Trip to Germany

Germany was really neat and much different than Italy. The history was much more recent. This was by far the hardest and most eye-opening day of the trip. We went to the concentration camp at Dachau, the first camp that was open in Germany. On this trip it was about 60 degrees out and because I forgot to pack pants I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. I was cold but it was hard to really complaing about anything when you are standing where innocent people once stood. Where they were tortured, starved, and beaten for no reason. I feel blessed everyday to live in America knowing that brave soldiers fight for my freedom. I also feel grateful to the men and woman who liberated the camp at Dachau and save countless lives that could have been killed by Hitler. If you have time, look up the history of concentration camps or go to this website about Dachau. http://www.scrapbookpages.com/DachauScrapbook/KZDachau/Gatehouse.html

The gate says... "Work Brings Freedom." The Nazi Party tricked local citizens telling them the camp was a work camp where people could gain there freedom. The locals did not know that they were working the prisoners to death.

This is where thousands of prisoners would line up and have to stand for over hours for "Roll Call" to count who was there and still alive.

A prisoners closet and clothes.

Happy 4th of July!

I am back from Germany and I can not wait to show you all the pictures from the trip.

I would like to first take a minute and share with you my feelings about this very important day. Today we celebrate our Independance from Great Britian that happened July 4, 1776. Not only are we celebrating and remembering that special day we need to remember that we live free and independant everyday. Most of us take this for granted. You may not realize that everything has a cost. We can not live free just because 235 years ago some man wrote a note that said that we should be free. America is able to keep it's freedom because it has shown that it is the strongest country in the world. Fortunatley I am able to see that strength because of where I am.

Being on a US Military base there are brave men and women who have given their lives to fight for your freedom. Remember that the ultimate cost of freedom is the life of a soldier who has fought in active duty. While we watch fireworks don't forget that you are free because of someone else. Take a minute today and share this thought with your family or a friend. If you have a chance, thank a soldier for fighting for your freedom. Remember "Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone" if you do not tell someone you appreciate them they will never know.

Have a Great 4th of July!

On to Germany!

Italy is HUGE! Not really but when you spend a week driving from one city to the next it seems that way :) But tomorrow there will be a break from the Italian culture as I am headed to Germany for the weekend.

Just like when I arrived in Italy I am not sure what to expect, but I am really excited. The coolest part about this vacation is that my family is both Italian and German! It is very interesting to see where my family started and to be able to see the countries that I always tell people I am from. My fathers parents are German and my mothers dad is from Italy.

I hope that you all will have a chance some day to visit the place where your family is from!

For now you should ask your parents and find out if you may be from Italy or Germany like me! When you do please write a post and let me know, it will be cool to hear from all of you...

By the way, whoever writes a lot of posts or has really interesting questions will receive a souvenir when I return!!

Venice

New lesson!

Lesson #5 - Europeans treat every ball like a soccer ball

When camping in Rome we went out to throw a softball. Every person that walked by stared at us like we were circus animals! These two Italian boys saw us and looked on amazed at this ball that was being thrown. They were about 4 years old and 6 years old. We could tell they wanted to play but how do you ask children who only speak their own language and do not know any English? So we tossed the ball to them and they threw it back but not like you usually would throw a softball, with one hand. For anyone that plays the beautiful sport of soccer ;) you know that they throw the ball over their head with two hands. This boy started to throw the ball a few times like it was a soccer ball until he started to learn that there is more you can do with a ball then just use your feet. When I rolled to ball to him like a grounder instead of picking it up with his hands can you guess what he did? He stopped it with his feet, it was really fun! When we left we left the boys a softball of their own!

Football in Italy!

I played soccer today in Italy! It was so much fun, I feel like a real European now since soccer is the world's most popular sport. All you soccer players from Reach Academy, check out the video and learn a few things ;)

This is an EDUCATIONAL trip!

I'm learning a lot while I am here. I'm thinking we should ask Mrs. Breakiron to pay for a Middle School Field Trip to EUROPE!

