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Tuscaloosa Delegates Visit Schorndorf May, 2005
Delegates’ Observations……

From Brad and Debrah Fisher:
It’s said that travel broadens the mind. Traveling with the Sister Cities Commission expands the mind, because you make more than memories; you make friends.

When you serve as a delegate to the Sister Cities Commission, you don’t just travel to another country. You stay with a family and for a brief time become a part of that country. People ask us what was our favorite memory of our trip. We saw lots of castles and cathedrals and beautiful art. But our favorite part of the trip was walking the streets of Schondorf and running into people we met through our host family and talking with them, just as you would talk with people you know here at home. We felt incredibly at home in a short time, and that adds a dimension that no other form of travel can provide.

Being part of a Sister City delegation isn’t for everybody. As a delegate, you must be generous enough to allow others to be incredibly generous, and it can sometimes be hard to be so gracious. And some may not be interested in the insights you gain from living in someone’s home in a foreign country. But if you want to know what’s in a typical German’s refrigerator, or how to operate a foreign washing machine, or what’s on the back of a box of German Corn Flakes, or what middle aged Germans listen to on their car radio (American and British oldies in our case), or what books are on their bookshelf, then serving as a delegate for the Sister City Commission is for you. It certainly was for us. We will forever be thankful to the Tuscaloosa Sister Cities Commission and our host family, Erich and Sigrid Buehler, for giving us the opportunity to participate in this program.

Jo Ann Cook
A sister-city trip is a much different experience from the usual
commercial agency overseas tour. You get the wonderful bonus of
 experiencing your host family's lifestyle over several days. You can
discuss and compare cultural differences, and perhaps more importantly,
you become aware of how much we have in common with our sister-city and
its people.

Johnnie Mae Johnson
As a delegate of the Sister Cities Commission of Tuscaloosa with Schroeder, Germany, it is one of the most rewarding memories I have between two countries with different cultures, yet coming together with respect and love for one another. Not only have we gained a relationship with two cities in different countries, we have also gained a new family.		 Kimberle Barton
The Sister Cities Program was a wonderful way to meet the people of Schorndorf, Germany. We were warmly welcomed by everyone in this absolutely charming village. The town festival was full of busy food tents and cafes but came to a halt when our Stillman College Choir sang. I was so honored to be associated with such beauty and talent as they represented not only Tuscaloosa, but also our country to other ambassadors from France, England, Italy West and East Germany.

Melanie Graham
Schorndorf opened their homes and their hearts for us. The hospitality and kindness of the people in our sister city was exceptional. It is the people that I will remember the most from this quaint town nestled in the lush landscape of Germany. The Forum of Nations festival in the city was highlighted by our own Stillman College Choir and bands and dancers from other countries. We enjoyed the food and the customs of the country greatly.

Tommy and Mary Hester
Our visit to our sister city brought out a warmth that we had not totally expected. We were treated almost as royalty. As we saw each other day-by-day, a feeling of yearning to knew more and to understand more about their lives, their businesses and their cultures grew – and when we departed for home, a feeling of sadness came over us as we realized that there were more likenesses than differences between us. The most important event of the five-day stay happened on Sunday morning, when we all gathered at the Protestant Church for worship. The Still man College Choir was absolutely overwhelming. To be in that church that day to worship with people of different religions and different cultures could have been just an event. But after hearing the Choir, the priest, in both the German and English languages, spoke very eloquently and to the point that we must remove the barriers that hold us back in our faith, love and work./ We left truly blessed and inspired to go out and “feed the sheep”.

Diane Salls
Schorndorf, Germany and Tuscaloosa, Alabama is a perfect fit for a Sister City. The friendship and love shows between these two cities is one that cannot be put into words unless you have experienced the trip of traveling there. The goodwill that the US and Germany share has created a special bond. The Stillman Choir sang in concert with many Germans listening in wonder. The Lord Mayor Kubler said to me “What goodwill we shall always have between our countries. This program fosters peace and goodwill when our country is in great need of love, friendship and respect.”
 

(Click photos to enlarge)