| Neu Ruppin |
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| 03:17pm 25/10/2003 |
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Here are the photos at Neu Ruppin. I know I know, it took me long enough. I actually forgot about it for a while. So, here we go. You know the drill if the photos don't work the first time. Close the window, and hit the link again. It should then work.
You can view the album at:
http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/com.hp.HPGuestLogin?username=patersun&password=42357875
Lots of these photos are at times graphic, and show how people really lived in concentration camps, what they did, and how they did it. I will not hide anything, or make it nice and sweet, only will I tell the truth. Keep in mind, this was not an extermination camp. This was the school to teach people how to kill people. This is were the gas chambers were invented. They would test them out here. They would also perfect the design of the camp, so other camps could construct another design. Remember, people didn't come here to be killed and die. People were lab rats here, and they were tortured. Sometimes to death, sometimes to just per pain. This is were people learned how to work, kill, and run a concentration camp.
Photos 1-4.
These are some group shots of some exchange students from close and far around the world. We were on a boat/ferry to go to the concentration camps and to also look at some parts of the small city we were staying at for the weekend.
Photo 5
This is a photo of the man Kirche (church) in Neu Ruppin.
Photo 6
The main group photo of all the exchange students from District 1940 and 1890.
Photo 7-10
These are some photos at the front and around the fields of the concentration camp we went too. The sign that says 'Arbeit macht frei' means if you work hard, you will be free. The question was, free of what?
Photo 11-22
These are some Photos we took inside one of the Rooms that has been changed into a exhibit room. The names of the photos pretty much explain themselves.
Photo 23-26
These are photos of a special cell. If you did something really bad, or were part of a political party, they would put you in these cells. At the time, none of the cells let any light in, and they had no bath rooms. They would never be let out, or fed for days, weeks, or until they were dead. This was a form of torture. Once they had been in the cells for some time, they forget what day it is, night or day, they can't tell. And they then forget who they are, if they hadn't already.
Photo 27-29
These are photos of more outside areas. The photo with the pillar has triangles on it. Each one represents a certain group. Usually a certain political group, or if you were homosexual, etc. The photo with the three wooden posts is were they would have people. Either they would shoot them, then hang them by there wrist to show people who held the power. Of they would hang you up there to suffer, die, and sometimes they would shot you while on the post.
Photo 30-32
These are photos of how the people would look after some time. What there beds looked like, and how they were sometimes threatened and treated.
Photo 33
This is a photo of Germany. If you can see, there are lots of white lines, those are all names of different concentration camps. Every write line, or dot, was a different concentration camp. Just look at it, and think about. The blue and white lines separated the concentration camps. There purpose, how they worked, etc. Remember, sometimes they would be brought to one camp to be killed, to work, or to leave the next day to be brought to another camp.
Photo 34-35
The first photo has different Triangles. These showed what kind of people where there. Religion, race, sexuality, sexual preference, disabilities, political belonging. The other photo shows the percent. It's hard to make it out. But the majority of course where Jewish people, people who didn't meet the 'description', and people who were homosexual. Not everyone in the camp was Jewish.
Photo 36-38
The first photo is a group of skulls. I don't know the purpose, or why they had them. But perhaps this was after they starved to death, or were put in the gas to be tested. Also, the red cross came here. There was a hospital on site. And they would test out new drugs on prisoners. As far as the Red Cross was concerned, this was just a medical testing plant. What it was, was just a 'testing' plant. The next photo is of someone's hair. We all know they took everything, and put it into big mounds. Hair, shoes, glasses, watches, etc. The next photo is of a man who has tattooed himself. This was a sign to rebel. They would tattoo things of pride. Such as being Jewish, Homosexual. So when there bodies were disposed, the Camp Controllers were reminded once more, of how much they were hated.
Photo 39
This is a photo of a man dead, hanging on one of the posts I talked about.
Photo 40-42
The first photo you see a big bunker. In there were machine guns. They had about 5-8 bunkers on this camp. They could get you from every angle you were at. They made sure of it, by testing it out.
The next photo is where they did a lot of work. I didn't really get the main idea of it all. It looked like this was a place were they perhaps cleaned the bodies. It was all hooked up to run with water.
