Day 35,36,37,38,39,40... Reformation Week

I'm going to write the entire Reformation week in One Blog.

First we made our way to Munich to pick up Dr. Cleaver unfortunately his plane was delayed so Jerry dropped us off at Berlin so we didn't have to wait for the plane. We walked around Berlin and now all of us agree that this was our lest favorite place. WE COULD NOT FIND THE BERLIN WALL! It didn't help that Jerry gave us a map from 1995 so the streets changed. Goodness. We went to Checkpoint Charlie and that was about it. We met Dr. Cleaver and then headed for Dresden which was our first stop to the Reformation tour.

I Enjoyed the little town of Dresden. This was probably one of my favorite little towns we have ever been to. We took great pictures and only spent a day here. Nicole, Jeff, and I walked around the town a little longer. Jeff bought a sausage-hot-dog-thing with a bun and Nicole and I got warm waffles dipped in chocolate. Yummy. The next day we made our way to Wittenburg.

The Wittenburg Hostel was so nice. And the hostel had a ping pong table that we could play on. We had tournaments and we learned a lot. We learned Jerry is one heck of a ping pong player. I'm not kidding, he beat us all and we didn't even have a chance. It was so fun to play and hang out with our group and have fun with Jerry. Our hostel's location was amazing as well.

Our hostel was right next to the church Luther nailed his 95 theses. We just walked down the sidewalk and got to see these doors. They have been casted in bronze because the original ones burnt down in the fire. They now have Luther's 95 theses casted in the bronze. After we toured this church we headed to the other main church in Wittenburg. Here we met an old couple and they were so sweet. The man gave us photos he took of the city. Jerry hurried us along and made us finish the tour then we were free. A lot of us wanted coffee and apple strudel, once we walked in we saw the couple! They were so sweet so we joined them and have coffee and dessert. There was a little bit of a language barrier but Andrew translated as much as he could.

When we went to take this picture the lady grabbed me and sat her down next to me. She was squeezing me because she was so happy. Aren't they adorable. The next day we went to tour the Luther house and we saw them again. He had printed this picture of all of us and gave them to us. It was crazy. He had found us and had these pictures ready, I miss them. Nicole has their address and is sending them postcards. They were the sweetest couple we have ever met here in Germany

After lots of ping pong and Luther we made our way around the Reformation Tour. I wish I could remember all of the places we went as well as their names. Nicole, Andrew, and I were really tired of traveling because of Paris but we kept ourselves in a good mood. At least this trip we didn't have to plan anything we could just sit back and relax and let Ambex do all the work. We came back to Regensburg and were wiped out.

Another week of normal Regensburg which is wonderful. Really feels like home.

Liebe, Courtney Baker

Day 34... Goodbye Paris and Back to Work

Yeah Yeah. It's been difficult for me to update this thing. Some people don't understand that I don't have Internet all the time. Internet is very new here Europe and isn't even allowed some places. ok, anyways back to Pairs.

So Andrew and I waited till the last bus and train were going to go to the airport. Because our flight was so early there wouldn't be a train that would get us there early enough. So around 10:00 we set off for the airport. We got to the airport around 11:30 and found a place close to our check in. Of course we had the entire night to hang out. So Andrew and I ran up and down the moving sidewalks and played epic games in the airport. It was awesome. And these sidewalks move up and down hills as well. So Fun. So after a good three hours of that it was around 2 in the morning we found a spot to sit and relax.

