Remember and never forget

Saturday- Today we left Schongau and headed for Munich. Heidi(the GPS) did a wonderful job again and got us right to the Museum Doors. We entered the Neue Pinakotech and let me tell you, it is one beautiful museum. There were so many greats, Matisse, Klimt, Picasso, Rembrandt, Goya, Gauguin, Monet...and I saw Van Gogh's SUNFLOWERS:)))))))) It was amazing to see all of these famous works in person and to see such a range in content and style. I will always cherish that visit. After that we headed in to town to look for a Jack Wolfskin T shirt and it was crazy! The entire city was a sea of red (Bayern) and small islands of blue (Chelsea) due to the Euro Futbol Champions Finale that night. People were wasted at lunch, screaming, cheering and singing. It was a little scary but invigorating at the same time hahaha. (This game is like our superbowl.)
After we left the city we headed to the outskirts and a town called Dachau. A once prsoperous artist community this name now instills great saddness in the masses of the world today. Dachau was the site of the first concentration camp  opened under Hitler's rule. It housed over 32,000 prisoners ( only designed to hold 6,000) by the end of the war. Walking in I felt as if my own freedom were being stripped. It is amazing how tangible the fear and evil is that radiates from this place. I felt more scared than sad, the terror....it's unparalleled. I entered the maintenace building, built by the prisoners, and walked through the same door that over 60,000 jews, homosexuals, catholics and other "inferior" groups passed through. Passing through each of the monochromatic rooms I read of the horrors that occured, each room containing progessivley worse attrocities. Prisoners were forced to count lashings as they were whipped, and if they lost count or there words were slurred with pain, they had to start back at zero. Guards stole caps and through them over the fence, forcing their owners to retrieve their caps and then they shot them as they climbed over the fence. The empty exspanse that was once the yard where they conducted role call was probably the most intense space in the camp. The desolation and coldness of this area, even the blazing may heat was unreal. You could imagine the hours that passed as the multitude of prisoners were forced to stand, some falling dead of fatigue and exhaustion. I will never forget this visit.
That night we stayed in Rothenburg, which is a beautiful bustling city located on the banks of the Danube. I wish we had more time to spend here. ON the way back from supper I heard singing in a church and walked up the steps to peer in. A lady saw me and in a flurry I was pulled in and she was talking to me hurridly in german. Bewildered I told her I only speak English, and with a kind look on her face she explained to me the service, handed me a candle and told me to go to the altar and speak with the Lord. Now I havent metnioned this prior to now but I had the goal of going to a german church service but had overslept last sunday. I know without a doubt that God led me up those stairs and gave me a chance to experience it. I haven't felt so alive in a long time.
 This was an unforgetable and absoulutely amazing trip.

A day from a dream

Friday – Today was another day made magical by God; His creation, His ideas and His uncanny ability to hold off bad weather. We left Lindau this morning and rounded the eastern tip of the Bodensee into Austria. Following the alpine road we wound through lush green valleys full of towering Hemlocks, hills studded with small villages and aquamarine rivers tinted by the stone that the water falls over. The sheer size of the mountains took my breath away. Snow glistened on the multiple facets of these stone giants. We entered Hogenshwangau and the two castles, Schloss Newschwanstien and Schloss Hogenshwangau sat on the ridges above us. Newschwanstien looks like a page torn out of a fairy tale. The white towers reach into the sky and are sharply contrasted agains the green of its surroundings. A wooden bridge spans the gorge beside the castle and the roaring lacht falls can be seen over 200 feet below. Turrets grace every corner of the castle’s keep and the walls seem to meld right into the stone outcropping it is built on. N.S. was built by King Ludwig II who was eccentric to say the least. The man was captivated by myths and fables and was even declared insane right before he drove the country into bankruptcy. He mysteriously ended up dead in a lake two days after his diagnosis WITH the physician who diagnosed him. Murder or suicide??? Ludwig had stories illustrated in murals along the castle walls, each depicting a strikingly handsome tragic hero who many believe he identified with himself. Although he only spent 172 in the castle he did not refrain from adding any luxuries. He even had a scene form Richard Wagner’s musical reconstructed in his castle.(It is speculated that him and Wagner were lovers and that his homosexuality is what categorized him as insane) Regardless of Ludwig’s long line of blunders it is clear that his castle is more magnificent than any before it. I felt like I was in a different world, I can’t imagine how he must have felt, knowing that every mile of the distant lands that can be seen form the windows was his and at his disposal. After viewing the castles we headed into the nearby town of Fussen, where we strolled through the Altstadt and shopped. It was amazing how close the alps were to this brightly colored town. There were a lot of outdoor gear/sporty stores which I enjoyed looking in and I’m sure they’ll come in handy when I live here someday….

