July 26, 2010

Berlin, Germany

When we started planning this trip Berlin, Germany was not high on my list. I just didn't have interest in going! Little did I know it would be my highlight. We learned so much and were able to experience a little history. I CANNOT even fathom what happened here just a few short years ago!


We fell in love with this Cathedral and this plaza. The dome is the prettiest I have ever seen. We stood admiring this beautiful building and just years ago stood thousands of NAZIS hailing to HITLER in this exact spot.

Berlin is a very new city because it was bombed and destroyed during WWII. However there are still old buildings like the cathedral that survived. If they survived their statues have missing limbs, and black charcoal is all over it.


We loved the old Berlin but also loved the new too! Like sitting here enjoying our Currywurst while listening to locals cheer on Germany during the World Cup!



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We were able to see Check Point Charlie

Go through the American Sector


See and touch the Berlin Wall.

We got kicked off the train(apparently our tickets were no good) in the middle of no where. So we waited on the one and only plat form for another train. But we did finally make it to the tiny town we were looking for...
This is what we were trying to get to!
RAVENSBURCK:
WOMENS and CHILDRENS CONCENTRATION CAMP.
It took us 20 minutes to walk from the train stop to the camp. Our walk was gorgeous, green and peaceful. The town was charming and the cobblestone was perfect.
We kept saying over and over how beautiful it was.
Even the outside of the camp was beautiful.
But just behind that building was horror! Pictures can not show what we witnessed and can not feel what we felt.
The bunkers are no longer there but you can still see the imprints in the gravel from all of them.
The shops were still in tact.
These shops were where the women reported to work everyday!
The prison cell.
Yes. You are seeing that correctly. This is where the women/children were burned.
I tried to imagine what these women/mothers were like. I tried to imagine what they were thinking about before they were led to the gas chamber and then burned here. They did nothing wrong yet were treated in the most horrible way.
It was very hard to picture the horrific scene when the surroundings were so gorgeous.
It was hard to believe that something so inhumane took place there! But it did. And it was all done for nothing! Millions of people lost there lives in Holocaust and my heart aches for every single one of them!
My heart was touched here at Ravensburck and I am thankful for the humbling experience.

This world travel was a great one and I am grateful to of had the opportunity to see more of the world!

8 comments:

Rachelle said...

oh my you lucky duck you! what a fun vacation you had. sorry you got sick half way through. but it looks like you got better and kept enjoying yourself. awesome!

Leanna said...

Wow is all I can say! What an amazing trip! You guys saw soooo much! Awesome!

Jenny said...

What an experience to be in Berlin. I can't imagine walking through there. Thanks for sharing all your travels with us!!

Lacy Rane said...

I love seeing the pictures to place with your stories! What a great trip. I'm so glad you were able to go.

Christine said...

I just got back from our trip and had to catch up on your blog. Love the pics and the travelougue! Next best thing to being there!

I so feel for you getting the flu. Our whole family got sick the last day of our trip (Jeff the day before, he passed out at Tulum) We spent 2 days at our all inclusive resort enjoying nothing but the beds and their neverending supply of bottled water and sprite.

I just got back from the doctors and he said I have an e coli infection...I'm off to get my antibiotic...so much for souveniers from Mexico :)

Brynn and Cooper's Mom said...

Wow Erin, what an amazing journey on your vacation. You have seen what some refute, can you even imagine??

Looks like you had an amazing vacation. Take care.

Kipn n' Sarah said...

WOW I am so glad you got to experience that, I am sure that is something that changes a person, just being there and seeing and feeling what you felt. Tears! So glad you got to do all this traveling as well :)

Aja Jenise said...

I love love love your trip pictures. I would love to travel... permanently. Hopefully, one day. I have really enjoyed your adventures aroudn the world, and your journeys... of the heart, so to say. Your experiences with infertility are a breath of fresh air to have you say what others may be worried to... you make it all kosher! A true lesson in communication and honesty. A lesson I needed... thank you. Also, your remodel parties... are too much fun!! I am glad I can keep in touch with you... (((HUGS)))