There are some creepy people in the airport at night. A lot of homeless people that live in the Paris airport. Let's just say I didn't go off on an adventure on my own. We both were really tired so we both found a spot (different spots) on the floor. I nearly peed my pants when I watch Andrew set up his area. First he had sheets from the hostel and he laid them out, he then proceeded to get out his spider man pillow and lay that down. Of course the next thing to do was break out his slippers and set up his little wall. I was laughing so hard "Andrew you look more homeless than the homeless people do. "

I laid down for a while and managed to get some sleep. I didn't have a comfortable set up as Andrew did but mine was fine. I slept on my luggage so no one would take it and it made a nice pillow, except for the curling iron that was digging into my head. After a small sleepless night we checked in and got to the plane just fine. We were starving so we bought some coffee and hung out for an hour. Our plane boarded late but once we got on I passed out. Andrew woke me up to say our plane is going to be delayed for 45 minutes. "Fine by me," I thought more time to sleep. I don't even remember taking off. I woke up once during the flight because the flight attendant asked if I wanted something to drink. And knowing me and my grumpiness and gave her a death glare and moaned "no" and fell back asleep. I woke up when our plane hit the ground (in a non crash like manner). But our trip wasn't done yet, we had to get to the train station and get back to regensberg. We bought a bayren pass and got on the fastest train home. It was so nice to be back in Germany. I feel like it's my new home.

We got back to the Hostel around noon. I took a shower and Andrew had already crashed on his bed. I laid down for a nap as well and prayed that Nicole would get back safe. She did. Nicole got back around dinner time and she told us her crazy stories on the way home.

We had a great time in Paris and were glad to be back, the problem is we are leaving tomorrow. Yep. we just got back to leave again. We have our Reformation tour with Dr. Cleaver and have to get to Wittenberg. Oh man...

TOMORROW'S PLANS
- Finish packing for Reformation
- Get sleep on the car ride there
- Pick up Dr. Cleaver
- Be in Berlin for the Day

Liebe,
Courtney

Day 33... Day 3 Paris, (it rhymes if you say it in a french accent.)

We woke up and our Hostel had baguettes for us in the morning. Not just for us but the whole Hostel. We took the bread and headed out for the Louver. We wanted to get there early so we could spend lots of time there. I think we spend a good 6 or 7 hours in there. I saw Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. I had to kinda run through the museum to try and see everything. It was CRAZY. Plus I was sore from all the walking we did yesterday. And to add on to that, Nicole and I had to carry our laptops everywhere because the luggage room was open to everyone. So I had on the added weight. This hurt my back, but no more complaining! I was in Paris.

Towards the end of our time in the museum I was getting really hungry, all I had was bread. We told each other that we would meet at the spiral staircase. Well Nicole found me and said it was almost 5 and that's when we were going to meet. So we head down to the staircase. We wait for 10 minutes and it was 5. It's fine Andrew is probably just finishing up.

5:05. Growling come from my stomach... so hungry.

5:10, ANDREW hurry up.

5:15, these guys come up to us and ask if we speak English, we say yes and they start hinting on us. This really angers us because Andrew should be protecting us. ANDREW!

5:25 the guys are gone and we are angry, thus begins making angry videos.

5:30! people are walking around with Starbucks, WHERE IS THIS COMING FROM.

5:35, Nicole and I leave the stair case to get Starbucks

5:37, We find the Starbucks! YAY! Coffee and Food

5:38 stand behind these girls who and moving as slow as dirt and only care about which man is dating who in their group. OMG, no he didn't. Yes he did. OMG! Let's get coffee and make everyone around us annoyed! God was really testing my patience with these girls.

5:40 we get coffee walk back to the stair case, ANDREW is still not here.

5:45, think "Did Andrew change his clock to Paris time? Oh no he is an hour late." Still angry but better because we have food.

5:46 "Courtney, look at your receipt it will have the time on there." Pull out the paper. OH MY GOSH. Real Time: 4:46. Dang it.

4:48 back at Starbucks so we can sit. No longer angry with Andrew but ourselves.

4:52 the complaining starts about how we could have spent a whole hour in the museum .

5:03 make Andrew wait for us since we waited for him for an hour

5:05 "Where were You Guys? Where's Starbucks? I've been waiting here for 5 minutes."

"Andrew, SHUT UP! We have been waiting here for an Hour."

