Berlin - Germany

Had the most fantastic 3 days in Berlin, we wanted to stay longer but were not really organised and had already stayed an extra day. Our first impressions were that it was so clean compared to the Czech Republic and the people were really friendly. After initially getting lost due to not having the correct map in our GPS we managed to get around with a map and found the public transport really easy. It was a busy time learning about the past and present in Berlin. From simple facts like Berlin being built on reclaimed land meaning all of the building sites have to pump out water, you can see the big pipes in some of the photos. We found out about how Germany came about and the lead up to the World Wars. Much of the German history is dominated by Hitlers rule, however he was only in power for 11 years. We found it fascinating that Germany was basically land purchased by a wealthy family (the Brandenburg's) and later turned into a Kingdom. It was founded on tolerance and anyone could come to Germany if they didn't quite fit in where they came from ... a nation built on unbiblical principals that would later seek to destroy the Jewish population. Just before Hitler came to power German people were enduring many hardships which is how he managed to manipulate and deceive his way into power. Following the end of WWII the division of East and West Germany saw much more hardship. The 2 sections of the Berlin wall that we saw were very sobering. In one section there is a monument called the 'Topography of Terror' showing how the Secret Service treated people and the great division of Germany. Families were separated literally over night and every measure taken to make sure it remained this way. From our experience Berlin is a very humbled place due to its part in the war. The Holocaust monument takes up a whole city block and is designed that you make your own judgements about its significance whereas Hitlers bunker is literally a car park with no signs or indication that he even existed. There were so many interesting things that we saw such as the site of the Nazis book burnings, there is an underground monument with empty bookshelves and a plaque which reads "Where they have burned books, they will end in burning human beings." Heinrich Heine. This quote was written by a Jewish German who had his books burnt. We also saw another monument of a mother holding her dying adult son, this is a tribute to all victims of war. On a more fun note we also had the building that Michael Jackson held his son over the balcony pointed out! Saw the Cathedral, Museum Island, Brandenburg gates, more Christmas markets (stunning), the list goes on ... Berlin is an amazing city that we hope to come back to and explore further, there is still so much to see and do, we only scratched the surface.

Dresden

Visited Dresden in Germany. Lovely place with neat Christmas markets. The big mural is called the Pocession of Princes and is 394 feet long it's on the wall in the Royal Mews courtyard. It depicts a parade of Saxony rulers, some walking, others on horseback. We saw a number of interesting buildings including the Royal Palace (Residenzschloss), Bruehl Terrace and Semper Opera House (Semperoper). Heaps of unusual statues but most of all the kids liked all of the Santa statues that were dotted through the market (maybe because there is no Santa in Czech Republic!).

Nativity Show

Corban was an angel in the Early Years Christmas Nativity show this year. Well her wings feel off, she spent most of her time adjusting the tinsel on her head and looking thought the crowd for mum and dad ... she certainly got 110% for cuteness along with all the other 3 and 4 year olds! She was singing the songs at home the other night, so I got a quick video of that as well. The kids enjoyed a Christmas party with yummy food and presents, a great end to the year.

Snow

Corban and I off to school on Monday morning. It took us such a long time to get there because Corban was so busy playing in the snow. Arriving at school was heaps of fun there was a snow machine which pushed all the snow into a big mound which the kids jumped all over and we started the day with a big snow fight! Taylor pretty much did the same at her school and came home with wet golves and jacket. I was most impressed with the Riverside kids who spent about 3 hours outside today rehearsing for the Christmas show. Tomorrow is going to be even colder with a forecast of -8. Looking forward to seeing the Christmas show which starts at 5.30pm outside in the freezing cold! Apparently it's lovely!! Allan also took some pic's of our garden.

