Day 5 (by Morgan)

Once again we had to wake up nice and early! We got to go to the Prague castle. We met our tour guide there and the little town was unbelievably stunning. It was a 3hr walking tour, even though it was cold I very much enjoyed it. We were not able to go to the first courtyard in the castle because the president of Czech Republic was going to have some type of flag rising ceremony there later that day. We the went to a huge church within then castle's town. It was so beautiful inside the church, the windows were extravagant. Once we walked out of the castle we headed towards the Charles Bridge, which was huge and had a very nice view of the river. We then walked around the town center for some free time! After our free time we took a bus to Tereźin. Tereźin was a ghetto for the Jewish people before they got moved to a concentration camp, it was also used for propaganda for the outside world to think everything was fine in Germany/Czech Republic in WW 2. It was very intense there, I will never forget our tour around there. Lastly, we went to dinner and went back to the hotel!

Day 4 (by Morgan))

We woke up early and left Berlin to go to Dresden! We got a bus tour around Dresden and saw the old church, old opera house, and the gallery which held extravagant parties a very long time ago. Anja said that the church there was probably the most important element of history there. This is because it was destroyed during world war 2 but was gradually re-built until the 1980's. After, we got back on the bus and went to Prague! Once we were there we went to the town square; it was very pretty and they were having some type of festival there, I'm not sure what it was though. Then, we looked and shopped at the little vendor stands throughout the square. Finally, we went to dinner and it was one of the best dinners we had (in my opinion). Lastly, we checked into our new hotel!

Day 3 (by Sarah)

So, Day Three was April Fool's Day and it surely lived up to its name. The entire EF group didn't get a wake up call, so most of us woke up about thirty minutes before the bus left. For me it was an experience because I woke up fifteen minutes before the call was supposed to happen, but I decided that I wanted to sleep rather than to take a shower; it was a bad decision.
First, we went to a museum called The History of Berlin. We looked at a nuclear bomb bunker, and the bunker itself was really creepy. It was dark, cramped, and I'm pretty sure that if I was stuck down there, I would go crazy. Then there was a self guided tour of the cities history.
Then, there was the optional tour to Potsdam where the big three (Stalin, Churchill and Truman) met to discuss the agreements to end the war in Europe (my group did it). My part was seeing Stalin's office. I have a particular interest in Stalin so I felt really cool being able to say that I have been in his office. We also saw Truman's and Churchill's offices, along with the Conference hall. We concluded with a walking tour of the city square.
We experienced Berlin through Sbahn (above ground) and Unahn (below ground) trains and felt like one of the crowd.
Right after that, we went to a WWII bunker with our EF group leader Anja. It was really cool, because we saw how the Nazis used propaganda to manipulate the population into thinking that the bunkers were safe when in reality, they weren't. We saw where people would go during WWII, and the struggles they experienced with the rooms that they were trapped in during the air raids.
Essentially, throughout the day I learned a lot; Bunkers weren't really as safe as the people would've thought they would be. I also find that I really enjoy meeting people from other counties.

To Those Who Love Us

Hey mom, dad, Steve,
Germany is so much fun! I'm having such a good time with everyone. I made so many new friends and we do all sorts of fun things together. But I miss all of you so much though. I ,ove you guys and I'll talk to you later!
With all my love,
Larena G. :)

hey mom and dad
Germany and Prague has had a lot of fun packed filling adventures. I witnessed my friend Nathan being hustled in Germany. but I am having a great time and I hope to get money from you guys because I will be staying here forever.
Raul

p.s just kidding about staying here.

hey mom and dad
it's Nathan. Germany and prague are so much fun, but I got hustled $1 by some old Turkish dude. it's amazing here and I've taken a lot of pictures, and I got all the crap u asked for. Prague is fun but it was sketchy at first, and I got some funny stuff from the shops.

Hi mom and dad

i miss you I bought lots of cool thing military wise can't wait. to show you.

gabe.