               From Fussen we headed north and are now in Schogenau. It’s a nice town, quiet, but very charming. We ate supper at this old house and were on like the 4^th floor in the attic. You could look down though an opening and see the staircases cross haphazardly, it was really neat. I have never seen such a huge wine collection, there must have been over 100 and they were all unique to a particular region which I thought was cool.  Tomorrow we’re headed back to the Art Museum in Munich and we are visiting Dachau, it will be an emotional day for sure. I pray that I have the ability to fully comprehend the range of events that took place and the chain of events that led to such a tragic period.

Happy Father's Day

Thursday- Good afternoon, it is quarter til midnight here and I have had a looong day so I’m going to make this recap short and sweet. Woke up this morning and toured Konstanz. Something seemed fishy at about 10:30 when none of the shops were opened. Come to find out it is Father’s Day….Happy Father’s Day!!! Whooo….yeah…..the Germans really celebrate their papas. The banks are closed, the stores are shut down and the streets are filled with people… now don’t get me wrong, I love people but I’m not too big on crowds and today was a crowded kind of day. We left Konstanz for Mainau, the island of flowers and butterflies but had to bypass that stop due to CROWDS. We headed down the north bank of the Bodensee to Meersburg, a stunning little seaside city that falls in terraces to the water. I got some great pics of Burg Meersburg, the oldest castle in Germany and we enjoyed a Swabian meal from the porch of a café on the sea side promenade. From Meersburg we continued to Lindau and let me tell you, nothing compares to the beauty of this place. It’s a small port on the eastern tip of the Bodensee that looks out on the water. Directly across the lake are the Austrian and Swiss Alps, still snow covered. Hundreds of sail boats dart across the crystal clear waters in the afternoon sun. Over the past 6 days I have seen more terrain change and land diversity than anywhere else in the world, all within a day’s drive form each other and some within sight of each other. It really is spectacular.

 Lindau

 Hohenzollern Castle

 Sigmaringen Castle

                                                                            Meersburg

 Lindau

The Austrian Alps

Just to put a few places with the names....

Ulm Cathedral, Tallest

Steeple In the World

 The Crucifiction In St. Josephs

 A wasserfall in the Black Forest

 The Black Forest

 Harburg Castle

ENO at Harburg:)

Chastan Hohenzollern ??? It has a nice ring to it....

Wednesday- Today we left Ulm after another delicious meal. Pancakes with powder sugar, assorted cheeses and fruits and hot tea…. Enough to make any of pavlov’s dogs’ mouths water…bell or not.

We had designated today as our Tour de Castles of sorts. Heading south west our fist destination was Lichtenstein Castle, built and named after the book “Lichtenstein”. Now we had prepared ourselves for some dreary weather because the forecast had shown 50’s and rain but so far the day had been unexpectedly nice. However, when we reached the base of the castle a dark boiling wall of clouds could be seen approaching fast across the valley. When we came into view of the Castle it took really surprised me. The structure was much more majestic an impressive than I had expected. Built on a spire of rock that jutted out of the valley below, the castle, small as it was, stood atop the spire and almost glowed in the sunlight. Did I say sunlight? I meant snow. YES, SNOW. That dark mass of clouds had brought not rain but snow and I’m not talking a flurry….It was coming down in blankets. Instantly I became a little kid, I was fascinated once again with God’s unquestionable uncertainty. I laughed at the sheer ridiculousness of the situation. I was dancing in the snow at a castle in Germany in May! What an amazing amount of impossibilities! Descending the mountain we continued south and within the hour our next destination came into view. Now Lichtenstein may have been perched on a spire of rock but Burg Hohenzollern was sitting upon a whole mountain overlooking the Neckar Valley. For a second I fell into the fantasy of my childhood and I truly believed I was finally going to Hogwarts. We toured the chambers of Hohenzollern and I have concluded that I will trace my lineage back and find my relation to the Hohenzollern and thus inherit Burg Hohenzollern. I also concluded that after seeing the treasury I would spend my afternoons in the castle keep strutting around in an ancient golden laurel wreath with a diamond studded snuff box in hand…just for fun.

