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
Our final day in London - We saw the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. We have all arrived safely home. Our flight from London-Heathrow was on Monday, June 30. Now we are recovering from jet lag. But all in all, it was a wonderful trip...the memories will last a lifetime. Thank you, Robson, for planning it for us.
Master's and PhD Candidates from Higher Education at Buckingham Palace
Pictured from left: Robson (Higher Ed Coordinator), Sadrail, Zach, Anna, Bridget, and Mordikai
2007 PhD Leadership Cohort
Pictured from left are four memebers of the 2007 Leadership Cohort who attend the International Study Tour: Cary, Collette, Kay, and Brenda.
2006 PhD Leadership Cohort
Pictured in front of Westminster Abby are Bill and Lisa who are part of the 2006 Leadership Cohort.
June 28, Sabbath at Newbold College
Pictured in front of Newbold College, the SDA College one hour out of London is part of our group: Yolanda, Nathan, Sadrail, Lisa, Eileen, Zach, Laura, Natasha, Karla, Mordikai, Collette, Robson, Brenda. Sitting: Sadu, Elissa, Rozenia
The Beautiful Newbold Campus!!!
The tour of Newbold College was amazing. The grounds previously were visited by King Edward VIII, but in the mid-1950's Newbold College moved from London to the current grounds. Pictured is our group at The Gardens. We all decided that we could live here.
Kings College
The highlight of many was to be on the campus of Kings College at University of Cambridge.
Serendipidous Meeting of Andrews University President
We had an unexpected but serendipidous connection with Niels-Erik Andreasen, President of Andrews University, in the heart of Cambridge during our campus tour.
Our Euro Tour
Zach, Karla, Laura, and Natasha point to where our tour has taken us.
Gelato....YUM!
Due to the fact that it was 90 degrees with 90 percent humity...and that we are in Rome...it was a "requirement" to eat Gelato daily. Pictured are Karla and Bill enjoying gelato at a Gelateria.
Priest-in-training Ted - Our New Friend
Cary, Lisa, Collette, and Brenda make a new friend -- Seminarian Ted. Ted recognizes our "American" accent because, he, too, is from Michigan. Ted gave us a walking tour to the Vatican, by way of the Pantheon (pictured).
La Sapienza University
Our group stands in front of a wall-sized fresco painting at Sapienza University with our campus tour guides.
Robson Receives Gift from La Sapienza
Natasha, Robson, Eileen, and Laura present talks at La Sapienza University in Rome prior to Robson receiving a copy of the University's founding document/charter. Sapienza is the oldest University in Europe.
Museums, museums, museums...
Evelyn and Ellisa take a break at one of our museum tours in Rome.
Understanding the Sistine Chapel Paintings
Prior to entering the Sistine Chapel, our group engages in a brief art history lesson to understand the paintings in the Sisteine Chapel
Vatican Square
Braving the 90 degree heat, our group visits the Vatican, Vatican Square, St Peter's Basicila, and the Sistine Chapel.
Figuring Out the Rome Transportation System
Eileen and Anna team up to understand where we are and how we get to the major Roman monuments. They're really good at it!
The Berlin Wall
Four sites of the erect wall still exist. Pictured at the wall is Dina with a local German man.
The Holocaust Memorial
The memory of the Holocaust has been memorialized in Berlin by this tomb-like sculputre that spans a city block. Silence and heartache are two common reactions at this memorial site.
Sabbath at the Adventist University at Friedensau
Der Herr Kommit! means: "The Lord Comes."
Berlin - Visit to Humboldt University
Friday, June 20, we visited Humboldt University. This is the University from which Eienstein graduated. Yes, we walked the same halls as this renowned person! The tour of the campus was wonderful. What we learned is that the German school system has more stringent entrance requirements, and faculty need to get research contracts to keep their teaching positions.
Meeting the with Administration from Humboldt University
We met in one of the Palace Halls at Humboldt University. We learned about the university educational system in Germany
Sipping Espresso at a Corner Cafe
Pictured from left are Collette, Brenda, Lisa, and Laura -- enjoying espresso, crepes, and French Onion Soup in Paris.
Afternoon at the Musee de Louvre
After the trip to the University of Paris, we were set loose at the Louvre. The weather was perfect! We just kept telling each other: "We're in Paris, and we're at the Louvre."
Tour to Universite Paris - Diderot - June 18
We visited the University of Paris - Diderot today. Professor Michel Delamar gave us a presention of the school, and then we were able to ask questions about the school system in Paris.
City Tour in Paris - Tuesday, June 17
We spent the day touring Paris, and recovering from our rugged trip across "The Pond." Our sightseeing included: The Arc de Triomph; the top of the Eiffel Tower; Cathedral of Notre Dame; and a little bit of shopping.
Our First Night in Paris!
This photo speaks for itself...WE'RE IN PARIS!
The 2008 International Study Tour to Europe Begins!
We're on our way! Here we are in O'Hare Airport..all ready and excited. We departed on Sunday, June 15 at about 4 p.m. We had to fly through London then to Paris...we arived safely on Monday, July 16, but didn't get to the hotel until about 2:30 p.m. Needless to say, we all took a nap before hitting the Metro for the Eifel Tower at night and a sunset cruise on the River Seine. WOW! What a site! The Eifel Tower at night, is amazing!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
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