Travelog for: Gunter Dagli

Hello
My name is Gunter. I moved inn at Jeanne's at the same day as Zeki Bey.
Today, we went out to the Marmara sea.

This picture we made in Bakirköy. In the background you can sea street vendors. You can find them everywhere in Istanbul, even on the highway, selling flowers, food etc..




Zeki Bey and me at home.


We weight ourselves.
I am not so heavy, don't you think so?




Sülyeman taught us to play computer games.
I lost.


Tomorrow we will go to Jeanne's finace's grandmother.
Maybe we will make some photos there too.

Merhaba,
Today we went to Üsküdar.
We made some pictures at the Bosporus. But not so many.





At this picture you can see the two Bosporus bridges.
One is in the far end and a little bit difficult to see.

Hi Mummy,
I arrived in Germany today! My frist host Katja picked me up from the post office in her lunch break. Before going back to work she showed me a little bit around the city.

The first photo was taken not too far from my current home. They have lots of pretty old houses here.



This house was painted in my favourite colour.



They have a large water tower in the middle of the city. The drinking water is pumped here from a nearby dam.



We walked along the city hall than.



It has a tower which is 48 m high.



Than I had a look at the market place in front of the city hall. A pillar with a lion, the heraldic animal of Remscheid, is situated here. In the background you can see the shopping mall.



When we came home in the evening, I was welcomed by five ToyVoyagers: Bilica who will leave soon, Bart, Belka, Tochi and Rafael. Bilica asked where Squirt was, Bart knew that she was sleeping somewhere in the living room.

Now I'm going to relax.

Bye
Gunter

Hi Mummy,
the weather was much better today, so we decided to take a walk with Katja's friend Kerstin who is living in Luettringhausen, a district of Remscheid close to the city border of Wuppertal-Ronsdorf. The two ladies wanted to walk to a nice restaurant with a beer garden and than back home.

We walked through a forest ...







Soon we reached the outskirts of Wuppertal-Ronsdorf. First we walked through a housing area.





Than we reached a rural area again.



From here it was not far to the restaurant. It is called "Sunshine Ranch"



We had "Nachos con chesa" and a salad - and a large beer.



We walked back the same way.





In the background you can see Luettringhausen.



Bye
Gunter

Hi Mummy,
Katja decided to try a wine-cooler with elderberry. Tomorrow she will meet a friend and than they want to enjoy it. It has to be prepared one day earlier.

First Katja went to the municipal park and plucked five elderberry umbels. The flowers will have to be put into water with sugar,  fresh mint, lemon juice and sliced lemon for about 24 hours.







Everything was prepared than ...



The bowl was closed than with a plate. The mixture has to rest at room temperature for 24 hours now.



Tomorrow the liquid will have to be filtered and cooled for a while. Than white wine and sparkling wine will be added.

I'm curious how it will taste

Bye
Gunter

Hi Mummy,
today Katja visited her friend Karin. They often meet in the evening, than they are knitting socks. Katja filtered the elderberry base and filled it into an empty bottle. We took it with us to Karin, who already had cooled sparkling wine and white wine.



Elderberry base, wine and sparkling wine were fillled into the punch bowl.



Ready!



Our elderberry drink is really delicious. Cheers!

Bye
Gunter

Hi Mummy,
we took a short walk today along the "Trasse des Werkzeugs" (Route of Tools), only a short walk because the weather was not good and we were afraid that it might have started to rain.

First we picked up Katja's friend Tatjana. I had a look at her birds - budgies and two small parakeets.



Everywhere they are working on the gas pipes.





We reached the Route of Tools soon. It is a closed former freight train track which can now used by pedestrians and cylists. It is a abt. 5 km long route from the central station to the district Hasten, which  had its own station years ago. The route was sponsored by local companies, mostly tool producing companies. Tools are produced here since middle ages.

Along the Route of Tools you can find many factory buildings, some are already dilapidated, others are still in use nowadays, some are under monument protection. You can also find some artwork. Here we met the Route of Tools, some signs are here, the first one showing the coat of arms of Remscheid, some are showing the logos of sponsoring companies.





We followed the route.



Here you can see a wrench pattern pressend into the tarmac.







This bench was made from a giant screw clamp.



I saw a pretty graffiti!



We reached the district  Hasten then, one of the oldest districts ofthe municipal area. You can find many old houses here.



We found more tool patterns on the ground.



The Route of Tools is ending in Hasten, we walked a bit longer here.









In this Patrician villa a museum is situated. The villa was built in the 1780s years.





