ich danke Ihnen für das bier, München

Munich, Germany. The land of beer, brats, beer, beer, and more beer... Springfest or Fruehlingsfest, as they call it in Munich, is Oktoberfest's "little, more lame sister". I can only imagine what Oktoberfest is like because I thought Springfest was like nothing I have ever seen before. Munich is also home, though, to some of the most beautiful and historic sites, and we made sure to experience this side of the city as well.

We spent our first day (well, first day with our friends) by going on a bike tour around Munich to see some of the sights that we would have otherwise not been able to make it too. It was so much fun! It was the perfect mix of history, exercise, beer, and fun! I was not expecting Munich to be as beautiful as it was so I am so glad that we got to see its beauty on such a gorgeous day!

Ready to go

Known as the White Church

I would be lying if I told you we spent the weekend anywhere but the beer tents at Springfest, so here are some pictures... Dad, you would've thought you had died and gone to heaven here...

Welcome

Bye Munich, thanks for the fun

That's a wrap on spring break part 2, off to Croatia for the weekend!

Ciao, for now,

M

dachau concentration camp

After arriving in Munich, we spent the first day touring Dachau Concentration Camp. Visiting a concentration camp is something that I have always wanted to do, especially after reading Night, by Elie Wiesel, in high school. The Holocaust both fascinated me and made me compelled to gain a better understanding of the events, the camps, and the pain and suffering that the victims went through. Visiting Dachau was one of the most moving, upsetting, and especially eye-opening experiences I have ever had. As our tour guide told us, the survivors of the Holocaust, and those as Dachau specifically, want their stories to be told and known by all because the more educated we are, the less likely it will be for something like this to ever happen again.

A little background on Dachau.

Dachau was the first "prototype" camp created by Hitler and the SS, and its strategic position outside of Munich was a perfect place to build it because there were already trains leading right into the town as it was a factory town in previous years before it was destroyed. At first when the camp was opened in 1933, it was intended to be a work camp for political prisoners that opposed Hitler's reign, but by the end of the Holocaust it was used to imprison Jews, gypsies, homosexuals, disabled persons, and anyone that was willing to stand up to the wrongs of Hitler or who was deemed "social unacceptable." Although Dachau was never a "death camp," meaning that they never put into use the "shower room" or exterminated prisoners in mass quantities, it was known as a work camp, and many prisoners were worked to death.  It was determined that by the time the camp was freed by the American troops, there were anywhere between 30,000 and 70,000 deaths. Dachau was officially liberated by the Americans in 1945, 12 years it had been opened.

Entrance gate to the camp. The only way prisoners were allowed in and out (if they were ever freed).

"Work will make you free"

Barracks where the prisoners lived

Registration documents

Memorial sculpture created by a survivor of Dachau

The beds of the prisoners in the barracks. By the camp was freed it was determined there had been about 200,000 prisoners in the camp over the 12 years it was running.

The crematorium

Visiting Dachau humbled me, made me sad, made me mad, but most of all made me admire the strength and the hope that the prisoners in the camp held onto. Some made it to see the day when they would be freed and never experience oppression again, and others were not so fortunate, but either way these prisoners are some of the strongest, bravest people in our history and I am fortunate that I was able to visit the memorial. In the wishes of all those who survived, and in memory of those who fell, we must never forget, and even more, we must continue to educate those against oppression, racism, and inequality.

M

prague

Our second stop on our trip was Prague. I had heard amazing things about the city, the beauty, and especially the nightlife so I was excited to finally experience the hype. Even so, though, after a 14 hour overnight train ride I would've been pleased with anything...

After arriving early in the morning, and not being able to check into our hostel quite yet, we decided to hit up an "American, very touristy" place for brunch (according to the hostel workers..). An omelet, hasbrowns, and 2 piece of toast later we were feeling ready for a shower and an actual start to our day. We took advantage of the free walking tour that our hostel provided and saw the highlughts of the neighborhood where we were staying before heading to an authentic Czech meal...(last time you'll hear those words come out of my mouth...). Meat, meat, and more meat. The only thing I enjoyed was the unlimited beer that went along with the food.

View from outside our hostel

#nonewfriends

Sunset over Prague

 The next morning we wanted to make sure to hit all the hot spots so we woke early, got a quick Starbucks (thank the lord for the green goddess) and hit the ground running. We saw the astronomical clock turn at the hour, tried some traditional Czech pastries from the Easter Market in Old Town Square, and then spent the afternoon exploring Prague castle and the micro-breweries (cant't go a day without beer..) on the hill overlooking the city. 

Astronomical Clock

Easter Market in Old Town Square

The BEST Donut-thing ever

Cathedral at Prague Castle

View from the top

Beer and a bread bowl...need I say more?

On our last day we made a trip to the John Lennon Peace Wall, and it was so cool. All the bright, vibrant colors and words of peace, love, and respect was truly a site to see. We then ended our trip with, are you ready for it....a ghost tour of Prague. **Cue scary music** It was, ummm, funny, to say the least... 

Peace n' Love

Rainbow just in time to start the Ghost Tour

The most haunted window in Prague...

Our trusty (and brave) guide...LOL

Beautiful sunset

We Survived! No haunted houses ate us up!

 Prague was truly so beautiful, and I feel like every place I go I am more and more blown away. I can't wait to hopefully return one day...after all, our guide did tell us it is a playground for celebs so I guess I should keep coming back until I meet one and we fall in love...

Until then, I guess Munich for Springfest and drinking beers the size of my head will do.

Stay posted, more to come,

M

amsterdam

We started our second (yes, you heard that right) spring break in Amsterdam, and I think that I now may have a new favorite European city; Amsterdam. The canals and the scenery, its all so beautiful, and even despite the presence of the Red Light District, there is just such an interesting contrast in the city that made me really think it was cool.

We arrived on Thursday afternoon and immediately started out to see the city. We walked around a bit, and being tired of traveling we ended the night early after dinner and Geisha, an amazing Asian fusion restaurant.

Friday we got up early to try and make it to see the Anne Frank house before the crowd, but little did we know that getting to the museum at opening time was considered being late. The line was already 3 hours long so we decided to give it a try later and instead go an try the famous pancakes from Pancake Corner, and I have to admit I was not impressed. I think our Mickey Mouse pancake maker at home can whip up a better one...

Banana Nutella Pancake

After brunch we headed to the Heineken factory and the I am Amsterdam sign to check some more "must-dos" off the list. 

Casual Cow-uch (get it?) at the ticket office

The tiniest Heineken ever

Damn.Dam.Amsterdam.

Peace y'all 

 We then ended the day with visiting the Anne Frank House, and I was completely moved and given chills the entire time walking through the house just thinking about the courage and fear and pain that Anne and her family endured. It was truly amazing to be able to walk the same halls that she did and see the infamous attic where her family hid. We weren't allowed to take pictures in the house, but this is a wonderful quote by Anne Frank that I love.

Saturday we took advantage of the sun and walked around the markets and got lunch outside before heading to the zoo (Lizzie insisted it's one of the best so we thought we'd give it a try...). As soon as we walked in the zoo I knew that it was quite different from any zoo I've ever visited in that there are no gates or walls really separating us between the animals. Either they are more well trained or Europeans can run faster, but it was a little nerve wracking... 

 Welcome to the Jungle.

Just for you, Mom.

Nemo

Perfect way to end the trip

. 

Saturday night we hopped on a train and got snuggled into our tiny bunk beds to head to Prague; 14 hours on a train with no internet...

More on spring break to come!

Ciao, for now,

M