Sunday, February 21, 2010

Leipzig

Thursday we took a two hour train ride to Leipzig. The train we took was amazing! Unlike the MBTA Commuter Rail, you didn't need to shout to have a conversation with the person next to you. Plus, the ride was really smooth. I love German transportation!

Once we got there we grabbed some lunch in the Hauptbahnhof (main train station) and then headed to the Zeitgeschichliches Forum, which is the Forum of Contemporary History. This museum was about East and West Germany in the aftermath of WWII, with a focus on the German Democratic Republic (GDR) which was under Soviet rule. Our tour guide grew up in the GDR and was 18 when the wall fell. It was a very different experience to hear history from a first hand source, to hear this woman talk about her own childhood. She lived through the times we were learning about.

After this museum, we went to an old Stasi headquarters which had been turned into a museum. The Stasi was the Secret Police of the Soviets. We couldn't find out where to buy English headsets, so we decided to just look around without them anyways. After this museum, we went to an Irish pub for dinner, then headed back home.

Rachel and me next to a piece of the Berlin Wall.

Friday we started our sociology class. We have two different professors, and see both of them for 90 minutes. I'm glad we don't have one long 3 hour class. Both of our professors also spent their childhoods in the GDR. It was interesting to hear their stories as well. It made history much more personal.

So for the past few nights, a few of us girls have really wanted to go to Nu Beatzz, and dance club in the Neustadt. Each night, something comes up, and we don't end up going. Last night, we were actually on our way, and then we couldn't find it! From the looks of it, we may never end up going there :( On the bright side, we found this really cool bar called Groove Station. They play live music every night and have pool tables and fooseball tables. We've been there twice, and so far so good.

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