This time around, I felt a lot more prepared to travel. I actually remembered to bring my own towel to the hostel, we arrived at the train station at the right time, I packed thicker socks. All should have been perfect, right? Well, what do you think happened? It actually went really great. My friend Shelley and I had an amazing time in Berlin. Going off the fantastic time we had in Vienna, we decided to follow somewhat the same pattern: we did a walking tour first thing and then went on a pub crawl that same night. This seems to get you well-situated in the new city and possibly help you meet some fellow travelers who may be interested in doing some of the same things! We arrived in the early evening the first night, but decided to stay close to the hostel and keep rested for the big day ahead. We booked our free walking tour, ate some fish n' chips, and had a good night's sleep. (For future reference though, don't choose a "mixed" dorm at the hostel. The guys we were with were nice enough, but one used waaayyyyy too much Axe body spray. And judging by the fact that he woke up in his bunk alone, the tactic really didn't work out for him.) DAY ONE We went on the Sandemans New Berlin Free Walking Tour. Here, we got to see the Brandenburg Gate, the site of Hitler's Bunker, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Checkpoint Charlie, Gendermenmarkt, The Berlin Wall, Pariser Platz, Bebelplatz, the Book Burning Memorial, and Humboldt University. After the tour, we ate some traditional German food at Augustiner, and I purchased a book from the market just beside the site of the book burnings. I thought this would be a nice way to memorialize this for when I travel home. We then headed to the Topography of Terrors Museum, which is a free museum located right next to the Berlin Wall site. I highly recommend this museum, as it has a large amount of information about WWII, its key players, and the events leading up to it. There are several photographs and it's a really moving exhibit. To end the day, we went on the Sandemans Pub Crawl and made a few friends. The pub crawl was absolute chaos. There were 160 participants, according to one tour guide. If you don't believe me, check out the video below where I show just the crowd leading into the metro between the last bar and the club. This made for an evening I will never forget. DAY TWO With only a slight hangover, we made it to the Sademans Sachsenhausen Tour. This day was quite possibly my favorite of the entire trip. If you are ever in Berlin, you must go and see this Memorial and Museum, if only to view something that shaped all of history for this country and the world. For those who don't know, Sachsenhausen is a concentration camp that opened in 1936, just after Himmler was appointed Chief of German Police. More than 200,000 people were imprisoned in Sachsenhausen. In 1945, only 3,000 sick prisoners were liberated by the Soviet and Polish troops. Today, Sachsenhausen is part of the Brandenburg Memorials Foundation. It was preserved and redesigned with the "geometry of total terror" visible to all who visit, to serve as a "guarantor of memory." You'll notice that I didn't take very many photographs on this tour. It didn't feel right to capture this site of terror as if it were some Disneyland spectacle. It was just as horrific as it was moving. If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you may have already seen some commentary I have on the topic of this site. The quotation below is directly from my post. "As a preface, I want to state that my intention was to discuss this topic with the highest amount of respect. I hope my words reflect my feelings with complete consideration of the sensitivity of this topic in mind. I don't normally post such critical thought or discussion of deep values, so I did my best to write it well. This post is not intended to start a discussion of politics, or really any discussion at all, but more to share what I've learned, from my particular point of view. - Of all the things I've learned through my travels so far, my time in Germany has probably taught me the most profound lesson. And that is a lesson in humility. Today, I toured the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp site. I cannot put into words how moving and emotional of an experience this was. So instead of trying to encompass all the lessons and images and feelings this brought to light, I will focus on a theme that's become common in what I've seen and heard- especially in Germany. Humility. It's something as an American I've been taught to appreciate and value. It's always been important to admit one's mistakes and learn from them. However, I feel that my understanding of the concept has been extremely superficial and understated given my cultural context. To put it really simply- Germany will never be able to change their past. It's a dark one, full of unspeakable amounts of evil and fear. But instead of trying to erase this fault from the public eye, they highlight it within many aspects of their culture even today. They realize that one apology is not enough. They don't try to place blame on individuals or particular circumstances. They don't make excuses, as they know this part of their history was complex and can teach the world a lesson to ensure that it never happens again. Their government allocates huge amounts of money to keeping historical sites such as Sachsenhausen preserved: not as a glowing badge of honor but as a dark reminder of the capabilities of humankind. They could tear down these sites and leave this part of history for textbooks and cautionary tales, but they don't. They know the importance of humility. In my life, this has been the best example of this trait I've ever witnessed. I applaud Germany in handling this issue of image and identity with such grace. I'm sad this lesson wasn't as prevalent in the examples set by my own experience. I think it's a lesson we all could learn from: on a global level, a national level, and even on an interpersonal level. This is not a lesson I would have fully understood if not for seeing it first-hand, and I'm sure my understanding will expand over time. Regardless, I will never forget it." DAY THREE To finish off the trip, we had to visit the East Side Gallery. It is a lot longer of a stretch of wall than I had originally anticipated, but it was worth walking in the below-freezing weather. The cool part about the East Side Gallery is that it is constantly changing. Here are a few of my favorite scenes from when we were there. "The East Side Gallery is understood as a monument to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the peaceful negotiation of borders and conventions between societies and people." You will see how some of the art has been altered to reflect that ideal for today's conflicts and fights for peace.
