Nuremburg Zoo Trip

"We are sure to see curious things, and for the last two months we have not had time for dullness. The last marvel is always the most astonishing; and, if we continue this progression, I do not know how it will end. It is my opinion that we shall never again see the like. I think then, with no offence to master, that a happy year would be one in which we could see everything."

-Conseil, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, chapter 19

We've been forgoing regular lessons in favor of travel a lot lately. I find tremendous value in real-life experience, and favor it over book learning almost any day. 

Being that we have such a short time in Germany, we try to make the most of it by seeing as much as possible. After all, we just learned that next summer we'll be moving back stateside. It's not what we want to do, but it's what the Army needs from my husband. 

We have ten months left in Europe. We intend to see, not everything, but as much as possible this year. So, expect lots of travel schooling over the next ten months. 

Today, we visited the beautiful Tiergarten der Stadt Nurnberg: The Nurnberg Zoo. Zoos here are different than zoos in the United States. Barriers between human and animal are more natural and less obtrusive. Landscaping is interactive: you climb, you step, you pull yourself up rocks and tree roots. You navigate rope bridges. 

This was a fantastic zoo. 

 Also, the Autumn colors in full splendor added to the pleasures of the zoo. The air was crisp, the breeze refreshing, and the sky blue, mostly. We even had sun today!

 This was a group trip that I set up for our homeschool group. Only two other families could make it, but I think that actually worked out for the best. The kids were all terrific and were wonderful to one another. And the other two moms there were awesome, too. It was great to get to know two homeschool families over the seven hours we spent at the zoo. We all had a lot of fun together. 

 We got to take in a sea lion and dolphin show. There was something special about seeing this show with the October colors in the background. 

 Tuna (and the other kids) loved the show. Watching her expressions was just as rewarding to me as watching the show itself. 

The petting zoo with its requisite goat herd was ...intense. The goats were aggressive in their per suit of grain, headbutting me and cornering Tuna on the rocks. Still, she's like the goat whisperer and they didn't give her any trouble at all. 

It was a splendid Autumn day. I'm thankful for the chance to explore new places like this zoo, practically in my backyard. The zoo's impressive animal collection was a great treat. We learned a few new things along the way, and made friends, and had fun. I couldn't have planned a better school day. 

Tomorrow: We're visiting a volcano!

Picking Pumpkins in Germany

Tuna, Bay, and I visited Jerry's Pumpkin Patch in Litzlohe, Bayern, Germany this afternoon. Jerry is an American living in Germany. The field is huge and full of pumpkins of every shape and size. We got to lug a wheelbarrow around the field to choose our pumpkins, then cut them from the vine ourselves. 

Did you know: pumpkins turn orange due to warm weather and sunlight? Those two things are a precious commodity in Bavaria, so our pumpkins are mottled green and orange. 

We like them that way. It's fitting, in a way. Different pumpkins in a different country. 

 Sameness is appreciated, sometimes, too. Like picking pumpkins at a pumpkin patch: same experience on whatever side of the globe you call home. 

Experiencing Art: The Brave Writer Lifestyle

An important part of the Bravewriter Lifestyle is exposing our children to art. Once a week, at least, Tuna and I do something art-related. Many times, we make art. Sometimes, we watch an art documentary. Sometimes, we read about artists. Our art this week was incredible. We had the good fortune to visit the Neue Pinakothek in Munich (our third visit to Munich...well, fourth if you count the Justin Bieber concert). We saw many of the Masters: van Gogh, Monet, Cezanne, Manet, Degas, and more.

As we were walking up to the museum, I gave Tuna an assignment: Located Sunflowers by Vincent van Gogh. In doing this, I connected her with the artist and painting, which she'd never considered before today. I showed her the painting in a marquee outside of the museum, so she'd know what to look for. 

Tuna found Sunflowers on her own, about two-thirds of the way through the museum. She was impressed with the detail of the painting. It's so impressive up close. The brush strokes, the build-up of the paint to create the texture, the colors which are not seen until you're up close to the painting: Being there, seeing it up close, you gain an appreciation for the talent. 

We loved that van Gogh signed simply "Vincent" on the vase. 

Here is some of the art we viewed. The museum had some 22+ rooms, with adjacent side rooms as well. I've shared just the most recognizable paintings here:

detail in Plain near Auvers

Tuna looking through the paintings directory to find Sunflowers

Tuna was embarrassed by all the nudes in this room. 

We ended our trip with a visit to Cafe Rischart, a well-known bakery/cafe in old Marienplatz (directly across from the old rathaus - city hall). They're famous for their cakes. Tuna chose ice cream, though it was in the 30s outside. 

Waiting for the train to depart for home. Can't you see the culture newly absorbed? hehehehe

 I'm so glad we had the chance to go to this art museum. It's not everyday, not every family, that gets to see the Greats in person. Before we end our time here in Germany, we're going to the Louvre in Paris. That promises to be a life-changing experience. This one was, too. 

Sunday Strolls

New habit: Go somewhere every Sunday and take pictures. Fresh air, nature, and family. Can't beat it. 

Today's Sunday Stroll: Wildpark Hollöhe in Schwandorf, Germany. For no admission fee, you can stroll the nature paths, picnic, play at the playground and the barefoot park, use the toilets (Free, clean, toilets are scarce in Europe!) and see all the animals. For a meager €0,50 you can feed the animals, too. 

It was today that it occurred to me that weekends can be schoolish days, too. Walking around the nature trails, discussing sap, pine cones, acorns, water levels, leaves changing, animal calls, and poop identification: That's nature study! 

It's also excellent bonding time. 

I look forward to our next Sunday Stroll. I wonder where it'll find us. 

When Mama Comes to Town

We took off the last ten days while my mother was visiting. Today is her last full day here, and tomorrow, we will take her to the airport to go home again. We did lots of stuff while she was here:

We went to Strasbourg in the Alsace Region of France. 

carousel built in 1900

We visited two concentration camps: Dachau and Flossenburg:

leaving a note on the wall

contemplating the pyramid of ashes

We visited a local chocolate factory and a local castle ruins.

such a cool candy shop!

We went to Rothenburg, Germany, on the Romantic Road.

watching animated figures at the Kathe Wohlfahrt store

And we went to Oktoberfest in Munich!!!

My VERY first German beer. The only beer I've ever liked.