Violens and Bikes

Dear Diary,                                                          April, 20th, 2015,

Last night we went to this really amazing violin concert! It was one of the best concerts I have ever been to! It took place in this really old, dark, mysterious ball room. Cracked mirrors lined the walls, and images of demons and angels were carved on the walls as well. On every table there were candles, and roses. A dimly lit chandelier made everyone appear dark and blurry. I couldn't help thinking about the phantom of the opera. I just had the urge to sing songs from it, and I did....since it was so loud no one could hear me!


The music was amazing though! If you closed your eyes you could feel the music come at you like waves and wrap itself around you. It was signal violin player, but he made it sound like there were many. As he went on, I lost track of time, of myself. I was lost in the music. Even after he was finished, I was still captured by what he had created. I am very glad I went!


Today we went on a bike tour of Berlin. It was called, "Berlin on Bike". The tour was pretty cool! We went to lots of places! The Berlin Wall (again), Museum island, a really old church, the victory arch, the parliament, and a holocaust memorial. That's when....wait for it!


We got in trouble by foreign authorities!


Yep. We stopped for lunch at this art display that looked like this...

It didn't look like what it really was. All Sierra and I saw, being wild children and all, was a living video game! So we were running and jumping between theses things, when all of a sudden some uniformed guy started yelling at us in German. Sierra and I just ran out of there, and didn't realize till later we had been fooling around on a holocaust memorial. (oops)

A memorial to remember how the Jews were dragged out of their homes and there places left empty and over turned



The new rebuilt Jewish synagogue in Berlin. Fun Fact: (Hitler didn't destroy the original! The Americans took it out with their bombers.)

The square where the Nazi burned forbidden books

The victory arch

The parliament

Peering through the Berlin Wall

Berlin

Dear Diary,                                                             April 19th 2016

I'm in Berlin! This city is so historical! You really feel like you're walking on history when you're here.


We left Friday by bus, and arrived here after about eight hours. It was a very nice drive though! We were on a double decker bus, which was really cool! I had brought a lot of snacks, so my hunger was satisfied. lol


There was also this guy on the bus who really intrigued me. He honestly looked like a pirate, but I didn't get a chilling sense about him. It almost seemed as if he was protecting us. (He's going in my booklet of potential story book characters.)


Anyhow, Sierra's aunt's husband picked us up at the bus station. He was really nice! We drove through west Berlin, than into the east. On the way there were plenty of sites to see! The Berlin wall, statues, etc. Did you know Berlin has two zoos? One is the biggest zoo in the world land wise, and the other has the most species in the world. I thought that was pretty fascinating!


Anyways, when we got to her aunt's house, there was an amazing dinner waiting for us! I haven't had chicken since forever! And then after supper I took a walk through Berlin at night with her aunt. It sure is sketchy here at night! It's so dark, and there are so many  drunk and crazy people on the streets. I like the quiet streets of Killaloe where you might only run into one or two crack heads, but at least you know them!

Her aunts apartment



Her aunt lives at the very top of this building and there are no elevators to get up there!

Yesterday we spent most of our day exploring Berlin! It was so cool! We walked along the Berlin wall, explored some bomb gardens, went to a graphic novel store, and to several open markets. The open markets were pretty great! There were so many beautiful things, but best of all there were dropies!!!!!!! They are literally my favorite candies ever! Salted liquorish! The best! However, Sierra didn't like them. lol. I guess they require an acquired taste.

Timeline of events occurring at the Berlin wall

A statue depicting reconciliation after the Berlin Wall was taking down. Many people were forced to betray their neighbors during this time, or else there family would suffer.

Part of the Berlin wall still kept up for historical purposes

A memorial of the people who died trying to cross the Berlin wall

At the market!

Anyhow, we should be exploring more of Berlin today! Hopefully going back to that open market! On Monday we are taking a bike tour of Berlin, which should be pretty cool!

Relaxing Day

Dear Diary,                                                                                                         April, 12, 2015,

Today is Sunday! I went to church alone today. I enjoyed it more, actually....going alone. I could stay longer. The whole day I felt so at peace. God is good!


Last night was pretty awesome! There was a party here, and there was a lot of people who came. Including this east indian boy who could only speak English like us! Yay! Sierra, him, and I sat around the campfire and chatted for a long time. It was great!


Anyhow, things at home are going pretty good. The new house is almost finished. They should be moving in next week. Peeper's babies are developing! I'm so excited over them!


I kind of miss home, but I'm glad I'm away! I feel so much more free here, I'm less stressed, and less emotional. I miss my family, but I'm in no rush to go back!

Back in Deutchland!

Dear Diary,                                                                                                                April 10th 2016,

We are back in Germany! It is so weird being back! The transition from tropic climate, to the icy alps, to this is mind boggling!




Anyhow, we are here at the farm for a week, and then we are taking a bus to Berlin to visit Sierra's aunt! I am so excited!

