2008 UHS German Trip

Welcome to our trip blog!

2008-06-27T20:02:00.000-07:00

We hope you enjoy traveling along with us. There are two pages of posts with links to the videos. Unfortunately, I was unable to get the videos on the blog during our trip and therefore have no videos for the sites and cities we visited after June 8th. We'll keep adding photos and videos if the students have them, so check back later!
Frau D.

Reichstag

2008-06-27T19:46:00.000-07:00

The lines were so long and the sun was so hot that we bypassed the Reichstag government building and returned later in the evening to be security-checked and then whisked up the elevator to the top of the building. The new glass dome of the seat of government afforded an awesome view of the entire city. The wind blew through our hair as we got panorama views of the city from every side. Displays under the glass dome showed the history of the building.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaZOHVALAoA

Berlin Zoo

2008-06-27T19:42:00.000-07:00

What could be better on a hot summer day than to stroll under the shade of the trees and enjoy the antics of the Berlin Zoo animals? OK, maybe the stroll with the ice cream!
Knut the Ploar Bear baby is all grown up and didn't want to give up his Sunday afternoon nap for my video, but other animals were out and about - just why would an elephant practice walking backwards?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-ITYbCJDGo

Pariserplatz

2008-06-27T18:46:00.000-07:00

The very heart of Berlin is the Brandenburg Gate and the surrounding square named the Pariserplatz. It was here that the center of the Berlin Wall divided the city. Returning to this opened free space was rather emotional for me (Frau D.) and hopefully the students comprehended the changes I could tell them about from personal experience in this epicenter of recent German history. Here were the no-man's land security precautions, guards shooting to kill, escape attempts, separated families, the very symbol of the divided Germany. We were able to only discuss the Checkpoint Charlie as a part of history, but I had lived this division and crossed over from one side of the Gate to the other. Here our presidents had stood and proclaimed solidarity with West Berlin's citizens. Walking through the Gate with no barriers was a rather unsettling experience.
The square is once again a lively town center and we enjoyed the many performers. Ask Andrea if you want to hear more from the band - she has their CD.
Unbelievably, we met up with tourists from the Vinton area and saw someone who worked with my husband - small world!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQ0dd5wcvxc

Pergamon Museum

2008-06-27T18:30:00.000-07:00

One of the best known and most highly regarded museums in Berlin is the Pergamon Museum on Museum Island. German archeologist Carl Humann discovered the fantastic Pergamon Altar in what is now Bergama, Turkey. He received permission to transport the decrepit ruin to Berlin where it was painstakingly reconstructed and is the central feature of the museum now bearing its name. It joined the extensive collection of Greek and Roman antiquities already in Berlin. Although undergoing restoration and the process of remodeling the exhibit, the magnificent brilliant blue tiled Ishtar Gate from Babylon was still available to the Museum's guests. The special exhibits this summer all dealt with funereal art and customs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHkkod0MouU

Rhein cruise

2008-06-27T18:25:00.000-07:00

Leaving the Ruine Rheinfels, we boarded a ship of the Ruedesheimer-Bingen Schifffahrtsgesellschaft and leisurely cruised upstream (but towards the south!) passing numerous castles, towers, fortresses, palaces and charming cities. Hopefully, you can hear some of the captain's commentary on the sites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFjYNwNGl2M

Marksburg

2008-06-27T15:13:00.000-07:00

Marksburg stands above Braubach and is one of the best preserved castles in Germany. In contrast to Ruine Rheinfels, it was never damaged and shows us the life within a fortress of a later period.
(Whoops - the video is titled incorrectly!!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ResN6iiGupE

Ruine Rheinfels

2008-06-26T17:03:00.000-07:00

Our first day out on our own - Rheinfels castle - our guide Guenther clued us in to the history of this magnificent castle and then we could explore to our hearts' content. Ask the kids about the tunnels! Enjoy this huge ruin and let your imaginations run wild!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhevsPVQNWE

Benz Museum

2008-06-26T15:45:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday we traveled to Stuttgart to visit the Mercedes Benz Museum - highlights of the history of motorcars and then, modern and amazing technology. Unfortunately, my Mercedes was not ready for delivery due to a mix-up with the American dealer - just kidding! Some of the guys took control of the video camera, so enjoy their commentary on the collection:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Cy5fv_zeK20

