Making Ready

Was just working on some stuff for the Christmas Masses, and thought I'd take a break for the weekly update.

We indeed got several inches of snow last weekend, with a hefty layer of ice inbetween. It was beautiful to watch the snow falling on Saturday ... I could look out the kitchen window as I made a big pot of hearty bean soup. We had the usual numbers for the Saturday evening Mass, but only about 50 for Sunday morning. It was lovely (albeit a bit dangerous) while it lasted. Now it's warm and rainy. Ugh.

Been cooking and baking quite a bit this week. I made Polish Coffeecakes Wednesday evening to give as personal gifts for my Staff and some others. Thursday evening I made a pan of Baklava for our Staff Lunch yesterday ... a few weeks ago I had suggested we waive the weekly meeting for a holiday lunch, and no one objected. I found out that they all LOVE shrimp and seafood, so I went up to my international grocery and got three kinds of fresh shrimp ... some with the heads on for presentation effect ... and boiled those up. I also did a soup/stew with a seafood mix I found at the store ... mussels, small shrimp, scallops, squid and octopus. It was kind of a cross between a gumbo and cioppino. I wanted to have a nice crusty bread to go with the soup/stew, but my yeast died in the early stages, so ... And of course, there was the baklava. Needless to say, the priests of the house are enjoying the leftovers.

Many BIG pointsettias were being delivered to the Cathedral this morning as I began the 8am Mass. The decorating detail descends on the Cathedral tomorrow after Mass, and then we'll do the Chapel on Monday after the morning Mass.

Christmas Eve I'm told that I'm supposed to invite all the little kids up to the Altar steps for the beginning of the Homily ... it's a big thing around here, and am told by several people that I MUST do it. The Holy Spirit may have to do a little overtime on that one. I preside over the Service of Lessons and Carols at 11:15, then the Archbishop presides and preaches at Midnight... I'll concelebrate. I don't have any specific plans for Christmas Day ... I preside and preach at the 10:30am Mass as usual, then I'm open. I've received one invitation so far, but really not sure what I want to do.

As for the days after, the plan is for Mom and Dad to drive down on the 27th, then we'll go to Saint Meinrad together. They want to make a Christmas visit to the Hill to deliver the Christmas kielbasa to the Monks, and there are Community meetings scheuled. For years I've groused "Why aren't more of the guys from our parishes here for these meetings?" so now I need to put my mileage where my mouth is. We'll make our way back to Indy Friday afternoon or Saturday morning so I can be here for the weekend.

One of these days I need to do a Christmas Letter to send out to let people who don't read this blog know where I am. Abbot Bonaventure takes care of forwarding monks' mail from the Hill, so I see his penmanship alot these days... if I had been thinking, I would have left him labels... sorry, +B.

I had best get back to the matters at hand ... no soup on the stove today, as I have more pressing thing to take care of. Yes ... I realize there ARE more pressing matters than food... a few.

The grace and peace of the Silent and Holy Night be with all who find these greetings ...

In the bleak mid-Advent

Lots going on these days ... especially with the winter social season kicking up. Last weekend I had three Holiday-related gatherings to be present for, from an intimate dinner of four to a gala with several hundred. By Sunday evening I was whipped, and took refuge in the enclosure of my rooms well into Monday ... that means I hid from the world on my day off.

WEATHER ALERT ... just got word that we have a winter storm warning for this weekend, with a possibility of 5-9 inches of snow. There's to be rain and ice and different times, too.

After lunch today I ran out and got a live tree for the Common Room upstairs... a nice slender Fraser Fir, already 50% off. When I got back, I walked up to Walgreens and got a new stand. Tree-trimming is slated for Sunday, and I'm making dinner for the Residents.

Wasn't planning on going out this evening, but now maybe I'll run over to the grocery and pick up a few things.

I may never make beef barley soup again

I'm a bit behind ....

Last week I was in Toledo for three days ... surpised my Sister and Brother-in-law on their 25th Wedding Anniversary. I cooked ... had dinner ready at Mom and Dad's when they got there. I brought the rib roast with me from Indy (it was on sale) so I could do a rub ahead of time. It was a very nice evening. Then I stayed over until Wednesday for Mom and Dad's 48th Anniversary. Got back here Wednesday evening.

