Back again, I survived France and all that stuff.
I went to Maria Laach, a monastary, on tuesday and we went around a volcanic lake on paddle boats. Wednesday we went to Bonn where I had a very long lunch, saw the Beethoven House and one of the coolest museums in Germany.
Thursday, after much mischief I ended up in Freiburg (where I was intending to go) about 4 hours after I was originally hoping to get there. Freiburg is perfect. I want to live there forever and ever, it’s awesome. Bummed around, met up with a dancer from Vancouver who’s studying there for the year. No dancing, but we drank some local beer and wandered around town. I stayed in Freiburg until Saturday morning. Whereupon I went to Strasbourg. (France, but 9 km from the border, volleying back and forth between France and Germany for centuries)
Strasbourg is interesting. Cobblestones hurt your feet no matter what shoes you’re wearing, I’ve learned. Bumbled about town alot and saw stuff. It’s pretty, I have pictures for later. I had a four bed room at my hostel all to myself because the place wasn’t fully booked.
Sunday I made a day-trip to Colmar, another town in Alsace about 40 minutes south of Strasbourg. It was really pretty. There was a cool museum with headphone thingies. Saw lots of jesus art and wandered around town some more. In a cathedral a group of 12 young men came in and sang a couple of chorales. I always want to sing in those amazing cathedrals they have here…but one person singign alone is crazy, twelve together is acceptable. It was surreal and very pretty. I’ve sung one of the pieces before, something by Brahms I think. It was actually the first song I ever sang in German.
I’m back in Mayen now. Only a few more days left before we leave for good. My goodness the time is flying by.