Germany Educational Trip 2019 - Day 1

5/11/2019

Children having fun with a street performer at a street corner of Frankfurt

[11 May] 25 educators of Hong Kong involving school heads and senior administrators of Direct Subsidy Schools have arrived at Frankfurt for an 8-day learning programme in Germany. The 12-hour flight was a bit bumpy but we landed safely at around 6:45 am this morning.

Headmistress Mrs Lam and I represent Ying Wa Primary School this year to join the adventure. Although Mrs Lam left the group early for a music experience in Berlin on Day 1, and although this day was shadowed by annoying showers, gloomy clouds and chilling winds, this was still a greatly fruitful day for me as I could take parts in all sorts of cultural experience in Frankfurt. Some highlights are as follows:

Our main means of transportation today was the German railway (S-Bahn). Their trains seemed to be less frequent than Hong Kong's and the stations were not as modern as I expected, and yet the trains were fine and were able to take us to places.

We had a great lunch in a restaurant enjoying the food and the time sharing among colleagues from different schools. The European style of serving was usually nice and slow. I guess good things often require one to wait – an experience in a German restaurant could train up your patience!

Not far from our hotel is the famous old bridge “Alte Brücke” over River Main. The funny thing was that when I walked to the centre of the bridge, I could feel it bounce up and down a little! Also, there were plenty of locks on each side of the bridge.

Over the bridge, I walked to a small art gallery displaying a room of intriguing art form. This set of contemporary arts put together various items including dangling bells, paintings, photographs, tables of items, a TV screen, carpets and a sofa. I thought it was a studio where artists were in the progress of making something when I entered! But the leaflet told me that each item placed in the room was having artistic purposes. Although I am not an experienced visual artist, I found this hybrid form of expression meaningful. It’s like a combination of arts and daily lives.

There are certainly a lot more to share about my experience today but I do need some time to rest now! Before I sleep, how about trying to answer these questions (please leave your responses in the comments box)?

1. These locks I mentioned...what is their use? (Creative answers acceptable!)

2. I found these letters interestingly dangling from a glass door of a shop. Google translation didn't help this time. Can you help explain what these tags were for?

3. This one is tricky...what was this publication and where did I see it?

All answers will be revealed after my journey. Students with the best participation and quality of responses to my questions (due 20 May) in this trip will be awarded with gifts from Germany! And of course, your general feedback to my travelogue entries is highly welcome too and can be equally praised. Will write you again tomorrow!

Dr H C Lee

54 Comments

Linus Ho 6A12

5/13/2019 11:25:47 am

Question number 1 answer: I think these locks are just decorations for the tourists to appreciate and look at.
Question number 2:May I know what is the shop relate to?The words will be relevant to the topic of the shop or name.
Question3:I really can't guess.I surrender.
Dr.Lee, you are right, the trains are not frequent compare to Hong Kong.The problem is not because of the German Railway system ,it is because the MTR frequency in HK are assumed to be relevant to the HK daily life,so the trains go fast,therefore,Germany's slow.

Poko Lam

5/14/2019 06:26:20 pm

1. I think those are love locks. According to tradition, lovers would travel to a river and lock a padlock at the bridge rails as a sign of their engagement. Then they would throw the key away into the river bed where they can never find it again. The ritual is supposed to make their love last forever and to perpetuate happiness between them. Germany is full of Love Lock Bridges.
2. I think it means 'closed', it is because if you unscramble 'desolc', you can spell out the word 'closed'.
3. Maybe it is a sketch book, I think you saw it in the art gallery, but I don't know which publication it is

Roy Chan 6E04

5/14/2019 06:36:09 pm

Question 1 answer: I think these locks were hung there by tourists,
like a symbol(maybe a traditional one?) that they had been to one of the famous tourist attractions in Germany, seeing that the 'Alte Brucke' bridge has a history of more than 200 years.
Question 2 answer: I'm not sure about this, so I'm guessing 'desolc' is not really a meaningful word, but maybe a sort of traditional kind of food/dessert?(I can't really see whats in those jars on the shelves)
Question 3 answer: The most likely answer is that this was either one of the artworks inside the gallery or this photo was taken inside the 'desolc' shop. Regarding the publication, maybe its about some religious message? I can't really get anything from the praying child.
Thoughts: Regarding the safety of the 'Alte Brucke' bridge, I think the German government should think of maybe try and make the bridge more solid and safe(Seeing that it swings slightly when people walk on it, the government might have to think of something soon). Although the government might have no choice but not let people walk on the bridge in order not to damage the bridge more and keep the original look of the famous bridge, I hope people can not only have a stroll on this historical bridge, but also keep the 'Alte Brucke' bridge sturdy and safe.