While out bumming around with Mom and Dad on Tuesday, we stopped at an architectural salvage/antiques place in old downtown. I mentioned to the guy that I'm always looking for "church stuff" and he asked me if I had seen the statues of Sts. Peter and Paul... I hadn't, so he showed me. To my pleasant surpruse he led me to two life-size white Corinthian marble statues in excellent condition ... done in the early 1900's. THEN I explained that I just so happen to be Interim Pastor at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. He said he negotiate the price ... I said I'd keep this in mind. Hmmmm ... seems like the finger of God stirring things. Now if God really wants us to have them, $46,000 will come my way. In the meantime, they're on my wish-list.

Saturday I was expecting friends from the Saint Meinrad area to be visiting, so I made a big batch of beef barley soup on Friday. It was tasty, and all was well UNTIL one of my friends suddenly "didn't feel so good." It appears she may be allergic to the spices in curry ... I had used a spice mix that included curry and she had never had curry before, so we deduced that was the problem. We didn't have to call 911 or haul her to the ER, but it was close. As it happens, she is a nurse and knows the course of her other allergic reations, so we just monitored things very closely. It did pass, and the rest of pour visit was nice, but ...

Other pieces of the weekend included meeting with two couples for Marriage Prep, the Rite of Welcoming for our Catechumens and Candidates, the Parish Council meeting, and sung Vespers on Sunday evening. Tis the season to be busy ...

Comings and Goings

Yesterday (Saturday) turned out to be an extremely full day, and I really didn't have much free time until after the evening Mass. So now here's the update.

Thanksgiving was nice and quiet ... we had about 30 people at the 9am Mass. For dinner, I went to the home of a friend from college days ... my dressing was well received. I had decided to leave the church open during the day, so I came home around 5pm to lock up before dark. Everyone else that lives here was out into the evening, so I had the house to myself.

Friday morning I opened the church, had the 8am Mass then a 9:30 appointment. Between Thursday and Friday, the Cathedral Gremlins had moved into two of the furnaces here in the house, so sections of the house have been without heat since Thursday afternoon. Different sections of the house have different furnaces .... the affected parts have been the first floor parlor and Music Director's Office, and my rooms on the second floor. Since I like it cool anyway, I havene't noticed the heat-less-ness, but the first floor has been a little chilly for some.

One of the confreres arrived Friday afternoon for an overnight on his way to a preaching gig up north. It was good to have the company and get caught up on what's happening at home (StM), in his life and mine. I had a rosary at 7:30 at a funeral home up on the north side that evening, so we did a late dinner when I got back.

Yesterday's busy-ness started with opening the church at 6:45 and Mass at 8:00. The funeral was at 11:00, so it was after 1:00 by time I got back from the cemetery. After a quick lunch, I got ready for the Baptism to be held during the 5pm Mass, then Confessions at 3:30. The Baptism was great ... he (the baby) was really good ... even smiling through parts of the ceremonies ... and didn't start fussing until picture-taking after Mass.

When I got everything locked up and made my way to the TV, I found "White Christmnas" on a movie channel, so that made for a very pleasant close to a full day. I was only interrupted once when the church alarm went off ... apparently we missed someone in the sweep before locking up ... I suspect one of the Neighborhood Guests was sleeping in the elevator or in a dark corner... so when he finally made his way out, it set things a beeping. Canceling the alarm means calling the company to verify everything is OK, otherwise it costs us 50 bucks if they send someone out.

Today was typical Sunday, except that it's the Solemnity of Christ the King and we had BIG music (with trumnpets) and candles and incense. Then I had a committee meeting after Mass to discuss the restoration of our Nativity Set after Christmas.

The weekend, and yesterday in particular, was high energy , but full of meaning .... Thanksgiving, troubled souls,commending Marge to God and welcoming Simon into the Community. Comings and goings ... the circle of life ... the unfolding of mystery.

Gremlins

Yes ... gremlins ... we've got 'em here at the Cathedral. They've been in the light system and now they're in the locks. Sometimes lights work fine, other times they flicker through Mass. Some peoples' keys won't work in a particular lock, but others will. Gotta be gremlins.

