Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Finally!

It has finally snowed!  This has been one of the warmest winter seasons in Poland in a very long time.  I guess that is good for us because it has still been very cold.  When the snow finally came the kids were beyond excited!  I will have to say that it is beautiful!  I have never experienced snow flakes that large. Peighton and Brinson certainly have not ever seen snowflakes that large! Hope you enjoy the pics!  

Berlin part II

Berlin Part II

Checkpoint Charlie

Notice the McDonalds sign!  Yep, that's where we had supper!  Guess whos  request!?

Checkpoint Charlie is the spot where you crossed from East to West Berlin. It was armed with guards at all times!

Berlin City Gate

The Berlin city gate! It was lit up in different colors. There was lots of concerts going on in this location!

Balloon Path

The city lined the path of the Berlin Wall with 8000 lit balloons that would be released at the exact moment the wall came down!

A shot of the balloons at night!




We had an awesome time in Berlin and the experience will be unforgetable!  I am so glad that my children got to experience this as well.  Hopefully if they know what has happened in the past they can help prevent history from repeating itself!  You just never know where they may end up!  If nothing else, the education is priceless!

I was very humbled by this experience !  The amount of people that turned out from all over the world was incredible!  It was almost surreal !   The somber looks on the faces of those who remember touched the soul! The Balloons that lined the entire city, on the exact path of the wall, truly brought about reality!  These people were actually "fenced" in! The conditions were horrible and they knew that there family and friends were just feet away from them.....but they were not allowed to go to them!  There is power in people joining together for a common cause! Never give up!

Poland

     We have arrived! Actually we have been here a couple weeks already !  Time flies!  We have been so busy. We have traveled to Berlin Germany and also to Krakow Poland.  It has taken a little time to "find" things.  You don't just run to walmart...you go to the bakery, butcher, Market ( fresh market outside- vegetables) ! Thank Goodness that all of these are on every block...easy to walk to.  The small town that we are in is great.  I have enjoyed it...reminds me of home.  When we were in Krakow, a much bigger city,  things were harder to get to.  God always puts you just where you need to be.

Gniezno Cathedral at city center in Gniezno

built in 12th century!!

The day we arrived! 

BERLIN GERMANY

The Whites in front of part of the Berlin Wall!

THE WALL- it just so happened that we were able to go to the 25th anniversary of the "FALL OF THE WALL"! It was an awesome experience....to think that just 25 years ago that the city was totally

separated and the East was in such sad shape.  This world seems so big.  It is easy to watch the news and think it is ok, its so far away.  UNTIL...you travel there.  It is not that far away and no one should live under such horrendous conditions.  There was not simply a wall separating the East from the West there were guards, a mine field, barbed wire, and a wall that was not meant to ever come down.  If it takes this much to keep people in your city then there is something terribly wrong! Why should Americans keep there nose in everyones business?  Because we don't ever want this for our own country or anyone elses!  Humanity!  It was only 25 years ago!!! The looks on the faces of people who remember what it was like, tell the whole story...they lived it!

                    Trabi cars-  These small crazy cars were available to rent and drive around the city!

National symbol of Berlin....The Bear!

Peighton and Brinson in front of whats left of the Wall!