The Synangogue of Celle

 

The last stop on my trip was the half-timber town of Celle. Just outside the what would have been the city wall stands a small house that is the oldest synagogue in northern Germany. Built in 1740, the Celle synangogue served its community before being partly destroyed in Kristallnacht. Today, there is a sanctuary inside, but unfortunately no congregation.

To see more pictures from this trip, go to http://picasaweb.google.com/dabraham001/Niedersachsen#

Luneburg

 

I had the opportunity to travel north from Hannover to a salt mining town called Luneburg. The city itself is built on salt deposits and, as a result, many of the buildings sag in very strange ways. The church spire is actually 2m off true. According to the Lonely Planet, the architect was so upset about his leaning tower, he tried to jump off an kill himself. Luckily, there was a hay wagon below that broke his fall. That evening, while laughing off the whole incident at the local brauhaus, he got so drunk, he fell on the cobbled road and broke his neck.

The Make-Up Room

 I snapped this photo of a news anchor getting ready to go live on camera.

FDP Party Convention

 

I was in Hannover to watch the Free Democratic Party's convention (think fiscal conservatism meets social liberalism and you get the FDP) and it was an absolute media circus. Photographed in the center is Dr. Guido Westerwelle, the head of the party and member of parliament. He's one of the most famous politicians in Germany.

One of the most shocking things about this event was that anyone could register and participate for FREE. Not only that, there was almost no security presence anywhere at the event.

What's in a Name?

 

European Parliament Elections are coming in June and candidate posters are found attached to every object in cities all over Germany. I found Mr. Balz to have a particularly unfortunate name.

Switzerland

 

The next day we went to St. Gallen in Switzerland. We found chocolate shops everywhere. But, in a cruel twist of fate, we couldn't buy any because we didn't have any Swiss Francs. I hate the Swiss.

Cheeeeese!

 

We hiked along the "Kaesewanderweg" or Cheese Path and found a great family owned creamery.