Monthly Archives: October 2014

BRUSSELS, Oct. 16, 2014 — When a good friend called me on Thursday night from New York City, and I told her on the phone that our group was scheduled to visit the European Union the next day, she asked: … Continue reading →

  October 15, 2014. The sun was shining over Brussels, Belgium, when we arrived at the train station there early afternoon. I could not believe we were in another country. Two more days, I thought with sadness, our RIAS fellowship … Continue reading →

I could always go back to Germany and visit its remarkable sightseeing destinations. And, at any given time, I could try and enjoy the best entertainment and restaurants that this country offers to visitors and tourists from all over the world. But, if … Continue reading →

If you only have 24 hours in a beautiful city that you have never visited before, how will you make each hour worth it? On Tuesday, October 14, 2014, we took the train for about four hours from Leipzig to Cologne, … Continue reading →

There was a train strike that day. We learned that the German trains were going to stop running at noon. So, avoiding the possibility of getting stalled in Berlin, we decided to leave for Leipzig early morning. Some of us took a cab to … Continue reading →

It was our first Saturday together. After we had breakfast at the hotel, a private bus took us to Wannsee and Potsdam, located about an hour-and-a-half ride from Berlin. It was quite embarrassing to admit, but I only learned about the … Continue reading →

Painter Kani Alavi watched the fall of the Berlin Wall from his former apartment near the Checkpoint Charlie, the border between the Russian Zone and the American territory during the Cold War. Looking from his window, he recalled that during that … Continue reading →

On Tuesday afternoon, our group visited the Brandenburg Gate, an 18th century monumental arch that has become Germany’s symbol of peace and one of the most recognizable landmarks in Europe. The sun struggled to shine over Berlin. It was windy and cold, but … Continue reading →

The Berlin Wall was torn down 25 years ago, marking Germany’s reunification. A small segment of the wall on both the West and East side was placed at the memorial grounds   — a stark reminder of Germany’s grim past. But while … Continue reading →

  German flags waved atop the Reichstag. This magnificent architecture contributed much to Germany’s history. Erected in 1894, the Reichstag is now where parliament members meet for legislative sessions. Under normal circumstances, according to our RIAS hosts, getting inside the building is … Continue reading →