Made a big pot of oxtail soup yesterday ... got some fresh pole beans and napa cabbage at my international market to throw in. Tasty.

For Thanksgiving I'm going to the home of an old friend from college days ... I'm taking the dressing. His folks are coming into town, and I haven't seen them in a number of years, so it should be a fun day.

Met with my first wedding couple the other day ... she's originally from Jasper, IN. The groom is of Polish extraction from Columbus, OH,, and said his grandmother has been asking "Who's gonna be your priest?" I told him to tell her it's a Polish boy from Toledo who can make pierogi an pazcki with the best of 'em.

Sunday Morning

OK, so I missed my first target ... but not by much.

Yes, I got my roaster AND free turkey AND free kitchen knife the other day. The knife is Farberware (10.00 value) and I got a BIG turkey. I'll probably save the turkey for our Parish Epiphany Dinner ...

Yesterday I was rent-a-priest for a funeral service up on the north side. The funeral home had asked me (when I was at yet another funeral on Friday) if I'd be available to do a simple service for this family. The gentleman was from Indy, raised Catholic, but not attached to a church, and will be buried in Pennsylvania. In the words of Abbot Lambert, "I like funerals" so of course I made myself available. I gave mny card to the funeral home and told them to call whenever they need a priest, and if I can, I will help. I told them (the funeral home people) that some priests are great with kids or youth ... my "thing" is tending to the dying, the dead and the mourning.

GREAT BIG lightning and thunder early this morning ... rattled the windows.

Things are gearing up around here ... I already have four weddings on my books for 2008. I'm getting my irons into different fires, and dabbling with some projects. I am not bored nor wanting for things to do, and I'm having fun.

The one emerging problem concerns the mint chocolate chip ice cream which has been on sale 2 for 1 in recent weeks ... I gotta start walking ... or something.

This ain't been workin'

I had good intentions to keep the blog up ... really... I did ... but then, y'know ...

The suggestion was made that I focus on posting consistently on the same day each week ... I'm told that's the way some of the "famous" bloggers do it. So, after four weeks here and with the beginnings of routines, it looks like MAYBE Saturday would be a good day for me to do that. While I do have occasional appointments or meetings on Saturday, it's been the day when I putz in the kitchen, putting on a big pot of soup or cleaning out cupboards. And since I don't like to wander far from the kitchen with something on the stove, that would be a good time to work on a posting. So ... let's try that. Saturday. I won't commit to a time, just sometime Saturday.

I would start to catch up a bit, but I want to get out of here so I can head to the south of the city before afternoon rush hour. Meier's is having a great sale ... an 18qt electric roaster for 29.99 (normally 49.99) AND a free frozen turkey (up to 25.00 value) AND a free carving knife. Supplies are limited, so I'm hoping the limit hasn't run out yet.

The First 500

Well, I survived my first week. Diana (the Exec. Assistant at the Cathedral) was right ... all kinds of people wanted a piece of me from the get-go. I've learned quickly to fall back on "When I get settled in, I'll get back to you..."

I made a big pot of beef vegetable soup on Saturday, had my first emergency call to the hospital early Sunday morning, and have my first funeral tomorrow (Wednesday). In between I've cleaned out cupboards, signed checks and found out where the closest shopping centers are. Sunday afternoon, I discovered a fantastic international grocery store not far from here ... every imagineable animal part fresh or frozen, dry goods labeled in languages I can't begin to pronounce and fruits & vegetables that look very intriguing.

Sunday at my welcome reception some people asked me "Do you think you'll like it here?" I replied that I didn't THINK so, I already KNEW so. In short, we're clicking.

Settling In

I arrived here in Indy Saturday afternoon in time to get things unloaded before 3:30 Confessions and 5:00 Mass. Saturday was the first time I've presided in the Cathedral, so I was a bit distracted trying to get a sense of space, lighting, soundand such. I think things went well ... except for the homily, which I felt did not make a good first impression (actually, I thought it sucked) so I completely revamped it for Sunday morning.

