Hello All!

We had a great day today in Nuremberg! We started out with a relaxed morning of breakfast and then off to visit the Documentation Center and do...yep, you guessed it...more shopping! The Documentation Center and Zeppelin Field were grandiose and powerful. We learned a lot about the rise of Hitler to power as well as the Nuremberg Trials. After this somewhat somber experience many of us headed to lunch on a tram and ate in outdoor cafés. The weather was perfect today, breezy and in the 70's with clear blue sky. We are loving our hotel, as it is in the middle of downtown Nuremberg next to the major shopping district and around the corner from at least three major churches.

Speaking of churches, today just happens to be the day, once a year, where all the churches in Nuremberg open from 8pm to midnight to play all different kinds of music. It is what is known as the "Night of the Churches." Germans from everywhere come to travel around to the different churches and experience pieces of great music played on the organs and by different musical groups. Many of us were able to hear the piece "Carillon" at the church down the road. It was incredible. Shopping was fruitful for most of us, and some of the ringers went all out...German style.

For the evening we decided to have a pizza party, and all gathered in the biggest room we were given. We ate pizza, drank coke, and talked about our day. Armen, the bus driver, came too and it was a nice time of relaxing and catching up. To end the night we saw a very different rendition of Mozart's " The Magic Flute." It was done by puppateers, one amazing bass/soprano singer, and a small winds ensemble. The Ringers will have to explain when they get home, as words will just not do it justice.

Tomorrow we are off to our homestays, and we are all excited and a little nervous. We are all shocked the trip has gone so fast and are looking forward to these last two days.

All send their love and have many stories to tell you!

Lots of love,

Olivia (and Ringers)