Travel

Trip to Haiti (2012)

May 2, 2013

About this time last year I was finishing the planning process and preparing to go to Haiti on a Community Development trip I was leading. I can't believe it's already been a year since this trip! If you are into missions or overseas projects I would definitely recommend going to this country. This third-world country can use some love my friends! If you are interested or would like some info on contacts, supplies you could send, etc. leave me a comment and I will get back with you. Click on the link below to see more about the trip.

Haiti 2012

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Europe 2013

January 23-February 3, 2013

The end of January and the beginning of February James and I were able to go on a 12 day trip to Europe through the countries of Germany, a glide through Austria, and then on to Italy. This being my second time to Europe, I was very excited to go back during a different season and experience the winter. I traveled through Europe for a month back in 2009 during the summer so it was nice coming when there was snow!

The conference James works for was taking the pastors and conference workers on a Reformation tour. We  were able to see a lot of WWII museums, monuments, etc. as well as places and things pertaining to Martin Luther and Ancient Rome. This was an amazing trip we were both fortunate to go on and definitely the best history recap. It's one thing to learn about these events, people, and places in a class room ten years ago then it is to go to the places and learn from historians that can share the little details your teacher would have no clue about or books would not include in its pages. Below are some pictures of the highlights from the trip. Enjoy!

 The Brandenburg Gate--A sign of peace, this is the last gate to still stand that was used when East and West Germany was a reality. A more personal emphasis for me is that this is the gate my great grandparents came through when they left Germany in the 40s after getting out of Nazi work camps during WWII.

On the street next to the Brandenburg Gate

Reichstag--The Capitol Building and also the place where Hitler would gather people and the troops to hear his speeches.

The bricks in the road are where the Berlin Wall used to stand.

A small part of the remains from the Berlin Wall.

Checkpoint Charlie. This is a famous checkpoint in the American Sector where people would come to go from East or West (or vice versa) Germany

 Delicious hot chocolate at a small cafe in Berlin, Germany

In the Pergamon Museum. James is standing in front of the Ishtar Gate which is the very gate from Babylon that Daniel walked through.

Town Church in Wittenberg, Germany. This is the baptistery where Martin Luther baptized many people including his children.

Inside the Town Church. This is the church where Luther preached over 2,000 sermons.

Church Steeples of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. The church Luther posted the 95 Theses.

Church steeples of the Town Church.

A very delicious potato soup at the Kartoffelhaus, or Potato House.

Wittenberg, Germany

Erfurt, Germany. An amazing cappuccino and lemon poppy seed muffin

Wittenberg, Germany

St. Mary's Dome in Erfurt, Germany

An early morning hike up to Wartburg Castle where Luther hid for 10 months and translated the New Testament.

Looking down from Wartburg Castle

Beautiful snowy scenery!

Wartburg Castle

The room where Luther stayed and translated the New Testament.

J.S. Bach's Home

Mr. J.S. Bach and my self

Bach's handwriting and music

Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a medieval walled town

The wall you can walk on around the town of Rothenburg

     Rothenburg

Rothenburg

A park on Rothenburg

Looking down from the park

The most amazing crepe I have ever eaten--In Rothenburg

Our horsepower up the mountain to Neuswanstein Castle

Neuswanstein Castle--this castle is what gave Walt Disney the inspiration for the Cinderella Castle

A snowy view from the top

 Dachau Concentration Camp--outside of Munich, Germany. Because I have been here before I did not take very many pictures. You can see the place where the foundations stand from the original bunkers where up to 2,000 people were made to live. I may post later about the first trip I took.

Guard tower at Dachau Concentration Camp

Pisa, Italy

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

The Mediterranean Sea

The gorgeous Mediterranean Coast. Vineyards were everywhere!!

One of the entrances to the Vatican City

Vatican Museum. Tons of sculptures, statues, paintings, etc. 

This sculpture is what Michelangelo used for the inspiration of Jesus' body in his paintings in the Sistine Chapel

The Vatican

In St. Peter's Basilica--literally the largest church in the world. It was huge!

Michelangelo sculpted this statue

A Vatican Guard

Outside St. Peter's in the Vatican City

Roman Street

The famous Trevi Fountain. It is said that if you toss a coin over your shoulder into the fountain you will return to Rome one day :)

Gelato was eaten quite frequently while in Rome :)

James in front of the Pantheon

In the Piazza Navona

The Pantheon at night

Most of the following pictures are of the Roman Forum, also known as Ancient Rome

This is the road where Julius Caesure did his triumph or victory marches with the spoils from war. Cleopatra was taken down this street after her capture

The Colosseum

Where the gladiators would fight til the death!

Tasty fruit tarts I was able to enjoy :)

In the Mammertime Prison where Paul and Peter were imprisoned in Rome

The hole prisoners were dropped down into the prison cell

The Spanish Steps

Roman Baths

And to finish the trip off, another helping of Gelato! :)