Spain 2007

PCSST

Germany-Prague

Student / Teacher Journal

March 17^th – 27^th, 2008

Germany 2008

Journal

Ms. Katz

March 16, 2008

Germany-Prague: Eyewitness to History

Finally. After ten months of planning, fund raising, all the uncertainty that ensued over the summer as to whether PCSST would reopen, and how many students would commit to the trip, we're off!

I picked this destination for a variety of reasons but mostly because of the relevance to my 2007 sophomores in WHII. Following our study of Franco, and our trip to Spain, we studied World War II, and the Holocaust. (We had already studied WWI.) And then there was our focus on the rise of communism and its implications. After WWII it would continue…. expressed in the cold war era for over 50 years. It would be the political backdrop that would span my youth well into adulthood. As my sophomores learned, Germany would be at the heart of these major world events. Split in two, with the Berlin Wall built in 1961 Germany would be the icon of the 50-year cold war. Suddenly, in 1989 it would come to an end; the wall would fall, the iron curtain would come down and other revolutions would end the Soviet occupation, one by one, beginning with the Velvet Revolution in the Czech Republic (then Czechoslovakia.) As a child of immigrants who fled communism, unable to trace most of my ancestry due to their extinction during the Holocaust, and growing up during the cold war, this is a trip I've taken more than once before but can never get enough of. The more I learn, the more I want to know. Suddenly the work to make this adventure happen is overshadowed by the excitement of escorting sixteen students through this region, steeped in history that has so directly affected our world today.

I've been to Berlin and Munich; check point Charlie and Dachau immediately come to mind. I have a piece of what I believe to be a true remnant of the Berlin Wall. My most recent trip to Berlin was in 1991. The country was just starting the reunification process. You could still hear, see, and feel the demarcations of east and west Germany; east and west Berlin. More than 15 years later, I'm anxious to see the latest changes; the new Germany. As for Munich, I will be returning after 30 years! It will be a big change from my traveling with just a few dollars in my pocket when I was meandering through Munich during my college days at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. I look forward to those places I have not yet experienced. I've been to historic Potsdam and Sanssoucci, but not to Nuremberg-- where the Nuremberg Laws were caste, beginning the reign of terror for German Jews, and in hindsight, European Jewry. For this reason, the world judiciary would conduct the trials of Nazi war criminals in Nuremberg. I have not been to Dresden. Our textbook depicts it as a pile of rubble following the unrelenting bombings of WWII. Kurt Vonnegut's harrowing tale in Slaughter House V have cemented images in my mind; now I'll see the renovated city.

And then there's Prague. Since 1990, I've been back about a half-dozen times. When I tell people it's one of the most beautiful cities in the world will I set an expectation that can't be met? I was there as recently as the summer of 2006 but never cease to be amazed at the progress of this small nation making amends after communist rule. With a side trip to Terezin (second time around), we will be reminded of Hitler's reach. On a positive note, I look forward to connecting with my friend Ivanna. Walking this very walkable city with my students, through its squares, narrow lanes, up to the Hradcany castle, shopping (of course) and more than one stroll across the 14^th century Charles Bridge will all be part of my personal agenda. Imagine the Charles Bridge-- built almost 150 years before Christopher Columbus set sale for the new world!

I hope this trip will leave such lasting memories, a depth of knowledge, and a thirst to want to return for my students as prior trips have done for me.

Happy Travels

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Cindy Ayme 3-17-08

Take Off

I am currently in the JFK Airport. It is 4:13p.m. We will begin to board the plane soon. Once we get to Germany I’m expecting to see a new culture. I am also expecting to see a new lifestyle. I want to also learn about the Berlin Wall. I am happy to come to this trip without any family. I will have a new experience. For the first time, I won’t have anyone to depend on. I am going to try everything on my own. Coming to the airport makes me nervous. Not seeing my family and friends for ten days is so much. I am used to having them around me everyday. I hope this trip will help me learn about another culture and help me depend on myself.

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Briana Gaines 3-17-08

Take Off

Soon I will be taking off and I am anxious but scarred at the same time. I have never been on a plane so I don’t know what to expect. I have heard a lot of stories about the experience and can’t wait until I share the experience. Never have I been on my own and I am ready to see how it feels. I already miss my mother and I am excited to tell her my experience once I come back!

