I’m back processing a few old pictures (and some more recent ones) in between trying to do school work and work overtime at my job. Now that the weather in Ireland has reverted to the chill of fall, let’s see if I can get some new stuff posted and viewable from my busy life. 🙂
This is more from my day trip to Lutherstadt-Wittenberg, Germany back in 2009 with the Toytown Photo group. It took place on September 19, 2009 – two years ago today.
The Town Hall
Population about 50,000, this town sits along the beautiful Elbe river. This is the famed town of Martin Luther, where he wrote and posted his edicts on the church doors as part of the Protestant revolution. When in Germany, this town is one of the “must see’s” because of its place in history and the role it played as a part of “enlightenment”.
The church towers are for the city church, where Martin Luther preached his then controversial message.
The main pilgrimage point in town is actually the Schloss kirche, upon which Martin Luther nailed his 95 Thesis on the door of the church back on October 31, 1517. The original door no longer exists, but today, the door is metal with a cast plate of the thesis itself.
For more pictures, you can check out the three flickr sets below:
Continuing with some posts of pictures that I’ve finally processed – and which are from 2010. The latest set is from Berg Falkenstein, Germany back in May of 2010.
Falkenstein is a town in the Harz district, in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is situated on the northeastern edge of the Harz, approx. 10 km west of Aschersleben. The town was created in 2002 by merging the town Ermsleben with 6 other municipalities. It was named after nearby Falkenstein Castle, about 5 km to the southwest.
The castle here is now abandoned and has been restored for tourist use only. The most basic castle here was built as a defensive fortification sometime around 1120. The present day castle was built between 1500 – 1700 but was designed to protect the majority of the medieval character of the original buildings. It was recently restored and contains a registrar’s office for weddings, a throne room, knight’s hall, a fully functional “old” kitchen, and a delightful underground chapel with a small cabinet organ that still works. Additionally, there is a proper falconry on the grounds which is actually still in use and tourists can see the birds between March and October.
One thing about Germany is that it’s huge into Football (Soccer). Today, they had the quarter final match against Argentina. Against all the odds, they won – 4-0. I could hear my neighbors in the building cheering, the vuvuzelas going, and fireworks being shot off for each goal. Everyone is quite pleased when the German players win – and being that this is a very young team – even happier when it’s against a powerhouse like Argentina. Let’s just say that as a non football fan, it’s very difficult to NOT get caught up in the fever. I was here 4 years ago when Germany hosted the world cup – and remember the craziness then.
This time around, we’re going to the Semi – FINALE!! It’s not sure yet who it is we’re playing against – but … That’s just fine. I too am getting caught up in the enthusiasm and am rather enjoying seeing everyone walking around in Black, Red, and Gold – along with the flags. So, in brief honor of their win today, I thought I’d introduce you to a bit of the German football culture – in the form of a song which everyone has been singing today:
Lyrics (with my rough translation):
Chorus:
1 und 2 und 3 und 54, 74, 90, 2010 (1 and 2 and 3 and 54, 74, 90, and 2010)
ja so stimmen wir alle ein. (Yes, we are all together one)
Mit dem Herz in der Hand und der Leidenschaft im Bein, (with our hearts in our hands and the passion in our feet)
werden wir Weltmeister sein.(we want to be the world champions!)
Wir haben nicht die höchste Spielkultur. (we don’t have best known playing culture)
Sind nicht gerade filigrant. (but we’re not flagrant)
Doch wir haben Träume und Visionen (Yes we have dreams and visions)
und in der Hinterhand ‘nen Master Plan. (and a way for our master plan)
Für unseren langen Weg aus der Krise (which will take away the crisis)
und aus der Depression, (and remove from depression,)
lautet die Devise: Nichts wie rauf auf den Fußballthron! (we believe there’s nothing like the football throne!)
Die ganze Welt greift nach dem goldenen Pokal,(The whole world reaches for the golden cup)
Am Kap der Guten Hoffnung probieren wir´s nochmal (At the cape of good hope we’re trying again)
Wir als Gast in Südafrika (we’re all guests in South Africa)
Wird unser Traum dann endlich wahr.(where our dream becomes reality.)
Beim ersten mal war’s n Wunder, (First time’s a miracle)
Beim zweiten mal war’s Glück, (The second’s with luck)
Beim dritten mal der verdiente Lohn (The third is earned)
Und des nächste mal wird`s ne Sensation (and finally world sensation…)
