Brandenburg Gate in Berlin

One of the highlights of my travels has been visiting the home of my ancestors in Germany -- some came from the north (near Berlin) others came from the south (near Munchen/Munich).

What a thrill to get off the ship in the port of Rostock and travel about 145 miles to reach the capital of Germany. From here I was able to visit some of the many sites in Brandenburg where my paternal great grandmother grew up. Imagine walking the same area that she walked in the late 1800s, seeing some of the old buildings that remain standing, and eating the same exact type of food she ate before emigrating to the US.

I was able to go into the church to which she belonged and although the house in which she lived is no longer standing, I could almost feel her presence as I walked through the area.

My paternal great grandfather lived in the south, the region of the Alps, near Munich. How invigorating to roam the streets of this city, to gather with others at the city hall and watch the fantastic clock do its thing at noon, to go to one of the famous beer halls and drink the same nectar that he drank, and to enjoy food made with the same recipes that he enjoyed while he lived there.

We experienced driving on the autobahn (that was an experience!) and went south to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. We enjoyed some of the local culture, foods, and activities. Moving on we went to the top of one of the mountain peaks where we had fantastic views that have remained in our memories for years.

Both areas were great to visit. Both are memorable. We are glad we went. 

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