Well, compared to yesterday, today was absolutely spectacular. I could eat, sleep, and we had plenty of access to water! Things I have been extremely thankful for today: water, people who wave back and smile, and cheap groceries (we ate for under 5E tonight, thanks to Aldi's).
As I said yesterday (I think...I don't remember much of yesterday to be honest), we're in Nuremberg. After sleeping off my sickness somewhat, we headed to the info center to ask for directions. The info center is our new favorite place. We found a hotel there last night, and we got plenty of directions and things to see. This morning, it was filled with Amish women. Last place I expected to see Amish women...made me grin.
First, we headed to the Documentation Center, or the Reichsparteitagsgelände as the Germans like to call it (I dare you to say all that...it's really hard), and we went through a massive museum that was guided by audio tour (and it was super cheap for students!). Interestingly enough, nowhere in the Documentation Center are they called Nazis. They're always referred to as the National Socialist Party. I took a picture of the Rail Memorial (you can find Nuremberg pics here) that is filled with cards to the dead of the German railway. Each card represents 100 people. The gravity of the place we were in still hasn't sunk in. We found it hard to do such a massive portion of history justice.
We walked all around the 11sq km Nazi Parade Grounds after touring the Documentation Center, finishing up at the Zeplin Field. If you've ever seen a video of a huge Nazi parade with Hitler overseeing, we were there. We stood right where Hitler did 70ish years ago. There is SO much history here, but the city doesn't maintain it. The grounds are crumbling and there is anti-Nazi graffiti everywhere. It's as if they've chosen to ignore their embarrassing past, which I don't necessarily blame them for. Hawkins pointed out that we didn't have museums to slavery in the 1930s, and I thought that was a good point.
After extensively touring the grounds, we headed back to the city and toured the German National History museum. It was HUGE. We didn't have time to see all of it like we wanted to, but we saw armour, art, weapons, instruments (DW would have LOVED that section...SCADS of pianos/harpsichords...), clothes, chests...you name it, it was there. We saw a hat that was made out of pure gold that apparently a sun priest used to wear...I took a picture for my little brother, Jacob...cause I could see him wearing that.
We stopped by St. Jakob's church, and stumbled upon Jakobstraße, and Hawkins was pleased with both. We've seen so many relics and cathedrals that I am immensely satisfied. Even if they aren't the particular ones I want to see.
I'm currently sitting in a Dunkin Donuts (Josh Rowe would be happy) a short walk from our hotel right now, because the internet here actually stays connected. Had a European mocha...it's quite different from home. They put it in a tall glass, and it's actually pretty good! Anyway, we're planning on going to Munich and Dachau tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be able to write to you then.
Miss hearing English and hugging my family.
Until tomorrow!
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