Dresden, Germany ... March 24, 2012

Dresden, Germany ... March 24, 2012 day trip from Prague

Caleb, Thea, and I on the train ride to Dresden from Prague.  We had to have our passports checked as we crossed borders...that was something I really hadn't thought of.  Still wish they would give me a lovely new stamp in my passport for each country I go to.  

We have arrived.  Laura and I are excited to be there.  Dr. Clark and Thea are excited to photobomb! 

Dresden train station.  After we all had gotten off the train and found a lovely ATM so we could all get out our new currency, the Euro, we found our way outside to the tram stop. 

Here is one of our fearless leaders, Jan.  He is probably saying something really smart at this time to the group.  Elin and Ann look like they are highly intrigued by his words.

Here is a statue that is a war memorial on our way to the war museum. 

We toured the History of War Museum in Dresden.  This was the first trip for Jan and Dr. Clark as well.  I thought that was pretty cool that we all got to experience it for the first time together.  It was made of four stories of artifacts, documents, even hands on exhibits.  It would have taken days to really read everything and take in all that was there.  The layout was incredible. 

I thought this display was amazing.  It was like a ghost horse with rider.

The way they did this was insane!  Showing how a shell explodes and the shrapnel flies away in pieces.

Katie shows us how big a shell can actually be.  She is about 6 feet tall herself. 

This was a poster displayed showing how youth were speaking out about what was happening in their own country in 1924. 

Above: A pillar from the Berlin wall guard gate.

Below: A section of the Berlin wall. 

They didn't just show us a photo of a helicopter, they gave us the whole thing!!!

Caleb and Katie show their interest. 

This was one of the final displays I went through before going to the top floor.  This was a nuclear weapon and bomb exhibit.  These are coming down from the ceiling and you are able to stand right under them (which I did for this picture).  It made me nervous just doing that and I cannot even think what it would be like for those who would see the real things coming down from the sky at them.  Most likely, that would be the last thing they would ever see.

This is the view from the 4th and top floor of the museum.  Dresden had been destroyed during WWII and has been entirely rebuilt.  The top floor showed pictures of the destruction with before and after photos of the city.  There was a walk out so people could see Dresden as it is now. 

After the museum, we went to the main square.  There were many lovely sights along the way. 

Lunch Break!

We all split up for lunch and Elin, Ann, Caleb, and myself chose a restaurant.  We were so excited to maybe try some good German food.  Unknowingly, we chose a restaurant that served food from Holland.   

Basically, I ended up ordering french fries and hot dogs ... yep.  

That's what happens when you cannot read the menu, it was still very good. 

 Caleb shows his excitement here.  

Ann is pleased with her food ... maybe it had more to do with the beer?

I started taking photos of drain covers in the cities I had seen and it has turned into a goal for each city I visit now.  I love how they take pride in their city ... to the point that they even make their sewer covers pretty. 

Post-lunch.  Walking tour of Dresden.  It was quick and unfortunately, I couldn't hear all of what we were seeing but the city was beautiful and I wish we could have spent a little more time there. 

 Elin and I in front of the Opera House.

 Jed and Evan enjoying the day. 

How excited were we!!!!!!  Caleb and I finally found some Mt. Dew!

We both had been going through Diet Mt. Dew withdrawls since leaving and we couldn't have been more excited to find regular Mt. Dew.  Better than nothing!  

Apparently, not available at all in the Czech Republic. 

Back in Prague after our day trip to Germany.  

Enjoying some dinner at a restaurant that overlooked the square.  

Overall, had a wonderful day.  Got to enjoy another new culture and city.  German seems a little easier to understand than Czech for some reason but the exchange rate for the Euro does put a damper on finances.  Hope to come back to Germany one day and see more of the country, I know there is so much more to see and experience there.