Monday, August 3, 2009

Gruss aus Stuttgart

Greetings from Stuttgart! The past two weeks have been alot of fun with a lot going on. On July 21st we had Anuste's 27th birthday which we celebrated by going to the diner next door, enjoying good food and a few beers. After that we headed to the playground to unleash our inner wild child!

On Sunday July 26th we decided to go explore on this beautiful day. We went to a place called "Rubble Hill" or better known as "Birkenkopf Memorial." After WWII all that was left of the city of Stuttgart was rubble, there were no buildings left standing. This is one of the three hills that was built with the pieces of the buildings destroyed during the war. It's heartbreaking to see these pieces with its amazing craftsmanship and intricate detail in pieces. The view from the top over looking the city is breathtaking. But while you're there, you can feel a certain energy in the air, almost like a sadness. We know our history and see tv shows, movies and pictures of the events that occurred. But when you're really there, touching a piece of history, it's an amazing feeling.

There is also a plaque on one of the pieces that translates as follows:
"This mountain, after the second world war, built from the rubble of the city of those who sacrificed their lives, serves as a warning to the living." I also captured a short video from the view on top of the hill. If you listen closely you can hear all the church bells ringing in the distance.


July 27th was Mapalon's first day at daycare. It was a big day for our little man, although Anuste was a nervous wreck that entire day. By the time she went to go pick him he was having so much fun, he didn't want to leave. But he survived his first week and does better with being dropped off in the morning.


While driving back onto base from our first trip to a German grocery we happened to catch a storm as it was coming in. Be sure to check back in a couple of weeks for exciting new adventures! Tschau!