"What? no you haven't I was here 10 minutes ago."
"Yeah well, your watch was set to the right time."

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! OH Man"

We leave Andrew because he thinks he is funny and we aren't laughing.

After that whole thing, because we were still hungry we set out for dinner. This time we were going to have a real french dinner. That really didn't work out. Since we could find anywhere to eat we had french sandwiches. They were more expensive and smaller than Subway, and we didn't know what was in them.

After dinner Nicole needed to try and find her train station so she could find it easily. I REALLY wanted to see the Paris Opera House. PHANTOM OF THE OPERA! So Andrew followed me, I was so glad about it too! I didn't want to walk around Paris by myself, he is an awesome body guard. The Opera House was close to the Louver which is great because our legs are killing us. I finally get there. I will admit I got a little choked up because I made it. I got to see the Paris Opera House! I know, I know I'm stupidly emotional when it comes to The Phantom of the Opera. We took pictures, Andrew was a good sport. I sang Phantom songs on the stairs. I made a video of that but only few will get to see it. It was semi embarrassing because people started looking. It was worth it though. The Opera house was closed so we didn't get to go in. I really wish we could have. Sad.

On our way back from the Opera House back to the Hostel we saw this candy shop. Andrew and I walked in a looked around. It all looked so good and wonderful. There was an odd candy. It was Chocolate covered olives... weird. Now, I'm not saying this is right but I will say this needed to be done. We pulled a Breakfast at Tiffany's. You know the part where they do things they have never done before, they go to the Dime store and steal the masks. Well, there was a bin of them and the store isn't going to miss just one olive. So I blocked while Andrew sneaky snaked an olive. IT WAS ONLY ONE... I know, I know it's still wrong. But still needed to be done. We left the store and broke out our ONE olive. He bit it in half and I took the other half. IT TASTED SO WEIRD. Andrew claims it can't be made out of olives because he can't taste it. I could taste it. It was interesting. I might make them when I get back home so you can get an idea. That was a little adventure Andrew and I had in the Candy store. Back to the Hostel we went.

Nicole got back to the Hostel, only got lost once for 20 minutes, we are so proud. She found it and another hostel close by. She got her mom to pay half for her stay. We crashed on our beds. Tomorrow was our last day in Paris :(

TOMORROW'S PLANS:

Buy souvenirs

Last minute pictures

Sleep in the Airport?

Amire,

Courtney

Day 32... Second Day in Paris

We woke up this morning and left the Hostel to find a bakery for breakfast. We had missed breakfast because we don't know what time it is. The entire Trip we didn't know what time is was in Paris. Did it change from Germany? We don't know. And to make it more confusing in our Hostel there were two clocks with two different times. So confusing. But anyways to the bakery we went! There were tons! We picked one and we all bought croissants. I can honestly say these were the best croissants I have ever had in my life. So buttery good! We sat at these little tables to enjoy our french breakfast while we were in Paris. I took pictures of Nicole and Andrew with their yummy yummy croissants. They too agree that these were the best croissants we have ever eaten. Here Nicole bought a baguette to later have a baguette fight in front of the Eiffel Tower.

After breakfast that's where we headed. We had seen the Eiffel Tower last night but we wanted to see it in the day. (I'll have to admit it's way better to see at Night!) Once we got to the Eiffel Tower we had to take tourist pictures because it's fun. We found this place that was kinda hidden from other people. This was so we could be ridiculous and not have people stare at us. We took pictures of us pushing the Eiffel Tower, Jumping pictures, cute pictures, and Nice pictures. Unfortunately we didn't have any taken of all three of us in front of the Tower. Oh! I forgot to mention. When we woke up we were so confused because the SUN was shinning! What is this? It has been so snowy and cold and gray in Germany that we were surprised to see Sun. It was beautiful. The entire day I was singing "Blue Skies" by Ella Fitzgerald. I loved it. Here are some of the Pictures we took on this day.

Two Cuties in front of the Tower on a Beautiful day.