The last concentration photo is of a ditch with lots of wood. This is where the prisoners would be murdered by gun. The wood was used to catch the bullet(s).
The last three photos are happy photos. We went bowling afterwards since the concentration camp was a little depressing for everyone. These are just some group shots. I am in the first one. I know, I will get more soon.
I hope you learned some more, and realize some more. This is perhaps one, if not the worst form or torture and murder that our world has ever seen. Never have so many people been killed (not even blacks) because of who they were. Remember, this act of destruction, almost made part of our human race, extinct. You'll never know how serious this truly was, until you've been to a place like this for yourself. Walking on the same ground, in the same room were numerous people have been killed. And in cells where you can still smell an odor of the history. The saying, don't judge until you've (been there/met the person/read the book/lived the life), is very true. |
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| Italy!!!!!!!!!! What you've all been waiting for! |
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| 11:58am 04/10/2003 |
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Ok kids, so here are my pictures for Italy. I think by now you know how to work it all, if not, let me know. You must forgive me, as some of the photos are out of order. You can either organize them by name, or date. I can't change the name. And it just automatically finds the date you took the pictures and does it itself. But it is a computer, and it does make mistakes. So stick with me here. Also, when the page comes up with the photos, look on the right side column, there should be a lot of stuff to you can click, delete photos, things like that. On the bottom of all those buttons, it should say Sort by 'date or name', click on date.
You can view the album at:
http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/com.hp.HPGuestLogin?username=patersun&password=54566380
The first picture is of the harbor (one of many in italy) This is an area known as 'port to Giglio' or at least thats what the teachers called it. Giglio is an Island, usually a holiday island. This is where you would catch the fiery to go to it. About 35 of the 50 students went to Giglio, so this is where we dropped them off. If you look at photos 1, 13-15, and the last one (I think) those are also pictures of some of the students and the little city/harbor.
If you look at photos 2-3,16-19 (again, I think) those are pictures of some of Italys country sides. These were taken after dropping the kids off at Giglio, and going on our way to Rome.
Photos 4-8, 21, those are photos I took the night we got there. Photo 4 is where we ate, a nice little restaurant where the best wine in the world, only costs four Euros a bottle...wow!
Photos 5-6, is the church at the top of the spanish steps, and a pictures looking down on the spanish steps. This is one of the bigger hang out areas for the night life of Rome. There would literally be hundreds of people. Drinking, singing, playing music. Some times groups of people would play and try and make money. A very cool place to be.
The photos 7-8 are of the most famous fountain in Italy. You can see it is very big. An average size 6 year old could probably fit in the hand of those status in the fountain. There is a story that says, if you take a coin, put it in your right hand, blow on it three times and through it over your left should (with your right hand) you will one day return to Rome. And now, if you through in three, it gets better. The first one, is for coming back, the second is to find your love in Rome, and the third is to marry your love. I don't, I just believe in the first saying, so I only threw in one coin.
Photo 21, as I think I say on the picture, is one of the five star hotels in Rome. Doesn't look like much on the outside, but never judge a book by it's cover folks. We'll just say, since we were't guests, or acquainted by a guest, we weren't allowed in.
Photos 9-12,20,22-38. I must say most of my pictures where taken on the first day. But just wait till I come home, I got a lot more.
9-12,22-23 is of an underground church. It was all in German, so I didn't get a lot of details. But what I did pick up, was that this was one of the more sacred 'secret' churchs were secret rituals and ceremonies would be performed. The place if very big, and you must go with a tour guide, because some spots aren't save, and others still have yet to be discovered.
20, this is where our hotel was. You could say this was the 'Hover Ville' of Italy. Or at least one of them.
24-38, these are photos of yes, the Coliseum. It is worth going to times and times again. I spent about 2 hours in there, and I still feel like there was so much more to see. You almost just want to sit in there, for about 30 minutes, and just look at everything, and just let your mind wonder. Trust me, there is so much stuff, that if you just look and walk, your mind gets overwhelmed and you don't really get the affect. I think we all know about the Coliseum.
