Incredible Deutschland

I keep forgetting Halloween is this Wednesday, which means the end of the month and my trip being halfway over.
The weather has been very kind this past week here in west Germany. However, we are headed to Munich next and I heard its snowing there!

The first few photos were taken in Berlin at the Olympiastadion (my first European soccer game!) with my cell phone. It was a big game with about 80,000 people in attendance. The evening started off great with my friend,  his family and I walking to the stadium and everyone teaching me the different cheers and chants. Then, while we were standing in a huge crowd for 45 minutes waiting to get in, my stomach started to hurt. I felt a little nauseous. “It’s ok” I told myself, “I’ll feel better as soon as we’re inside.” But the closer we got, the worst I felt. Finally, it was our turn to go through security. The guys went off to one side, and girls went to the other. The first security guard checked inside my purse, by then I felt like throwing up inside my bag. The second security guard patted me down and just as she was nodding to go on through, I saw the nearest trash can and threw up. She was looking at me in concern and asked something in German. My friend and his family rushed over asking me what happened, and the police came to ask if I needed a doctor. Nein nein, after throwing up a few more times I was fine. No more stomach pain, no more nausea, I was ready to enjoy the game! We figured it was probably something I ate. Sorry for such a gross story, but I know my family will read this and say “oh that is something that would totally happen to Tracy! Always something going on with her wherever she goes!”

Besides that, it was a great game and I had a wonderful time!

The other photos were taken in the gorgeous city of Cologne. I really like Cologne (or, as the Deutsche spell it, Köln), I hope to go back again. I will probably post a few more photos from Cologne in another entry.
I apologize if the photos aren’t very sharp. I’m uploading them from my iPad, and from what I can see the photos look good.
I have so many more photos to upload.

I’m going to Amsterdam today, I can’t wait!

Berlin and the Festival of Lights

It’s now been 2 weeks since I arrived in Germany. I apologize for not updating sooner. It’s been quite an eventful trip! I spent the first week in Berlin. Its such a beautiful city with a great nightlife, history, and currywurst. Unfortunately, I spent a lot of hours in bed because I got sick.
I haven’t been sick in 3 years, of course I have to get sick on my first trip to Europe!

The weather was a lot colder than I’m used to, however, I’m staying in Herne now and the weather has been absolutely beautiful! It’s sunny and warm, no jacket is needed! In the morning, we open all the windows and enjoy a delicious breakfast of fresh breads, cheeses, meats, and spreads. It’s a nice way to start the day. The weather is supposed to turn cold again at the end of the week.

These are a few photos I’ve taken around Berlin. I hope to have some time to post more photos over the next few days. I also have a lot more stories to share, like attending my first European soccer game and almost throwing up on a security guard, meeting my friend’s family, and driving to beautiful cities around Germany like Köln.

Project Lone Star

A few years ago I wanted to start a photo project for myself. I wanted to capture everything that represented “Texas”. The rodeo, long lonely roads, real BBQ, different cities, etc. But, what I’ve captured is not what I had planned. Instead, I’ve captured what Texas means to me.

Texas means my family and friends, that constant radio on in my grandpa’s workshop, the random park in the middle of nowhere where I met the nice lady feeding chickens. So while these may not be your ‘typical’ Texas photos (no gun fights here!), I’d like to share some photos that I’ve taken over the past several years.

There are a lot more photos to upload, but unfortunately I don’t have time to look through them because I’m leaving for Europe tomorrow! It’s a really big trip for me, as I’ve never been out of the United States (except to Canada).

I…..

• Left my wonderful, very comfortable job.
• Got my flu shot.
• Picked up my pea coat (which was in the dirty laundry basket for the past 3 years) from the dry cleaners.
• Received my new camera lens in the mail.
• Bid my family and friends goodbye.

I’m about ready to march out of Texas.

My next post will be from Germany.

See ya’ll in Europe!