Here are some lessons that I learned while here:

Lesson #1 - Don't eat "American" food.

When you are in Italy, eat Italian food! When we went to Rome we stayed in a campground and the restaurant advertised an "American" breakfast. There was a picture of bacon and eggs and I started to feel a little home sick. So I went for it and the Italian waitress was not happy and after I ate my food I wasn't happy. Italians should stick to pasta and pizza and let us Americans cook the eggs! The yolk was overcooked and they charged us 6.50 Euro a plate for two eggs (thats about $9)!

Lesson #2 - Unisex bathrooms are awkward.

The first bathroom we went to was in a parking garage in Verona. I have to say it was weird to see men and women walking in and out of the same bathroom. And as a guy it is unpleasant to here women chitter chatter while you are taking care of business. I also learned that Italians are okay with unisex bathrooms, so in my brain I prepared for going into the bathroom with ladies, hmmm.....

Lesson #3 - Not all bathrooms are Unisex!

So the Second bathroom I went to was not for men and women and boy did I learn my lesson! Let me paint a picture for you...   I really had to use the bathroom and I decided to find the nearest restroom. Here is a question, How do you find a restroom if everyone speaks Italian!? I did not know what they call it and I tried to figure out what I was going to use when asking, “Bathroom” , “Toilet”, “Restroom”, “The John”, “Potty”. I picked one and asked the closest waitress “Where is the restroom?” They pointed me in a direction and I followed and it worked! When I made it to the place they call the “Toilette” I saw a row of doors. Assuming it was unisex I went down the hall way and went with the first door that had a green mark indicating that it was unoccupied. “What do we have behind door number 5 Bob!?” … a lady on the “Toilette”! Yea that was awkward. She looked at me and screamed. I looked at her and thought “Welcome to Italy.” I spent the rest of the evening dodging the old Italian woman in the red and blue floral dress, unfortunately some images are burned in your brain!

Lesson #3 - Not all bathrooms are Unisex!

Yea, that’s right… I didn’t learn my lesson the first time! When we went to Rome we stayed at a campground. My cousin Adam and I walked in to the bathroom and seeing no indication of Mens or Womens I assumed it was another of the unisex variety. When we walked in Adam jokingly teased, “This is probably the Womens! Ha!” As I was about to walk out of the stall I heard two young British girls voices (this was a gift so that I knew what they were talking about).  They said giggling “Oh Dearest Mumsie, there is a man in the ladies bathroom!” Thinking they might have seen me I stayed in there for what seemed like forever until I heard no more voices. Then I got out as fast as I could. Now for the rest of my life I will never use a bathroom unless I see a little stick figure man telling me that “It is all going to be okay!”

Lesson Learned, Great SUCCESS!


Lesson #4 - You have to BUY water!

Water is not free! Not like America where every restaurant starts you with a tall glass of ice water. Here in Italy you must order “una liter acqua” just to have any sort of drink with your meal and most places charge 2 euro per liter (about $2.80)!

I'll have more lessons for you tomorrow!

Florence and Rome!

I'm back... and it feels good.

As you know we are staying in Vicenza, Italy but we took a weekend trip to Florence and Rome. It was a 6 hour drive and the freeways are crazy. There is pretty much no speed limit and most people drive 90+ miles per hour.

When in Rome we traveled from place to place using the subway system and we walked and walked and walked. Today I wore my TOMS and I have a "TOMS Tan." Any one out there who has TOMS will know what I am talking about. My feet and legs hurt but what I saw was AMAZING! I took a lot of pictures and want to share some with you... I will add more later because it is time for bed! Check back in the morning :)

In Verona!

The first day here was so much fun! We saw so many old buildings every where we looked. I don't have time to add captions now as we are off to Florence and Rome until Tuesday! There will not be any internet there but I can't wait to show you all of what I have seen when I come back. If you click on the pictures below they will appear bigger on your screen :) Enjoy!