Last Day in Italy

Dear Diary,                                                              April 8th 2015,

We leave Italy tomorrow. I am so sad about this! I was getting really attached to this place! I won't ever be able to see Lily, the goats, or the horses ever again! I'm almost crying! Its like saying goodbye to my pets except.....its forever. I can't forget the neighbor's dogs either, or our friendly neighbor! I got so attached to them all....no more mountains to climb, no more fields to pray in, no more climbing with goats, no more lizards, no more yummy Italian food, and no more cute Italian boys!


I never thought I would get attached to this place!


Today we went back to the mediterranean sea! I am not sure why, but I have this odd attraction to large bodies of salt water. Since I was a child, the ocean has always fascinated me! The ocean has an energy to it, and I feel it. Unlike other bodies of water, the sea seems alive! As I waded about in its waters today, and climbed up on the large sea rocks, I realized how ancient the sea really is. I imagined the people in history who must of touched this sea. How many people must of lost their lives in this sea. I envisioned the refugees from Africa who right now, must be trying to cross it so they can land safetly here on the other side! And because I was touching the same water, I felt like part of all those stories too!


I wish we could have stayed longer, but unfortunately time won't stand still for one individual. I tried to memorize the smell, the salty taste in my mouth, and the blue carpet that expanded to the sun. Now all I have left of the sea is some washed up bamboo, stones, and a memory that will never die.

Easter in Italy

Dear Diary,                                                                April, 5th, 2016

It's Easter! I went to church, and there were some pretty cute Italian boys there! lol. It's too bad I can't speak Italian.

Anyhow, we went to the ocean today! Actually more like the Mediterranean sea! We had such a good time. Sierra and I walked in the sea and almost got swept away! I got stones from the sea as soveniers for the kids. They are really pretty!

I only have one week left in Italy. Its been a very cultural experience so far! I will be happy to be back in Germany though. For some reason I have had a really hard time sleeping here.


Christ is Risen!


Truly he is Risen!!!


Happy Easter!!!!

Real Palm Trees!!!!

A real castle that we explored!

Sierra likes graffiti! lol

Lost in the Italian Woods!

Dear Diary,                                                           April 4th 2015,

We are unfortunately not going to the ocean today. The weather is a little crabby, so its going to have to wait.....


I took the kids on a walk to see the neighbors goats today! We had a pretty good time! The goats are really cute. I've named three of them....or maybe four? There is Mama, Julian, Lily, and Billy. Lily is my favorite! She is around three to four months old, and completely white. Everyday she comes up to me and begs for affection. She is so funny!


Later


We got lost in the woods! The adults didn't really know where we were going and so they got us lost. Sierra and I knew how to get out, but they insisted we follow them. It took us forever to get back to civilization, but thanks to Sierra and I giving helpful hints on how to get out, we finally did! But I am really exhausted now!

A nice day to go for a hike!

Sierra meeting an Italian guard dog! It was pretty friendly!

We found a horse!

Last view of civilization before we got lost!

A Very, Very..... Long Walk!

Dear Diary,                                                                                                April 3rd 2015,

Today I walked to the pretty little town of Monbarcaro.


It was a VERY long walk!


7km up hill, and 7km back! My feet hurt so bad! It was definitely not the kind of walk you want to do in moccasins, because they don't have shock absorbers. I went kind of crazy and started dancing down the street to get the pain out of my head!(luckily no one was around!) By the time I got back to the house I felt very tired, but very strong!


The town was worth a visit though! It was definitely the stereotypical Italian village. It had narrow cobblestone streets, small gardens, abandoned houses, and ancient churches. The family's little boy and I discovered this huge graveyard! It took almost half an hour to get through! On the walls of the graveyard you could see photos of the deceased. It was sad, especially the ones that were children, but it was also pretty cool!

The cemetery

Where the deceased photos and names were.


On our way back the little boy and I stopped at a church. I ended up telling the boy about the meaning of Easter, since he didn't know. It is really cool to see the look of wonder on a child's face when they try to comprehend it.

All in all, it was an increadable day, and I'm super excited for tomorrow!


(We might go to the ocean!!!)

Ever upward!

View of the valley from the town

Scorpian

Dear Diary,

April 2, 2015,

I had such a bad sleep last night! I kept feeling stiff and uncomfortable. I have a feeling I will be pretty tired today.

Yesterday we found a real life scorpion right by the door! Scary! We caught it and had a real good look at it. It wasn't the nicest looking animal!

Sick

Dear Diary,

April 1 2016,

We have been in this little Italian House for three days now. A lot has happened already! A lizard jumped on Sierra's face, I've got a tan going, and almost everyone got sick. It appears to me some kind of poisoning. I managed to avoid it. Odd...since I ate everything anyone else had, and a lot!

Later

The creepiest thing happened today! Sierra and I went to town to buy some stuff, but on the way back we were being stalked by this black car. Whenever we passed it, it would drive up ahead until we past it again. After like the third time, Sierra and I cut through a farmer's field and lost it! Thank God! I am so scared!

The Town 

An Italian street

Taking a break!

The monastery

Abandoned building

Italian chocolate! Yum!

Exploring seemingly abandoned buildings

Chilling in abandoned buildings

A Shrine

Another abandoned building