39-43,44-46,47-48,49-51
39-43, photo 39, is yes of what I was told to me the first actual city, or city/street in Rome. Very cool. 40-43,49-51 is one of the churchs just down the road, about 2 Km, yes, thats just 'down the road' in Italy. 20km is about 18 miles. You do the math. Under the church there is a tomb, almost like a 'Poltergeist'. They found family tombs, and tombs of import religious figures, they think, who lived in the church. Cameras and bags were forbidden, so I have no photos.
44-46, These are some shots of down town, how people just relax, and the out side of a very big church. It looks bigger on the outside, but I am sure there are lots of secret ways through, but we weren't allowed in those areas.
47-48, I know, I'm mean. But I had to take photos and see if the guards would do anything. They just look at you really mean. In 47, the guy in the back to the left, in the white. He has a sub-machine gun. And there is also a guard on the right as well. This in one of the embassy's, or at least a very important place. They have guards all over, with very cool, but big guns.
52-62, the Pope. I keep thinking I am spelling that wrong? It was very cool to see the Pope. And yes, he is very sick. But it is amazing to just here his voice. But when you hear his voice, and look at how he sits and talks, you do realize he won't be there for much longer. These are also pictures of the church. The largest in the world. They even had a dress-code there. Legs and arms must be covered. Open shoes were ok. And girls, no showing you shoulders. At 95 degrees, with no shade, it got hot!
63-66, these are photos from the top of a hill where the Romans brought there trash. But not trash like we think of, ceramics. Tons and Tons. And I mean, 'Tons'. Where ever you walk, you are walking on ceramics, which are over 2000 years old. Just think about the for a second. You are walking on broken pottery, that is over 2000 years old. I think it was so cool.
The Next Photos are in Pompei.
67-87, these are photos of the old city in Pompei. Pompei is famous for one thing, and if it wasn't for this, Forest Grove would be more famous. Pompei has a Volcano, but one that erupted in the year 79 A.D. Flooding the while city. They have now dug up about 1/3 of the city. You could literally spend all day in the city, and you can totally get lost too. I know. But I feel behind with others for taking to many photos...so you can't blame me too much...right? You can look inside some of these homes, and the drawings are still on the wall. And you can touch them...you can touch them! And these drawing are from before 79 A.D. They also found bodies around. They call them the frozen people. As they were almost frozen. There bodies where preserved in the ashes. And When you look at the bodies, covered with a ashy film, you can still see the expression on there face. It is amazing. Now Oc 14-15, is of the largest 'house' in the city. It was actually like a mini city or large Garden, with a home on it. This is where the ruler of the city lived.
The next five photos are on top of the hotel we stayed at in Pompei, which was very nice actually. There you could see the whole Pedestrian Street, and the 'city' of Pompei. There are also some shots of the church. Every night they would have people line up, with candles...and ti-ki torches!!! Almost mumbling something together. They were saying this with the prayer on the loud speaker. You could here it from a mile away. And it started around 10pm, and stopped around midnight. Our Hotel was perhaps 200 meters from the Church. It was terrible. No sleep what so ever. And they even had a big bell that would go off. And I mean big bell! It got the whole city up at 7am, EVERYDAY! And the last photo, not including the Harbor, are of four of the people I became class too. Left to right: Micheal, Madelein, Suzi, Neils. |
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| a look in the past, to plot the future |
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| 10:16pm 10/09/2003 |
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look in the past, to plot the future
Today after dinner, I have been looking at colleges. I did a survey on msn to see what my ideal college would be in Oregon. And it's willamette...yay! I have been looking at a lot of stuff there. Law, Psychology, International Buisness, teaching. And I will probably learn a little about all of the above. Perhaps I will double major. And perhaps I will change what I want to major. But I figure, if you are going to be in school a lot longer then you intend to get into law or psychology, why not do both? I mean, if you can that is.
I started thinking about Germany, why I came here, what I am missing in life, what I am gaining. And it just seems to me, that after a while, we reach a point in our life when we look back and say I, ''I wish...'' I could have done acting in school. I wish I could have gotten into Art in school. But then as I was reading all these different course descriptions, I told myself. There is a difference between what we enjoy doing, and what we enjoying seeing. What we enjoy learning, and what we enjoying just for the hell of it. Like art, I suck at drawing, my mom tried to teacher me, as she is pretty good. But I sucked. But I love photography. I thought it might be to late in my life to start something new. When so many people my age are already so advanced. But I am slowly teaching myself, and I am very happy about that.
