Schwerin - May 13

The beautiful castle in Schwerin, Germany, where we are visiting

After a nice 1-1/2 hour train ride from Berlin, we were greeted by the Schwerin Friendship Force Club.  Our hosts, Elke and Hartmut, took us to a restaurant with a view of the city for coffee and delicious cake.  There was a brief Welcome by their president and all the members of their club, 28 in all.  They explained that Schwerin was in the former East Germany and our hosts and most of the people in their club lived under Communist rule under the GDR (German Democratic Republic).  They could not travel outside of Germany, Russia or Poland.  They lived in government housing and there was little money.  They had to work 7 days a week - work, work, work - but everyone had a job.  They could see television from the west and knew what was happening in the rest of the world.  However, on the upside, Schwerin is a city on the shore of 7 lakes and beautiful wooded areas and farmland. 

In late 1989 some of the people in Schwerin bravely demonstrated.  They wanted to join the rest of the world and have independence,  So, they lit candles and walked together and even sang, "We shall overcome."  It was a scary time because the Police followed them around and they were not sure what would happen to the demonstrators.  Fortunately around that time, the Berlin Wall came down and "reunification" occurred with West Germany.  Some were able to get their homes and land back.  However, it has been difficult because there is still a high unemployment rate in this area - 15 to 20% - and that means that many of the young people have started to move away to the larger cities to obtain employment.  Others have to travel long distances to work.



With our hosts, Elke and Hartmut

Our hosts, Elke and Hartmut, are retired and have a nice home in an historic building that they purchased in 1999.  We have a nice room on the lower level with a private bathroom and sitting area.  They learned Russian in school and only a little English.  However, we have been  communicating well with a dictionary and Richard's little knowledge of German (which he took many years ago).  Elke and Helmut are lovely, warm people and we are enjoying them very much.  Tonight they took us out to eat and "German" bowling with their friends (who bowl once a month).  This is quite different from American bowling - but we got the idea and had a great time.  During the day, everyone went on a tour of the city, castle grounds and theater.   Tomorrow, they are talking us on a trip to see the North Sea.  Check out our photos below.

Our Friendship Force of Southwest Florida Group posing before the lake in Schwerin- HI EVERYONE!!

 

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