A Busy Week

It has been a busy week with the build up to Christmas and celebrating two Birthdays in the Stock family. As you can see Allan pulled two great cakes out of the oven once again! On Wednesday night we visited Old Town Square to celebrate Mikulas (St Nicholas). This is certainly an unusual tradition ... St Nicholas looks like the Pope who is accompanied by an angel and the devil. If they stop you the kids need to sing a song and then they get given a treat (we just watched). Taylor, Leo and Corban also enjoyed watching some buskers who where making giant bubbles. The weekend saw us finish our visit to the Jewish Museum. Once again we learnt a great deal about the Czech Republics forced changes that have happened over the years and about the life and journey of the Jewish people from this area. The Jewish museum holds over 40,000 exhibit and 100,000 books that paint a comprehensive picture of the life and history of the Jews in this region. We spent two days looking through the various synagogues, halls and cemetery. We could easily have spent more time, but this was about what the little ones could handle. I have read and heard so much information that I can bearly take it all in myself! Not to mention what everything looks like, I had to take mental pictures because you are not allowed to take photographs. Next to the Jewish Ghetto is some of the most expensive real estate and shopping in Prague. I completely embarrased Taylor by posing outside shops like Prada, Gucci, Armani and so many more. I wasn't brave enough to go inside, but have decided that one day I'll dress up and go in, just because I can! Coban had a fun Birthday, we invited some other girls from our building for a small party. A great highlight was that it started to snow in the garden when they were doing the treasure hunt. She is pretty happy to be FOUR and spent the day in her own groove carrying her new school bag around town. It was also nice to hear Corban say to Leo in the morning when she got her gifts "come on Leo, do you want to help me open these?" What a nice sister! Dad sent a kiwi parcel, Taylor was very thankful for the marmite! If you listen carefully, Leo is actually singing the Birthday song perfectly. We had to not laugh, he was so cute!

Riverside Christmas Dinner

Allan and I went to the Riverside Christmas dinner which was held in the Zizkov Television tower. A great night out, nice food, fun people, great view. Taylor looked after the little kids, plus three other kids from our building which she has done now two weekends in a row so she is happy to be earning some pocket money!

Morning Tea Duty @ Riverside

Since being in Prague we have had some snow fall during the last holidays and the odd bit of snow during the last week or so but nothing overly significant. Today it started snowing just before morning tea, so the kids couldn't wait to get outside and play! I must admit, I enjoyed getting out and having a play myself:+) It was pretty short lived the sun was out by lunch, it is definitely getting colder, we are anywhere between 2 and -7 at the moment.

Jewish Museum - Jewish Quarter

Today we visted the Jewish Quater. We got tickets for the Jewish Museum which is in 5 parts, got around 3 today and will finish the rest next weekend. There are lots of photos of the Old Jewish Cemetry because most of the places we visited you are not allowed to take photos. The Old Jewish Cemetery has about 12,000 tombstones however there are over 100,000 people buried here. Jews were not allowed to be buried outside of the Jewish ghetto, so the dead were buried on top of each other, up to ten layers deep. There was so much history to read in the Maisel Synagogue and Pinkas Synagogue that we visited. The Pinkas Synagogue has the names of 80,000 Jews that were murdered by the Nazis, not included in the names are the other 183,000 Slovak Jews because the memorial was made after the fall of communisum. In the Jewish Quarter there are still many buildings that have not been inhabited since WWII. These buldings are in the most expensive parts of Prague but can not be destroyed or sold due to the fact that some distance relative could possibly have escaped to Isreal and can still claim the land back that was taken by the Nazis or Communist regime. Walking through these areas is very sobering, seeing artwork by children who had to cope with being taken away from their families and forced to live in the ghettos later being extermiated themselves or rescued and raised secretly by other families. Even the thought of people being 'exterminated' is absolutely beyond comprehension.

Christmas Advent Celebration

1st December marks the beginning of the advent calendar and the turning on of the Christmas lights in Old Town Square plus the start of the Christmas markets in Prague. So along with 40,000 other people we packed into Old Town Square at -5 and watched the evening unfold. Corban needed to go toilet when we were totally packed in but we managed to wiggle our way out of the crowds, which was lucky! Taylor and her friend stayed up the front, it was so packed that she couldn't take her hands out of her pockets. We watched from a block back and without any pushing. We went back on Sunday on our way to the Jewish Quarter and will return probably a couple of times over the next few weeks, it's really festive, heaps of crafts (we are going to find an angel or star for the top of our tree and let the kids pick out a decoration, a little more up beat than Farmers where they usually choose something!) also lots of street food. Today we ate some roasted chestnuts.

