I spent these 9 days in Eastern Europe on a school trip called ROCs! These 9 days felt more like a dream to me instead of reality. Like wow, "It's finally here!!" Then it was over in a blink of an eye. Hehe anyway, we went to four cities namely Berlin, Leipzig, Prague and Krakow :-)
Day 1 - 11/11/11
As I was on the plane to Berlin, I looked out of the window and I was amazed at the beauty that I was witnessing. The view was stunning. The clouds were like the sea and the mountain tops were the tiny islands.
We landed in Berlin at around 7:45am and we begun with our busy itinerary for the day right from the airport! That feeling that I felt when I first stepped out of the airport into the coldness was so enchanting. It was 1 degree at that time :')
Our first stop was Romain-Rolland-School Berlin. We got to learn more about the German education system and youths. It was a pretty fun few hours in the school as we had a chance to attend one of their english lessons and we had a tour around the school! We also met new friendly German friends \(*^o^*)/
Time for lunch! Yumm yumm German sausages with fries :-)
Our first stop was the Reichstag......
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| Jumpshot with Ron! |
History quick fact: The Reichstag building is a historical edifice in Berlin, Germany. It used to be the parliament from 1894 to 1933, when it was severely damaged in a fire (27th February 1933). And that fire was pivotal in the establishment of Nazi Germany!
We were allowed to enter the Reichstag and we went up this glass dome that was built on top of the Reichstag. We could see the entire Berlin from up there! A beautiful sight.
Next, we had a Jewish guide to explain to us more about the roles the Jews played over time and the rights of the Jews. We went to this park where there was a memorial of an event where the wives of the Jewish men staged a protest against the Nazis. Basically, these women wanted to help fight for their rights. Even though the protest wasn't successful, these women were remembered to be courageous and strong. This was also one of the first protests during the Nazi period. WOMEN PRIDE.
After that we had a brief visit to the Jewish museum.
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| An aerial view of the museum |
There are two buildings to this museum, the older and more fancy one and the more modern one. Quite cool right? We only spent about 45 minutes in there as we had to rush off to Leipzig in the afternoon.
Had a big pork knuckle with potatoes for lunch.....it was pretty HUMUNGOUS!
Day 3 - 13/11/11
This was pretty much what I woke up to that morning. How stunning? European skies are different.
That morning, we went to Schumann's house to learn about his life and his works. We reached Schumann's house about 30 minutes earlier that we actually should so we were given time to take some photos at that beautiful garden :-)
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| Here's a gif of me throwing leaves ^^ |
Anyway after we finished a tour around Schumann's house, we had a mini concert featuring our very own talented pianists ;-) We were entertained for a good one hour with their melodious tunes!
German sausages for lunch again but whoop whoop it was good ^^
After lunch, we were free to explore Leipzig's Old Town Hall in our groups of fours! And do I even need to emphasize the beauty of Europe?
We had a really long period of free time so my , we headed for dinner at a restaurant that used to be a train station! That restaurant also happened to give me food poisoning....
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| Chicken with potatoes topped with liquor sauce |
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| I suspect it was the whipped cream in this apple strudel >:( |
And I wasn't the only one who felt nauseous. Almost half of the group (35/69 people) fell sick and we all ended up puking really badly.
Then came lunch. My body began to feel weird again. I lost my appetite and was nauseous. (I didn't take photos of the food because it didn't look good...LOL)
Day 4 - 14/11/11
This day was a rollercoaster for me. I felt horrible when I woke up but after I ate the vomit pills in the morning, I felt better momentarily. So I went ahead with the activities that were planned for me that day.
We visited Felix Mendelssohn College of Music and Theatre for a specially arranged talk and mini concert showcasing works by Mendolssohn and composers such as Bach and Schumann. Even before the concert begun, I couldn't take the queasiness anymore and therefore I left the room. I rested in the coffee lounge for an hour or so and I felt better again..
The next stop was *SHOPPING* at the Leipzig train station. Maybe it was just a girl thing, maybe it was the few hours of rest I had. But whatever it was, I was feeling great and ready to shop my ass off!
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| It's a really big train station right? |
After lunch, we set off for Prague! Puked once at the petrol station during our 4-hour long ride to Prague.
Day 5 - 15/11/11
Day 5 - 15/11/11
I basically spent the whole day in and out of the hospital. Thank God I had Ron with me :')
Day 6 - 16/11/11
We traveled to Krakow via coach for the whole of today!
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| Here's an awkward photo of me hehe |
We made a morning visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. It is remembered for the genocide that took place there in WWII. We went though the gas chambers and numerous blocks where we came face-to-face with the grim reminder of the darkness of man's heart, in a place where humanity gave way to brutality beyond out comprehension.
I took a lot of photos whilst I was at the concentration camp so I'm just going to 'public' my facebook album for y'all to see the photos there haha :p http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150391555898237.362925.646998236&type=3
After this, we went to some really huuuge shopping mall for a few hours of shopping!! \(^0^)/
Day 8 - 18/11/11
Last day in Eastern Europe :'(
We spent the morning on a tour around Krakow! We visited the Jewish Quarters and learnt about the living conditions and the treatment of the Jews.
In the early afternoon, we went to Krakow's Old Town Square! We were given free time to shop for souvenirs and CHOCOLATES :3 It was an interesting experience, to be given the opportunity to walk around the Old Town Square and witness the Polish lifestyle and their cultures :-)
We then headed to the airport. This was it, the end of 8 amazing days. It indeed felt like a dream, so surreal! I still remember that feeling I had once I came out of the exam halls on the 10th of November. End of Chinese Os = Eastern Europe in a few hours!! These few days were easily the best few days of 2011.
Thanks papa for paying for my trip, without you, this trip wouldn't have been possible. Thanks for all the sacrifices and I love you. I couldn't be more grateful :')
Thanks mom for the love and concern you showered me with when I was sick in Prague. I wouldn't have pulled through positively without you. Being sick in a foreign country made me realize how important family is in my life.
Thanks ron for always being there for me throughout this entire trip even though I'm so annoying. Thanks for being understanding and for taking care of me when I was sick. You're the epitome of a good friend. Without you, ROCs would have sucked.
Thank you my sexy foursome and Backstreet Girls for the crazyass fun we had in Eastern Europe. Without you guys, ROCs would have been dull and boring.
Thank you to all the teachers! Without you all, we would all be lost sheep in a foreign land. Thankss for being so understanding and caring. Mrs Chong, Mrs Chan, Mrs Ng, Ms Tsien and Mrs Chen.
Last but not least, Thank you God for blessing this trip. Without You, all this wouldn't have been possible.
I'm close to tears.
Till then,
fang rong xx
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