Jonathan Ford link

5/15/2019 05:02:12 pm

1) The locks are symbols of love: before certain German people get engaged, they put a loch on a bridge, lock it, then throw the key away into the river. It proves that their love cannot be 'unlocked' and is therefore immortal.
2) I think it means closed, but just spelt backwards for a unique effect.
3)April the 30th was a very important day for Germans in WWII. In 1940, it was the day when polish ghettos for Jews were sealed to the public, locking the Jews inside. In 1941, it was the day that Greece was captured by German and Italian forces, maybe that child is a Greek child hoping that they can defeat the Nazis. It was also the day that Britain suffered its worse raids during the Battle of Britain. In 1943, it was the day when one of the largest military deceptions took place, against the Germans. I n 1945, it was the day that Soviet forces strode in to Berlin and Hitler commited suicide, perhaps that child is a German one, hoping to be safe whilst the 'Red Army' strode through Berlin. I think that it represents children from different corners of the world trying to be safe and show humanity, and how dreadful war is.

Jonathan Ford (NEW AND REVISED COMMENTS) link

5/15/2019 05:48:27 pm

1) The locks are symbols of love: before some German people get engaged, they put a padlock around a bridge railing, lock it, then throw the key into the river. It symbolises that their love cannot be 'unlocked' and is therefore immortal.

2) I think the tags are an innovative 'open' and 'closed' sign for a store. When the store is closed, the word 'closed' wil be exposed to the outside of the store; when the store is open, the store owner will turn the individual pieces of cardboard around to reveal the word 'open'.

3) I think that the pulication is a diary, and is flipped to April the 30th because that day was important for diaries, as Anne Frank's diary was first published in English on that day. I think Dr. Lee saw it in the art museum which he visited, as such a picture and diary could be interpreted as a meaningful piece of art.

Keith 6A17

5/15/2019 06:12:04 pm

Wow!I have never seen thoes delicious food!
I think the locks are for couples,to lock their love.

5/18/2019 02:39:20 pm

Sorry Dr.Lee,i haven't finished writing then i mistakenly pressed send.Okay,let me finish what i want to say.
Question2:I think the words is a short form of something...
Question3:I surrender,i can't search for its publication.I think you found this in a library.

Max Ma 6A20

5/15/2019 07:17:43 pm

I want to ask how did the other teachers and principals from the other schools react to the food and train you wrote about, btw, how long did your dining experience last for?

Colin Tong Sek Yuen 6A 20

5/15/2019 07:49:20 pm

1. The locks are symbols of love: before certain German people get engaged, they put a loch on a bridge, lock it, then throw the key away into the river. It proves that their love cannot be 'unlocked' and is therefore immortal. The 'Alte Brucke' bridge has a history of more than 200 years, and it's breathtaking and simply spellbinding with a glimpse of magic. I believe Dr. Lee might be lucky to perpetuate happiness the same as on the love lock bridge. by the way, I'm surprised that the bridge swings . Isn't it sturdy? More protection and safety would make the attraction better.
2. it's just an innovative and unique way to spell the word 'closed'. When the store is closed, the word 'closed' will be exposed to the outside of the store; when the store is open, the store owner will turn the individual pieces of cardboard around to reveal the word 'open'. Interesting, huh?
3. As the internet exposes the information below:
- In 1941, it was the day that Greece was captured by German and Italian forces, maybe that child is a Greek child hoping that they can defeat the Nazis.
- In 1943, it was the day when one of the largest military deceptions took place, against the Germans.
- April the 30th was a very important day for Germans in WWII. In 1940, it was the day when polish ghettos for Jews were sealed to the public, locking the Jews inside.
Ah-ha! Yes, this might be the diary of Anne frank. Her diary was published on that day too !
Germans are calm and relaxed; Hongkongers are more agitated and nervous in their daily life. It might be hard to adapt the different lifestyle.

Jonathan Law 6D12

5/15/2019 08:26:42 pm

Is the food you taste good or bad,you like it or not and did you all finish them?

Dr H C Lee

5/16/2019 06:56:15 am

The food was great! I finished my dish of course!

Ian Chong 6A 10

5/15/2019 09:12:58 pm

Question 1: Those locks symbol of promise and love. People write their wishes on the lock and put away the key so that their wishes can be forever.
Question 2: Maybe the word 'Desolc' means a meaningful word in German.
Question 3: You should see it in a bookstore as it looks like a diary. It should be meaning a very important day in German history.

