Well, this is Kristen with a little post-trip updating...

We were so busy having fun (and finishing finals...) that we didn't have a chance to update toward the end.

But first, Christmas dinner at Haus Wartenberg!

Decorating the Christmas tree:

Melissa and Elissa (say that five times fast!):

Rayne and Matt singing carols:

KRAMPUS!!!  If you're naughty, you don't just get a lump of coal, you get a whoopin' from Satan himself!

Johan.. er, I mean, St. Nick:

Our crazy group!

We'll have stories from Florence, Rome, and other places from our last few weeks coming soon, so don't stop checking our site just yet!

Merry Christmas!

WE'RE BACK!!!

Ahhhhhhhh....

We celebrated Thanksgiving last night with a big American style turkey feast, hosted by students with help from the Haus Wartenberg staff, and organized by Brittney!  We're stuffed!  Thanks everyone!

And now, let the Christmas music begin (sorry Rayne)!

We went to Dachau today for a class fieldtrip.   Yay for fieldtrips in Europe they are just so educational!

Yet another post without many words, but honestly there just aren't words to decribe what we all saw today.  Why is it so hard to explain I just don't know.  I'm sure Brandon will come and put more pictures up shortly.

emily

***EDIT***

The entrance gate to the camp.  On the door, "Arbeit macht frei" ("Work brings freedom"):

The gatehouse, or "Jourhaus," containing offices of camp and Gestapo leaders;
this building was considered the center of SS authority by prisoners:

Inside the camp:

Hallway of cells:

Special portable altar for prisoners of religious authority:

Propaganda poster from the museum.  "Our Last Hope - Hitler"

Monument*:

*This picture is from a website; all others are original from our visit.
~Kristen