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Germany’s history with the Jewish community has been of terror and devastation. Many people lost their lives through the anti-Semitic views that took over the nation. The ones that suffered and lost their lives were not erased from the world. Even though they may have been physically taken away, the memory of them is something that Germany has been working on keeping a priority. There are many ways that Germany instils these memories into the country and Berlin has many of these sites. Synagogues, museums, and memorials are scattered throughout in order to ensure that the fallen are remembered.

          Today we were able to view the New Synagogue that was established in the area where most of the Jewish population congregated. The synagogue was bombed during the second world war, and originally it was not planned to be restored. Instead it was demolished. Eventually, it was reconstructed and made into a museum like building. There are artifacts that came from the original structure and the building is painted to its original state. However, it is not completely restored. A lot of the ornamental painting and detail is left unfinished in order to symbolize the way the community and building were destroyed and will never be able to be whole again. The synagogue remembers it community through this symbolic decoration, and through the memorial in the back court yard, and through the original pieces of the synagogue. The ability for tourists to come in and learn about the history of the building and the Jewish community is an important way to keep the history alive.

            While we were walking today, we also came across these golden plaques that are embedded into the ground. They are called stumbling stones and they are another way that Berlin remembers the fallen Jews. While there are many that line the sidewalks of Berlin, this trend spread across Europe and this became a way for many countries to have small individualized memorials. The success of these plaques is questionable for me personally. The definition if success is not black and white. The technique was widespread and was able to address many people and families, so in that instance it is successful. However, the tiles are something that easily goes unnoticed, they are walked on and ignored. I do think that the concept is really promising. I think that it relates to the reality that these were ordinary people, and I think that is great that it is able to reach such a wide range of people, and so personally. I just am not convinced with the location of the tiles to commit to weather or not they are truly a successful form of remembrance.

            The memorials are another way the Germans implement the importance of remembering the people that were taken during these dark times. The memorial that stood out to me today was the women’s memorial that was made of sandstone. When the Nazi’s and Gestapo decided that the Jewish men that had previously been granted immunity from concentration and death camps, they were held in detention. Their wives and children stood outside of this building in order to free their husbands. Eventually they were able to get their spouses released. The memorial depicts strong women and has many parts that symbolize the courage these women had. For the success of this memorial, I personally do not think it is successful. It is a powerful idea and an inspiring moment during the war, however the figures that are depicted seem starved and in pain. I think that for memorial that is meant to symbolize the courage and strength of these wives, it would have been better for the figures to have been carved with a sense of power and maybe even defiance. The sand stone that is used is also an unsuccessful medium unless the intention is for the memorial to eventually deteriorate into the land around it. Sandstone will whether over time and the exposure to the natural elements seems like it could become an issue in years to come.  

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Today we saw a lot of things, lots of places, and learned about lots of people. As we journeyed through the streets of Berlin, venturing through the eastern suburbs in search of a mystery gate, and on the cobblestone paths through the mix and matched buildings that seemingly all featured a different style, we saw how the buildings that the city is comprised of are the map of the history of Berlin from its start to modern times. The history is a part of every square inch of the city. It is in the soil, the foundations, and for some parts of Berlins past it can only be remembered through text and word of mouth. Berlin is a unique city, that built itself on monuments and palaces to establish a culture and a history, however, their views on the importance of authentic history was not always in line with how we think of history today. There are parts of the city that were torn down and rebuilt in a different styles in order to fit the new aesthetic, and where destruction fell upon Berlin, there wasn’t always an emphasis on the necessity to preserve the history they had established. In a way however, the ever evolving city, filled with buildings that trick the mind, and a constant flow of renovations has become Berlin’s form of history.

Well day five is really like day four and then a nap and then day continued. With a free day in place there is a clear way to spend the night before… and I’m a sure you can guess what we did. A bar of course, but not just any bar, an ice bar! Lots of cute Irish men, three free drinks plus some if you are sweet, gloves and a poncho (I could not figure out how to put on the poncho…) and a ton of fun! I learned that there are more English speakers in Berlin than I expected. I learned that drinking is the most fun when done with people you trust. I learned that its not too hard to get free shots, and that it is so worth it to go and try something new!