Dr. Lee, I think the idea of having those locks symbolling love is great, but the government should ban the bridge for having so many locks and put a box to let people put the keys inside, not in the river.

Dante Chang 6A 04

5/15/2019 09:50:59 pm

Question one:The locks means 'forever love' .But i saw the same 'bridge of love locks' in Paris last summer ?
Question two:i think if you flip the word 'desolc' is 'closed' ,if the shop was opened,will it be 'denepo' ?
Question three:sorry Dr Lee I really don't know where did you see that and what publication was that.

Matthew Leong 6B15

5/15/2019 09:53:07 pm

Q1: I think the locks are some decorations from people who want to leave something on the bridge for bring good luck.
Q2 : I think it means “ closed” as you read the word backwards it spelt as “ closed”.
Q3: I think it is a sample book or diary from a museum or from the art gallery.

6B11 Koo Ying Lap

5/15/2019 10:24:01 pm

Q1:I thank that those locks are for people to do a promise for anything.
Q2:I think it should be the shop name or a slogan.
Q3:The chidren in the book is praying so ti may be abook in a church.

5/15/2019 10:26:39 pm

Recorrect:
Q1:I thank that those locks are for people to do a promise for anything.
Q2:I think it should be the shop name or a slogan.
Q3:The children in the book is praying so it may be a book in a church.

Daniel Cheng

5/15/2019 11:48:49 pm

Answer for question number one:
I think those were Wish Locks, when you make your wish and locked the lock, your wish will come true. Its looked like the Wishing Tree in Hong Kong.
Answer for question number two:
I think the word"DESOLC" means for "WELCOME". It was because these letters dangling from a glass door of a shop, so I think that it stands for"WELCOME".
Answer for question number three:
I think that I should surrender.

Charlie Lui 6A

5/15/2019 11:51:51 pm

1.l think they are traditional love locks which sweethearts give to their lovers.They are hanged from a bridge,monument or a
fence.They are usually treated as worthless trash.It is surprising that the relative authorities haven't cleaned the bridge yet .But it is not specifically a German love symbol.
2.I think it means closed because the background is a shop and the door was closed .l think it is just a funny way to say closed.
3.it looks like a diary or fairytale book.Maybe something like Anne Frank?

Holman Chan 6A (3)

5/16/2019 07:28:36 am

I saw the first picture If I am there, I would rush into the bubble and play.Do you want to play at that moment?First question,I think the locks is for commemorate people.Maybe there’s a big accident happened there and they need to commemorate the dead people.Second question ,I think it is mean discount ,because it looks like the word desolc . Last question,I think you find it in the calendar .

Joshua Lam 6E 13

5/16/2019 07:07:32 pm

1) The lock are a symbol for love which can't be separate.
2) If you flip the words around it will be closed on the outside, if you don't turn it around in would mean open.
3) I will surrender.

Lo Yik Ming 6C (14)

5/16/2019 07:46:57 pm

The first question: I think the locks mean that the love of the two person won’t separate since then.
The second question: The word is ‘closed’. It is just flipped over.
The third question: I don’t really know. Maybe it’s a special yet important date of Germany or Dr. Lee.
I’ve never been to Germany and hope you’ll have a wonderful trip!

Justin Chan 6E 02

5/16/2019 08:08:14 pm

1) The lock is hanged beside a bridge and its key is thrown into the river. I think it is a symbol for unbreakable love.
2) I think these letters mean closed. If you flip the word 'desolc' around, it will be 'closed'.
3) It looks like Anne Frank's diary.

Mike Lam 6D 10

5/16/2019 08:51:22 pm

Question 1: Those locks should be locked on by some lovers, and it symbolizes unbreakable love.
Question 2: I think the letters mean "closed" because if you reverse the letters "desolc" you get "closed".
Question 3: This should be a famous person's diary. I guess you found it in a military or history museum in Germany because 30th April is an important day there as Nazi leader Adolf Hitler committed suicide on that day.

Chester Wai 6A 25

5/16/2019 09:03:00 pm

Question 1: I think those locks are symbols of love, as I think it means to put two person together and locked them, and they will stay forever. (forever love!)
Question 2: I think it means 'closed', as usually people will hang the 'open' sign or 'closed' sign on the door of the shop, because you are in the shop so it is opened, therefore the 'open' sign is in the outside, the sign you see is 'closed'
Question 3: I think it is a calendar and you see it maybe on a wall of a shop?

