Here are my pix from our recent trip to Dresden. We also went to Prague, but that will come later.

Thanks to everyone who helped us navigate our short, 3 day stay..

Just click on the link, go to "Pictures and Videos" and then "Slideshow.

https://pixfromdresden.shutterfly.com/

Dresden looks nice in the winter light.

I agree with Michael, very pretty. I suddenly have a desire to visit Dresden. Thank you for sharing these!

Your husband goes by Ms., eh?

Thanks for sharing - love the photos, especially the desserts - they look yummy! What a somber looking synagogue.

Very excited to visit this city!!!

Yeah - They took what they thought was MY name for the reservation (guess they don't know if "Ken" is male or female) and so put the "Ms" in front of it. Also, his last name was spelled the German way on the reservation. He has a "t" in front of the "z".

adrienne - The synagogue looked like a fortress to me. Just a couple of tiny windows at the very bottom. I guess it's a "you can't get to me again" architecture. A bit disturbing.

Great photos - envious to be there!

Really lovely winter light photos. Gives a wordless review of a city with some elegant buildings, and to think it was totally destroyed in WW2.

Thanks, kenav. Enjoyed the pictures very much. You did treat yourselves to some yummy desserts! Could be me ;-)

As for the synagogue - it really looks like a fortress. The light comes in from the roof. The actual synagogue and the administration building together with connecting walls form a courtyard, the front of the administration building facing the courtyard (with public cafe) is all glass. Hard to believe that this structure won a World Architecture Award.

Yes, the administration building of the synagogue is directly opposite it and has more windows. But the synagogue itself, while an interesting outer shell, made me uncomfortable with its need to protect itself to such an extent. I am Jewish and this is the first time I've been in Germany. Didn't know how I'd feel. But I and my husband didn't feel uncomfortable there. People all were very pleasant to us. Additionally, there seemed to be a concerted effort to fight racism.

We have some wonderful video, especially of the outdoor activities at the opera gala with people waltzing and outdoor stage stuff.

We really had a wonderful time. More museums to see in Dresden. Hadn't initially realized how much there would be. I guess we'd have to go back another time for the Zwinger exhibits.

The bus to Prague from Dresden was really high tech. Screen on seat in front of you. Kind of like in an airplane with games and films, but only in Czech. I played Tic Tac Toe and kept losing! They even give you ear phones and free tea. The 2-hour ride went by in a flash.

Glad to hear about your good time in Dresden.

I never took the bus Dresden-Prague or vice versa. Which company was that?

Bus company was Student Agency. We picked up the bus on the street outside the main train station. Bought the tickets on line before we left the U.S.

BTW - It was quite moving to see pictures of Dresden after the bombing and how it's been reconstructed today. Is the reconstruction still gong on?.

Ah, thanks. I heard of that bus company.

Yes, the reconstruction is still going on. The plan is to reconstruct about 60% of the old buildings (mostly facades, though), and add the rest in contemporary style - with regulations about height, material, roof shape etc.

I was there in mid December. I love the city and your pictures bring the memories back.

My relatives lived in Dresden, and they were on the last U.S. ship leaving Germany prior to WWII. They landed at Ellis Island on Thanksgiving, 1939.

The great grandmother was euphanized by the family doctor, as she was too elderly to travel. Three cousins made it out and are about 90 years old today.

It was maybe the most beautiful of all European cities prior to "the bombings" in retribution to the atrocities the American solders were discovering. It was a useless bombing of a city as the war was essentially over.

Thank you Martha.

Bamaman - What a family story!