Day 3 in Berlin, June 20th

The third day in Berlin was filled with a discussion with the "Federal Foreign Office" about German education in America, a discussion with the "Federal Ministry for Family..." about the German family policy, and a visit to the old STASI records building. The STASI was the East German verion of the KGB during the Cold War. Last, we went on a walking tour around Berlin with our Atlantik Brucke guide Jurgen Pinnow who is very helpful and knowledgeable about all the locations we visited.

(1st picture and 2nd picture) Kevin, Todd, and myself standing in the Gendarmenmarkt. A beautiful open area. The 2nd picture is in the same open area and is the location of the Nazis book burning. Under the glass covering you can just barely make out the rows of empty book shelves that symbolize the event.

(3rd Picture) The third picture is inside the old STASI records building. We were not allowed to take close up pictures of any of the materials inside the building. This is Mr. Blum, the coordinator of the Records of former German Democratic Republic (Communist East Germany), otherwise known as STASI. The communists used to keep detailed records of everything their citizens did. There was no privacy. They would hire neigbors, friends, family, to spy on a person's daily activities to make sure no one was plotting against the communist government. Mr. Blum is describing the process. You can see in the back ground some of the records kept here. Also in this picture you can see Scott, Mr. Blum's assistant, our guide Jurgon, and Kathleen our California Education Department Rep.