VOL. V, NO. 9
FEBRUARY 21, 1964
Mr. McKinnis Tours Europe
A novel 1963 Christmas was spent by sophomore counselor Mr. Paul McKinnis, his wife, and daughter when they toured Europe for their first Christmas vacation. They left the day after school was dismissed and returned the day before school resumed.
On December 21st, the McKinnises arrived in London, England, where they saw all of the things that a tourist might see including Westminster Abbey, the changing of the guards, and the museums. "We liked England very much, but I cannot say we liked it best," pointed out Mr. McKinnis, "We couldn't single out any one country as the best."
From London they flew to Paris, France, where they spent Christmas. Here they again saw all of the usual tourist spots museums, the Eiffel Tower by day, and night clubs by night. "It was hard after just getting used to the English money system to change so soon to the French system," remarked Mr. McKinnis.
Moving on they traveled to Frankfurt in five hours and then on to Berlin. They were in both East and West Berlin.
"Berlin is a powder keg!" was Mr. McKinnis' comment. East and West Berlin are as different as night and day. West Berlin is gay. Everyone walks around with a smile on his face. There are many gay lights and a clean happy feeling. East Berlin is the exact opposite. It is dirty. There are no bright lights. No one smiles, and a feeling of depression exists everywhere."
On December 21st, the McKinnises arrived in London, England, where they saw all of the things that a tourist might see including Westminster Abbey, the changing of the guards, and the museums. "We liked England very much, but I cannot say we liked it best," pointed out Mr. McKinnis, "We couldn't single out any one country as the best."
From London they flew to Paris, France, where they spent Christmas. Here they again saw all of the usual tourist spots museums, the Eiffel Tower by day, and night clubs by night. "It was hard after just getting used to the English money system to change so soon to the French system," remarked Mr. McKinnis.
Moving on they traveled to Frankfurt in five hours and then on to Berlin. They were in both East and West Berlin.
"Berlin is a powder keg!" was Mr. McKinnis' comment. East and West Berlin are as different as night and day. West Berlin is gay. Everyone walks around with a smile on his face. There are many gay lights and a clean happy feeling. East Berlin is the exact opposite. It is dirty. There are no bright lights. No one smiles, and a feeling of depression exists everywhere."
After leaving Berlin, they journeyed to Lucerne, Switzerland, where they went up into the Alps.
Rome was the next and final stop. There the McKinnises saw the Colosseum and Forum. It was here that Mr. McKinnis said he thought about Julius and Augustus Caesar. "I never realized how brief history really is until I stood there. The Roman Empire existed for 2,000 years, and yet there is really nothing of it left."
After Rome, the flight home was made, ending one of the McKinnises' most memorable vacations.
Rome was the next and final stop. There the McKinnises saw the Colosseum and Forum. It was here that Mr. McKinnis said he thought about Julius and Augustus Caesar. "I never realized how brief history really is until I stood there. The Roman Empire existed for 2,000 years, and yet there is really nothing of it left."
After Rome, the flight home was made, ending one of the McKinnises' most memorable vacations.