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Kevin Martin 3-17-08 – 3-18-08

My First International Trip

Today is our first day in Germany! We have traveled through the night to arrive in Frankfurt at 5:00 in the morning. Later on we dropped off our bags and went to several different places such as Museum City Island and the Egyptian Museum, The Berlin Cathedral, and also a walking tour of the city of Berlin.

We traveled with our tour guide Sebastian who is a great tour guide so far to the Holocaust Museum and Holocaust memorial. The most memorable moments about day one that I will never forget are how tired I was after staying up for over 24 hours, and the Cathedrals where all of the dead kings and queens were. Also there was a huge sanctuary where the ceiling was made of solid gold. Inside of the Egyptian Museum we saw the real statue of Queen Nefertite. So I am having fun so far on my first international trip.

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Adrian Sanchez 3-19-08

Day Three- Berlin

Today we visited many interesting places. One of these places was the Berlin Wall; what was left of it anyway. It was mostly torn down, but you could still see posters and drawings. There were potholes on the parts that remain. We also went to a great museum. It was called “The Story of Berlin.” It had many exhibits about the Berlin Wall. There were also things that reminded us of the Cold War. I think the guided Bunker tour was fascinating. I couldn’t believe the shelter could hold 3,600 people. This is what I saw that was interesting on our second day in Berlin.

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Shadae Dean 3-19-08

The Third Day

Well the third day was a wonderful experience. We visited two museums. One was Mauer Museum with ancient Egyptian artifacts. The other was The Story of Berlin. So far I have to say the adventure is worthwhile, and I’m really observing and learning a lot more than I anticipated.

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Lamasia Cook 3-19-08

Day Three- Bungee Jumping

Today was a good day. The students and I went to the Holocaust Museum which was a great thing because we experienced and read about what they went through. The students and I attended a part of the Berlin Wall and experienced how it was to not see the other side of Berlin. The exciting part of the trip is when we went to dinner and went on a little bungee jumping ride. I bounced for three minutes and became tired and eventually got off. Today was a great experience for me.

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Kevin Martin 3-20-08

Last Day in Berlin

Today we visited two very huge places that were really a big part of German history, and also ours. The first place we stopped was at the 1933 Olympic stadium where Hitler wanted to prove the superiority of the Aryan race but failed miserably as Joe Lewis “The Gentleman Boxer,” defeated the German Max Schnelling and Jesse Owens racked up the most ever gold medals in Olympic Track and Field history.

The second place that we visited was the home of King Fredrick the Great of Prussia (the Palace at Sanssouci in Potsdam) and also his gravesite which was in his backyard. We toured his home seeing the chair that he died in and we also saw his dining and bedroom. It was in the bedrooms where his servants slept also, but they had to stay in a closet. Most of his rooms were filled with gold and paintings. We talked about how and why he hated women during his reign as king as well.

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Marcellus Walker 3-20-08

Last day of Berlin

Today we toured the rest of Museum Island, seeing the Museum and the Schlosberg Castle. We even saw the home of the 1936 German Olympics. We entered the tower of the entrance and saw a beautiful view of Berlin. Our final stop was Potsdam, to see Frederick the Great's Castle, Sanssouci. Well, it was fun in Germany, but now it’s time to move on to Prague!

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Toni-Ann Henry 3-21-08

Day Four

Today we woke up at about 6 o’clock. We were still tired but we got up and did what we had to do and got our things and went down stairs to eat. After we ate, we got on the bus and drove for a couple of hours to Dresden. Dresden was totally destroyed during WWII but has been extensively renovated since the unification of Germany in the early 1990's. We then walked around and went to a museum, church, and we even saw a statue of Martin Luther (who began the Protestant Reformation, establishing Protestantism as a major branch of Christianity.) Then we went to get something to eat. Now we are on the bus on our way to Prague. It is about two and a half hours away. When we get there, I think we are going to get dinner and then check in the hotel.

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Jazmeka Delane 3-21-08

On the way to Prague

Today was a good day. We went to the city of Dresden which was beautiful. It was filled with churches, museums and maybe even old apartments. In the renovated town, we visited “The Church of Our Lady” which was absolutely beautiful. The architecture was amazing as well. Martin Luther, founder of Protestantism, wanted it to be different from the dark scenery of a Catholic Church. We also visited the Dresden picture gallery which had many amazing paintings by Peter Paul Rubens and other artists like Rembrandt. They were Venetian artists. Now we are on our way to Prague and I can’t wait to see the beauty that this holds.

