I'm sorry that this post will not be accompanied by pictures simply because I am not at my own computer at the moment. I am kiling time (from 12:30am to 1:30am) until I walk to the haptbahnhof (train station) for my trip to Regensburg. Quite the adventure my next few days will be. I spent last weekend with my parents (more on that later) and now I am meeting them for one last day trip. This all before my two day van trip to Slovakia.

I would have gone to sleep at like six a bunch of the teachers and interns went to a salso club for some dancing. Great place. Clean, great music, authentic feel, but unfortunately, most everyone brought their own date. So we enjoyed the atmosphere and came home a bit early. Apparently the alarm I set to go off in case I fall asleep, crows like a rooster. That'll be interesting...

Time with the 'rents was great. We hit Europe in true Packer style-full throttle. I'm kind of glad we decided to stay in Germany because now I feel like I have seen enough of Germany that I have a decent feel for its culture, history, and flavor. I like that. What I always enjoy the most about traveling is just marinading in the culture long enough to understand some of the collective thoughts and feelings. Seeing Berlin was huge in this area. We hear all about the history and the stories, but to lay my hand upon the Berlin Wall and think about the people who died trying to cross it...gives a whole new meaning to what the textbooks say. Check-point Charlie. The Museum of German History. The Brodenberg Gate. Wow. I loved Berlin. I loved that it wasn't cute. It wasn't provential or a sweet place to spent a weekend. It was real. Beautiful, yes. Architecture much older than our country(which isn't saying much;) ) and monuments that impacted the whole world. But, it felt like this was where the buisiness was done. This was where everyone really lived and only visited the other cute towns on the weekends. It felt like the Germany of today, yesterday and tomorrow.

All the other towns are beautiful to be sure. My parents loved Heidelberg. I new they would. They are threatening to drop everything and move over. I told them they should.=) Swetzigen is a nearby town with the palace of the prince from this area awhile back. (18th century I want to say...) What I enjoyed about this palace was that it felt like you were walking among the furniture and wall paper of a palace being lived in. Like you might see someone in a foot-tall headdress pass by a window if you paid attention. The artifacts that you see in places like the Louvre, Vatican and such, are all polished up and looking like...well, new. It is almost hard to believe that they didn't just press out some gold in the back room and call it a denarius from ancient Rome.

Monday was spent in Strassbourg, France. It was kind of trippy to switch out of my German language mindset and start thinking in my seven words of French. The people were super gracious and even helped to teach us some more French so we would be better prepared next time. This little town rivals Berlin for my favorite place in Europe. It had everything it should-a river, a cathedral, half-timber houses, surrounded by beautiful landscapes, and great food. It was also so laid back. People lounged by the river as we walked by. Slowly walked down some of the narrowest roads I have seen so far. We met a charming woman from Spain who sold me a beautiful fountain pen. We enjoyed her company so much that we went back to get a picture of her in front of her shop. Just as we were about the snap the shot, her family sneaks up behind her. So, we ended up meeting her whole family, getting a beautiful picture of them and gaining a beautiful memory of a peaceful place.

I don't think I will be able to check my e-mail for awhile. I will be in the mountains of Slovakia, so if you don't hear from me, don't worry. Unless, it's been like two weeks, then assume a mountain goat has attacked me and send a search party.=) I suppose that it for now. I'm sure I'm leaving out all sorts of important details, but if I made it any longer it may become tedious for the reader. So, adieu and much love.