Today I had the opportunity to celebrate the 4th of July in Germany with a very international bunch – there was great conversation (and theY very graciously agreed to speak in English with me so that I could be included in the conversation) great food and good times!
Here was our International Celebration Cake:
At the party today we had American ExPats, Canadians, Germans, and an Englishwoman and that lead to a lot of fun and great conversation. I am very thankful to Julia and Heinz for allowing me to be a part of the fun!
Much like I might have had in the states, we had pulled pork, corn on the cob, salad, fruit, baked beans and bread – It was a great meal!
Before the dinner, I went out and explored more of Oldenburg, starting with a church and cemetery near Julia’s house.
The interior of the church was lovely, and different from any interiors I have seen so far. In the cemetery, I was struck by the lovely management and upkeep of the graves in the cemetery -they all had fresh flowers, decorations and other things that made them beautiful monuments to past lives. Julia said that many of the youth groups in the area do grave upkeep as a fundraiser, and that many people actually pay a landscaper to maintain the graves of their family members.
This monument to fallen soldiers was interesting, as the fact sheet (In German, so my decoding skills were put to the test) beside it told (by my rudimentary translation) of the vandalizing that happened to the graves over time, when they still had swastikas on the graves of the WW2 veterans, and how that all stopped once they removed the swastikas.
I like how the lady has horns. I’ve not seen that bathroom sign before! 🙂
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I have had a lovely time in Oldenburg, and I am headed to Amsterdam in the morning. 🙂
Heinz and Julia have been wonderful hosts, and this relaxing stop was just what I needed to continue the rest of my journey!
Merry Adventures 
Lovely time in Oldenburg captured in your excellent prose! Off to Amsterdam tomorrow…just a simple remark, but how exciting and awe-inspiring to this fellow who is enjoying your adventures vicariously! Thanks and enjoy!
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So glad you’ve had a little respite and a happy international Fourth! Say hello to Amsterdam for me!
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Love your trip and dreaming I could take half of your adventures. What a wonderful experience.
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