We're Not So Different

Some people view foreign travel as being too different and uncomfortable to their life norm.  Today, those of us staying (Sally, Don, Sandy, Scott, and Krystal) the Ruhrgebeit visited Dortmund.

Yes, the preferred sport to American football is what the rest of the world calls football (and we call soccer).  Dortmund has a famous team, BVB, that has won the Bundesliga.

But...

Dortmund has had the same issues that many American cities, particularly the that those in the midwest have been plagued with.  Dortmund, historically, has been and area with many coal mines and steel mills.  The mines and mills have closed and the land and people have had to adapt and move to other industries.  Dortmund is a very populated area and when one of the steel mills left, it wasn't only the closing of the building, but also the removal of the mill (it was literally moved to China, buildings and all).  The soil where it laid was contaminated and the area was desolate, except for a few apartments nearby where the mill works had lived.  But someone had an idea to revitalize the area.

First the contaminated soil was removed and piled not far away with clean soil placed on top to so it would be safe to be climbed or hiked.  The removal of the soil, then created a man-made lake that is home to birds and sail boats.  There is a walking path around the small lake with homes surrounding the edges.  New construction continues as more homes and apartments are being built.


This lake is named Phoenix See (or Lake Phoenix), because like it's namesake, it has risen from it's ashes to become a highly sought after neighborhood (with a player from BVB living in one of the homes on the lake).

It's a public location for all to use.  And even dogs enjoy it.

-Annette Schroer