It was a late night last night with the game going into overtime and then the one and only point of the game scored by Germany! The city exploded in shouts, clapping, horns honking and massive fireworks! When the game was finally over, the celebrations continued throughout the night! We are so proud of the German team and happy that they won. It has been exciting to be here in Berlin for this event.
As missionaries, we did not go out and join the crowd so, these photos are courtesy of the internet and Facebook postings. We certainly heard the crowds and noise and felt the jubilation of the night!
People loaded into their cars and the honking and flag waving began!
Visit to Potsdam
Earlier on Sunday, we attended church in Potsdam. This branch meets in an old home that has been modified to accommodate the needs of the branch. The rooms have lots of fancy molding and decorative work. We were asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting there. So far we have visited 5 wards/branches - we have 6 more to attend and then we will begin our return visits to follow up. It is interesting to go to other cities and suburbs and to see how each unit operates. This next Sunday we get to attend our own ward - we have missed seeing the members there!
In front of the Potsdam meeting home.
After church, as wer drove home, we saw some interesting sights in Potsdam. This is a portion of the old Glienicke Bridge that served in the old divided Germany for the location for East Germany to exchange spies with West Germany.
Potsdam has a rich history dating back to the middle ages. It is a beautiful city with many castles, parks and lakes.
This photo shows the Brandenburg Parliament building and the St. Nicholas Church in the background.
The infamous Potsdam Conference was held at Cecilienhof, the home of Crown Prince Hohenzollern, from 17 July to 2 August 1945. In some older documents it is also referred to as the Berlin Conference of the Three Heads of Government of the USSR, USA and UK. Participants were the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom and the United States. The three powers were represented by Communist Party General Secretary Joseph Stalin, Prime Ministers Winston Churchill and Clement Attlee and President Harry Truman. Agreements resulting from this conference included the demilitarization of Germany, war reparations, division of Germany and Austria into occupation zones and prosecution of Nazi war criminals.
Attlee, Truman and Stalin
Chapel of Nevski
The trip home took about 30 minutes and we spotted this bear on our return journey.
After reading so much about WWII, it would be so interesting to see the places where the momentous history took place. Who assigns your topics to speak on in each new place? That's lots of preparation! Lucky branches! Love that new bear - it's a fun idea to collect the pics of them from all over Germany!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Germany on winning the World Cup! Tom and John were cheering them on all the way. How exciting to be there when they won the whole thing! I'm sure you'll never forget it.
ReplyDeleteI knew Pottsdam sounded familiar, now I know why. I love your blog posts and hearing about all your adventures!
Wahoo! How fun to be there in Germany when they won! I loved reading the history and seeing your travels. I too love the bear pictures. You'll have to do a "bear" room with all of the pictures when you get home. Is that a cigarette in Hal's hand in the top one? Ha!
ReplyDeletePS I love that bright blue dress, Patty. You look so pretty.
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