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Paola Garcia 3-21-08

Like Home

Germany was great. It was filled with culture and unknown smells and people; however I think that the best of this trip took place today. Today we arrived in the beautiful city of Prague. We visited a museum in Dresden that was filled with marvelous artwork. I learned that certain art works were painted to influence political status and such things. Also, I learned that certain pictures were painted to teach a lesson. For example, in one of the pictures, Hercules was painted when he was drunk and vulnerable which taught the viewer that even the strongest fall. Anyhow, when we arrived in Prague I felt like I was back at home. I felt secure and then I noticed the beautiful city which was bright like a candle. The city looked so surreal it was spectacular. So perfect that it lit up my day. I was so happy because I had been feeling a little home sick, but Prague brought happiness and security to me. Two main things I needed to feel to enjoy my trip more. While we walked around in Prague, the amazing 14^th century Charles Bridge and views took my breath away. I thought to myself, “I have never seen anything this perfect.”

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Chevelle Brown 3-22-08

Germany Trip

Right now I am in Germany. Currently I am having fun enjoying the beautiful scenery I am seeing. I wish that everyone could have had a chance to do some of the things I did.

I learned from my trip so far that there was an underground place in case of a nuclear bomb during the Cold War. About 3.600 people can fit there on the beds, but they would have to stay there all day. They wouldn’t take showers if a nuclear attack happened because there would not be enough water and the little water they would have had was for the people to drink. Fortunately this underground bunker that was built was never in use. Also I learned the Berlin Wall came down uniting the people in both the west and east -- Berlin as well as the two Germanies. The wealthier people were on the west (where there was a democratic government) and not so wealthy on the east (under communist control). The people on the east had to work long hours for little pay, although they were well fed and taken care of because they were needed to do labor. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 changed everything.

We also visited the palace of King Frederick of Prussia. He was a weird man who did not allow women in his house; though he had a wife. He lived in his palace with eleven dogs and his servants. Later assumed from his actions everyone figured that he was homosexual. No exact proof was ever found of that. Sadly King Frederick lost his life at his home in his green chair.

So far all the things I learned were interesting. I would recommend for you to visit Prague rather than Berlin. I also learned that I can be away from my family for a long time and survive and I can actually try more foods. I feel since I have been here that I have matured a little bit more and showed most people the real me.

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Brittney Burt-Miller 3-22-08

Prague

Well so far I think that Prague is more beautiful at night than it is in the day. I learned that the castle we visited today, The Prague Castle (also known as Hradcany), is the largest castle built in the world. It is also in the Guinness Book of World Records which I think is pretty cool. There are some things that I’ve learned about the culture and the food that I really didn’t expect. The culture to me is just like home. What I mean is that the only major differences are the historical sites and the language. Other than that I feel right at home. Now the food. I really thought that the food was going to be really, really nasty. I was happy to realize that the food isn’t really that bad… well some parts of it. (LOL)

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Brandon Everson 3-23-08

Last Day in Prague

Today was our last day in Prague; the most beautiful city in the world. The weather wasn’t great, but it was a good day. We went to the Museum of Communism and saw the history of Communism, started by Karl Marx of Germany, and implemented in Russia under V.I. Lenin. We also learned how the Russian communists conquered the Czech Republic. We also saw the Jewish Ghetto and crematorium at Terezin (Therienstadt in German), which was started as a fortress and prison. It was a sad thing to see the way Jews were forced to live. Today was also the last day for the Chicago group. The tour group from Chicago is not as large as our group, but they were nice people. One was our roommate, Eric. He was close to our age, 21, a cool guy, friendly and helpful. Hopefully we can keep in touch afterwards.

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Devin Keys 3-23-08

Praha

In Prague, also known in Czech as Praha, I learned of different sections. For example, we visited the old town, the new town and Wenceslas Square. It is odd because there are old buildings in New Town and new buildings in Old Town. We crossed the 14^th century Charles Bridge and went for a little shopping. I’m very happy to be on my own for once in my life. When we went to Wenceslas Square and St. Vitas Cathedral it was very interesting but my inspiration was the Hradcany Castle where the president works. It was filled with color, armed guards and tons of Czech flags. Some of the food was excellent but others didn’t quite meet my expectations.

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Adrian Sanchez 3-23-08

Memories… but the trips not ever yet!