Jumping Picture! Look at us go!

PUSH!!!!!!!!!!

After spending a couple hours here we wanted to go to the Arch de Triumph. It is fairly close to the Tower. On our way there there are men everywhere that have Key chains and Eiffel Tower everywhere. We thought it cost a euro for each key chain, but then a man came up and said he would give us four. We all bought key chains for souvenirs. This ties in later to the last day of our trip. We saw the Arch but didn't go under it. We think it cost money? We aren't sure...

After taking a couple pictures we headed to Notre Dame. Ok, this place feels like it's on the other side of Paris. And we are poor so we are going to walk everywhere. We did just that. WALKED EVERYWHERE. I think I got the best work out here. We knew we had to go past the Louver to get to Notre Dame. Yeah. That took forever. Luckily it was sunning so the walk didn't bother us to much. We walked down this little street where there were artists painting. It was so fun to see. I wanted to buy one but then I had to think about traveling back home.

Notre Dame is BEAUTIFUL!

Look at that blue sky. I mean it was wonderful to tour Paris in this weather! I love it!

We went in the Church and toured about. Outside of the building was a man dresses at Quasimodo. You could pay to take a picture with him. I kinda wanted to. But decided against it. One he actually was kinda creepy and two I'm Cheap.

We walked around the church and found a little park and we sat on a park bench. Nicole started feeding the birds with left over baguette. We had so many birds around us it was insane. Andrew started scaring them. I just sat and laughed. Our legs are so tired from walking around all over Paris. When we sat Nicole was saying we could go see some other building. Andrew already fell asleep and I was quite comfortable. Nicole gave up and we just laid in the sun till it was time for dinner. When we got up we almost wanted to fall down. Our poor legs... We couldn't find a restaurant which are actually really hard to find. If you want coffee and a good smoke that's easy but actual food... difficult. So we found a SUBWAY. It kinda stinks how we come to Paris and eat American food. Oh well. It's cheap and easy. We went back to the hostel which had really good Internet. I got to facebook and Nicole had to get started on finding out how to get back to Germany. She had her parents try to pull a death in the family but apparently Germany doesn't care if family members die and you need to get back. It worked in the States for Nicole but not here. Poor Girl. So she was up really late trying to figure out how to get back. Andrew being the nice cousin he is fell asleep at 7:30 p.m. Nicole was up till 1 in the morning trying to figure this out by herself. She ended up buying a train ticket back. It was a good price but a long trip. Once we laid down we were out. Today was a good day.

TOMORROW'S PLANS:

The Louver!

PARIS OPERA HOUSE!!!! Da da da da da daaaaaaaa

Amire,

-Courtney

Day 31... I see Paris, I see France!

Today we left the Hostel right after dinner to catch the bus to the train station. Once we got to the train station we took the train to Munich, then another bus to the Airport. Finally Our France trip was going to happen. Nicole, Andrew, and I were flying to Paris today. We had a short flight and would arrive in Paris around 6:30. There was one problem.

We are supposed to return to Regensburg on the 19th because we are going to leave for our Reformation tour on the 20th (Saturday). Well Andrew and I were fine, but Nicole somehow (we still don't know how this happened) bought a return ticket on Friday the 26th. Yeah... That's not gonna work. So when we arrived at the airport Nicole asked the people at Lufthansa if they could find her a returning ticket. Well they did but for 648 euros... yeah... Nicole didn't buy that ticket. We decided to start boarding, even Nicole who didn't know if she would be returning to Germany. As we walked to the check in I giggled because Lufthansa was going to charge Nicole more money than it cost her to get to Germany. Then we all laughed at how ridiculous that was.

Before we got on our flight we picked up Ice cream which was so good. Then the flight boarded and we sat down. Luckily there was an empty seat between me and the other girl in the row. Ah... flying to Paris for the week. Our flight was nice and I fell asleep. I'm happy to say I'm getting better and better at flying. I don't freak out as much when there is a jolt in the plane. I don't like the jolt but I can handle it much better now.