Dr Lee, why do you have no emotion in the picture of eating lunch? Also I want to ask do you touch the bubbles in the first picture? Hope you have a nice and fruitful trip!

5/18/2019 12:27:30 am

I didn't have emotion? I think I looked happy! I didn't touch those bubbles, those bubbles touched me!

Jaydon Wu (6B)

5/16/2019 09:15:51 pm

Question 1:it should be used to lock the couple's love to each other and wish not to separate
Question 2: When you spell "desolc" upside down, you may spell "closed"
Question 3:would it be a diary from the art gallery.
any special things can that "Ballooner"(the guy in the first photo) do?

Fu Yat Yuet 6B08

5/16/2019 09:30:12 pm

The answer for question 1:
I think they are love locks. People put the locks there to wish for eternal love.
Question 2:
It was "closed", but spelled back to front.
Question 3:
I really don't know the answer for this one. Can I have some tips?

Nicholas Cheng 6A 05

5/16/2019 10:59:13 pm

Q1: Maybe those locks are for telling people that the person who locked the lock went to the bridge.
Q2: It means closed, but spelt backwards.
Q3: I have a feeling that you found it in the hotel as a decoration.
And I also think that the bubbles are very amazing. I really want to learn how to make them.

Cheston Leung 6A 16

5/17/2019 07:18:05 am

question 1: I think its about to let lovers to keep their love in the lock forever
question 2:Shift???
Even though the railway station is not modern as you think but I think it looks very artistic. Is the food well there?

Henry Choi 6A

5/18/2019 10:16:12 am

Q1 :I think the locks are useless .Maybe it is to tighten the bridge or because the people who put their locks there don't have enough space to put a lock in their house?
Q2 :I think it means opened ,because it is the word "closed" but spelled backwards ,so the meaning is closed's opposite ,and that means opened .
Q3 :DD/MM/YY :30/04/?? , I really cannot guess the year. I think you saw itin the art gallery displaying room ,or else it will be in a art magazine
Dr. Lee ,what does the first picture means ?Is it people who are playing bubbles ,or is it the weather you mentioned :annoying showers?

5/19/2019 07:12:26 pm

The children were playing with the bubbles in a light shower. It was very cold out there.

Justin yip. 6C 29

5/18/2019 02:49:17 pm

Q no.1. I think those locks are for bikes
Q no.2. Those letters may be relevant to the shop. But I don’t think it’s a word.
Q no.3. It must be an important day in German history. Did you see it in a museum?
I think the art gallery is quite pretty and it make me calm. I’d like to visit it someday!

Andy Law

5/18/2019 09:17:19 pm

1) Those are love locks, which are used by couples to ”lock their love”, showing that their love will never be gone.
2) It is simply the reversed version of "closed". It is used by the shop to represent that it is closed.
3) I think you saw it in the art gallery, and it is a special diary designed by somebody that uses pictures to draw their diary every day.

Austin Chan

5/18/2019 11:05:02 pm

What a great day in Germany! Although I have not been to Germany, still i have been to nearby countries, like Netherlands and Belgium, but both of the are all more classic than Frankfurt. They don't even have subways! But of course the subway is more faster! And also the answers to the questions:
No.1, Those locks are love locks, where lovers tie them on the bridge to say they are very close, also another one of these can be found in France;
No.2,the word is actually the English word 'closed', but it is spelled backwards;
No.3, I think it is a sketch book from the art gallery, but I don't think the publish date will be so obvious, right? But still I don't really know about it!

Bryan Choy

5/19/2019 12:24:12 am

I like the art museum as the clean environment calms me down a lot.
No.1 These locks might be love locks and people do this all over the word to symbolize eternal love. They carve something on the lock, lock them up then throw the key into the river.
No.2 DESOLC is actually closed spelled backwards.
No.3 April 30 is actually the day which Hitler committed suicide with his wife.

Jayden Ku 6B12

5/19/2019 12:14:03 pm

Q1 I think the locks were locked by German.To 'lock' their country together.
Q2 It is the backward of the word CLOSED
Q3 I think it is a biography from different children in a children hospital

Morris

5/19/2019 02:52:18 pm

No.1 I think it is a lock that locks love on the bridge.
No.2 It spells "closed" backward.
No.3 I guess that it is a calendar and it is in the library.

Joshua Kwok 6B13

5/19/2019 06:55:16 pm

Q1 I think they are put there by couples to have something to remember by as I saw a tag saying aga &sue.
Q2 I think it is a kind of greeting .
Q3 It looks like the publication is on the second page but I'm not sure because the words are too small, I can't really see what it says.