0 Comments
DAY ONE: We almost missed our train. My first experience with trains was almost a catastrophe. But, we made it-- and then got off a stop too early. To put it really simply, the first day of the trip was a *little* rough. Regardless, we powered through and went on a walking tour soon after getting off the train. We learned about the basic history of Vienna, and got to see many attractions such as the Albertina Square, the Palace Gate, Heldenplatz Square, Schweizerhof Courtyard, Josefsplatz Square, the Monument against War & Fascism, Stephansplatz Square, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Spanish Riding School, and the State Opera House. We covered a lot in about 3 hours.
DAY TWO After only about 5 hours of sleep, we somehow rose from the dead and decided to tour what I think may be the most beautiful museum I've ever seen. The Kunsthistorisches Museum is one of the two "Twin Museums" in the center of Vienna, and features several awe-inspiring exhibits. Although, the building itself would be enough to go and visit. It was overwhelmingly stunning, and my adjectives don't do it justice. We even spotted two different weddings going on at the museum that day, so that tells you just how magical a place it is. We also toured the Sisi Museum and the Kaiserappartements. The only photographs I got there were of one of the hundreds of china sets they had on display, and of the Sisi statue (which barely missed the hand of one security guard who told me about the no-photos rule. Whoops!) We ate at a very delicious yet affordable Austrian-style restaurant called "Beisl". And as if that weren't enough, we also went and ordered a whole table-top of doughnuts afterward. I'm not kidding, this trip has housed the best food I've had in Europe so far. DAY THREE To top off our trip, we decided to go back and re-capture some of the highlights. We walked around a nearby park that was surrounded by the Parliament building and Heroes Square. We wandered around and found some more charming streets, got a better look at St. Stephen's Cathedral, and toured the inside of the Opera House. We had dinner at Beisl (again), and had a relaxing day to end the trip of no sleep. It was incredible. Out of sheer circumstance, I planned my weekend around music. Well, at least that's how I'm going to interpret it. This past weekend, my friends and I decided to visit one of the most iconic Prague attractions-- The John Lennon Wall in Mala Strana. If you haven't heard of it, the history is actually really interesting. The wall started as an act of protest against the communist regime by young Czechs back in the 1980's. After John Lennon's murder in 1980, young Czechs saw him as a pacifist symbol, and used his image and Beatles song lyrics to cover the wall to preach peace and love. During the time of communism in Czechia, most Western pop music was banned by the communists, so the police were constantly covering the murals with white paint. After several years of the paintings reappearing and multiplying, the Knights of Malta have only recently stopped trying to paint back over it. The wall itself is situated across from the French Embassy, and is now owned by the Sovereign Military order of Malta. In 2015, on the 25th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, the wall was painted over with white by a group of art students, with only the phrase "The Wall Is Over" left behind. The Knights of Malta actually sued the students, and the art has since been altered around the wall to now read "The War Is Over." The wall is an ever-changing piece of artwork that speaks out against political conflict and symbolizes a set of global ideals that Lennon would have wanted for our world. It was an incredible experience to see this living symbol of strength against unfair government. I hope to return again before I leave Prague. I wish the next part of my weekend were so culturally profound, but I won't lie to you. It wasn't. But, also in the spirit of honesty, it was my favorite part of the weekend. I got the opportunity to see The Chainsmokers live, here in Prague. They're a "band" I've been following for years, and the tickets in Europe are SO much cheaper than they would be to see them back in the States. I had an incredible time. The music and lights were high energy, and I can't explain to you the rush I feel when I'm in a crowd with music so loud you can feel the bass in your bones. (Please forgive my low-quality videos.) Finally, I want to add that I went to the Jam Night at Simply U again, and this week I participated more than I did last week. Just to add to my own glory (and probably self-loathing in a few years when I'm embarrassed of this moment), I totally killed the rapping riff of Gorillaz "Clint Eastwood". A week revolving around music-- I truly am living my best life.
