Blog #5

One of the things that I struggled to tell people about my trip when I got back was about the amount of history, of important events, and significant places where I had stood. While the United States also has a sometimes bleak history, I feel the main difference between the two countries is how they deal with the history through their culture and political system.
The German people must confront and deal with their past in every political decision that they face. One from the reading that particularly interested me, and has stuck in my head is the issue of immigration. This has been a heated topic, and as demographics in Germany continue to change, it will continue to be an issue from their past that they have to deal with. Germany has almost always approached the issue of immigration with extreme sensitivity due to their past. While one can also argue that the United States is a nation of immigrants and also has a troubled past when dealing with this issue, the matter of immigration is seldom approached with sensitivity or compassion in the United States.
Another matter that I found completely different in Germany than I did in the United States was the constant memorials and remembrance of the harder times. It seemed like everyday I explored the city I would bump into another memorial,either as small as a plaque or as large as an entire block. One thing that amazed me was the amount of memorials so close to the Reichstag. The Reichstag itself is filled with artwork speaking about the past and the future. It struck me as something that the United States government would never be able to achieve after partisan bickering and red tape.
Which leads me to the major difference that I with the German government and the United States government, representation. As someone who constantly engages people to discuss politics, one of the main complaints that I hear is the two-party system that the United States has. When first learning about the political party system that Germany and many other European countries have, I was excited and a little jealous to learn that not only are there multiple parties, but that with their split ballot these other parties even have the likely chance to make it into office. However, in the German system the executive branch drafts the legislation and sets the agenda in the country. Although the German system is set up with roadblocks and compromises, much like the British system, the parties in power achieve most of their goals. Although the gridlock and the fighting in the United States is often frustrating, I would much rather experience the joys of filibusters, then to deal with an executive branch of any party that nearly always gets there way.

European Blog #2-Rome, the Eternal City

Rome was a huge shock after the beauty and peacefulness of Salzburg. It wasnt until Katie and I were on the bus to our hostel that we reaized that neither of us even knew how to say "hello" in Italian. Good job us. Eventually we found the hostel, and made our way out to the streets. We wandered about ruins and very old buildings before taking yet another tour, this time on a doubledecker bus that didnt even make us get off-it was so nice.
Today we went to the Vatican City/Country for a grand total of about seven hours. If anyone ever decides to come here, I recommend doing some planning because I ended up having to go through security three times because everything I did just led me back out into the square. St. Peters was the best part for me, the hugeness and the beauty of it left me speechless. I guess its like the grand canyon, you can look at pictures of it all you want, but you will never understand until you are there.
The Vatican Museums were also extraordinary. They are a huge complex of buildings filled from floor to ceiling with priceless art, statues, and attractive Italian policemen.
After resting for a bit, we frantically tried to visit as many attractions as possible. The way there was fun, as was the gelato, the walk back to our hostel was not.
I dont think its hit me that Im here yet, and it probably wont until Im gone. Rome was not at all like I expected, it was insanely hot, but the city was mostly clean, it felt safe, and the only men who hit on me were not Italians.
Tomarrow we are heading back to Germany (which I miss, Katie and I kept saying "Danke"to people), and going to Munich for a night before flying home.

European Blog #1-Salzburg, Austria

After a four loud hours in Munich, Katie and I arrived in Salzburg around seven last night. I fell in love with the city right away. It's beautiful. The city is surrounded by Alps, pastel-colored houses, and a huge castle.
The hostel we stayed in was so nice! It had a sink, a fridge, a microwave, a huge bathroom, and best of all, room to walk around in! I really wish we could of stayed in a room like it while in Berlin, but oh well.
Today we explored the city and the nearby countryside by taking part in, you guessed it, the Sound of Music tour! It was pricey, but well worth it and a lot more fun that I thought it was going to be. We saw several lakes and mountains up close, and had a break in an adorable little cafe.
Afterwards, we explored the city for awhile, ducking into whatever stores and sites we saw on the way back to the hostel. After dinner tonight, we are taking a sleeper train to Rome, so when we wake up (if I can sleep at all) we will be in Rome!