I had to control myself and say, as cool as deep sea diving to look at fish and biology stuff in the ocean is, is this something I really want to do in my life? As cool as some drawings and paintings are, do I really want to take the time do learn that? Do I want to spend a good deal of my lfe, looked up with a pencil or brush, and just paint...no. But do I like going to art shows, admiring other peoples art...hell yes!
I want to learn more about Internation Buisness, Psychology, because it's something I am currently learning. I am being told a new thing about the German government everyday, and man, could the Americans use a little advice...at least the political people.
I am so into Psychology, because I have had a destorted life, compared to others, my life has been gold, and to some people, I wish for a life like theres. But it's the way I've delt with it, and the fact that other people don't deal with it, and just fall off the deep end...almost like me. But I recovered. How? Time. Keeping things locked up in the meaning time may be ok, but in the long run, it will burst when you wish it wouldn't. Now I am learning how to be a rubber band, to expand my personality, to fit life better. As there is no perfect life, no perfect person...but why not try to better what you already have?
I think about it. And there are so many doors we can walk through life. I wish I could do everything I want to do. And I can, I just have to be patient. And for some things...I'm not. And some things, there are so many doors, I get so confused and overwhelmed that I just explode and don't even know where to begin. Like college, I have no idea how I am going to pay. I mean, it'll work out some how. But I love psychology. There are so many things in psychology...it's crazy. I read an article on this girl at willamette who is studying how people remember things. And why we remember positive and negative things. I think it is so interesting...and something I could do al my life. To just be with people, learn about people, and answer my own questions. And even better, at the same time, perhaps help someone. I have talked myself into it. I want to learn psychology like no other. But I want to help people around my age and younger. And as time goes on, I will learn about more areas of psychology, and maybe explore something more. And now, psychiatry, thats another big question. Do I want to stay in college until I am almost 30? I dunno, is it worth it to give people drugs? I think not, but I think to have that ability is so cool. But of course you can't give people my age and younger very many drugs. And lots of problems at my age and younger, don't need drugs for solving, they just need time, and figuring out.
So, I think coming to Germany was a good idea. I get to meet new people, and it's just wow! I think it has helped me think a lot. It's solved a lot of problems, and made my life go a lot smoother. It's put me into control of it, and I love that. I want to come back here so bad. Because here, college doesn't cost any money. The professores get paid the same way an elementary teacher would get paid, by taxs. But there aren't a lot of people in the classes. There aren't any more then 20 kids in any of my classes. Thats because, they don't force people at my age. They only take in the kids who want to make it. And if at the time they don't, thats cool, but then they can in the future. Another cool thing here, if you live on your own, the German government will support you. Paying you around 600 Euros a month. And you know how much a flat costs. Like an apartment in Portland. about 200-300 Euros a month. And you can also have a job, and thats perfect. And at the end, you only have to pay back half of what the German government pays you. I'd be my own person, taking control of my own life. And saving so much money. I think it's crap that college costs so much money. Because it can stop people who can learn, who are smart, and who have a gift. Even though they may get a full ride, thats like 1 in 1,000, and usually for sports. Now how is that going to help us in the future? The US, and is so messed up in some ways. I mean, in some ways, Germany needs to re-think things. But People live good lives here. It's a first world country. Things are more laid back here. You get what you work for. Just Like in America. You could be the smartest person, and deserve to go to college, but not go because of money...because of green paper! Thats dumb! I honestly think going abroad is the best thing I could have done right now in my life...the absolute best! Because I am learning stuff, you don't learn in school...well maybe college. But that costs a lot of money...hah! And for me, it only costs what your room and board costs...HAH! I am learning it all first hand. I am seeing it happen. And it's great...it is truly the best thing I could have ever asked for in my life. So what if I miss a year of school. I don't need it to graduate. And so what if I come back and I am in Pre-Cal, and not AP with everyone else my age. And so what if I fall behind a little in Chem, or have to take Pyhsics a year later...look at what I am getting in exchange!