Heidelberg

2008-06-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

After school on Monday we went to the castle above Heidelberg. It's a conglomeration of various styles and damaged, but still awesome! Because it was later in the afternoon, we were unable to view the inner rooms by tour, but explored the grounds, courtyards, passageways, and Apothecary Museum. It serves today as a public park-type area, hosts concerts and events such as weddings in its chapel and knights' hall. One famous part of the castle is the giant cask, which the locals filled with Rhine wine as a way of paying their taxes. Justin tried the balcony footprint on for size - legend says a knight had to make a quick exit from a lady's chambers when her husband returned unexpectantly and he left a footprint in the stone when he leaped from the window.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YMZHgoetHo

Ready to "roll"

2008-06-21T21:22:00.000-07:00

Underway with vans, planes, trains, etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMkL8jo9wSs

Kletterwald video links

2008-06-21T12:15:00.000-07:00

Here we are at the Kletterwald climbing forest: Proof that Knights can fly!
Kletterwald 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66pnv9EUHQA
Link for Kletterwald 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujSrf3QlxVM

Itinerary with websites

2008-05-28T09:13:00.000-07:00

Here's our plan for the trip!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Meet in the south parking lot after school and pack up the vans.
Depart between 4-4:30 for Chicago
Overnight at ……Palos Park, Illinois
The Center (Kaptur Admin. Center)
12700 Southwest Highway (708-671-3700 general info)
Palos park, Illinois 60464
Voice: 708-361-3650
Fax: 708-361-2811

Thursday, May 29, 2008
Depart on US Airways flight 700 to Philadelphia at 11:34 a.m.
Arrive in Philadelphia 2:40 p.m.
Depart Philadelphia US Airways flight 710 to Zurich at 6:20 p.m.
Arrive 8:25 a.m. May 30, 2008 in Zurich

Friday, May 30, 2008
Depart from Zurich train station at 11:02 with EC 100
Arrive in Mannheim 14:37
Meet host families (names, addresses and phone numbers are on the “Gastgeberverzeichnis” document e-mailed or given to the students)

Saturday, May 31
Climbing Jungle with all host students and UHS students
http://www.kletterwald.info/content.php?category=4&page=1

Technic Museum
http://www.technik-museum.de/uk/speyer/

Speyer City Center and Cathedral

Sunday, June 1
Family time

Monday, June 2

Attend classes at
Karolina Burger Realschule in Ludwigshafen-Mundenheim
http://kbrs.bildung-rp.de/
Dr. Edgar Wagner, principal

afternoon free for student directed activities

Tuesday, June 3
http://www.museum-mercedes-benz.com

Wednesday, June 4
http://www.deere.com/de_DE/about_us/jd_germany/mannheim.html

Heidelberg
www.heidelberg.de

Thursday, June 5
Depart Ludwigshafen from train station at 9:04 and travel to the Rhein area
Arrive in Oberwesel at 11:26
Picnic, Rhein cruise and Rheinfels castle tour 13:30

Oberwesel Jhb.
http://www.diejugendherbergen.de/cms/front_content.php?idcat=140&lang=1&client=1
Jugendgästehaus Oberwesel
Auf dem Schönberg
55430 Oberwesel
phone: 067 44 9 33 30 (from US dial 011 49 067 44 9 33 30)
fax: 0 67 44 74 46 ( from US dial 011 49 67 44 74 46)
e-mail: oberwesel@diejugendherbergen.de

Rheinfels castle
http://www.st-goar.de/17-1-rheinfels-castle.html

Rhein cruise to Bingen
http://www.bingen-ruedesheimer.com/

Back to Oberwesel Jugendgästehaus for an evening swim

Friday, June 6

Move bags to Bacharach hostel
Jugendherberge Burg Stahleck
55422 Bacharach
phone: 06743 1266 (from US dial 011 49 6743 1266 )
fax: 06743 2684 (from US dial 011 49 6743 2684)
e-mail: bacharach@diejugendherbergen.de

Tour castles

Ehrenbreitstein
http://www.festungehrenbreitstein.de/englisch.html

Marksburg 14:00
http://www.marksburg.de/english/frame.htm

other sites/activities as time permits (Happy Birthday, Alex!)