I know this trip is not over, but this trip was too funny. I think there were a couple of highlights. The best highlight was when we first arrived in Germany and Brandon gave our tour guide Sebastian a small brown little clip on teddy bear. It had small legs and fat juicy feet. Its dangling inspired me to finish the handshake Mr. Ritchie and I have.

The second highlight of the trip was how Sebastian used to say mmmh! The third highlight of this trip was the currency of the Czech Republic known as the Checha, Czecha, Czech Krowns. Besides the three best highlights and Sebastian’s hilarious accent, we went to some interesting places on our last day in Prague. We went to a concentration camp. Earlier we had gone to a communist museum. I also went to Mc Donald’s. McDonald’s might not sound like a big deal but when you have eaten German food for about six days you need McDonald’s. This was the sixth day and one of the best there was on the trip.

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Lamasia Cook 3-24-08

Back in Germany

Today is our first day back in Germany after three days in Prague. We had a great time in Prague. We had good food and a nice time in the museums. I experienced a different currency which was Czech Krowns. Czech Krowns seemed like a lot of money but it wasn’t at all. My friends and I bought many souvenirs. The museums in Prague were wonderful. I had a great learning experience and I really felt like I was a part of something that happened so long ago. I really appreciate my trip to Prague and Germany.

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Toni-Ann Henry 3-24-08

Learning a Lot

Well so far I am learning the different types of currency…

I have learned the German currency is Euros

I have learned the currency in the Czech Republic is Czech Krowns.

What I am learning about myself is that I know how to work with others to get along with people. I also have learned to keep everything clean and that I can do things and be on my own without my parents. I feel that this is a great experience for me. Being that I like to travel and never really get to go to far away places with my friends to just have fun. I feel this is really good for me. The main thing I notice that I didn’t expect is how the people look at us like they never saw people like us before. But so far it has been very good.

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Shadae Dean 3-24-08

Inspiration and Education

Things that I’ve learned so far about Germany and Prague are such things as the currencies and the cultural differences. Also I have learned about the historical cities and the beautiful countries.

I didn’t really learn anything about myself because I think I know who Shadae is. However, two things I did learn are that I can pretty much handle the responsibilities of being on my own and understanding the experiences of being an adult.

The experience of being in another country is very enlightening and inspiring to me because the experience itself, just to interact with different people, is exciting to me. Last but not least, I’ve learned a lot about my friends.

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Yessenia Acosta 3-25-08

The Trip is Winding Down

Today we woke up at around 7:00 a.m. and went to eat breakfast and boarded the bus. A lady named Elizabeth gave us a small tour of Munich. Afterwards, we had time to roam around, buy gifts for our families, and eat lunch. After that, we took a 15 minute bus ride to the concentration camp (Dachau) and went to the museum inside of it. It was average; I just wish we had a bit more time to wander around. Today was an okay day.

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Chevelle Brown 3-25-08

Opening My Eyes

Many dream to go to places such as where I am, but never had the chance to. Luckily I got the chance. To me, I feel like I have bettered myself in many different ways by being on this trip.

I see and view the cultures of others and try to understand it. Though it is hard to figure out why the people dress and act the way they do in Germany and Prague, I try my best to express my feelings here and connect with people.

Now that I saw and heard more in depth about these concentration camps I feel lucky to have what I have. I feel like the things I take to the heart and cry about are nothing compared to what those people went though. When I turn and look at things, they don’t seem so bad.

Visiting those concentration camps taught me to open up my eyes and live life because I have not seen the worst.

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Shavanna Burt-Miller 3-26-08

Our Trip So Far…

We visited the Schloss Neuschwanstein Castle. Just look out the side once you get up the stairs, then look out the window-- there's a great view of the Alps. Just being in Germany and the Czech Republic is outstanding. Among the pictures that my sister took, I’ll try to keep a picturesque image in my mind. The food was not that bad either. Breakfast for me contained bread and jelly. We stayed at Hotel Ramada in Berlin, Hotel Splendid in Prague, and Hotel Herzog in Munich.

I am learning that living on my own is very important and I have to organize time and money. Meeting new people was the best thing. The experience of their culture was better than I thought. Trying new foods was not bad, but we had good dessert so it didn’t matter. Having a tour director like Sebastian is great too. I would recommend him to anyone.