I guess the main thing is, is that at some point in our life, we have to make choices. Not the leather or jean jacket. The bikini bottom or G-string. But decisions that will affect the rest of your life! And this has been one of them, and I think it was the best I could have done. The best, anyone could have done.
So just think about it kids. There is more to life then Oregon, your school year book. Who is on Prom Court. Whos dating who. Who got first place in sports. There is more to life then all of that. Because you have to think about life, itself.
-Jordan Patterson |
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| Petre Church |
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| 04:06pm 10/09/2003 |
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As I said in my last journal, watch out for another photo album. And here it is. I went to the church the same day as I went to the Castle. I just didn't have time to up load and talk about both of them.
Theres really not much to tell about the church. There was nothing in the church that told the history...no tour guides. They weren't even very happy with you if you took pictures. The sign said you could, but you couldn't use a flash. Because that may desturbe the people praying. Which there were. I guess the only thing to keep in mind is that back in the olden days. 700 A.D. -1000 A.D. The church was the main part of lots of peoples life. Rich people went there to pray, to donate money, to get married. They still do that today. Poor people would also go there to pray, but to also beg for food and money. If your town didn't have a nice, beautiful church, then your town wasn't nice or beautiful either. Thats why even some wealthy people would donate so much money, that they too would go poor, and then come back to the church for food and money like your typical begger. Remember, this church was built only on donations, nothing more, nothing less.
You can view it here.
http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/com.hp.HPGuestLogin?username=patersun&password=46045161
I do have to talk about one thing in the church. The two pictures 'wood' are pictures of a piece of art, made from one piece of wood. It is about 12 feet high, and about 7 feet across. The detail is wonderful. No picture could ever capture it's true beauty. In the middle, is Jesus on the cross, and around it, are squares, with people in it. Every square is a different setting, a different story, almost as if this piece of art is telling a story. |
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| Schloß Gottorf |
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| 03:32pm 07/09/2003 |
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The following are pictures...some of which you may not want to see, since they are dead people from over 1800 years ago, Viewer discretion is advised.
I went to a castle yesterday with my host brother and his girlfriend to see an art exhibit there...which was very cool. I don't have any pictures since I wasn't allowed to have my camera out. Trust me, you didn't miss to much. It was cool...but I've seen cooler. The castle was called Schloß Gottrof in a city called Schleswig, which used to be called 'Haitabu' during the days of Alexander the Great. The castle is from around the times before christ. It ranges from 400B.C. to 700A.D. The aren't exactly sure...but that is a rough estimate. They are sure however that this castle, was around in the B.C. Circa.
Here is the link to my pictures...hopefully you can follow along with my writing on the journal as I tell you a little about the pictures. I will add a second file today that will be of my first church. So check that out too when you have the time. If you click on the link below, it should bring up a seperate window. If that window brings you to the HP home web page. Simply close the window, and hit the link below a second time.
You can view the album at:
http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/com.hp.HPGuestLogin?username=patersun&password=18233283
The first two photos...1/3 of boat and 2/3 of Boat, are photos of an exact replica of a boat found in the water around Germany and Danmark. They were used by the Vikings. They usually have an actual boat, but they moved for a different showing.
The next two photos are easy enough. Bowls for Ashes 1 and 2. When you died, and if you were at some kind of Royalty, you would be placed in a certain bowl. Even if you were 'Royalty' you would still be placed in a bowl..just not as nice. They found these bowls around the castle where they show all of these displays.
Next Photo, Castle Gates. I think that says it all.
The next three photos are the ones you may not like. These are actual corpses. With there skin still in on there bones. These bodies were killed between the times (roughly) of 400 B.C. and 700 A.D. Just think about it for a minute. They would find these bodies all around Germany and Denmark. So there really isn't a certain place where these bodies where put. If you look at the first corpse, it still has it's skin around it's arms, some kind of fabric showing 'she' was wearing something when she died, and she also has a blind fold around her eyes, that you may not be able to see. It Blends in with her...oh so natural complexion. They have different stories about these bodies. Three different stories actually. One is that the people would die of old age, and would be placed in the swamp. Usually the wouldn't have any hair on there head since they could cut there usually Blond hair (scandinavian) and sell it for money. But why is her right hand placed the way it is? And why be placed in a swamp...not in a cemetery?
