Travelog for: Thiele

That’s us in front of the pitman statue in Steele. Pitmen were really good for the city Essen, because they had a lot of coal mines here. Now there are only a few ones left and no one is still working, but this statue should remind you of the pitmen that did the work to make Essen to such a big city like it is now.

Today we went with BlackCat when she visited her boyfriend at work. He is working in a company that is in the Margarethenhöhe.
The Margarethenhöhe is a jewel of the city. It is one of the loveliest examples of the German garden city idea. This area of the city is idyllic and was donated in 1906 by Margarethe Krupp on the occasion of her daughter Bertha’s wedding. Maximum two storeys high, comfortably equipped flats for workers and employees were developed following the plans of architect Georg Metzendorf. Even though the area gives a feeling of unity, no house is the same. Various design elements such as bow fronts and hedgerows, arched gables, plaster and natural stone foundations were used to give homes individual appearances. The estate has been under historical preservation since 1987.
It was really nice there but it was still dark, so the photos aren’t so good.



A picture of Margarethe Krupp

This is one shop in the city of Essen. We found it when we were just walking around there. Doesn’t it look nice?

Today we made some cookies for the budgies of BlackCat. She found a recipe online how she can make cookies for her birds herself and wanted to try it. So we went with her in the kitchen and helped her as good as we could.


Looking for the grain feed


Putting an egg to the flour


Mixing it


Putting the grain feed into the mix of eggs and flour


Mixing it again




Making little cookies of it (not perfect, we know)


and now we have to wait 15 minutes…


The cookies are ready =)!


And the birds are happy about it.

I am back at my adopted family's home, just in time to visit my mentor's 'adopted' family. They live many miles away. I can't fly that far so we'll take a plane tomorrow morning. I'll update when I can.

We started out early in the morning. It was still a bit dark outside. Here's our plane to go over the Atlantic. We couldn't use the flash because of the reflection in the window.

We had a great view from the plane. The UK was covered in snow. And then, after a few clouds we had a great view of some islands.

I'm flying over Canada! I am happy I am on the plane and didn't have to fly all this distance myself. I would have needed a lot more time and it looks very cold out there.

A residential area here:

We went to the playground to have some fun with all the kids.

I don't know where exactly we are but we are being man-handled. Some funny person went through our bag and just put in a note after that. I tried to read it but only got a glimpse before it got dark again. Something about all luggage having to be searched now.

It snowed today but the snow melted on the ground. My new mentor said that's a good thing, because we have to drive a long way tomorrow and don't want to be stuck in the snow.

We arrived in Merzig today. This is the great view from our dorm window. You can see the former hospital and the red cross ambulance station.

It's dark and really tight in here. I wish we had a portable DVD-player, no that wouldn't fit, maybe an ipod, that would fit... at least some playing cards? I hope we arrive soon.

Hello! I arrived at Marjolein's place in 's-Hertogenbosch yesterday!

Today Marjolein bought a little present for her boyfriend:



Yummie!!! That's all milkchocolate, ooh lala I hope a get a little piece....

Hugs Thiele