Dateline: Berlin, June 19 & 20, 2008
If it’s Wednesday, it must be Berlin! We arrived here in fine style after a rather eventful early morning run to Orly in Paris. While on our way to the airport with no time to spare, Robson realized he had left his wallet, containing the tickets, our trip money, and his ID, behind at the hotel. Quickly the driver turned the bus around and we raced back to retrieve the wallet. Fortunately, God was with us and the wallet was quickly retrieved, but we were not sure if we could now make our flight. The driver went as fast as he could and if you know anything about traveling on German highways….this driver was bookin’!!! Running into the airport we quickly found out that the computers had just gone down and they could not board any flights until it came back up. LOL!!! Isn’t God good?! He even delayed the computers so we could all board our scheduled flight!
Once in Berlin, we were greeted by our guide Giesele, who is a lifelong resident of East Berlin. Her commentary on the way to the hotel was sprinkled with her personal story of life behind the wall which made what we saw from the windows much more real. Giesele will be with us on Sunday and we all look forward to hearing more of her story.
Our first evening in Berlin found us taking a leisurely boat ride down the Spree River for our first look at the cultural highlights in this city of contrasts. It was noted how the quiet dignity of the ancient buildings which remain after a life of war and the Iron Curtain, stand in stark contrast to the frenzied construction of the starkly modern structures and skyscrapers stabbing the sky of the new Berlin. It is definitely a modern young culture in this historic city.
Today, Friday, we were treated to a visit to Humbolt University, home to 29 of the 44 Nobel Peace Prize recipients and a tour of the Bode Museum, one of the 5 great art museums of the world. Again, at the Bode, we heard heroic stories of how many of the great works of art we were observing we smuggled out to protective destinations during the war and communist rule and it was sobering to learn that only since the wall has come down, have all the works returned home. Our tour guide, Janet, also an animated and passionate art appreciation professor from Bonn University, gave us a delightful and utterly fascinating gift of her knowledge.
This evening we will gather for Sabbath and then tomorrow, travel to Friedensau for services and fellowship. Our last stop will be the Brandenburg Gate where we will learn the history of the wall.
Please know that we pray for all of you each day and know that you continue to pray for our safe travel.
In His Name,
Lisa Greco
Group Reporter
Sunday, June 29 - Last day in London
Master's and PhD Candidates from Higher Education at Buckingham Palace
2007 PhD Leadership Cohort
2006 PhD Leadership Cohort
June 28, Sabbath at Newbold College
The Beautiful Newbold Campus!!!
Kings College
Serendipidous Meeting of Andrews University President
Our Euro Tour
Gelato....YUM!
Priest-in-training Ted - Our New Friend
La Sapienza University
Robson Receives Gift from La Sapienza
Museums, museums, museums...
Understanding the Sistine Chapel Paintings
Vatican Square
Figuring Out the Rome Transportation System
The Berlin Wall
The Holocaust Memorial
Sabbath at the Adventist University at Friedensau
Berlin - Visit to Humboldt University
Meeting the with Administration from Humboldt University
Sipping Espresso at a Corner Cafe
Afternoon at the Musee de Louvre
Tour to Universite Paris - Diderot - June 18
City Tour in Paris - Tuesday, June 17
Our First Night in Paris!
The 2008 International Study Tour to Europe Begins!
Welcome to our Study Tour 2008!
We have embarked on an unforgettable learning journey! We are in Paris right now. We're on a 15-day journey regarding the higher education world in the attractive cities of Paris, Berlin, Rome, and London. We are already experiencing the different cultures and having a lot of fun! See our photos of our daily advenures below.
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