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Return From Amsterdam to Detroit
After 15 days in central Europe, James’ class comes to a conclusion.
James visited many different countries, toured many plants and learned about different businesses and business practices. He also did some work while in these plants, going over ledgers and such.
Needless to say Mom and Dad were anxious to get James home, he got through customs without any issues and was picked up at Metro airport in Romulus.
James had two fantastic trips this year, many students don’t get any so he is very thankful to Wayne State College for this wonderful opportunity. James saw 6 countries on this trip, and saw 2 countries on the France trip (France and England) so he saw 8 European countries in a two month period and it all counted as college credits, a pretty smart move on Jame’s part.
At this point James does not have any more over sea classes scheduled for his upcoming Senior year.
The Last Day in Central Europe – Royal FloraHolland
James and his class got a chance to visit Royal FloraHolland. Royal FloraHolland is the largest international floriculture marketplace for flowers and plants, operating as both an association of growers and a business entity. Royal FloraHolland handles an average of 100,000 transactions per day and generates an annual turnover of over 5 billion euros. With around 3,000 members from Europe, Africa, and Asia, as well as buyers from numerous countries, they are a leader in the floriculture sector.
After the tour and classes were over, James enjoyed a Thai restaurant with his classmates for their last dinner in Europe together.
Mom says many of the bulbs she buys each spring are from Holland, now we know why!
Continue reading “The Last Day in Central Europe – Royal FloraHolland”
Flight to Luxembourg and Train to Brussels Belgium
This was James’ free day and he decided to take a flight from Amsterdam to Luxembourg city (business class as they offered James an upgrade for a nominal cost). While in Luxembourg he visited the Grand Palace Ducal. After a brief visit to the city James took a Eurostar train to get to Brussels to meet up with his classmates. Later he went to the Atomium in Brussels but his phone was low. His ride to the town hall was cancelled and James had to make other arrangements with the help of two of his classmates before the phone died.
After sharing strategic ideas they went into a business who let them use a charger to charge up all their phones. They made all their destinations on time on this busy day (despite getting on the wrong train but right destination).
Without a doubt this was the most adventurous day of the trip, but lots of fun as James saw three countries just that day.
Continue reading “Flight to Luxembourg and Train to Brussels Belgium”
Return to Amsterdam
James and his class have completed their tour and are now back where they started, in Amsterdam. Originally when they flew into Amsterdam they immediately travelled to Poland and did not see too many sites in the city prime. This visit will be very busy with sight seeing and many educational opportunities for the class.
Some of the businesses that were visited included farms and bakeries, along with standard industry. Perhaps the most important visit was to the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. Unfortunately James could only take pictures of the outside of the home.
Annelies Marie “Anne” Frank was a German-born Jewish girl who kept a diary in which she documented life in hiding under Nazi persecution during the German occupation of the Netherlands. She is a celebrated diarist who described everyday life from her family’s hiding place in an Amsterdam attic.
Venlo, Holland
The Netherlands, which is also known as Holland, is a country in northwestern Europe, and is known for a flat landscape of canals, tulip fields, windmills and cycling routes. Canal side mansions and a trove of works from artists including Rembrandt and Vermeer remain from the city’s 17th-century. Venlo is a city and municipality in the southeastern Netherlands, close to the border with Germany.
During this time James stayed on the Holland/German border and while his hotel was in the Netherlands, he would commute to Germany each day. Pic Nic was one of the businesses that James visited so you could say that this class was a “picnic” in any language.
Munich Germany and Travel Day to Holland
Day 8 and 9 were down to business for the class, with lots of travel and visiting businesses such as Lear in Munich Germany. James no longer has a room all to himself as he is rooming with several other room mates in a Hostel in Munich.
Munich, Bavaria’s capital, is home to centuries-old buildings and numerous museums. The city is known for its annual Oktoberfest celebration and its beer halls, including the famed Hofbräuhaus, founded in 1589. In the Altstadt (Old Town), central Marienplatz square contains landmarks such as Neo-Gothic Neues Rathaus (town hall), with a popular glockenspiel show that chimes and reenacts stories from the 16th century.
James would travel to Venlo Holland with his class.
Continue reading “Munich Germany and Travel Day to Holland”
Travel Day to Munich Germany
James has now been out of the country for a week, and time is flying by. He calls or texts home once a day to let us know how he is doing and Mom and Dad both remind him to enjoy this time and this trip as he may never have this opportunity again.
Today is a travel day for James as the class will leave Prague and head to Munich Germany. One of the highlights of the trip will be visiting the Mercedes Benz that is located there and learning about European manufacturing from one of the most success business in the world. Spread across a lavish 400 sqm, Studio Odeonsplatz in the heart of Munich is an integrated physical and digital platform for our guests to network, talk to each other, and get inspiration. Constantly changing campaigns, exclusive themed worlds and cutting-edge installations – created in collaboration with leading designers, artists, tech experts and makers – fill Studio Odeonsplatz with vibrant life. The concept is topped off with a coworking and community area, complete with super speedy Wi-Fi and sweeping city views.
Prague Czech Republic
James and his class continued on their European visit, this day it was continuing in Prague.
There was plenty to keep the class busy as they visited multiple businesses, took tours of the business, and even worked some ledgers so the trip was not all sight seeing.
Prague, capital city of the Czech Republic, is bisected by the Vltava River.
Nicknamed “the City of a Hundred Spires,” it’s known for its Old Town Square, the heart of its historic core, with colorful baroque buildings, Gothic churches and the medieval Astronomical Clock, which gives an animated hourly show. Completed in 1402, pedestrian Charles Bridge is lined with statues of Catholic saints.
James had a great time and some decent weather while playing a tourist in Prague.
Travel Day Poland to Czech Republic
Today was a travel day so we will say one last thing about Wroclaw Poland.
Wrocław is a city on the Oder River in western Poland. It’s known for its Market Square, lined with elegant townhouses and featuring a modern fountain. Also on the square is the Gothic Old Town Hall, with its large astronomical clock. Nearby is the Panorama of Racławice, a painting depicting the 1794 battle for independence. The Centennial Hall auditorium, with its giant dome and tall spire, lies across the river.
This was a busy day for James as the class had to pack their bags, check out of the hotel, and take a train to Prague of the Czech Republic.
Along the way there was plenty of time for sight seeing. James saw a couple strange sights as well, such as the Duck Boutique and the Communism Museum, neither of which he entered.
Wroclaw Poland Museum
The trip to Central Europe was certainly not all business and school work. There was plenty of sight seeing on the schedule and plenty of sites to see and it is a good thing for James because he is not sure when his next chance to visit Poland will occur.
A beautiful museum that was filled with all sorts of motorcycles and automobiles through Polands history was one of the first stops. Lots of items from the war were on display here as well.
Wrocław is the third largest city in Poland and one of the most popular cities in Poland – and it’s no wonder. Its unique atmosphere, unique architecture and monuments, atmospheric restaurants and large number of tourist attractions mean that there is no place for boredom in this city.