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Brandon Everson 3-27-08

Last Day in Germany

Today we took an exciting trip to the Alps. We saw a beautiful castle, Neuschwanstein and learned a lot. But everyone was focused on tomorrow because it’s our very last day in Germany. I loved this trip, but I am a little homesick as well. I will miss it though. The tiring bus rides, the long walks, getting to hang out with friends for so long. The trip was not as I expected, but it was great, and I would definitely come back one day. It was very educational as well. One of the best parts of these trips was when Adrian cried after seeing a little hot dog (dachshund). He jumped and cried like a girl! It was also funny when Sebastian mushed snow in to Adrian’s face and they started playing in the snow together. I also liked the day Adrian got jumped by girls and got an atomic wedgie!

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Paola Garcia 3-27-08

Fairy Tale

Imagine climbing a mountain full of white snow. You climb and climb and then right before you are about to give up, you reach this beautiful castle. The castle completely robs you of your attention. Your jaw drops and all you see is this beautiful fairy tale castle with tall towers and golden designs. Today this happened to me. I felt like I was reading sleeping beauty. We visited Mad King Von Ludwig II's Castle; he wanted to be alone so he sent workers to build him this castle in the middle on nowhere. This castle had everything you could possibly think of from a huge kitchen to servants' rooms. The saddest part about this all was that Mad King Ludwig never got to enjoy the luxury of his castle. One thing that really amazed me was the painting on one of the ceilings. It had something resembling Romeo and Juliet. The tour guide told us that Romeo and Juliet inspired this painting. Anyhow, tomorrow is our last day in Europe, and I am sad about leaving, however I am thrilled about seeing my family again. I really hope that in the near future I can come back to this majestic country again.

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Jazmeka Delane 3-28-08

Home Sweet Home

Right now I am sitting on the plane ready for take off. Thinking back on this trip I realized that this trip more than exceeded my expectations. This trip opened my eyes to other ways of living, and thanks to Ms. Katz, I have once again experienced another amazing trip. Without her, I probably would have never even dreamed of going to Germany or even Europe for that matter. I am so thankful and appreciative for having her as a teacher. I am also thankful for this trip. Just like this trip, all good things must come to an end. It was fun while it lasted! Now I am returning to my home sweet home!

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Cindy Ayme 3-28-08

Memories

This trip has taught me so much. At first I wasn’t all excited to come to Germany. I had regretted coming on the trip. My friends were way more excited than me; they weren’t even coming on this trip. Now that I am inside of the airplane, I think about all the memories that I had. This trip has brought all of us together. Personally, I didn’t have any idea who was on the trip. I didn’t know how close you get with people in ten days. The memories from Germany will always stay in my heart. I have two types of memories with me. One type of memory is the sightseeing of so many places. Seeing a place where disaster happened and how as a now unified city, Berlin tries to rebuild itself. Another memory from the sightseeing is waking up while on the bus and seeing the Alps covered in snow. Then feeling as you are in a fairy tale while in the Neuschwanstein Castle built by Ludwig II. Another type of memory that I have is with my friends. We would have the craziest moments. We would goof off and scream Sebastian’s name every time we saw him. Another good memory is watching my roommates slip on the floor or when I would get my friends annoyed with my childish songs. Overall, I have learned about a new culture and experienced a trip with people my own age. I thank Ms. Katz for helping me experience a new world which has taught me so much.

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Mr. Ritchie

March 26, 2008

“The Last Night”

As others go to experience a famous beer garden in Munich, I have decided to stay behind to reflect on my time here in Germany and Prague. First of all, this has been my third trip to Europe in as many years, and I have learned a lot about the history of the various European countries and also a lot about myself in the process.

Germany is a country with a lot of significant recent history. Most obvious being WWII and both the construction and destruction of the Berlin Wall. We started the trip in Berlin where we spent three days. I enjoyed seeing the Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate a lot. I was however surprised to see the people in the city in such miserable spirits. Berlin seemed to have a very depressing feel to it due to the communist architecture along with the sombrous attitudes of the Berliners. This made me miss the United States almost immediately. Not to say that America has the nicest and happiest people in the world, but at least in America you can drive around to see people laughing, playing, and engaged in group conversation. I was also impressed with the quick restoration of the city which was heavily damaged during WWII. The restoration was so comprehensive that it makes the memory of the Nazi regime difficult to trace.

