Learning about the Weimar Republic in Weimar, Germany

Upon an invitation from a church in Berlin, Germany, our group travelled and visited different cities in Germany about two weeks. After conducting a cell group meeting, a Sunday service and presenting workshops to the local church group, we planned to visit other church groups nearby. We were advised that getting a Germany pass as the most convenient and economical way to travel according to our schedule.

Unfortunately, our encounter with the staff at the Berlin train station was not a pleasant experience at all. At the train station, We were directed to go to a certain place to purchase the pass but we ended up going to three different places before we could finally buy our tickets and the customer service was not what we had expected. At the main train station in the downtwon core of Berlin, the ticket agent refused to serve us when it was our turn. She said in a rude tone of voice that she didn't speak English and called up the next customer in line. Really? in the centre of Berlin at an international ticket office, this German ticket agent could not speak enough English to serve us? We felt it was a coverup for her to discriminate us therefore refusing to serve us. This was not the first time we were treated rudely by service personnel in Germany. No longer willing to tolerate this kind of unacceptable behaviour, we went to the customer office to complain about it. The staff at the Customer Service was more courteous. Eventually, we got help buying our passes and were given a coupon for a free drink for each of us. However, we didn't wish and anticipate that simply purchasing a German pass in Berlin could turn into such an unpleasant eventful afternoon.

The next day, we boarded the 8 a.m bus and then a train which took us to Weimar, in the state of Thuringia, our first city outside of Berlin. My first impression of Weimar was how pretty this town was!

One thing that I remember well of Weimar was the number of old people's portraits placed around the area near the train station. Who were these people? Why are there so many pictures like that placed all around in this area? I was curious and wanted to find out more about it.

Before we visited Weimar, I knew very little about this city. As I did some research, I learned more about the Weimar Republic "...officially known as the German Reich was a historical period of Germany from Novembr 9, 1918 to March 23, 1933, during which it was a constitutional federal republic for the first time in history.The German National Assembly forming the constituent National representative body of the German Republic, created after the revolution of 1918-19, met in the city from Feb. 6, 1919 and the constitution of the new republic ( known commonly as the WEIMAR REBULIC ) lasting until 1933 was drawn up here." ';

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The other cities we visited included Erfurt, Eisenach and Arnstadt. The visit to Arnstadt was brief but very interesting. We even had time to do some quick shopping there and I found a pair of well fitted white jeans. Rev. Jonathan was really excited about seeing the 'Bach Church' - where Bach got his first job as an organist. The staff member at the museum was very patient with our questions and gave us lots of helpful information.

I even got to play on a fake organ where I pretended to be playing an organ located outside of the building. Really enjoyed it! We had dinner at a Chinese restaurant and also saw a small protest of people about something. An interesting and educational day for us! R.T. Weimar/ Arnstadt, Germany 03062024