If you know me at all, you know I love art, in any form. I could spend all day in a museum, or all night at a concert and be perfectly content. So, naturally, this is one of the huge reasons why I chose Prague as my new home. I've got to tell you though, as much as I'd like to believe art literally draws me in... it does not. This last weekend, a couple friends and I set out to visit one of Prague's biggest galleries- The National Gallery in Prague. So we did what anyone with internet access does, we googled the name and clicked maps and followed the prompted route. We showed up to Old Town Square with a little bit of confusion, as I thought I had seen the gallery we were trying to get to in a different part of town. We went inside the building and did in fact find a gallery-- just not the one we were looking for. Very confused we did about 3 laps of the outside of the building. The logo was the same on all the signs, Google Maps was telling us we'd arrived. We started to think we imagined the gallery we had in mind. We decided to take a break and just wander town. We stumbled upon the coolest James Bond themed cafe (click the image for a link to their Facebook page!) and decided to rest there while we scoured the internet for answers. My friend finally found the answer after about 1.5 hours of trying to figure it out. The National Gallery in Prague is made up of several locations, all over Prague. ***If you wish to visit this gallery, be sure to look up the Trade Fair Palace, NOT the Kinsky Palace.*** ANYWAY, the gallery was completely worth the hassle, When we arrived, we discovered we came on a free admittance day. (FYI: Tickets for students are usually discounted with an ISIC card.) So, it was a little crowded with kids and large groups, but the art still was stunning. I will be returning in the future to see some of their special exhibits and to spend more time there. Check out some of the photos from the day below! After the gallery, we wandered some more because that's the best way to find things here. Seriously. Without knowing where we were going my friends and I found Letna Park. Look at this view! Later this same week, I went with a friend of mine to a "Jam Night" at a local bar, Simply U Kravaty 2. The group was made up of people from all over the world, and all with different talents and instruments. It was actually really refreshing to be the only American in the room. It was incredible that music can unite so many people from so many places. Some of us are very talented (everyone else), some were just there for fun (me). Whatever our reasons, this night was amazing. My face hurt from smiling and my sides were sore from laughter. If you are ever here and interested in meeting some of the nicest people in the world, look up the Facebook group Amateur Singing in Prague. As everyone knows, getting homesick is guaranteed with any long-term travelling. Mine started to set in pretty early, as I thought about how long I was going to be in Prague. (I know, poor me, I have to live in Europe, whah whah). But really, I didn't get too sad till the first time I Skyped my mom and my dogs. My dogs were running around frantically trying to find where my voice was coming from and I totally cried (not afraid to admit it). But then I got myself up and went outside. I think the times that are the hardest are when I am laying around. Eventually I found that it's hard to feel sorry for yourself when you are buying coffee at a little cafe outside your apartment in Europe. SO, my advice- let yourself have the little victories. LET ME TELL YOU. Americans take it for granted how easy it is to just drive through somewhere and pick up half-decent meals when feeling too tired to cook, or when your fridge is empty. Well, I had both issues the other night and immediately felt the dread that is having to find, walk to, and order food in a foreign country. Luckily, I had a buddy who was willing to walk with me. We stumbled upon a market nearby and we went in so she could buy some food. And I look over and see a can of Arizona tea. I literally gasped and grabbed her arm and stopped to take a picture I was so excited. (She probably thinks I'm so lame, yayyyy new friends). This was the most connected I felt to home in days, even though in reality it was just a can of some imported, sugary drink that isn't even made in Arizona. Something so small really did give me so much encouragement. (For those who don't know, 49 crowns is about $2.50 USD. And FUN FACT- they have different flavors in Europe than they do in the US. Super strange!).