The next stop was the city of Prague in the Czech Republic for three days which had great scenery and a livelier environment. It was a great walking city because of its rich culture including shops, food, music, statues, and churches. While in Prague we left to visit The Theresienstadt (Terezin in Czech) concentration camp which was amazing to me. You really can’t begin to understand the magnitude of human destruction and hatred during the Holocaust until you step foot in one of these camps. It was such a powerful place to be in physically and there is no possible way that pictures or movies can duplicate that power. I have a new appreciation for the men, women, and children who had to endure such torture and inhumane treatment for so long.

When we left Prague, we went to Munich for our final three days. Munich had a very high class ambiance with new buildings and large corporations such as BMW stationed there. There I enjoyed my stay in Munich although I was really missing home towards the end of the trip as I knew some students were. My favorite parts of Munich were visiting the BMW building (because I have a BMW) and the downtown area as well. I liked the churches and the architecture as well as the shops.

In addition to learning about the history of Germany, I learned a lot about myself too. First, I learned that a lot of your enjoyment on a trip depends on the people you are traveling with. I am very proud of the students of PCSST who were on this trip because they represented the school very well, and in my opinion they were the best behaved group I have traveled with. No one was late for timed appointments. No one was disruptive in the hotels at night, and everyone was extremely respectful at the sites. I especially want to commend the young men on the trip for acting like upstanding gentlemen. It is nice to see that chivalry is not dead but very much alive in these guys. They were always holding open doors and allowing the ladies ahead of them. Very classy!

Overall, I think this trip was a great success. Even though it was a long trip with a lot to do and we were always on the move with strict meeting times, everything ran smoothly. I want to thank Ms. Katz for another great trip and the students who attended to make this trip a memorable experience for me.

PCSST

Germany-Prague

March 17^th – 27^th, 2008

Trip Evaluations

Brandon Everson

The trip exceeded my expectations.

My favorite site:

My favorite sites were the BMW building, the Neuschwanstein castle, and the outlook over the Olympic Stadium. The BMW building was a great experience, I love cars and even more I am a BMW fan, so that was something to remember. I also learned quite a few new things there about the cars too. The castle was absolutely amazing, maybe the most magnificent thing I have ever seen. I only regret the fact that we could not take pictures and could not see the entire castle. The stadium was also an amazing, once in a lifetime sight. I love soccer; it is my no-hands-down favorite sport. To think that I was only a few yards away from the spot where the last World Cup was played gives me a great feeling.

Most memorable moment:

The most memorable moment of the trip was our walk up the Alps. It was great; we had the most outstanding view of the outside of the castle, and the side of the Alps. It was a breathtaking experience. I hope I can go back one day. It was a once in a lifetime experience and I am glad I was able to go there. I learned a lot of things on this trip. Not only about Germany, and the Czech Republic but about Russia as well. I learned about Germany's history with these countries and some new things about Hitler and the Nazi regime. I learned about Germany today, and what has been happening there for the past few decades. I learned about the Czech Republic while it was a German occupied country during World War II, and what the people went through during that time.

Something I did that I thought I would never do:

One thing I did not expect myself to do was to drink wine. I never liked the taste of wine, but the wine we had at one of the restaurants was not that bad. I wanted to try it, even though I figured I would not like it anyway. I was wrong, I finished the glass and it was good. It was a little unexpected, but it was worth it.

Something I learned:

Overall this was a great trip. I hope I can visit Germany again one day. This time I can see what we missed, or did not have time for. I am glad I made it on this trip and am looking forward to the next one.

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Yessenia Acosta

The trip met my expectations.

My favorite site that we visited on the trip was the Terezin Concentration Camp.

The most memorable moment on the trip was the Checkpoint Charlie Museum. It had a lot of details and it was in my opinion the best museum we went to. I learned a lot from that museum. Another place that was very memorable was the Terezin camp. I will never forget what I saw there and what I learned.

Something I learned on the trip was how and why WWII began. I learned how Hitler came into power and why the people didn’t rebel. I learned about the bunkers and how people lived there for months at a time.

Something I did that I didn’t expect to do was go on the night tour in Prague and see it all from a hilltop. It was a very nice view.

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Kevin Martin

The trip exceeded my expectations.

My favorite site that we visited on the trip was:

I had three different favorite places so I cam going to list them in order:

1. King Frederick the Great’s Palace (Sanssouci in Potsdam)

2. The Night Tour in Prague (and at most sites below)

3. The 14^th century Charles Bridge

The most memorable moment on the trip was the night tour of Prague because of all the walking that we had to do to get there. Then it was great seeing the whole city and the water including the Charles Bridge while it was completely lit up.