Well that brings up the second story. They believe they were murdered. Usually for a crime or for sleeping around when it came to the women. It was told that the husbands would chase the wife around the city naked, with a large knife in his hand, cutting her hair, showing to everyone, that she had been sleeping around. He would then chase her to the swamp, where she would die. They have found on some bodies, full amounts of head hair, or 15 cm on one side, while there was only 3cm on the other side. This would explain the vicious hair cutting while being chased. And the hand position. While being killed, or slowly passing in the swamp, that hand position was much like the 'middle finger' today. They also aren't sure if these people were barried in the swamps dead or alive. Since some of them have marks around there neck...showing that perhaps they were hung. Others have not even a cut, scratch, or bruse.
On to the next Corpse...I didn't believe it when I say it. It looked like a big pill of skin. Like someone had shed off there skin like a snake. But after time...this persons bones and insides had decomposed. Leaving only a powder substance inside of the skin. But why is this person so flat, with no bones...while the others are just the oppisite? No one knows. This person is no more then an inch and a half thick. Believe it!
The third body, has no hair, no clothing, but no cloth placed around there eyes. They think that some people would get sick...and while digging up swamp 'matter' to burn to keep there homes warm, they would fall in, and never come out. But why did this person have no hair, where they murdered, did they have cancer, did they cut it and sell it for money. Perhaps they did since they couldn't buy any other forms for burning, so they had to pick it from the swamps. This is truly, a mystery.
The next three photos 'horse toys 1-3' are random objects that would be placed on the kings, or knights horse, or carriage.
Next photo, the inside of the boat. Not much else.
Next three photos, 'Knights toys 1-2 and Pants' where all found around this castle. These are things that knights would wear for battle, and use to look good while in battle, and to fight with. If you look at Knights Toys 2, there are four meadles. If you click on the picture you can make it bigger and see what I am talking about. The top one, you may reconize. Now heres a little something to tell your history teacher. The top Medal is the Swastika.
A few years ago, voters in Nepal went to the polls. They expressed their choice by stamping a swastika next to the name of the candidate of their preference. Farmers in Tibet frequently place a swastika on their home doors, so that no evil can enter the place. A similar custom is followed by Irish farmers, where the swastika placed in their doors is called a Brigit's cross. Cuna Indians in Panama design their blouses with colorful swastikas. Navajo medicine men use colored sand to draw swastikas on the floor while performing their curative rites. As a form of benediction Indian boys paint a swastika on their shaved heads. The swastika is, without a doubt, an ever present symbol. A modern author called it the "Symbol of the Century." Not only this, the Romans also used it as it was discussed at the exhibit. It was a sign for life or death. If the ends were pointing to the right, or turning clockwise, that ment life. And if it was pointing to the left, going counter clockwise, that ment death. So Hitler after all didn't invent the Swastika, he only stole the signal from the Romans who used it before the days of Christ.
The next picture of th harbor, is just a random shot. But those are places where they have found bodies, and remnants of boats.
The Next Picture is the 'Side of Castle' Again, what else can I say.
The next picture...good old Helga. This is a skull (they could only find the skull) of a lady, who's hair is still together. It was preserved, along with all the other bodies who were placed or killed in the water. There, no oxygen could even reach them.
The next photo is a display of and old sword to the left, and what it would have looked like to the right.
The last two photos, I think you can get on your own.
Thats all folks. I will have another update on the church I visited. And some photos of what used to be, the only city in 'NORTHERN EUROPE'! I am slowly learning, that Germany is a key to Europe, and Europe's history of actually being Europe. |
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| Week three...I think? |
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| 09:02pm 28/08/2003 |
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Hey Everyone,
Everything here is really good. I developed my first four rolls of film. And even though they say they don't do a good job in Europe, some of them still turned out really good. But I do need more work on mf photo taking, but thats ok, it's fun. It's also not the expensive to develop film. It cost me 4.78 Euros for 23 pictures. So perhaps 5.25 in American. But the thing is, that if you want doubles, you have to pay double the price. But I am keeping track of all my photos in chronological order, in the packages they came in, alone with there negatives. So if I need to make more when I come back to the states, or in the near future, I can pay by the photos, which is about 10 cents.
