We got up early Saturday morning and drove to Nurnberg. We went specifically to see the oldest biggest cookoo clock on a church and the Nazi Rally parade grounds, but when we got there we discovered even more. We got into town early so we got to do a little exploring before noon when the clock had its big “show”. This church was built in a plaza where the town had set up a market of fresh foods. We turned the corner and found a really old castle. So, we went up to it and stumbled across a panoramic view of the town. It was really pretty. Nurnberg was such a quaint little town (at least the historic part). When you think of German cottages and towns, this is what you think of. (Mom and Dad – I’m adding this town to your “must see” list!) There were tons of tourists. Everyone was just walking through the streets and when a car came through they just stopped and waited till people were out of their way. We made sure we made it back to the plaza to watch the clock, and while you’re watching it, it seems rather anti-climatic. But, you have to realize that it was a rather big feat for the 1500’s. We ate lunch at a little place next to the plaza and another big old church. I had some sausages w/ sauerkraut…which actually was not too bad I might add. Trey beat me for the most adventurous eater award… he ate cow tongue for lunch. We couldn’t decide if that or the head cheese that I ate last week was worse, but the fact that I didn’t know what I was ordering when I ate the head cheese kicked me out of the running. After lunch we went inside the church and admired the honest gothic architecture.
Next, we went to the Nazi Parade Grounds. This was a strange experience. Hitler had huge plans for this place but they lost the war before much of it was realized. So, it was kind of like seeing Roman ruins in a way only the “ruins” parts were because they hadn’t finished constructing not because they had been around so long. The chilling part was to think that every brick that was laid was done so by Jewish prisoners. The first building was an arena like structure that wasn’t completed. Everything about it was massive and brutal – provoking the idea of power. We also walked down the stone road that the Nazi’s marched down and then stood where Hitler stood to make his speeches. That was kind of a numbing experience. Seeing all of this let me realize what the Nazis were thinking and how they got more people to join along in their thought. Our guide talked about how people reacted to Hitler in his rise of power. He said people including Hitler himself treated him like a god – pictures hanging in the living room of people’s homes, his face being in the wrapper of chocolate candy, when kids acted up parents would tell them that the Furher was watching them. We went through a museum that explained kind of the rise and fall of the Nazi party. They had lots of pictures and videos of rallies happening in the plaza of Nurnberg where we stood earlier that day.
After touring the grounds, we headed to Munich in time walk around town before dark. We’re spending a lot of time on the bus, but everything we’re seeing this week is fairly significant and worth the drive. We have a pretty awesome bus driver too. We’ve got a big charter bus that she just weaves in and out of these tiny European roads like driving a mini-cooper or something. We’ve all been amazed at her turning capabilities. We have been within centimeters of bikes, cars, light poles, street signs, buildings, and not had a single scratch. Now, there’s a cultural thing for you! I guess if you grow up driving over here you learn how to maneuver cars really well.
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