Something I learned on the trip was I learned how hard the Jews really had it during the Holocaust. Also I learned a lot about the history of the cities of Prague and Berlin.

Something I did that I didn’t expect to do was take so many pictures of myself and actually being so organized. Also I was surprised to go to so many places. I really had fun and I really enjoyed this trip.

Marcellus Walker

The trip exceeded my expectations.

The Neushwanstein Castle was the best site for me because along with the castle, the Alps were very beautiful.

My most memorable moment from the trip was entering the concentration camps and learning about what happened there.

Something I learned on the trip was…

I learned many things, like how cruel the Nazi’s were, how beautiful Germany was, the decoration of Cathedrals, and how well Germany coped and rebuilt their cities after WWII.

Something I did that I didn’t expect to do was…

I’d never think that I would actually climb the Alps! That was a major challenge.

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Briana Gaines

The trip exceeded my expectations.

My favorite historic site was Frederick the Great’s Palace (Sanssouci) because of the colors of the rooms and detail and also the stories told about the king by our guide.

My most memorable moment was when I was at the concentration camp at Terezin and I went into where the Jewish prisoners were kept.

I’ve learned about Frederick the Great, how the Jews were treated during the Holocaust in concentration camps, and Germany’s history.

Something I did that I never thought I’d do was go into a real concentration camp where they kept and then cremated the Jews during the Holocaust.

Jazmeka Delane

The trip exceeded my expectations.

My favorite place was visiting the Alps. This was my favorite because every where I looked it was beautiful. It’s like I was stuck in a postcard picture. Also I’ve wanted to visit ever since my first trip with Ms. Katz when she pointed out the Alps on the plane ride.
My most memorable moment was walking up the mountains to the Neuschwanstein Castle. I can never forget it because I think it was the most work out I have ever had.

I learned many things on this trip. Two things stick out most in my mind. One was the crematorium in Dachau which was never used and the other is that King Frederick the Great was gay!

Something I did that I never expected to do was that I never in a million years thought that I would visit the Alps, let alone climb them!

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Paola Garcia

This trip exceeded my expectations.

My favorite site was Frederick the Great’s Palace. The reason this was my favorite place was because the guided tour was very entertaining. The palace was colorful and it reminded me of a movie that I had seen.

My most memorable moment took place in Prague. At night when we visited this city it was amazing. It reminded me of one of those places that you see in movies.

On this trip I learned a few things. For example, I learned about the living conditions of the prisoners during WWII. I also learned about how the kings contributed to making the cities of Germany better.

In this trip I sat down in a beer garden and actually drank a beer (spiked with lemonade) like an adult. That was something I had never done before.

Chevelle Brown

The trip met my expectations.

My favorite sites were the Charles Bridge and the Berlin Wall because the sightseeing was beautiful.

The most memorable moment was when I fell in the hotel and everyone started to laugh at me and I also laughed at myself.

Something I did that I thought I’d never do was try the food and actually hang out with certain people.

Something I learned was that Germany was split into East and West by the Berlin Wall. I learned that the Jews were sent into the ghetto but it isn’t the “ghetto” that we know today. I also learned that the Jews were told that they were going there for protection but it was a lie. Lastly, I learned that Danka means thank you!

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Shadae Dean

The trip exceeded my expectations.

I can’t even pick my favorite site that we visited on the trip. There are too many great choices including the Holocaust Memorial, Berlin Wall, Berlin Exhibition (museum), Reichstag, and King Frederick the Great's palace of Sanssouci in Potsdam-- an excursion we took from Berlin. There was also The Charles Bridge, Museum of Communism, Terezin Fortress and concentration camp in Prague, and everywhere else in Munich.

The most memorable moment on the trip was everything because almost everything was a new experience for me and life is all about experiences.

Something I learned on the trip was how it feels to be out in the world by myself without a parent or a family member. I learned about all the responsibility that comes with being on your own and I feel better for it.

Something I did that I didn’t expect to do was go on the bungee jumping ride with my friends. Even though it wasn’t the same as real bungee jumping, it was still fun and a memory I won’t forget.

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Devin Keys

The trip exceeded my expectations.

My favorite site was the Berlin Wall because that is really the history of Germany and how it was divided. It was filled with amazing graffiti and excellent color.

My most memorable moment was when we went to Prague and crossed the Charles Bridge.