Hey Dad,Sarah, andMom
Miss you guys. The trip is a lot of fun. They do things so differently here. I hope everything is going well back at home. I met a lot of kids that I didn't even know went to the school. I saw my friend Nathan get hustled by some old Turkish dude. Thank you for everything you did to get me on this trip. love you guys
Colin

Hi Mom,
The trip so far has been fun and I think we only have one or two days left. But It's been weird because I can still speak the German words that I remember with my accent, but I didn't really recall any other words. And when we first got to Prague it was kind of sketchy, but now I like it more than Berlin, I think it's prettier. I love you a lot and thank you.
Sarah

Dear parents,
I miss you guys a lot. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this opportunity. being in Europe has changed my perspective on not only America but life. I've learned so much....... Best spring break!!!!! :)
-Willie

Dear Mom and Dad,
The trip has been so amazing. I can't wait to tell you about everything that I have seen and done! Seeing all this history is so amazing and life changing. I most defiantly want to come back to Berlin and Prague. Thank you for letting me go on this great trip! I miss you so much, I love you guys.
-Morgan

Dear Mom an Dad,
So far I am loving the trip. Berlin was great. The city is filled with great adventures that we got to experience. Prague is beautiful too.It is very authentic and filled with so much color. Thank you for sending me.
-Abby-

Dear Mom and Dad,
This trip has been filled with so many adventures and things that I can't wait to tell you about. All the things we've done such as riding the metro to the different foods and to seeing the history and the culture has been amazing!! I'm so excited to get back and show you pictures of all the places and sights I have seen. Thank you so much guys! I love you. See you soon.
~Tenni~

Mom and Dad,
This trip has seriously been the most amazing thing that has ever happened. There have been too many amazing things to even start to get into here. I can't wait to show you all the pictures I have taken. I have made some amazing friends and even better memories. This really is the trip of a lifetime. Thank you for giving me the wonderful opportunity to come in this trip. I love you both, a lot.
~Aspen~

PARENTS!!
This trip has been life changing. There is so much here that I wish you could have seen. Getting the chance to visit Europe for the first time is all I have talked about since Brice stole my dream trip to china. I am so thankful for the chances that you have give me ever since I was little to travel. From your stories and my experiences I have gotten to know the world outside of suburbia and I feel that I have gained respect for everything that you have given me. This trip was the chance of a lifetime and I am so thankful for it. I love you,
~Shea~

Lissa and Dad!
Thank you so much for this opportunity to visit Europe. I love it here and I made several friends during this trip and have learned about many different things. I guess it really is true, that life is about relationships and experiences. I love you guys!!
-Layne-

Kuran (mom),
Thank you sooo much for the opportunity to go to Berlin and Prague. I am having so much fun out here and the people are great. I do miss you though and the dogs but I'll see you soon.
Love, Lexy


Mammi <3,
Thank you so much for everything! This trip has been such an amazing experience. I've learned and seen so much! Thank you for everything you've done for me and making this opportunity possible! I miss you soo much! Leaving Europe will be bitter sweet, but I'll always carry the memories. Again, thank you so much! I loveee you! <3
- Tia (: (Bianca)

Day 2 (by Sarah)

Day 2 was Easter, but it wasn't spent in a church. We woke up to the snow and to one of the longest, coldest winters that Germany has experienced in a long while.
The morning started off with a bus tour which took us all over Berlin. We saw thing like the Radio Tower, the Holocaust Memorial, and even the Pregnant Oyster. The part of the that tour was really fun wasn't the stuff we were learning, but the tour guide he was really sarcastic and made funny comments that helped the stories and information stay in my head. My favorite thing that we visited was the Olympic Stadium; we were able to get out and take pictures with it. It was so fascinating though because it was so huge when it was originally built it could fit 100,000 people.
Then we went to the Checkpoint Charlie Museum. I thought that this was really fun because they had the two different signs that would tell you that you were leaving the U.S. side and entering the Soviet side and then on the other side it said that you were now entering the U.S. side. I also paid my two euro to get my picture with the American soldiers and their post, which I personally thought was really exciting. I also found the actual museum to be interesting because it went into detail about the events in the Cold War, and that's what I'm learning in school, so it's very intriguing to me.
We then walked to the river where we had our boat tour, but the tour wasn't for another hour so we got free time until the boat ride. The actual boat ride was soothing though. I couldn't really see much, but I could hear over the intercom. It was also funny to see the people slowly fall asleep as the tour progressed. But by the end we were trying to play matchmaker and make relationships.
We then had more free time, and so naturally in the snow I got gelato. We also changed our money into crowns for Czech Republic.
Then we took the Metro to the Eastern Center and tried to get into the GDR Museum, but the line for tickets was too long. So we just had about a hour and a half of free time. I went to a art museum and I looked at the history of Germany from 1914-1994.
We then went to a Russian restaurant, but it served really interesting meat. I couldn't really tell what the meat was, but it was good. Then they gave us donuts for dessert which were also good, they were jelly filled, but only in one corner, and I didn't eat the whole thing so I didn't get any of the jelly.
This day was pretty fun, and I learned a lot which I enjoyed a lot.