Shannon Lubell

Wismar

Located in the historical region of Mecklenburg in Northern Germany, Wismar was founded in the 13th century. Throughout its history, the city has been part of various German states as well as the Swedish Empire. St. Marien Kirche While walking through the old town, the Scandinavian architectural influence was apparent. It became part of theContinueContinue reading “Wismar”

Hanseatic League

Summer of 2020 – our family’s opportunity to travel to new places in Germany, focusing on Brandenberg and the northern Hanseatic region. Sellin, Island of Rügen I had heard the term Hanseatic, but had not really understood its historical significance. Stralsund After spending two weeks in this Baltic area, I started to see the beautyContinueContinue reading “Hanseatic League”

Summer 2020

Plans to host our family in Germany this year have been sadly canceled. This has been the most difficult aspect of living in the time of a pandemic. Island of Rügen in the Baltic Sea With parents who are aging and whose health continues to slowly worsen, we can’t help but feel a sense ofContinueContinue reading “Summer 2020”

Buddy Bears at Tierpark Berlin

Today at Tierpark, Europe’s biggest animal park, we stumbled across a beautiful exhibit. It reminded me that all of humanity can work together through our differences. To embrace and celebrate those differences. And that we must work as one, especially through a pandemic. The boys took notice, but were more interested in visiting the RedContinueContinue reading “Buddy Bears at Tierpark Berlin”

Botanischer Garten

(If you are reading this post via email, I encourage you to visit my website, http://www.shannonlubell.com, so you can see my new design updates.) With things slowing opening up in Germany in the time of COVID-19, I am realizing that the best time to visit attractions here in Berlin is NOW. There have been soContinueContinue reading “Botanischer Garten”

Mulde Valley Roadtrip in Saxony

With Saxony opening up to visitors, we decided to escape the city and go on a four day road trip during the Ascension (Himmelfahrt in German – rhymes with fart) Weekend in April. We first drove two hours to Leipzig for a quick stopover for lunch (which we packed as we weren’t sure what wouldContinueContinue reading “Mulde Valley Roadtrip in Saxony”

Volkspark Weinberg

Gratitude. Only a two minute walk from our house is a splendid park called Volkspark Weinberg. With rolling, grassy hills, a lily-pad filled pond, a sizable playground, a massive rose garden, an al fresco bar, a Swiss restaurant, a splash pad (that turns into a skate park when the water is off) and plenty ofContinueContinue reading “Volkspark Weinberg”

Mother’s Day 2020

This year marked my 10th year celebrating Mother’s Day as a mom. {Köpenick Rathaus – city hall – on the left} To enjoy the day, we packed a picnic (with gourmet provisions procured the day before at the Kollwotzplatz farmer’s market and neighborhood gourmet Feinkost, or deli) and headed to Köpenick via a car shareContinueContinue reading “Mother’s Day 2020”

Life in Berlin with the Coronavirus: May

Please check back as I will add updates periodically. {That is too close} {That is too close} {That is a healthy distance} May 27 A lot has happened in the last two weeks. The boys went for haircuts. And not a moment too soon. Ben has even taken to dying his hair blue thanks toContinueContinue reading “Life in Berlin with the Coronavirus: May”

Potsdam

On one of the last days of Easter Break earlier this month, we took a Miles car share to Potsdam. While Potsdam could have been easily reached by public transport, we opted to disinfect the rental car and stay clear of others on public transportation. {Disinfecting the rental car and finding a note from MilesContinueContinue reading “Potsdam”