The last of our castle sampler was Schloss Sigmaringen. Located on the Danube River Sigmaringen sprawls out on the Cliffside. The beautiful tan stone gleams with a rosy vigor in the afternoon sun ( between the intermittent snow showers of course). From Sig we hoped on the road and drove through what may questionably be the most beautiful stretch of country I have ever seen. The Danube river valley/gorge is flanked on both sides be rock faces and fingers that jut up out of the tree line and shine white in the afternoon light. A castle sits atop almost every pinnacle of stone and villages dot the river’s edge. It was a backpacker and climber’s paradise. Miles of wooded land and untouched meadows called to me and my eno but alas! My time is ticking…. We reached the Klauster Beuron Abbey after the closing time but lucky me the doors were open. Now I have seen some ornate frescoes and architecture in my time but I have to say that the Duomo of Florence and St. Paul’s Cathedral have nothing on this place. Ever surface of the arched sanctuary was covered in flowing white vines that twined around columns, split, leafed and blossomed. Cherubs filled the corners and sat among clouds with outreached arms. At the altar a fresco of Jesus crowning the Virgin Mary stood center while two sculptures, one of St. Paul and the other of Joseph stood to the left and right. I sat in reverent awe at the skill of the artist who molded this place and at the skill in the Creator who molded this world. I realized as I looked around that nothing was duplicated. Every flower, cherub and vine was unique, just as everything in this world is unique. The room began to fill with attendees and I realized that a service was about to commence so I bowed out graciously and we headed for the Bodensee and Konstanz. (If I had any knowledge of the catholic traditions or knew any German I would have stayed for the service because I think that would be phenomenal to participate in a worship service 5000 miles from home, in a different language, with complete strangers yet brothers in Christ. And he, don’t we all speak agape?)

I am now in Konstanz, which is on this massive lake called the Bodensee. The Bodensee lies between Germany, Switzerland and Austria and it has an unexplainably warm climate that allows fruits to flourish along with a variety of moderately tropical plants and animals. The local food is greatJ I had my first schnitzel tonight with some delicious spatzle (regional dish consisting of fettuccini like noodles in a crème sauce) and some locally brewed beer. Well, that is up to date… Its after midnight here so I better hit the sack. Goodnight!

A night in the Fishermens' Quarter

Tuesday Night-Tonight we got back to Ulm around 4ish. I was pooped and with the defeat of the art gallery fresh on my mind I had little desire to do much of anything. After a brief rest we decidied to head off to old Ulm for a little exploration and food. Behind the ancient walls fortifying to tightly packed streets we walked around between the half timbered houses. It was beautiful, the streets paralleled a small river and the houses all leaned over it, in a very venetian style. Water wheels churned and candles flickered in some the waved glass windows. Our search for food ended at a small house butting up to the river, I had to stoop down to walk inside (the place was 400 years old) but the experience was phenomenal. The restaurant was in an old house in the fishermen’s quarter, and it served a variety of Swabian meals. Everything was spiced heavily, soaked or tenderized. Oh and don’t forget the beer, there is always beer.

Munich! Munich! How thou bustling streets impress me...

Tuesday- Today we got an earlier start and grabbed a pastry on the way out of Ulm. We headed down the autobahn to Munich and arrived around 11:30. We rushed through the Altstadt and barely made it in time to see the Glockenspiel (a huge 2 story clock depicting a German duel and dance) at the Markenplatz. The city center was bustling, full of every demographic. I really like Munich because it is a nice mix of old and new. There are contemporary building nestled between cathedrals that are 500 years old. Although the contrast is stark it adds unique character to the city. We went to the city market and wow….it was cool. There were tons of stalls selling vegetables and fruits, hundreds of varieties that I had never heard of, and lots of meat and cheese stalls too. We then headed north to the Hofbrauhaus, the most famous beer hall in Germany where we sat back and soaked in the Ompah band while sipping on a Pilsner. Then we walked across the city to the neue pinokatech, an art museum that houses some of the most notable European artist of the last millennium. IT WAS CLOSED. Queue the rain( literally ). Extremely disappointed, we hailed a cab and returned to the car. I am now back in Ulm, and I think I may go explore the old city some tonight. I have found that Germans lifestyles are very similar to Americans but they seem to have one thing right that we don’t…they know what’s really important in life and they take time to enjoy it. I hope that if I bring anything back, it is that mindset. Well, goodnight….sleep tightJ

* Sorry about some spelling errors, I’m not sure exactly how to spell some of the place name

A very good start

Hallo! (That’s german for “Hello”)

So I am writing this blog as much for my benefit as any because I won’t be able to remember all the fine details in 5 years and maybe this account of my adventures will keep the memories fresh, (so look at this as being my pensieve just minus the magic and other cool stuff.)

Friday/Saturday- The flight here was flawless, no delays or layovers and the distance wasn’t even that bad. We flew from PTI to Washington then to Frankfurt. From Frankfurt we left United and boarded Lufthansa to fly south to Munich. I must say that Germany first impressed me in its airport bathroom where I discovered that they have solved the age old problem and have invented the perfect urinal. No backsplash or anything….absolutely beautiful. After meeting up with Meems, Peeps discovered that his luggage was MIA. We leave, slightly flustered, but still excited. Thanks to peeps we grabbed the keys to a shweet BMW Xi “Wagen” and headed west to our first stop, Ulm. Ulm will be our hub for the next few days as we venture into the German Countryside. Centrally located, Ulm has some merit of its own; Home of Albert Einstein and the World’s tallest steeple. Once we arrive we eat dinner on the Danube and hit the sack. With one hour of sleep after the past 40 I am wiped out.