After lots of drinks and shutting down the bar we ran through the streets of Berlin to the Babylon Theater! The Charlie Chaplin movie Modern Times. I learned that silent movies are not silent, however they do put drunk students to sleep! I learned that it really is better to be late than to never be there at all. We left the bar ten till midnight and the movie was meant to start at midnight. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity though and we figured we’d either get in or head back to the hotel. and 12:20 and the lobby was still full, we still had time for popcorn, and made it to our seats in perfect time for the show to begin.

But that was just the night up until 2:30 am… then we napped… and then we explored all over again!

Doner! Today was doner day! It was an imperative craving from the night before, and so today we had to make it happen. We were supposed to go to Museum Island today but after lunch we decided to just enjoy the gorgeous day with some walking and shopping in the touristy parts of Berlin. Then we headed back and rested up before dinner. We all kind of realized our nap was not sufficient rest for all of the nonstop activity. We didn’t do what we set out to do, but we did do what felt right. We seized the day!

Top left corner: Charlottenburg Palace Front, January 11, 2020

Bottom left corner: Napoleon Crossing the Alps by Jacques-Louis David, Picture taken in the Charlottenburg Palace, January 11, 2020

Top center: Tomb cover, sculpture of Louise of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Wife of Fredrick William III, Picture taken in the Charlottenburg Palace, January 11, 2020

Bottom center and top right: The Golden Room, picture taken at Charlottenburg Palace, January 11, 2020

Bottom right: Portrait of Sophie Charlotte, Picture taken in the Charlottenburg Palace, January 11, 2020

*All photographs taken by Alyssa D’Emanuele *

The most historical part of Charlottenburg is likely the center of the palace. The center of the palace is the original piece, that is Sophie Charlotte’s small palace that she designed. The center of the palace and the garden are likely the most historical sections of Charlottenburg and quite possibly the part that of the you truly must see. Sophie Charlotte was a unique princess that was able to have special privileges that most women were not able to have, and for this reason her education flourished and the palace was her design. This makes this palace exponentially unique.

If you are going to Charlottenburg just for the female historical aspects of the palace, the center is most definitely where you want to be, to learn all about Sophie Charlotte’s upbringing and how her excitement for knowledge and her ability to obtain it was extraordinary for women in her time. However, the old wing is also amazing. This is the wing that harbors all of the things that Fredrick I built onto the palace after becoming king. Sophie Charlotte built her palace quite small; it was a modest building with a large emphasis on the garden, but when her husband became King after being a Prince Elector, he saw it fitting to expand on their home.

The new wing is also a must see, and it was by far my favorite part of the palace. The love story between Louise and her husband King Fredrick William II is a story that will stick with me. The new wing also has some of the more widely known artifacts, like the gold room that is adorned with the rococo style decorations, and the room that holds Napoleon’s portrait by Jacques-Louis David.

If you ever get the chance to visit the Charlottenburg Palace, I recommend a guided tour. While I can sit here and tell you what I think is the most ‘must see’ part is, the truth is that the entire palace is a stop that can’t be missed.

I wasn’t able to participate in class today. It was a big day and I am devastated that I had to stay behind. This morning I woke up with all the same symptoms and there was no way I was going to be able to participate in all the events going on today. So, I stayed in bed and tried to sleep away the fever and everything else. I couldn’t eat this morning, I wasn’t hungry and I still felt nauseous, so I had some apple juice and that is it. Around 4:00 I was able to finish a granola bar that I had from the plane, which happened to be the most food I was able to eat since the flight. Although I missed a the day physically in spirit I feel like I was there. My amazing roommates and classmates filled me in on all the fun and adventure. The beautiful sights they saw, the naked man demonstrating with his big waving flag, and the difficulties they had getting back to the hotel. I was able to eat tonight at a little place close to the hotel. We got some more pizza, and dessert, and drinks. We had some good conversation and then braved the cold and rainy trek back to the hotel where reality sank in that we all had homework to complete before tomorrow. And that brings me to now. I appreciate all the people that kept me in mind today, that made me feel included when I felt so bad. Tomorrow is a new day and I’ll let you know how that goes soon enough.

