M.B.A.: January 2008

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On our way to Berlin, we visited the Sachsenhausen concentration camp located in the Sachsenhausen quarter, part of the town of Oranienburg, which is north of Berlin.

The camp was in operation from 1930-45 and started by housing policitcal prisoners, then run by the Nazis and from 1945-50 ultimately taken over by the Soviets. Many structures survived or have been reconstructed, including guard towers, the camp entrance, crematory ovens and the camp barracks. Also, after Germany re-united, museums were opened on the premises.

After visiting Dachau (near Munich) and Ravensbruck (a women's work camp also near Berlin), my impressions of this camp were similar but very different at the same time. This camp, being in the former east, has a twisted history with the camp remaining open after WWII under the Soviets. You are able to witness experience the history of the camp under the Nazis and under the Soviets. I also thought this camp was restored very well and had a remarkable amount of information.

I would recommend to visit when the weather is nice and you have ample time to really get the full experience.

Photos:
1 - Entrance
2 - "Work for freedom"
3 - A large Soviet-style memorial obelisk was erected in 1961
4 - Quote from a prisoner

After the holidays, I headed up to Hamburg for a few days. I have been to Hamburg before but only for one night, so this trip provided a lot more perspective on the city. After this trip Hamburg has become my number one Germany city!!

12/30
My sister and her husband came to visit me in Europe for a week and we explored Hamburg. We went to the Baltic Sea in Timmendorfer, about an hour or so from Hamburg. The crystal-clear sea was amazingly beautiful in a stark manner - the endless sea stretching as far as the eye can see, combined with the chill in the air, gives you a little shiver when standing on the pier gazing into the nothingness. The town of Timmendorfer was bustling although its in the middle of winter, it seems like the playground of the affluent with seasonal cottages. On the way back we stopped in Lubeck - the second largest port in Germany. The city center was very charming. Jam and Jim got to experience their first traditional German meal!

12/31
We started off the day with a wonderful breakfast in Blankensee. Blankenese started out as a small fishing village along the Elbe river to the southwest of Hamburg. It has developed into a quaint and beautiful part of Hamburg with beaches, winding small streets, charming houses and a city of stairs to get up and down the rugged terrain. Quite picturesque.

We spent new year's eve in Hamburg at a friend's party. Equipped with hot yummy drinks, Feuerzangenbowle (like mulled wine with sugar burned over it) and Honigwein (honey wine), we spent new years shooting off fireworks. This couldn't compare to any July 4th fireworks - it was so smoky you couldn't even see across the street!!

Last time I was in Hamburg, I only saw the red light district - so I got to see so much more of Hamburg during this trip. I will be back!!

Karting/car racing in Hamburg. I have never done this before, but it was really fun. Kept getting whipped around while in the car. While I didn't come in first, I didn't come in last. I have no idea why we had to wear this face masks!