Next, we walked over to a nearby sub shop so I could buy a hot meal. I walked inside, praying that the menu had pictures so I could understand what I was ordering. But, then some kind of magic happened. I could understand the menu somehow. The lady behind the counter broke my focus and stated, "No hablo Ingles, no hablo Czech." And I realized-- she was speaking Spanish! The menu was written in Spanish! I could've kissed her! (I didn't, don't worry). I turned around and responded in Spanish, and she just lit up. This was the first person outside the University I could comfortably communicate with, and although the interaction was as small as ordering a meal, it was so comforting. Finally, a sign I could read and a person I could understand. It really is the little things. ~~~ On another note- I did start classes this last week, and it's a little too early to report but I think this is shaping up to be an amazing semester of learning inside and outside UNYP. For those who are curious- I am taking International Marketing Strategies, Intercultural Communication, Visual Culture, International Politics, and Mediation. Please enjoy this picture that I took of the front steps on my first day, like a nerd. Notice it's blurry because I took it before all the other students standing out front could realize what I was doing and realize I am said nerd. I cannot stress enough: CULTURE SHOCK AND JET LAG ARE REAL. Everyone warns you and you never listen, I know I know. But REALLY. You won't realize how much you should have paid attention to your friends, advisors, and family till you sleep a full 14 hours in one day, and only 2 in the next, and end up going through a roller coaster of emotions when you think about that Cane's by your house back home. It's RIDDIKILUS. But beyond that, OH MY GOD UNYP AND PRAGUE. I am posting this the night before my official first day of class, so as far as academics, I will only be able to touch on my orientation experience. UNYP has already been so helpful in making Prague feel like my new home. Their welcome day starts at the school, and gives you the opportunity to meet new students just like you. It was like freshman year all over again- everyone was excited, nervous, and really desperate to make friends. And I did! (Thank God). The best part is that the people here come from so many different backgrounds, but are here to do and see the same things as you, so it's easy to bond! After meeting other students, they give you a tour of the campus. It's really small and easy to navigate, so no stress there! (Unlike having to make it across NAU campus in 20 minutes in the snow, uphill both ways BS). After this, they give you a break for lunch, then reconvene to do a walking tour of some of Prague. On my tour we walked to the river (1), went into some beautiful old churches (2), saw some amazing views of Prague castle(3,4), and ended up in a square close to old town, just past the theater (5) where we had some to-die-for hot chocolate (6). Huge thank you to our tour guides and UNYP for setting up this amazing day. DAY TWO. Well, as I said before I slept for 14 hours and that was no joke. So, most of the day was spent grocery shopping. However, after shopping me and my friend went to Prague Beer Museum. It's really close to campus/Belgicka and has really reasonable prices for amazing beer. This particular night they also had live music, too. And if you're like me, beer and a band are all you need to have a good night. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS PLACE. DAY THREE. I started my day with a cappuccino from a cafe just downstairs from my apartment (1). IF Cafe has lots of great coffees as well as some really beautiful pastries. Cheap and convenient! Later, a group of friends and I decided to check off Old Town Square from our bucket lists. And let me tell you, it paid off. Old Town Square is a short tram ride away from Belgicka. From the tram, we wandered the streets and found some very interesting shops! We stopped at the Lego Museum (2), a market square (3), and at a trdelnik stand (4,5). After this, we headed into the square where we saw some amazing street performances (you'll have to check my Facebook for these) and the famous buildings and architecture (unfortunately the Astronomical Clock is closed for repair). (Images 6-10) We later wandered (11) to a restaurant called Lokal and had lunch that featured some authentic Czech cuisine. I opted for the beef goulash and potato dumplings, paired with a local pilsner (12-14). The whole meal was fairly cheap, really filling, delicious, and served by friendly staff. Another place I recommend. I don't expect I'll be able to detail all my travels like this (you're like PHEW, thank God). But, I wanted to highlight how much you can see and do in such a short period of time! This city is amazing, and I cannot wait to see what else it has in store for me!
PACKING IS SO STRESSFUL. SEND HELP.
I know it will pay off, but how much of my wardrobe am I ACTUALLY going to have to leave behind? The answer is all. All of it, apparently. BUT SERIOUSLY: You're here for some info, so here you go: I chose to study abroad because I have always had the traveler's itch: I need to see the world, and why not do it while I can use my time for a dual purpose. I chose UNYP and Prague for many reasons. I knew I needed a program that would utilize my scholarships and would help me complete my International Communications minor. After narrowing down my options based on this, Prague stood out because of its rich history, safe location, and affordability. The Czech Republic was untouched by WWII, is home to the largest castle in the world, and has lots of BEER (sorry mom). So, I was sold on location. UNYP stood out because of its small class sizes, American-style teaching, and great student resources. They have a really high rate of graduation to career success rates, and are focused on making their students "reflective, responsible, tolerant, and resourceful individuals equipped with the skills and knowledge to meet the challenges of an interconnected world." I can't wait to see the connections I make at this school that will help me build my future career. I know that this school will challenge my viewpoint, and I am thrilled. In all seriousness- I am most nervous about adjusting to the culture, and being somewhere where I know no one. I was born and raised in Arizona, and have never lived anywhere else, so living in Europe without family moments away will be a huge change. However, I am also excited to see where this change will take me. What will I do without my safety net and normal routine? Will I get "Taken"? (Probably not, but you can never be too careful.) Will I be perfectly fine? (Probably... right?) We will see! |
AuthorAmber Lamb, a college student and first-time traveler. ArchivesCategories |