Saturday, June 7
Depart via train to Köln at 7:21 a.m.
Arrive Köln 9:05

Kölner Dom
http://217.160.164.18/typo3-dom/index.php

Flight to Berlin with AirBerlin 6498 at 12:00 from Köln-Bonn Airport

Arrive Berlin 13:05
Transfer bags to A&O Hostel am Zoo
Joachimstalerstrasse 1-3
D-10632 Berlin, Germany
phone: from US dial 011 49 30 809 47 5107 (reservations)
from US dial 011 49 30 88 91 35 30 (hostel)
fax: from US dial 011 49 30 809 47 5190

Kaiser-Wilhelm Gedächtniskirche
http://www.gedaechtniskirche-berlin.de/KWG/dateien/englisch/index.php

Europa Center

Story-of-Berlin
http://www.story-of-berlin.de/

Sunday, June 8
Pergamon Museum reservation at 10:15 and maybe others on Museum Island
http://www.berlin.de/orte/museum/pergamonmuseum/

Walking tours to many spots in the city

Reichstag
http://www.bundestag.de/

Deutscher Dom
http://www.berlin.de/orte/museum/deutscher-dom/

Alliierten Museum (possible)
http://www.berlin.de/orte/museum/alliierten-museum/

Sony Center (shopping and huge movie complex)

Zoo (date of visit depends on weather)
http://www.zoo-berlin.de/
Monday, June 9
German History Museum
http://www.dhm.de/ENGLISH/index.html

Jewish Museum
http://www.berlin.de/orte/museum/juedisches-museum-berlin/

Checkpoint Charlie Museum
http://www.berlin.de/orte/museum/haus-am-checkpoint-charlie/

Overnight train to Salzburg via CNL 1201
Depart 22:14 arrive Muenchen 6:42
Transfer 7:26 for Salzburg via IC 111
Arrive 8:58 in Salzburg Tuesday morning

Tuesday, June 10 and Wednesday, June 11

http://www2.salzburg.info/
Institut St. Sebastian
Linzer Gasse 41
A-5020 Salzburg
phone: from US dial 011 43 662 871386
fax: from US dial 011 43 662 871386 85

Hohensalzburg
Mozart Geburtshaus and Museum
Hellbrunn palace and water games (SOM gazebo)
river ride
Untersberg
catacombs, Mirabell palace and gardens, royal residence, art galleries, monastery

Thursday, June 12
Depart Salzburg and travel to Munich via Berchtesgaden and the Chiemsee
Berchtesgaden Salt Mines
http://www.salzzeitreise.de/

Chiemsee and Herrenchiemsee palace
http://www.herren-chiemsee.de/englisch/n_palace/index.htm

on to München
A&O Hostel
Arnulfstrasse 102
D- 80636 München, Germany
phone: from US dial 011 49 (0) 89 45 23 59-550 (hostel)
from US dial 011 49 30 809 47 5101 (reservations)
fax: 011 49 (0) 89 45 23 59-551
Friday, June 13
www.muenchen.de
city walking tour 9:00 to noon
Dachau
850th anniversary fest – folk dancing, handiwork, etc.

Saturday, June 14
Residenz and treasury
Allianz Arena tour 13:30
Olympic park (maybe a swim in the Olympic pool??)
Nymphenburg palace

Sunday, June 15
train ALX86210 at 11:21 to Lindau and then EC 194 to Zürich arriving 16:44
Youth Hostel Zurich
Mutschellenstrasse 114
8038 Zürich Switzerland
phone: from US dial 011 41 (0) 43 399 78 00
fax: from US dial 011 41 (0) 43 399 78 01
www.youthhostel.ch/zuerich

http://www.zuerich.com/en/welcome.cfm

Monday, June 16
Flight home
Us Airways 711 departing 10:25 a.m. for Philadelphia
Arrive 1:35 p.m. in Philadelphia
Depart US Airways 701 at 3:35 p.m. for Chicago
Arrive Chicago 4:53 p.m.

Pick us up!! Drive home.

Getting Ready

2008-05-27T08:59:00.001-07:00

We're getting ready to leave Wednesday after school, at 3:30 in the south parking lot!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izGVd5qxOkI