THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 8, 1994 TAG: 9409070162
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL
LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines
IT WASN'T EXACTLY A PICNIC but a recent three-week trip to Germany by a group of youth ambassadors for the Southern Conference of the United Church of Christ was certainly unforgettable.
The American group included seven youths and two adults from North Carolina and 11 youths and two adults from Hampton Roads.
``Incredible,'' ``exciting,'' ``exhausting'' and ``unbelievable'' were among the youthful exclamations exchanged at a recent reunion of several in the Hampton Roads' group.
Everyone agreed that the nine-hour trans-Atlantic flight was taxing - ``very long, boring and sleepless.'' But once the U.S. group landed in Frankfurt, it was life in the fast lane. A two-hour trek by Mercedes bus took the American team from the airport to picturesque Malteserhof, a youth hostel housing American teammates for the first leg of their journey.
Throughout the next five days, the American young people toured attractions in Bonn such as Beethoven's birthplace and the University of Bonn. A cruise down the Rhine River with new German friends and a shopping spree gave the American visitors a first-hand look at German life.
``We lived off of Cokes and Orange Fanta,'' Meredith Darden said. Non-carbonated bottled water was hard to find, and a few thirsty travelers made the mistake of buying fizzy seltzer water after being assured by a German vendor that ``this have no bubbles.''
Rock-hard bread, strong dark coffee and lots of flavored tea made the Suffolk delegation a little homesick for American fare, but a trip to a German Pizza Hut temporarily cured that.
Sweltering temperatures in the 90s made the lack of pure drinking water and iced beverages even more dramatic.
``It was the hottest summer in 107 years,'' exclaimed Jenny McGahee, who along with teammates had packed for cooler, wetter weather.
A visit to the Cathedral of Cologne, which claims to house tombs of the Three Wise Men, proved interesting. However, a torrential downpour cut this excursion short and forced the American youths into a subway station for dry shelter.
On Saturday, July 30, a six-hour train ride into Berlin opened up a mixed bag of cross-cultural experiences. The American youths toured Checkpoint Charlie, the major U.S. crossing through what had been the Berlin Wall, and Victory Tower. And the entire Suffolk crew bought souvenir T-shirts at Berlin's Hard Rock Cafe.
That Sunday, the American group visited a German church worship service. The American group participated by singing an African-American spiritual and then enjoyed pizza at a reception after the worship hour.
American and German youths also attended an American folk festival while on tour.
``It was a mini-version of the Suffolk Peanut Fest,'' explained Miki Parker, ``with rock 'n' roll in both English and German.''
An Aug. 3 tour of Sachsenhausen Memorial Center, a German concentration camp, had a chilling effect on the young people and adults from both nations. The Suffolk team related the horrifying things they saw - Jewish hair used for pillow stuffing and tattooed skin processed into lamp shades. But the American young people were also moved by the sadness and remorse of their new German friends over what happened in their country during World War II.
The highlight of their German visit came when the American young people spent a week in the homes of their new German friends. This ``adoption'' gave them an up-close view of the German family and German culture. Some learned to dance German-style.
Others went bowling with German friends - in a one-room, one-lane alley below a pub. Others enjoyed ``real food'' - steaks on the grill provided by German hosts. And Meredith Darden and Jennifer Jones helped lead an English class in a private girls' school.
Suffolk teens felt right at home with German teens. ``They acted just like we do,'' Miki Parker said.
``They were real nice and easy to get along with,'' Trelvoise Myrick added.
``Of all my experiences, I liked staying with my German family the best,'' Nelva Boone said. ``They accepted me so openly, they were so nice and extended such courtesy to me.''
Most of the American delegates left their host family laden with gifts - jewelry, German books and snacks for the return flight to the United States. But the greatest gifts exchanged between Americans and Germans were brotherly love and Christian friendship. And Suffolk ambassadors returned to the States inspired to go to other nations if given the opportunity again.
``This trip gave me a broader perspective of the world and a better understanding of how other people live,'' Jenny McGahee said. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Area ambassadors of the United Church of Christ cruise the Rhine
River with German youths. Under umbrellas are Miki Parker, left,
Meredith Darden, Jennifer Jones and Jenny McGahee.
by CNB