You can see the German flag everywhere at the moment



Bye
Gunter

Hi Mummy,
today we went out in the early evening to watch the soccer match Germany vs. Ghana in the city centre, on the space in front of the city hall. We took a short walk before, along the Route of Tools. This time we walked towards the central station.



Sometimes you can find distance data on the ground.



I saw dilapidated factory buildings.



We had to leave the Route of Tools because even here they are working on the gas pipes.





Soon we reached the station.



The station was renewed, it was finished last summer.





From here we walked towards the city centre.



I found this  painting on the wall of a store for home decoration.



Close to the city hall many people were waiting for the soccer match to begin.



The space in front of the city hall was roped off for the public to watch the soccer matches of the German team on a large video screen.







Not much time left for the match to begin.



Do you know that the German team won 1 : 0 ? Now they will take part in the round of 16.



It was time to go home than.





Bye
Gunter

Hi Mummy,
we took a walk in the city in Katja's lunch break. It was incredibly hot, but inside the buildings it is as hot as outside, so it did not matter wheter we were sweating in the sun or inside the office.

Did I already show you the water tower opposite of the city hall?





This is Katja's favourite pet shop. We looked for some goodies for the ferrets here.



Here you can see that the city centre is surrounded by woodland. Nearly all streets are very steep.





This is the steepest street in the municpal area.





Katja told us that here once a brewery was situated. Nowadays the buildings are dismantled.



At this intersection several streets are leading into the city centre.



We were close to the central station than.



A new station was built, it was opened last summer. A new shopping centre was also built here.



From here you have good view around. Across the railway tracks to the district Hohenhagen, a housing area ...



... towards the city centre ...



... and the new station.



We walked back to Katja's work place than.



Bye
Gunter

Hi Mummy,
we took a walk today to see Germany's highest railway bridge - Muengsten Bridge.

Muengsten Bridge is connecting the cities of Remscheid and Solingen. It overspans the valley of the river Wupper. To walk to the valley took us about an hour. We walked along some pretty rural areas.





Here you can already see the railway track, leading to Muengsten Bridge. You can see it in the background of the photo.



We walked along this nice and shady path, meadows on the left side, the railway track in a hollow on the right side.



We had to walk really close to the railway track for a moment. The bridge is beginning after a few meters.



Our path led us underneath the tracks, to the upper foundation of the bridge. We had a fantastic view across the valley from here.



Have a look at the shadow of the bridge on the other side of the valley!



We walked and walked and saw this nice outlook pavilion.





What do you think what I saw from here? Muengsten Bridge! Katja told us that this would be our last chance to take a photo which is showing the whole bridge. From the bottom of the valley it is nearly impossible to take a good shot.



Muengsten Bridge is made of steel. It is 107 m high and spans the valley of river Wupper, which is marking the border between Remscheid and the neighbour town Solingen.

The bridge is 465 m long and was completed in 1897 A.D.

Finally we reached the bottom of the valley. A leisure park was built in 2006. A lot of people enjoyed the sun.



This is river Wupper, a really shallow river after some weeks with nearly no rainfall.



We went home by bus than.

Bye
Gunter

Hi Mummy,
I packed my things today and said good-bye to Katja, Squirt and camilla.

Katja took me with her to town and we bought a small packet with pink candies, as pink as I am



Than Katja showed me where I will go. Oh dear, ... this is halfway around the world ...



We wrote a postcard to my next host. I can see Muengsten Bridge on it!



We took an almost similar photo



Than it was really time to hop into my envelope. Katja took me to the mail box and than .......

When you read this, I will be travelling.

Bye
Gunter Dagli

Hi mom!
I arrived in Chang-won city, South Korea safely!
Here is my new host Jin's parents' house.
Jin is currently staying here during her school vacation.




I brought pink sweets for Jin.
She really likes these sweets


It was long way to arrive here so I am a little bit tired.
so Jin and I plan to explore this small city Changwon tomorrow!







Good night mom!

Gunter

Hi Mom?

In the morning,
I went to the department store with Jin and Jin's mother.
We drove their by Jin's mom's car!
I enjoyed the sight stick to the front window.









We arrived at 'Dae Woo' department store and had shopping there!
Jin bought a pique t-shirt and Jin's mom bought a pair of high heels.
Me...? .....







I met a good-looking Teady guy in the Men's clothing 3rd floor.
He was doing his work as a professional model..AWESOME!
His flawless skin, prominent nose and deep dark eyes...
Smile on his face seems never going to be fade away.
I think he is born to be a model!!






...and took another picture in 2nd floor!




After the shopping, we became to really hungry.
so, we left the store and headed to restaurant for eating lunch.




