Back from a lap around Central Germany - and a brief incursion into Poland to liberate some pottery. A variety of shots here starting with a view of the site of Hitler's Bunker. Nothing there but a parking lot for an apartment complex, and the sign was only put up prior to the start of the World Cup.

Just a stone's throw - as Moira loves to hear me say - is the Brandenburg Gate. All 5 of the former (Russia, France, Great Britain, and the United States) and current (Starbucks) occupying powers have their embassies, well, a stone's throw, from the Gate.

Just around the corner - another of Moi's favorite phrases - is the Reichstag. It's crowned by a glass dome inside of which is a flared column of mirrors which allows, so the theory goes, the members of parliament to see the people who they represent.

I'll put in a plug here for original berlin walks, and our guide, Fabian, who as it turns out is a Stanford alum. He took us on a nearly 5 hour walking tour (roughly from Museum Island, down the Unter den Linden, thence over to remains of the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie), and kept our attention - and the girls' - the whole way. If you go to Berlin, give them a try...

Our next stop was Dresden, home of several fabulous Christmas markets and the newly restored Frauenkirche (Church of our Lady). The city and its famous cathedral were reduced to rubble - and ash - by the British and American bombing raids of February 1945. After a painstaking reconstruction, it reopened in October 2005. Pictured are the girls standing in front of a dome "fragment." Look carefully at the fragment and you will see a plaque showing its original location. Also note in the background the blackened stones (note the checkerboard effect) of the church. These are original stones... in their original positions.

For me the cathedral was a profound living symbol of hope. From utter devastation, it rose again...


The remaining shots are of the Christmas market. Moira has a particular fondness for homemade pretzels.

The AISR Seasonal Program... the dreaded AISR Seasonal Program. It's always good, but good Lord is it a time sink... Here are some photos. Moira on the timpani (remember the Audrey Hepburn movie?). Tania and I in front of last year's decorations, but modified a bit... this one's for you Monte, we still miss you... And of course Aileen who was the best of the MCs. Enjoy...

Just a few pictures from the U14 mini-tournament up at Amsterdam (ISA) this weekend. Both Moi and Aileen are on the same team which is kinda cool.