Rapid City Apolda Exchange

Back to Rapid City

gretac — Sat, 31 May 2008 17:23:41 +0000

We will be leaving in 10 hrs. from now by car to Frankfurt (four hrs.) and then flying into Detroit Michigan and home to Rapid City. I cannot express enough that participation in a Sister City Exchange program is an incredible opportunity to learn in depth about other cultures and making new friends. Especially in an area that is a part of our own history and to see the progress through over the years. If everyone would participate in this type of exchange maybe wars would not happen and what we could learn from each other would make the world a better place.

Our Hosts

gretac — Sat, 31 May 2008 17:18:43 +0000

We stayed with Sabine (in her office) and Uiif Froese who lived a few miles in the country outside of Apolda. Sabine is a County Administrator for Emergency Services. Uiff (pronunced Ule is an electrician).

It is raining as I am writing this post and I can see the farmers with their tractors headed to the barn on cobbled streets. There are still many streets in the country and cities that are made from stone such as these bricklayers in Berlin There is so much renovation happening yet from the Cold War that it is amazing to walk into what appears to be delapitated buildings to only find beautifully constructed rooms. The persistence of the German people to reconstruct and preserve centuries old buildings is amazing. It also makes a difference that the original building construction could withhold through the centuries as well. 12 inch thick walls make a difference over the years.

Germany is one of the most densely populated European countries with 81 million people. So while there are many traditional aspects of life that remain like farming, most of what takes place is very compact. Their efficiencies with space, recycling and transportation is integrated into 16th century housing and castles.

Noticeable lifestyle differences are no air conditioning and it does get hot on occasion. A majority of the population smokes but in July smoking will not be allowed in bars. There is centralized shopping close to neighborhoods for the purpose of walking to acquire your household needs. Gas is around $9 per gallon. There is much less use of refrigeration including most every bottled liquid is stored on shelves not coolers and it is the same in homes. Ice doesn’t exist. Bakeries are everywhere and this morning we stood in line for the best bakery in Apolda. Bread and cake is mostly what is sold. It is delicious. Purchasing fresh grocery items each day is a common practice.

Some similarities include coveting a local brewery brand in the same fashion as a professional sports team. Many towns and cities each have their own brewery that is regulated by the government. Gardens are everywhere including cottage gardens close to apartment complexes and nearby farm lands for people to spend their weekends. I didn’t see a home without a garden like the ones in the neighborhood of our hosts.

Ambulance Visit

gretac — Sat, 31 May 2008 16:41:50 +0000

Apolda has a hospital built a few years ago that also houses their ambulance service. Ambulances are scheduled and used depending upon the shift and the type of call. This ambulance is in service Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. for transports related to retirement homes This is what is called a doctor’s car and is scheduled for 12 hr. shifts 7 – 7. A paramedic drives the car to transport the doctor to the call. Something like a doctor’s visit on steroids. There was a doctor’s car call when we were there The ambulance that is most similar to the U.S. is scheduled for 12 hr. shifts seven days a week.

Firefighter Competition

gretac — Sat, 31 May 2008 16:31:38 +0000

In the afternoon in one of Apolda’s parks a firefighter competition took place between the Thuringer County Fire Stations. There are both adult and youth volunteers with each station including women and girls. All ages competed in a race of unrolling hoses, hooking them up and then spraying water. The first place winners were a team from the Apolda Firehouse

Oldtimer Car and Motorcycle Festival in the Apolda Market Square

gretac — Sat, 31 May 2008 16:22:48 +0000

Several visits happened today in Apolda. We started our morning with an old car festival. Not knowing engines like others, I was told some of the most authentic and historical cars were on display in the market square.

Motorcycles were part of the festival as well. It wasn’t exactly Sturgis but the colors and history were as good. All of the motorcycles and cars were driven through an arch for a ride to other nearby villages.

Olympic Stadium in Berlin

gretac — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:36:24 +0000

There have been two Olympic Stadiums built in Berlin for the Summer games, one in 1916 and another in 1936. This is a picture of how the stadium looks today.

The 1916 games were canceled due to World War I. The 1936 games however were held and one of the highlights were medals won by U.S. athlete Jesse Owens. Jesse Owens’ participation in the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics was controversial because he was African American at a time when segregation and racial discrimination were the norm in the U.S. Hitler also used the Olympics as a tool for propaganda. By allowing only members of the “Aryan race” to compete for Germany, Hitler further promoted his ideological belief of racial supremacy.

Several renovations have taken place since 1936 with the most recent being completed in August 2004 after four years of work.

The Viking Ship

gretac — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:24:15 +0000

Today we traveled to a near by lake for a viking ship tour You can see that our hosts Sabine and Ulli sitting with Harry were all outfitted for the trip We drank from Yaak horns There were other vikings on the ship We practiced our rowing and a person got wounded but everything is ok!

The Berlin Bear at the Firefighter Museum

gretac — Fri, 30 May 2008 15:02:43 +0000

Throughout Berlin are bears representing their location. We visited the Berlin Firefighter Museum with this bear on the roof

The Picnic

gretac — Thu, 29 May 2008 20:44:03 +0000

All throughout the day there were activities with a competition between the Americans and Germans on skis. T

We are not sure who won but we think the Germans. Then motorcycle rides

The beer fire truck

and a game of tug of war which was declared a tie the group photo American’s that traveled over are Denise and Larry Rossum, Dan and Sylvia Ladenburger, Greta and Harry Chapman, Galen and Shana Huebner, Scott Jungck, Treven Smeenk and Gary and Sue Shepherd.

the tractor ride through farm fields of wheat, barley, sugar beets and canola fields. John Deer tractors have replaced the German Lanz tractors. A finish to the day with a bonfire with music.

Village Visit Volunteer Fire Department and Church

gretac — Thu, 29 May 2008 20:19:04 +0000

All day today was a picnic with all kinds of activities in a small village close to Apolda. In another post tomorrow I will share about the picnic activities.

We visited a church built in the 1600′s in the village that was being renovated

We next walked in the village to the volunteer fire department. There are six stations in the Apolda area. Only three people are paid with the rest being over 225 volunteers. After high school all males must volunteer for service with one of three choices- military for nine months, community service nine months or firefighting for six years. The six years for firefighting is based on the amount of training received. Ingo is the Thuringer County Fire Chief and one of the paid staff. He is explaining the operations of this station in the village. There are six surrounding villages that serve 35,000 people.

The truck is very compact and the little car is for parades.

The station has a bar and this is what Gary would like for his Christmas present in his bar at his new house