Germany - Family Time

On Wednesday morning we caught the 8:00 a.m. train bound for Cologne.  We had to change there for a train to Hannover.  We weren't sure what would happen once we got to Cologne, as the train strike was to start at 2:00 p.m., and we would be on the train to Hannover at that time.  The time passed quickly on the first train.  In Cologne I was hoping to get a quick glimpse of the huge cathedral, located just outside of the station.  Our train arrived at platform 3, and the train to Hannover was to depart on platform 2.  Those platforms share the same space.  Perfect!  Jim offered to stay with our bags so I could run outside. Wow!!  The cathedral is enormous!  I took some photos, but the sun was in the wrong place and they didn't turn out well.  When I retuned to the platform Jim was talking to a man who had asked him for help. On this trip we have been asked for directions a number of times.  Hmmm...maybe we don't look too much like tourists after all!  Our train arrived and we got on.  The sign on the platform said the next train to use the track was cancelled because of the strike.  Departure time came and went.  We weren't moving.  I got a bit nervous, but finally we were on our way.  As it got closer to 2:00 our train stayed for what seemed like a long time at one of the stops.  Was this the end of the line for us? Barbara and I began texting with each other, trying to come up with a plan for her to pick us up.  I asked the person who was selling coffee about the strike, and were we going to make it to Hannover.  She seemed shocked that I would ask, but then assured me all was okay, for Hannover.  We arrived late, but we arrived!  I'm not sure if the train ever made it to Berlin.

Barbara and Danielle met us at the train station.  It was so good to see them.  I last saw Barbara in 2010 when she and Sascha came to Bavaria to see us, and I last saw Danielle in 2009 when she came to visit us.  We went to Barbara's house for a bit, then she took us to her sister, Dagmar's, house to drop off our luggage.  I was a bit nervous.  Would we be able to communicate with her?  Yes!  She speaks English fairly well.  I was unsure since my Uncle Jack told me that his former sister-in-law didn't speak a word of English.   She was very welcoming, showing us our room, where our towels were, etc.  We returned to Barbara's, having dinner and then talking until after midnight.  She took us back to Dagmar's, where we chatted with her for awhile, then got a good nights sleep.

Thursday came, and we didn't know exactly what was happening.  Would Sascha arrive from Cologne?  When?  As it turned out that if she was coming it would be later, so after breakfast we discussed what to do.  I said I was interested in going to Bergen-Belson Concentration Camp.  It's fairly nearby.  We decided to combine that with a stop in Celle.

On the way to Bergen-Belson we saw something very interesting.  There were motorhomes parked along the side of the road from time to time.  Barbara explained that they were prostitutes waiting for business.  There was a woman sitting in the front passenger seat in each one, and there were lights.  I guess to signal whether they were open for business or if they were already occupied.

We arrived at Bergen-Belson and it began to rain.  It seemed fitting.  They had an interesting and informative exhibit, along with testimonial videos from people who had been there and survived (obviously), or had lived near there, during the time the camp was in operation.  They didn't have gas chambers or ovens there, but many people died due to the starvation, disease and mistreatment.  Among those that does were Jews, Russians, Polish, and even people who were deemed to be "work shirkers."  After viewing the exhibit, we went outside to walk on the grounds.  The rain became heavier.  And we could hear loud booms of guns.  Or probably cannons actually.  There must have been a military base close by.  It was a bit frightening because it seemed so close.  

Anne Frank and her sister Margot died at this camp..I have been to the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam twice.  It was very moving to have been where she once lived, hiding from the Nazi's and eventually being caught, then being where she had died.  

We decided it was time to leave, and headed for Celle.  What a cute old town.  It would have been nice to spend more time there.

We went back to Barbara's, and had another very late night talking about all kinds of things.  Danielle and I are hatching a plan for a family reunion next year.  I hope it works out!  We got back to Dagmar's after midnight, then chatted with her for awhile.  I really like her.  Tomorrow Sascha arrives!