Once we landed it got to the hardest part. Finding out Hostel. We followed the people in the airplane because hopefully they knew where the baggage claim was. That worked! Weird fact about the Charles De Galle Airport in France. They don't have escalators, instead they are ramps. These become really scary when you don't expect that. For instance when you walk on the moving sidewalk and SUDDENLY fling forward and take out the person in front of you. Not that I'm saying I had experience with this...kinda... Anyways. We jumped on the little train that everyone else did, because these people looked like they know what they are doing. Hey that worked too!

We found out how to buy our train ticket to get us close to our Hostel. We got directions off the Internet, which worked out really nice. The funny thing about the trains was these doors you have to go through which are tiny. Well Nicole brought a giant bag... yeah. That was an adventure in itself. She would get stuck between the doors and I was of no help because I would just stand there laughing at her. I'm not very good with the whole help-a-person-instead-of-laughing-thing. We found our Hostel fairly easily. It wasn't that great of a Hostel. We didn't expect much since we weren't paying for a lot.

We got settled and then decided to go see the Eiffel Tower. We had nothing else to do and our Hostel was close to the Eiffel Tower. Here is where we took TONS of pictures. We had so much fun walking around at Night looking at the Tower all lit up.

After taking tons of pictures we found this little carnival looking place on the other side of the road. Here we bought popcorn and crepes and just looked at the Tower. What a wonderful night. We started then to get really hungry. We walked back to where more restaurants were and we found a McDonalds. Tee hee. Eating French Fries in France!

After "Dinner" we started to head back to the Hostel. I would just like to say I was right the entire time and Andrew would have gotten us lost if we followed him. According to Andrew we damaged his pride, whatever. Got back to the Hostel and Fell right asleep. Good Night Paris.

TOMORROW'S PLANS:

- Eiffel Tower (Day time)

- Arch de Triumph

- Notre Dame

Aimer,

Courtney

Day 29/30... A day of Relaxing and Being Productive

Ahhh Saturday. No Homework. No Traveling. Sleeping In. Watching A Movie. Playing Games. So Nice.

I know I'm in Germany and I should be enjoying every minute I have but some days you just need to relax. A today was a good time. Monday Nicole, Andrew, and I will be headed off to Paris for the week. I'm excited. But today Nothing. Plus Tomorrow it's going to be Productive Day.

PRODUCTIVE DAY.
Got my laundry done
Got 4 out of 6 Chapters done for Reformation History
Packed for Paris
Planned out Getting to Airport
Skyped the Parents

Goodbye Dr. Trull We Will Miss You!

Liebe, Courtney

Day 27/28... Presentations/ 80's Night

So on Thursday the groups that didn't give their presentation had to go today. They were done very well. There was a video which shocked us all, if you want to watch it here it is. It really is astounding. This video came from Jeff and Dalton's presentation.

Amazing right?

On Friday it was our last Christian Worldview Class... Sad. We really enjoyed having Dr. Trull here. His class was fun and engaging as well as useful. Trull heads back home on Sunday. :(
He will be missed.

Kelley asked if we wanted to go to a 80's Dance night. So Dalton, Jeff, Nicole and I went. It was fun although they didn't play all of my favorite 80's songs. Luckily "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston came on. LOVE that song. Nicole and I rocked the dance floor, actually really started to get the Germans dancing. You know when you go to a High School dance and everyone is standing around waiting for something to start. Finally a group jumps in and then everyone joins in. Well We were that group. We got back to the Hostel around 1:30 in the morning. We had fun. Although Dalton found out the place we went to was geared towards older people. Ahhh that would be why there was a Creepy Man dancing right next to us. (almost creepier than the German Phantom but just missed it by a hair.)

TOMORROW'S PLANS:
NOTHING! RELAXING!

Liebe,
Courtney