I learned a lot more about the Holocaust and I didn’t know that the Berlin Wall ran straight through the city of Berlin.

Something I did that I never thought I would do was to have an opportunity to go on a trip to Germany. It really meant a lot to me and most kids don’t get this chance of a lifetime.

Lamasia Cook

The trip met my expectations.

My favorite site:

My favorite site was King Frederick the Great’s house. Then I saw the gold and the palace on the mountains and it was beautiful.

Most memorable moment:

My most memorable was when we went to King Frederick the Great’s palace. Also, when we saw the Alps.

Something I did that I thought I would never do:

Something I did that I thought I would never do is walk up the Alps in the snow. We walked up there to go to Mad King Ludwig's palace.

Something I learned:

I learned how to live on my own. I also learned about how in Germany there is a lot of beer brewed. Finally, I learned that Germany had fights with a lot of other countries as well as within itself.

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Adrian Sanchez

The trip exceeded my expectations.

My favorite site:

My favorite site was the Charles Bridge. I liked it because it was a bridge that we could walk on. I also liked the fact that there were many merchants in the streets selling souvenirs.

Most memorable moment:

The most memorable moment was when we were at the Holocaust memorial in a Berlin park where all the stones got higher and higher. They may have represented all the Jews that died during the Holocaust and how they felt being in concentration camps.

Something I did that I thought I would never do:

I never thought that I would walk on a bridge. I also never thought I would go to a concentration camp. I also never thought I would enter a room where countless people died.

Something I learned:

I learned that Hitler went to jail and wrote a book ("Mein Kampf") while inside. He then got out and took his power to fame with the Nazi’s through fear.

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Cindy Ayme

The trip exceeded my expectations.

My favorite site:

My favorite site was the Neuschwanstein Castle. We had to walk so much to reach the castle itself. It separated itself from the city. The snow just made it more perfect. We had snowball fights and the castle looked like a fairy tale.

Most memorable moment:

Walking around Prague at night was the most memorable moment. Seeing Prague reminded me of NYC. I wasn’t feeling homesick anymore. Walking around with my friends made me feel comfortable. The lights were beautiful. We also weren’t stuck on the bus.

Something I did that I thought I would never do:

I never thought I would go to Germany. I always thought of traveling around the world. I never thought I would travel at such a young age. I also never thought I would walk up a whole mountain full of snow. These two things were very good experiences.

Something I learned:

I learned about the Jews. I learned about what they went through. I also learned about the German culture and different types of foods. I learned about how my culture is different from others. I learned about many historic sites.

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Brittney Burt-Miller

The trip exceeded my expectations.

My favorite site:

My favorite sites were walking up the Alps to the Neuschwanstein Castle and when we walked over the Charles Bridge at night.

Most memorable moment:

My most memorable moment was when a group of us went bungee jumping off a trampoline. Another was when we went walking along the Charles Bridge.

Something I did that I thought I would never do:

I never thought I’d climb up the Alps! Even though I have been hiking before, this was more difficult.

Something I learned:

Something I learned from this trip was that most of the churches we went to were made in Gothic form. I also learned that the national dish is a bread dumpling and pieces of beef. I also learned what an astronomical clock is. And I learned that the Disney Castle in Florida is a copy of the Neuschwanstein Castle.

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Shavanna Burt-Miller

The trip met my expectations.

My favorite site:

The Chareles Bridge was great. All the castles we went to were very creative and beautiful. The churches were also very pretty.

Most memorable moment:

When Cindy, Chevelle, Brittney, Shadae, Lamasia, and Ms. Katz did the bungee jumping. It was so funny! Then our tour guide was amazing. The Berlin Wall was also very memorable.

Something I did that I thought I would never do:

I never expected to go on a boat. It was very soothing and calming. When they had people playing music on the day cruise along Prague's Vlatava River it was very nice.

Something I learned:

That life was not easy for the Jewish families during WWII. I realized that sometimes we take life for granted.

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Toni-Ann Henry

The trip exceeded my expectations.

My favorite site:

I really like being in Prague at night and being able to go over the Charles Bridge while it was all lit up. Also we got to see the Hradcany Castle all lit up that night and it was very pretty.

Most memorable moment:

I will never forget when we went out for dinner one night and then we went bungee jumping and I was flipping over and over. It was cold that night but I did it and it was a lot of fun.

Something I did that I thought I would