Dr.Lee, it looks like you had a really fruitful first day in Germany!The food seems delicious, and the bouncy bridge looks interesting!

Lawrence Ma 6C16

5/19/2019 07:01:34 pm

Q1: I think its a thing for couples when they visit this landmark.
Q2: It might be a scrambled version of "closed" or they are random tags to make a word for yourself.
Q3: I have no idea what it is, but I think it's something from a museum, maybe a diary that belonged to some famous person.

Samuel Li 6B17

5/19/2019 07:21:42 pm

1)I think these locks were hung by tourists.
But I have a question,if these locks were hung by tourists, is it suppose to have a lot of locks on it?
2) I think the letters mean "closed" ,it will hang up when the shop is closed.
3)I think it is a diary and it seems like it is from a museum.

Choi Lok 6A07

5/19/2019 07:28:13 pm

These are my answers to your questions:
1) I think these are love locks, if you do't mind me repeating the answer. I enlarged the photo and found out they had "who & who" wrote on the locks.
2) I don't find anything else than "closed" reversed.
3) I had interesting results when I enlarged the photo. I found the word wochenmenü on the top right and found a restaurant. Was it the name of the restaurant you ate in?

Michael

5/19/2019 09:08:34 pm

I think the first one is like a love lock. It symbolizes couples living together and loving each other forever. The second one is just closed reversed. The third one might be a diary of someone.

SkyWong 6A 27

5/19/2019 10:38:44 pm

Q1: I think these are love locks.
Q2: I think it means the shop is 'closed'.
Q3: I think it's a sketch book and a calendar crossover.

Larry Tam 6A 22

5/19/2019 10:44:47 pm

NO.1:I think that the locks on the bridge are the LOVE-LOCKS,the couples put locks on the bridge to 'mark down' their love.
NO.2:It is the the 'Closed' sign of the shop.
NO.3:I think it might be a diary of someone who was a German.

Anson Cho 6B 02

5/19/2019 11:22:26 pm

Question 1: I think the locks means that to love each others forever, and to lock their love together.
Question 2: I think the meaning of desolc is closed, because if you read the letters backwards, it would be closed.
Question 3: I think it is a diary and you see it in the museum.

Karl

5/20/2019 12:15:32 am

1 I think that the lock are for chaining two peoples love together

2 And I think it means closed

3i think it's a diary of a German man or women

Ethan Lam

5/20/2019 04:24:04 pm

The Alte Bruke bridge is very beatiful. I hope I can have a chance to go too.

Jason Fok 6E 08

5/20/2019 06:13:39 pm

1.I think they’re love locks.
2.I think they’re for telling costumers is the shop closed or not.
3.I think its a sketch book and I think you saw it in a art gallery

Lincoln Tsang link

5/20/2019 07:16:45 pm

1. I think they were some traditional love locks in Germany
2.If you look the word"desolc" backwards.You may see the word "closed". And may I ask is there a dangling word with the word "opened" in the shop?
3.I think this book was in an art gallery,and this day was Anne Frank's diary published in English.

Yacob Chan (6E07)

5/20/2019 07:36:57 pm

Q1: I think the locks are a symbol of a love.
Q2: It is just simply the word "closed" but it is spelt backwards.
Q3: I don't know what it is, but I think it comes from a museum.

Haydon Sun(6E23)

5/20/2019 08:15:07 pm

Q1;I think it is love lock.
Q2;It is just wrote" closed"re creative way.
Q3:i think it is a picture drew by an famous artist.

ALAN AU 6E 01

5/20/2019 09:06:59 pm

1) I think they are love locks
2) read it right to left, closed
3) ! think things in the art gallery

Tong Calvin 5C(28)

5/20/2019 10:40:01 pm

Q1. The locks were hung by couples as a symbol of their love.

Q2. I think it is a sign tell people that it’s opened or closed.

Q3. I think it was a tablecloth from the restaurant and it wanted to tell you to pray before you eat.

Andrzej So 5C (27)

5/26/2019 07:39:16 pm

Question 1 . Judging from the heart symbols on the locks , I believe each mean a couple’s love to be “locked ”forever and never be loosened .

Question 2 closed

Question 3. I think it is a tablecloth . I think the picture is trying to tell us to savour every meal , Though not in the same year April 30 had two important events done . Anne Frank’s diary was published and Adolf Hitler’s death . I think you saw it in a restaurant

Germany Educational Trip 2019 - Day 1

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