Crazy Asian Market

Allan took us to this totally crazy Asian market this weekend. Taylor was fasinated by the tazers, knuckle busters, samurai swords and pepper spray, I suppose you don't see this stuff for sale on a daily basis! It was actually a really cool market and it was huge. We have decided this will be the place to go for hats, gloves, scarves, socks, bags, art, snow gear etc great prices and a bit of fun bartering.

Charles Bridge Museum

Visited the Charles Bridge Museum, this was a great place to visit as the construction of the bridge began in 1357 and was finished being built in the beginning of the 15th century. The Charles Bridge was the link between Prague Castle and Old Town and the only way to cross the river Vltava until 1841. In the Museum you could walk down underneath and see different layers of bridge that had been constructed at different times. Under the bridge there is also a church from the middle ages when the church went underground, literally! There were statues of Jesus and Mary behind rock pillars and the pulpit was built into rock, kind of earthy smelling and amazing to look at. It is brillant how all these places were made with people power and limited resources compared with what we have today. Corban and Leo have both been given bikes along with a pile of toys from a neighbour and a family leaving. We still need to get some training wheels for Leo, but the kids didn't mind sharing. It was so nice that they were given so much stuff after giving away or selling pretty much everything they had!

Velvet Revolution

This weekend was the celebration of the Velvet Revolution. This was a non-violent revolution in Czechoslovakia when communism ended and it became a republic on the 17th November 1989. In the Czech Republic they celebrate the Velvet Revolution by marching/parading through the main streets, heaps of loud speakers, people dressed up and more police than I have ever seen in my life! We happened to be going the opposite direction so got the full show. Prior to the march we visited the Lennon Wall. The Beetles music was banned under the communist regime. Someone painted a picture of John Lennon on the wall, every time the wall was white washed that night the picture would reappear. Over time the wall became a symbol of peace, love and freedom where many polical messages where written. Eventually the authorities gave up cleaning the wall. All of the padlocks you see on the bridge are people locking their love together, they do this and then throw the keys into the water. We also did a boat cruise this weekend. It was pretty cool, we had to catch a smaller boat out to the main boat where you are given a hot drink and ginger bread while the tour guide tell you about the local area. Ironically after everything I have learnt about communism this week it is interesting to know that the Czech Republic elections are coming up and the Communist Party are polling 2nd!

Wedding Anniversary

Allan and I celebrated our wedding anniversary very simply on the 1st November. We waited for the kids to go to sleep and went for a walk. There are always night markets in Prague, so we wandered around until we found one and ate some traditional Czech food. We picked some fried potato on a stick and trdelnik which is like a sugar rolled cinnamon sugar bread thing. The photos don't do the castle justice at night, it's an amazing view.

Retracing Our Step

We spent a weekend going back through Old Town which we did when we first arrived. Although some photos might look similar we have a better understanding/knowledge of the things we are seeing and still seeing many new sights. We had to laugh at a few things, Leo particularly like the men statues ... he responded with "look they're weeing!" A few nights ago Taylor showed us a funny random picture on facebook of a narrow stairway with a stop and go walking signal ... much to our surprise we walked past the exact place in the weekend! Hilarious, it's just a walkway to a resturant on the river. The big statue of the king is 'King Charles IV of Bohemia'. Basically he was the King over a really big area Bohemia (large part of Europe), the Roman Empire, Italy etc Prague was the capital at the time. He was the person who built the 'Charles Bridge'that you see in many photos of Prague. Sigmund Freud is the statue hanging from the building, I think it is supposed to symbolise mans helplessness in the modern world or something like that. The enormous metronome was built after a giant monument of the former Soviet leader Joseph Stalin was blown up. Is symbolises the movement between good and bad leadership. There is living history everywhere we go, it is amazing how much we are learning all the time.

Monument that was blown up before metronome was built, apparently it stood about as high as the Jesus statue in Brazil.

First Snow Day 27th October

We saw the forecast earlier this week ... snow showers Saturday. Well the forecast didn't let us down, we had our first snow day today. We thought is would only be a light shower but there was enough to cover the ground, trees and cars. Instead of bunking down at home we wrapped up in our winter woolies and headed out on a bus trip. Corban and Leo constantly ate snow and licked poles (totally disgusting!), Taylor made snow balls. Allan even braved it out in the afternoon and went for an extra walk to find the DVD store and go to the Billa. He came home without a DVD and cold hands.