Today, I also bought an umbrella, you need it. The umbrella was really cheap, only 2.5 Euros, and the clothes here aren't that bad either, it just depends where you go. It's not much different from the US honestly. You either pay for fashion, or for quality, sometimes both.
Now, if you know me, I need my guitar, so I bought one for 100 Euros, I talked the guy down from 140, it was sweet, being a dumb american really does pay off!The guitar I got is a Fender, is was the cheapest they had. They had another one, which was a step up, and it cost 180, instead of 140 (even though I talked the guy down to 100). I really didn't like the more expensive one, I couldn't tell any difference, so I got the cheaper one. And I am happy, now I am able to do something when I am bored, instead of reading all the time, or sitting on the computer. I am starting to find my way around town. Little by little I explore more and more. Today when I was there getting my umbrella, I saw some people from school. I felt like one of the Germans, randomly talking to my friends downtown. It was really cool.
I was also at the store today, getting some drinks for a party I am going to tomorrow. They will have two bands. It is at my host brothers girlfriends house. (my mothers sisters husbands brothers nephews...etc..hehe). So it'll be fun. I am also spending the night there, so I don't have to leave early or anything, which is really sweet. It was odd, at the store, a Smirnoff Ice cost 89 cents..which is awesome, but a coke cost 99 cents. Alcohol is cheap then soda? Thats a little weird, but like I said, I'm not complaining. Anyways, life in Germany is good. I'm not homesick, I am happy to talk to everyone and do e-mail, and also get letters...which I haven't been getting...tskk tskk tskk. Anyways, I am healthy and fine. I guess there isn't much more to say, everything just doesn't seem new to me anymore, if you can believe it. But the language is coming along. I start my classes after I get back from Italy..score! Well, talk to you all laters, and keep e-mailing me and sending the slug mail.
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| My first week in Germany |
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| 04:50pm 19/08/2003 |
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mood:  energetic
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What more can I say then wow! Now this is a experience of a life time. Day one, I got here, unpacked, went to the beach. Although, I thought Germany had a lot of out of shape men with big chests. little did I know, Germany has fewer rules then your older brother does when he is taking care of you. These 'big men' were actually girls, enjoying the sun that Germany never gets. That came as a major culture shock and a surprise, after not even being in Germany for 5 hours. Came back, ate, went to sleep. Then I got up and went to school the next day. I hung out with a guy named Danial, but we call him Danny, he went to Canada last year, so he spoke my language...sweet. He showed me to my classes, and introduced me to some people. But all these people are smokers. So I walk over to a cloud of cheap cigarette smoke...ugh, not my idea of a good time. Even the really pretty girls, who are very smart in school, where taking a break. I pulled out my waterbottle full of juice and sat back, talking to people. Trying to breath through the bottle of grape juice, rather then the smokey air around me. The day came to an end, went home, took a nap, ate, and went to bed. Tuesday, was scary. On my own, finding my own classes, with little German that I know. I thought two years would be more helpful, but I realize I feel as if I am starting at ground zero. But I managed. The teachers asked me if I spoke German in German, I smiled and said, 'solala' they said ok, we won't grade you, because you can't speak, just come and listen, try not to fall asleep and learn German. So when all the other kids are taking notes on math, science, etc. I am learning German. The only good thing about that, is that I don't have anyhome work for the first semester...except to learn German...YAY! The rest of the week went by the same way. Trying to find classes, being laughed at, and having teachers baby me. Now, they kinda know me, and just don't talk to me...hey, we're making progress!
