Andrew Niemtschk, University of Texas at Dallas
“You've got a ticket in your hand. ¬Where will you go? What will you do? What will happen when you get there?”
The place is Brieg – the birth place of my great-grandfather Herman Rogalla Von Bieberstein. Herman was a nobleman by birth and served in the Prussian military with honor and distinction. He was well off and did not have to worry about money. Though, he realized that riches alone do not buy true happiness. He was worried for his and his family’s well-being and wanted something better in life – something to bring about true happiness. He wanted freedom to express his own political and religious views, and in order to do this, he had to move to the land of opportunity: The United States of America. After emigrating from Germany, his life was tough. He left all of his wealth and possessions in order to practice his faith and live a simple life in the new land. With his strong work
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During the dog days of summer, I would embark from Dallas, Texas and fly into Dresden, Germany. There, I would take in views of the ornate architecture of the town and go to the countryside to visit the Bieberstein Castle, which was once owned by my family – hence the name “Bieberstein” Castle. From Dresden, I would drive on the autobahn en route towards Prague, Czech Republic and stop over at the Bohemian Switzerland National Park to catch a glimpse of the awe-inspiring mesas – yes, there are mesas in Europe. I would then arrive in Prague, Czech Republic and seek out some famous landmarks including The Charles Bridge and the St. Vitus Cathedral. Before departing from Prague, I would also make sure to stop and eat some original Czech kolaches. After devouring my scrumptious meal, I would then depart Prague and arrive at the highlight of my journey: Brieg – the birthplace of my