Sunday – Let me just say that if you ever travel to Germany make sure you have all that you need on Saturday because come Sunday the country goes on lockdown ( how the Sabbath should be treated everywhere.) Excluding the masses exciting the churches I saw very few people today. We explored the Ulm Cathedral, full of towering columns and stained glass dating back 7 centuries, and then got in the car and drove west. We stopped in Tubingen, a small medieval town nestled between two rivers and guarded by the magnificent castle perched on the crags above. The town was divided by a large hill (where the castle sat) and was connected by a cool tunnel. The Altstadt (old town) was full of stucco and half-timber buildings that dated back several centuries. It is crazy to think that almost everything I touch here is older than anything in the United States. The castle was open for touring (exploration) and it even was holding archery classes. From Tubingen we headed towards the black forest. Taking the BF Crest Trail (a lot like the Blue ridge parkway) we meandered through dense hemlock Groves and across the Hornburg, one of Germany’s tallest peaks. Once on the other side we reached Mumilesse (a small mountain lake rumored to house water spirits). Descending from the mountain tops we spotted a “wasserfall” and…. I had to stop hahah. At the end of the BF crest trail we entered Baden-Baden, a spa town built in the late 1800’s and still a prominent hangout for the region’s snots. With no interest in a couple of hot springs we crossed the Rhine into France. It was crazy, there was no border patrol what so ever. We just slid right in…and back out. Paris was another 500km, and I didn’t really think of anything else worth seeing on a tight schedule…Back to Ulm for the night.

Monday- Today we got a little earlier start but it was quickly forfeited by our lengthy breakfast (over here they almost sanctify meal times, they are a time of extended socializing, hearty meals and great beer). Once we were back in the car we headed north on the Autobahn. We were flying! (so I thought, until I saw cars passing us at blistering speeds….150mph+) When we reached Rothenburg I thought I must be dreaming. It was that fairy tale town, you know like the Shire meets Tuscany? The Altstadt is completely untouched by time, the streets are lined with half-timber houses equipped with geranium filled window boxes. The Town is surrounded by a Rampart/Wall and river. Although it is like a relic among ruins it is completely inhabited. We visited the Cathedral where the reliquary of the Holy Blood resides and some of St. James’ remains if I’m not mistaken. The cathedral in itself is gorgeous with its ornate stained glass and vaulted ceiling. We also shopped at the Christmas market which was cool… Meems could’ve spent eternity in it. After eating a snowball (signature Rothenburg treat) we headed south down the romantic road past rolling fields and hamlets to Harburg. Once there we visited the Harburg Castle that loomed over the town and I even got the chance to throw up my ENO for a little afternoon rest. As the sunset we returned to Ulm, ate supper at The Einstein Restaurant and now I’m sitting here at 2 am writing this.

I hope y’all are all doing well and I will see you soon!

"I'm so humble"

       One of the virtues that is easily overlooked is humility and it is overlooked by definition. When considering humility in our daily lives we need to look at our motivations; are they selfless or are they designed with us in mind? Do I attend Church or volunteer at Crisis Control Ministries because I love Jesus and want to serve or is it because I want to say "Look at me, look at how great of a Christian I am!"
       There is a critical fault in our thought process that is groomed and perfected throughout our lives. This idea of self recogniton reaches it's culmination during your senior year of high school when colleges and scholarship organizations ask you to list all of your achievements. Now I am not saying that you shouldn't be proud of the good things you do but don't let that pride be what makes you perform the action. Let the pride come as a result, as a product of the satisfacton you get from helping others.
       If we boast our humility then we are not humble at all, we are the inverse of humble. How do we expect anyone to want to join the Church if from the outside we look like a group of pious, hypocritical nags? I dont think I would want to enter any sanctuary filled with vultures like that. I am not just attacking the church, I am attacking myself. I think every once in a while we all need a sobering moment where we realize how insignificant we really are. We have to be brought down out of the clouds, low enough that we can see the land spread out below us, the big picture. We are as important as the whole we create and as insignificant as the singular we try to be. This post is my brick, bringing me to reality. What's your brick? Are you holding it? Or ignoring it? Are you convincing yourself that you're recognition is as important as the work you did to recieve it? Let go of the weght, actually, throw it out of the basket and watch as your hot air ballon falls below the cloudline. I promise the view is much better below the clouds than in them.