We went to American style restaurant called Ashley.
Jin said this place is good for eating light lunch in reasonable price.





Yumyumyum....





Beautiful woman in the back with green shirt is Jin's mom!
she really likes me! 





Jal-meok-ut-sup-ni-da!
(it's a salutation after eating meals in Korea!)





After eating lunch, Jin and my stomach were 130% full!
hard to breathe! (yes, we couldn't eat light lunch in Ashley.. there are so many delicious foods..)
So we decided to ride a city bike to home to activate our stomach digestive system. 


Changwon city has a city bike system called 'Nubija'.
Anyone can rent a bike very easily. Just touch the LCD panel with one finger!
If you join a membership in its website, it only costs 3$ for a montly use. If you are just a temporary visitor, it costs 1$ for a day.




In addition, this 'Nubija' system is connected to other city transportation system like buses, taxis...
so, anyone who has city transportation card, one can rent the bike just accessing card to the bike-kiosk, without using LCD panel.



yay! Let's Ride!




Every road in the city has red painted road in its side only for bike riders. for their safety!





green green summer~





Way home, took picture with a city court!







Finally, we arrived at home!
Now, Jin's legs seems much stronger than this morning! 
We will visit Old traditional houses tomorrow.
I am very excited with that!





Good night mom!

Gunter

Hi mom!
Today we went to 'The house of Changwon'.
Old Korean traditional houses are stood in this area, about 200 years ago.
Jin said that The house comprises 14 buildings.
It was partially restored and reconstructed in 1984-85 with the purpose of protecting and preserving some of the traditional legacies.
also I heard that This house is originally belonged to a famous scholar, Ducheol Ahn (1779~1846).







This is the front gate of house!





At the front gate, you can see two of 'Jangseung' next to me.
'Jangseung' is kind of Korean traditional totem pole.
People believed that they protect the house and village from evil spirits.
Now, let's get inside!





This is the 'Sarangchae' (guest suite).
it is close to the 'Anchae' (master suite) and includes
'Sarangbang school' and master's room.




This room is 'Sarangbang school'. It is used as a home schooling place for children.
You can see a teacher and a boy!




Old well!








Let's go to the farming equipment storages!






Wood pestles. They were used as grind grains and other crops.


Just like this!



Look those brown crocks! They are called as 'Jang-dok'
I heard that they are so important things for food life of Korean people.
They contain and preserve Korean marinades, seasonings, soy sauce, Kimchi....
Jin said that Koreans use these Jangdok even today.



Let's go to the another places!






It's Kitchen!




Here is a fire place used as boiling pots.
You can see big black pot. that is called 'Gama-sot'  !




Potteries , gourd dippers and some craftworks....



Here is 'Anchae'. Woman's quarter.
















A garden inside the house





yay Photo time!
It is Korean traditional wedding clothing for groom and bride.







These two men taught me how to make a fire in the furnace!







Inside of folk museum. Old fashion items!




How do I look?








We had a good time in this old place! 

Tomorrow we are going to go country side of Korea.
Jin's grandmother's house.
It is going to be fun.

goodnight mom!

Gunter.

Hi mom?
How's everything going?

Today, Jin and I went to Jin's grandmother's house in Changnyeong.
It is located in country side with lots of mountains and valleys.

It took about 1 hour to get there by Jin's dad's car.


Finally, we arrived at Jin's grandma's house!





The dog whose name is 'JJolang ee' seems really excited about our visiting!


Jin's grandma grows many crops in her garden.
corns, pomegranate trees, cherry trees, onions, garlics....








Many 'Jang dok' here in the front yard.
We saw these same Jangdok at House of Changwon before


Inside of grandma's house.
I have no idea how old this house is but Jin said that the frame of house was originally built by Jin's father's grandfather's grandfather!






After eating lunch, we went to valley side near the house.




yay~ kids were playing in the water to cool down this hot weather!


We ate 'pat bing su'!
it's popular summer snack in Korea.
Grind the ice first, then put some red-bean jam, fruits, jellys on it and pour some milk.


Cooling water-melon with falling water!





Green green green tinted world






We took a short visit to a small temple near the valley side.
The name of this temple is 'Bub sung sa'.


People were praying their wishes by walking around this tower statue.


Main building of this temple.
Let's go inside!







Statues of Buddha carving in stones.





Those typical color and patterns were everywhere inside of this building.







On way home, we found old ancient tomb at the road side.
The sign said, these tombs are believed to have been constructed at 1st century B.C.
It was discovered with variety of burial accessories such as footed plates, jars, iron weapons,
agricultural tools and instruments, and ornaments in gold and silver.








good night mom!

Gunter