Charles Bridge

Terri and Isaaac on the Charles Bridge, Prague. On the hill in the background is the largest castle in Europe, just in case you were curious.

Feast to famine

When Vance's program offered to fund a wrap-up session in Prague, we found ourselves in one of the nicest hotels we'd ever stayed in. A suede couch, terry-cloth robes, slippers, a bathtub, a real queen-sized bed (not the usual twin beds pushed together), a safe (like we needed it!), an amazing breakfast, and even a complimentary bottle of wine. We were living high on the hog, for two nights, at least.

Then reality hit. Not being able to pay for the extra 2 nights we were staying in Prague, we decided to look up the hostel scene. A full hostel booked us for another one down the road, and thus we ended up in the crummiest hostel I'd ever stayed in. It looked like something held over from the communist era. Our questionably sanitized room was conveniently located next to a bunch of perenially partying or sloshed Frenchman, a toilet with no toilet paper, a bathroom with broken lights, and stale corn flakes for breakfast. We were suitably humbled from our previously exalted state, reminded of our grad-student family roots. And boy, were we ready to get back to our apartment in Hannover!

The door of the Schlosskirche in Wittenburg, where Luther nailed the 95 Theses. Unfortunately, the church door no longer functions as a bulletin board...the new brass doors have Luther's revolutionary statements permanently engraved.

Mm mm good!

Isaac's first taste of rice cereal. He's just like his dad...ready to eat anything that comes his way! This picture is from a month and a half ago (sorry I'm behind). Now he loves sweet potatoes, carrots, peas, oatmeal, bananas, applesauce...you name it!

Like father, like son

Behold, the reason why we do not yet own a tv.

Luther's study, where he put his hiding to good use and

translated the New Testament into German in only 10 weeks.

Wartburg Fortress, where Luther hid from the Catholic Church, disguised as Junker Jorg

No summary of our German summer would be complete without a photo of World Cup fans. It's a unique experience to ride the metro with a bunch of Polish fans exuberantly singing "Shalalalala"...after their team had lost.

Isaac loved Germany. Really, he did!

Whatever he's doing, it looks complicated and scientific. Vance at work, folks.

Isaac gets a chance to experience friendly statues at the Rathaus

Getting ready to board the wonderful world of public transportation