tonight...we are sleeping :) I believe I got 4 hours of sleep this whole weekend and I am about ready to crash! I am attempting to stay up a little later so that we won't wake up to early in the morning.
Today we had a lecture about Effective Lobbying in the EU. SO INTERESTING!! The professor was great quick and too the point...unlike some of our previous lectures. Tomorrow we have a really long day they have added some lectures in because a professor from A&M is in the area. 9.30-12 and then 12-8!! We normally only go for 4 hours everyday 2 in the morning and then 2 in the afternoon! Yay for A&M proff, hiss for long day! But we do get to see a castle on wednesday!!! WHOOP!
Well I am going to go find some dinner! Love you guys lots...oh and POKE! :)
ME!
btw I totally found rice cakes in the grocery store here!!! (we finally found a grocery store!!)
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Yellow Roses
Yellow roses make my heart smile...alot. We keep seeing them everywhere!!! And they are gorgous! This morning two girls walked into class with some and it caused me to wish I could pick some up on my way home but its not practical.
Whew so yesterday we went to the world's largest BMW factory...it was quite interesting but the tour was so long! 3.5 hours and 4 miles of walking. Talk about working off lunch...which was a piece of bread!
Germany is great, quite beautiful but the weather here is crazy! It has been so cold and rainy during the day and at night! Lecture and classes today were so boring...this morning it was over the EU and Economics and then this afternoon we had a presentation over the Euro.
I am so tired here...I feel like I don't get enough sleep...which is prolly true but there is sooo much to do! We went to dinner with our German students last night and tonight we are meeting them at a place called extreme which according to them is alot of fun. They are in the middle of finals for their semester ends next friday so I am impressed with the amount of time they spend with us! Tomorrow for lunch Val and a couple of us are going to one of the girl's apartment where we are going to make lunch! They are so sweet!
So here's a little summary of my trip so fair:
Things I love about Europe:
-The food and itäs portions (they give very little which is great)
-Amazing Gelato (which they eat everyday! I've had it once)
-Their Coffee here is amazing I drink it black...can you believe it!
-I have developed a love for Grapefruit!
-German Students-they are so amazing and friendly!
-Walking Everywhere! Its so calm and peaceful...and relaxing!
-Being away
Things I miss:
-YOU!!!
-Mexican Food...I don't dare attempt it here...someone got the hot sauce and it was ketup and tomatos!
-Diet Coke
-Texting ;)
Whew...guys I have so much to tell you all! I can't wait to come home and share my stories! I hope you all are having a wonderful day!
ME :)
ps Thanks for the emails they make me smile! :)
Whew so yesterday we went to the world's largest BMW factory...it was quite interesting but the tour was so long! 3.5 hours and 4 miles of walking. Talk about working off lunch...which was a piece of bread!
Germany is great, quite beautiful but the weather here is crazy! It has been so cold and rainy during the day and at night! Lecture and classes today were so boring...this morning it was over the EU and Economics and then this afternoon we had a presentation over the Euro.
I am so tired here...I feel like I don't get enough sleep...which is prolly true but there is sooo much to do! We went to dinner with our German students last night and tonight we are meeting them at a place called extreme which according to them is alot of fun. They are in the middle of finals for their semester ends next friday so I am impressed with the amount of time they spend with us! Tomorrow for lunch Val and a couple of us are going to one of the girl's apartment where we are going to make lunch! They are so sweet!
So here's a little summary of my trip so fair:
Things I love about Europe:
-The food and itäs portions (they give very little which is great)
-Amazing Gelato (which they eat everyday! I've had it once)
-Their Coffee here is amazing I drink it black...can you believe it!
-I have developed a love for Grapefruit!
-German Students-they are so amazing and friendly!
-Walking Everywhere! Its so calm and peaceful...and relaxing!
-Being away
Things I miss:
-YOU!!!
-Mexican Food...I don't dare attempt it here...someone got the hot sauce and it was ketup and tomatos!
-Diet Coke
-Texting ;)
Whew...guys I have so much to tell you all! I can't wait to come home and share my stories! I hope you all are having a wonderful day!
ME :)
ps Thanks for the emails they make me smile! :)
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Whew...
So I completely typed a long entry this morning and couldn't figure out how to post it thanks to everything being in German! But thanks to my wonderful German friends I do hope this works!
Whew this trip has already been breezing by. I apologize for the short entry before but we ran out of time at the university and I had to get to lecture!
