Day 33

For having the day off I sure kept myself busy!

For starters… yesterday night I managed to book a trip to Rome!!! December 3^rd to the 6^th.  THREE WHOLE DAYS!! Ahhhh I’m so excited. J

However I also made a mistake and tried to do a blind booking… I booked a flight for tomorrow to Friedrichschafen but I can’t seem to find a hotel that doesn’t cost 70 euros, so I think I’m going to miss the flight. Word of advice, when booking a blind date with Germanwings,  do it in advance and don’t be afraid to pay the 5 extra Euros to eliminate a few destinations it’s still cheaper than booking the flight directly. Also make sure you are willing to fly out at any time on both days you pick because flights can be anywhere from 6 in the morning to midnight. I was really bummed that I made the mistake but at least now I know for next time.

After all of that drama I ventured out into Bonn to visit the Rheinland museum. I walked the Rhein and then through the city to get to the museum. It was a pleasant walk though I think I’m going a little crazy not having someone to talk to, text or call along the way. It’s not terrible but sometimes it’s a little lonely.

The Rheinland museum was really interesting. Its composed of history from all along the Rhein. I feel like I’m really getting to know where I’m living, which will make it that much harder to leave.

The museum had a special exhibit on the Renaissance  along the Rhein. I was so excited because I love the Renaissance. J I was a true tourist and took pictures in a restricted area… no big deal. Haha.  I was such a dork and took pictures of such minor details but in doing so I found some art work in which on the priest's clothing were swastikas. I thought it was really neat to see that their since before the Nazis swastikas were symbols of good luck (thank you wikipedia!! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika) 

There were also men and women scattered throughout the museum which scared the heck out of me every time I turned the corner. 

These "people" are memorials to famous people who come from the Rheinland. like this guy!

My favorite part of my visit was my discussion with one of the security guards. He explained to me that the random people were memorials to famous people who came from the Rheinland. Must have been fate because he took me straight to a Jewish woman who survived the Holocaust who was from the Rheinland. He also showed me a small room dedicated to the destroyed cities along the Rhein. It was really well put together. There was also a hallway he took me through which had pictures from the war and concentration camps. The pictures were behind what looked like a steel wall and through bared windows one could see the pictures. I noticed this was similar to the exhibit in Haus der Geschischte. . I proceeded to ask him why the exhibits were designed in such a way that the information seemed hidden. His response was because very complex and detailed. He explained that this museum was specifically for the Rheinland and the Second World War was just a small piece of that history. He made it clear that he wanted me to understand the importance of remembering such a time but that the newer generations of Germany don’t need to bear the blame for what their parents or grandparents may or not have taken part in. I immediately concurred and saw the similarities in America with slavery.  We must have talked for a half hour or so but it was really nice to get a new perspective on things and more information on how history is depicted in a foreign country. J

 

After the museum I headed home, but first stopped at the train station to see if I could plan a trip to see Neuschwanstein and travel into Austria to see Mauthausen. Since I didn’t have specific dates I needed to go home, get some information and come back. On my way back I met some guys on the subway who were doing an internship near Heussallee. I almost went to Köln with them for a night of partying but decided not to since I’m still debating about taking the flight and it leaves at 6:45.  I hope I can meet up with them some other time and finally make some younger connections! Only time will tell. For now I’m off to bed to see what tomorrow will bring.

 Tschüß!!