Drained and getting more and more sick by the second. I was barely able to eat the food on the airplane, but I pushed through. After we made it to the hotel things started going down hill and fast. I was only able to eat a piece of bread at breakfast and then took a shower and went to bed. That first day my body ached and my head was pounding and I could barely breath I was so congested, but this was Berlin! I had made it, and I was going to experience everything. So I pulled myself together and I went out with the class. We traveled above and below the ground, hustling to keep close to Sara. We took the bus 100 all the way to Alexander Platz and in the rain we searched for money. I felt a little overwhelmed at this point if I’m being honest. It was cold, and rainy, I don’t speak the language, and I had very little Euros and the cash machine that everyone else got their money kept declining two other people. My sickness is intensified and I honestly was already ready to go home. We went to dinner and we got wine and pizza, but I was too far gone to eat anything. I drank my water and I nursed my wine until we left, but with every bite my stomach churned. My body began to overheat and my head was filled with an unbearable pounding and I was so ready to go to bed. And as soon as we got back to the hotel that’s what I did.

Today was a very long day. I started feeling ill the day before we departed. Sore throat a little bit of a cough and a turning in my stomach that I racked up to being nerves. The first plane we took from Norfolk to Newark was rough. The wind, I suppose, made take off so bumpy. It felt more like a roller coaster than a plane, and the kind of roller coasters that they set up at the fair for two weeks that your parents tell you not to ride… yea it was kind of like that. We all questioned the pilots skills a little bit, what a great way to start our journey. then when we landed we walked to our gate and broke up, got some food, went to the bathroom, and waited for the big flight to start boarding. This plane was much bigger and actually had a plug to charge our phones which was a big win. We flew for almost 7 hours, got two meals, and made it right on time to Berlin. After passport check and luggage we were into Thursday, day two and there was no stopping and no looking back.

In order for you to get a feel for the blog that will result from this study away, I think you have to know a little about me and my journey up until this point. I am 19 years old and I have traveled a lot in my life. My dad was in the navy, and I had the privilege to travel the world with my family by my side. I started my journey in California, where I was born and bounced around the united states and beyond. From California to Maine, Hawaii, across the ocean to Japan, then Rhode Island, and finally I landed in Virginia where I have stayed from eighth grade till now. It is the longest I have ever lived anywhere and I think because I have stayed there so long I have lost a little part of me that was able to meet new people so easily and adapt to new places. If you’ve ever had to move around frequently you know there are two type of mentalities that come with that. You are either tired of moving and want to live the rest of your life grounded in one place, or you get the “itch” every few years where you are ready to leave everything behind and start the newest thing. For a long time I had that “itch” and I was ready to go, until I got stuck in little old Chesapeake. Its where I lived in the first house my parents owned. Its where my best friend and I met and where we continue to grow together. Its where I met my wonderful boyfriend, where I went to high school, where I got to complete all grades 9th-12th in the same place. Its where I was able to get a guaranteed contract to do what I’ve been working toward my whole life. However, with all this good I have changed. I am tied to this place, and because of that I have lost the part of me that is able to start over in a minute. It’s not necessarily a bad thing just different. I miss the side of me that was ready for adventure, and the day I saw the poster for a study away to Berlin, a spark started in my heart and I knew I needed to go. The “itch” was back and this was my time. I built myself up for this trip, I shopped and I studied, I saved and I waited and finally the start of winter session came around… and then I got scared. I was traveling over 4,000 miles away from everything I have known for the past six and a half years with people I don’t know. What if I don’t make friends what if I don’t have fun. It is an experience of a life time and I kept trying to tell myself that, but it was starting to think maybe its an experience I don’t want to take… I am determined to stay positive though, I am determined to soak up every moment. I am determined to learn all there is to learn, see everything I can see and have a wonderful time. We shall see how I do.

Be yourself; Everyone else is already taken.

— Oscar Wilde.

This is the first post on my new blog. I’m just getting this new blog going, so stay tuned for more. Subscribe below to get notified when I post new updates.