Heading to Potsdam for a tour. Will update later about everything we've done so far in Berlin.
June 19
Busy day in Erfurt and Goodbye to Jena!
Hard to believe it's already Sunday! First of all – HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DERON! Cameron, Holden and I wish we could be there with you to celebrate your day. I'm sure Duncan, Paxton and Griffin will take care of you all day, right?? Have a great day!!
Saturday started at 9:00 with a bus ride from Jena to Weimer. The "coach" (bus) dropped us in a main parking lot next to a mall. While we were waiting to start our tour with the city guides, we were able to take pictures in front of two panels of the Berlin Wall! That's the picture of us attached. Weimer is the home of both Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friederich Schiller. We were told that Schiller is to the Germans what Shakespeare is to the English. We were broken up into several groups and had city guides show us the major points. The guides are all wonderful but there was just so much information! I'll have to read more about these towns once we are back home. Another beautiful town – the buildings are incredible over here! The weather was a bit cooler than it had been and we did get rained on a little but we all survived. Another wonderful town square with shops everywhere. We had time for lunch on our own – Gina and I had vegetarian pizza and sat outside with some others on the tour. The boys went with the Bratwurst again. We've eaten with someone different just about every meal – fun to get to know everyone.
We left Weimar and headed to Erfurt where they are having a city festival. . Imagine Maifest in Mainstrasse but not just on one large street – city blocks! Erfurt is an old medieval town dating back to the 1600's. None of the streets run parallel. It's a web of streets that run into a town square. There's a river that runs through the center of town. Part of the festival takes place in front of the shops that line the stone bridge. There were so many people there, stands everywhere with crafts, jewelry, etc. Lots of good food, drinks, stages with bands playing, etc. We even heard a band playing some CCR and another couple girls singing It's Raining Men! We were loving it! Not only are the streets lined with stands, you also have all the restaurants with outdoor seating. Everyone just walks down the middle of the streets UNTIL the streetcars come through! They don't even close streets! It's amazing! Once we all got to our center point, we were on our own for about an hour and a half until time for the boys to perform. They put on a great show and the crowds loved them! Again, watching your kids perform and reminding yourself that they are in a foreign country is priceless.
We got back to the hotel by about 7:00 and had enough time to change and walk around the mall attached to our hotel before dinner at 8:00. Another great meal. They are definitely feeding us well. The hotel buffets have been incredible.
I have to pat Cameron and Holden on the back – our bus was chosen to be the volunteers for departure this morning. Because we only had one working elevator and 150 people with luggage, they decided to have 10 boys volunteer get everyone's luggage to the lobby. Everyone had to have their large piece of luggage sitting outside their room at 6:00. Each boy was given a floor and a group of room numbers they were responsible for and put the luggage on the "Lift" and sent it down to the boys waiting in the lobby to unload and separate into each bus. Cameron and Holden volunteered even though they did not know they would be using the elevator since the boys had been carrying luggage up the stairs when we checked in. Actually, Cameron was volunteered because he was sleeping but we know he would have anyway! They were told after they volunteered that they would be compensated. Makes a mom proud! They have gotten up every day on their own. That's impressive! They have been at breakfast before Gina and I everyday!
We are now on the bus heading back to Erfurt for a two hour walking tour with city guides before we have mass at 11:00 where the boys will also sing. We will also be stopping in Halle before heading on to Leipzig this evening. We will be going straight to dinner then to our hotel to check in. I think we're in Leipzig tonight and tomorrow before moving on to our final destination – Berlin.
The time is flying by but we are having a blast! I hope all is well in Cincinnati!
More later . . .
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