On Sunday we took a tour of the city that lasted way to long...although we did learn the purpose that the EU served behind all of Europe throughout her history which I foun interesting. Otherwise our tour guide was quite boring and often would throw in cuss words to get a reaction from us. Although I think the reaction was because we were bored and not paying attention and so when he would throw out a phrase we weren't sure if he was saying it towards us or if it had something to do with the tour itself.
The lectures are amazing...they are so over my head! Today we discussed integration of the EU and how countries like Germany aren't even really countries even more...my thoughts not the lecturers. Then this afternoon we had a lecture about political geography and man it really got me thinking. But I will not go into anymore detail if your interested we can chat about it when I get back to the states!
The German students here are so amazing! So friendly and open with everything! We went on a pub crawl last night with them...we left the hotel at 8 and went to this Irish Pub where I had a "rattler" (American spelling) it was German beer and lemonade mixed, it was good but don't get me wrong its still beer and it really is a taste you have to learn to like. We went to a couple of other places that were fun places but that is due more to the people I think.
I have such a strong desire to tell people Howdy when we walk by them or when we say hello it's quite funny...Val laughed at me today when I told someone we passed in the hallway "Howdy"...I am so weird I know!
Well it's late and I actually got on to see if I could talk to a few people but with my luck they were all either out or off visiting other people!!! Hopefully tomorrow though!
I love you all and hope you are all have a wonderfully blessed day!! Praying for ya!
Manda
PS...We booked our train to Italy today! How AMAZING!!
Whew this trip has already been breezing by. I apologize for the short entry before but we ran out of time at the university and I had to get to lecture!
On Sunday we took a tour of the city that lasted way to long...although we did learn the purpose that the EU served behind all of Europe throughout her history which I foun interesting. Otherwise our tour guide was quite boring and often would throw in cuss words to get a reaction from us. Although I think the reaction was because we were bored and not paying attention and so when he would throw out a phrase we weren't sure if he was saying it towards us or if it had something to do with the tour itself.
The lectures are amazing...they are so over my head! Today we discussed integration of the EU and how countries like Germany aren't even really countries even more...my thoughts not the lecturers. Then this afternoon we had a lecture about political geography and man it really got me thinking. But I will not go into anymore detail if your interested we can chat about it when I get back to the states!
The German students here are so amazing! So friendly and open with everything! We went on a pub crawl last night with them...we left the hotel at 8 and went to this Irish Pub where I had a "rattler" (American spelling) it was German beer and lemonade mixed, it was good but don't get me wrong its still beer and it really is a taste you have to learn to like. We went to a couple of other places that were fun places but that is due more to the people I think.
I have such a strong desire to tell people Howdy when we walk by them or when we say hello it's quite funny...Val laughed at me today when I told someone we passed in the hallway "Howdy"...I am so weird I know!
Well it's late and I actually got on to see if I could talk to a few people but with my luck they were all either out or off visiting other people!!! Hopefully tomorrow though!
I love you all and hope you are all have a wonderfully blessed day!! Praying for ya!
Manda
PS...We booked our train to Italy today! How AMAZING!!
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Howdy from Germany!
Whew! It is already monday here and so much has happened!! The plane ride over here was long and quite tiring but it finally ended and we were in Munich!! After a 2 hour bus ride we finally arrived in Passau!
Our first night here was quite interesting as I soon found out that our pillows were made out of feather (I'm allergic) Yesterday (sunday) we took a tour of the city...ahh we have to run I'll finish this update later! Love you all!
Me!!! :)
Our first night here was quite interesting as I soon found out that our pillows were made out of feather (I'm allergic) Yesterday (sunday) we took a tour of the city...ahh we have to run I'll finish this update later! Love you all!
Me!!! :)
Thursday, July 5, 2007
The day before...
Whew! I can not believe it is already July 5th!! I leave tomorrow!! This summer has flown by and it's hard to believe Europe is less than 48 hours away! I am truly excited, as much as I love my friends and family I am ready to get away from some of the stresses and drama of life :)
So yesterday was the 4th of July, amazing times with A-MAZING friends, great food (too much actually), fun fireworks, and even got a "poke" thrown in, in there :) I now have to push hehe. Never the less it was a wonderful night thanks to my wonderful friends : D
So this isn't much of a first post but I wanted to make sure it worked AND I should actually get back to packing! :) Next time I'll be writing from Germany :) WHOOP!
So yesterday was the 4th of July, amazing times with A-MAZING friends, great food (too much actually), fun fireworks, and even got a "poke" thrown in, in there :) I now have to push hehe. Never the less it was a wonderful night thanks to my wonderful friends : D
So this isn't much of a first post but I wanted to make sure it worked AND I should actually get back to packing! :) Next time I'll be writing from Germany :) WHOOP!
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