Friday I went to my first Pub and Disco, or nightclub. I had a 'smirnoff ice' at the pub, as my host brother Per had a danish beer. I have a sip of that, not to bad. We sat there and talked for about 2 hours. We didn't get there until about 9 o'clock. Sandra was also there...Per's girlfriend. We even saw two of Sandras friends at the pub who joined us. Dressed to dance and had eyes that could kill. The two girls had already been at the club at about 10:30, and said maybe, 5 people were there. It was soon 11:00. Time to go to the club. We got in, I was lucky. We walked in, live music downstairs, a small band rocking out to Hendrix, and a dj up-stairs, playing all of your new or typical dance american music. Which they all loved. After seeing peopel from age 16-30, you realized, people come here for many reasons. Some just come to dance and have a drink, while others just have a drink and watch, and some just drink, and try not to fall over while standing in the middle of a crowd. There were four drunk guys, quite funny actually. They would screen the chorus to every cool song, as if they were in concert. To them, I'm sure they were. It was very random. People dancing many styles, some I can't even explain. Others dancing on tables, some just standing and getting in the way. But by about 1:30, we left, and like alway, we smelt of beer and cigarettes, you can't escape a German club or pub with out that smell. But oh well, you get used to it I guess. On our way home, my host brother Per said heres another good pub, that have cola and whiskey mixed in a drink for only 1 Euro, while a beer is like 3. Sounded pretty good after being in a stuffy place where they don't serve water. But Sandra stopped Per as he was only joking. He said you need to sample some drinks, to see what there like. In other words, drink one of everything to see what you feel like. I on the other hand pulled out my grape juice and kept walking. We came home, and we all crashed. I didn't wake up until noon, and Sandra and Per didn't until about 1:30. We then left for Denmark. Which was beautiful, but smelly too in the country. As in the country is a cow farm. It shoudl be the other way around, the cow farms are the country part of Denmark. But we drove around, I got some new pictures on my camera, we stopped and got ice cream...way to much. Sandra had to drive since she was the smart one and had only two scoops. While Per and I were moaning in the car after having 5 scoops with whip cream, vanilla yogurt, carmel sauce, and a chocolate on top. Not a single calorie. :) Came home, ate, talked all night, and went to bed again. Sunday I walked around the town myself. And I took some pictures. I also walked to where my second school is, that's where I will be taking music. Theres these two boys in class, who I can't figure out. Either there brothers who love to goof off and wrestle, and joke around. Or they're just two buds who always want to be center of attention. The first one has the shaggyest blonde hair, and the other has this piece of hair on his chin that looks like he fell into a small pile of dog poop. but what ever works for them. Monday and Tuesday were good days, as it was nice to go back to some what of a schedule and see some people at school. I got my first letter today from my grandma, was very nice. Just a little word of advice to everyone for the future. I don't expect anyone to send me money, but if you ever do. Change it to Euros at your local bank. Because if you send me 10 dollars, that may be 3 Euros, after the exchange rate and also the fee to exchanging them. Anyways, I feel like getting some more juice. I read my friends live journal today. She got back from Canada, YAY! And so I hope to get a letter from her soon. I also hope to get letters from everyone else, or e-mails.
I hope you all know my e-mail, if not, then just look really hard on my livejournal. And my addreß is...
Jordan Patterson
H-C-Andersen
Weg 89
d-24939 Flensburg
GERMANY
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| Flensburg |
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| 07:42pm 11/08/2003 |
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Today is Monday, and it is about 7:45pm. I love it all. The people are nice, and the school is beautiful. This city is a little smaller then Portland, but with more to do. And there are a couple of nice beaches. I have one hostbrother, Per, and he has a girlfriend named Sandra, who went to Canada for a year. She has been extremly helpful to me. Although Per is at Sandras house tonight, so this is my first night by myself with my host parents. I showed them photos of my friends, family, and where I come from. They were all very pleased. I am learning about 20-25 new German words a day. My family is very helpful with speaking. Although I haven't done much since I am just settleing in. But by tomorrow, we will speak more german. They say don't worry about Grammer, just say even a word, like Cola, or Wasser (water), and try and ask for it in any way I think of, and they will help me. So tomorrow, it's on. I am kinda homesick, but not so much. I wrote my mother and father today. I will write mz grandmother and grandpa sometime this week. But if any of you want to write, my addresse is as followed.
Jordan Patterson
H-C-Andersen
Weg 89
D-24939 Flensburg
GERMANY
until next time. I love and miss you all.
Tschus from Germany!
Jordan |
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| I know my date! |
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| 09:28pm 28/06/2003 |
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I am leaving for germany on the 9th of August. I will be there on the 10th. And school starts on the 11th. So give me a week. Say by the 20th. Germany, here I COME! |
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| WHEN? |
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| 06:38pm 01/06/2003 |
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I will begin my journal once I arrive in Germany, that will be after early August.
Patersun |
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patersun's journal