I felt Sunday Mass went very well ... this time, the homily included. The Choir is awesome. After Mass we had a baby shower in the Rectory parlor ... apparently, there aren't many young couples in the Parish, so the anticipated birth of a new member is celebrated by all. It was a simple pitch-in, and was alot of fun. After everything was cleaned up I went in search of Big Lots to pick up a few things for my new digs.

Today the transition tsunami came ashore with the first of many "brought up to speed meetings", and there will be more over the next few days. Where the meetings leave off, there's a hefty stack of documents and newsletters to be read, as well as names to be learned and routines to be established. Since I split time between two offices across the street from each other, the Archdiocese is providing me with a new laptop, and the Director of computer stuff just finished getting me set up with that.

So here we go ...

47577

I arrived back at Saint Meinrad around 6pm on Friday, and set about the task of unpacking and bringing order to my cell to that I can start packing and making chaos for the move to Indianapolis. It was soooo good to be back to my personal space, bed and pillow and shower .... in the immortal words of Dorothy "There's no place like home."

During the stop in Indy on Friday, there was some discussion about the coverage for this coming weekend, so I offered to come ahead on Saturday and be there for the weekend schedule. I had planned on driving up on Sunday afternoon or first thing Monday morning, so this isn't too much ahead of schedule. This little modification of plans will be advantageous in lots of ways for a number of people ... besides, I'm kinda itchin' to get settled in and started.

Sugegstion has been made to continue the blog from Indy ... I won't exactly be on the loose anymore, but it's an up and running vehicle for keeping in touch. I used to think that blogs were only by/for psychological exhibitionists keeping a public diary, but I have to admit my mind has changed on that ... at least it's easier to say than admitting I've become a psychological exhibitionist. So ... while entries may not be daily, there will be postings coming from the heart of the largest American capitol city not on a navigable body of water.

BTW, my new contact info, effective Saturday, 29 September, is:

Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral
1347 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202

Phone: 317.634.4519
FAX: 317.630.9621

In the meantime, I'm making rounds by offices here on the Hill saying hello and goodbye, taking care of stuff with the Business Office, and starting to pull things together for the move. It will be a busy but exciting week ... making ready for the next adventure.

Corporal Work of Mercy

These days I am in Memphis, TN, for the funeral of my best friend's mother. She died Sunday morning, so I flew to Memphis yesterday (Monday), presided/preached for the funeral this morning (Tuesday) and fly back to Detroit/Toledo tomorrow (Wednesday). The original plan was to return to Saint Meinrad on Thursday, but since I won't be getting back to Mom and Dad's until Wednesday evening, we (M&D are driving me home) are deferring the Indiana trip till Friday. We'll stop in Indianapolis on the way down, so I can show the Folks the new digs, introduce them to a few people, and take a bit of inventory to see what exactly I need to bring with me on October 1st.

This Memphis trip has actually been a wonderful way to conclude the sabbatical. I always find presiding over the the Rites of Death and Burial to be some of the most powerful moments of Priesthood ... committing one's body to the earth while commending their soul to God ... standing at the threshold of eternity ... "Go forth good Christian soul ... Saints of God, come to his/her aid, Come to meet her/him angels of the Lord ... Receive his/her soul and present her/him to God the most High..."

Now it's time to go home and get back to work ...and I'm ready.

Comfort Food

Haven't been doing much these last days except indulging in comfort foods of yesteryear and watching Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. I am, however, getting round to downloading pics from the camera onto a CD, which will finally make it possible (that means simpler) for me to post some here.

Stay tuned ... it ain't over yet!

1978 Revisited

Yesterday evening I went to the wedding of the daughter of my Senior Prom date. I haven't seen either of them (mother or daughter) in almost twenty years (my Ordination celebration in Toledo) but have kept in touch over the years with Birthday/Christmas correspondence, and more recently, some email. The Bride and Groom met while undergrads at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and their relationship grew while they did their Masters there, so that's where the wedding was. It was lovely, and I'm really glad I went. It was wonderful to visit with these old friends, and I got some good pics with Cindy (the Bride's Mother) ... only this time I'm not wearing a lime green tux.

Jet-lagged Backlog

Yes, I know ... it's been a while. Among other things (details below) I didn't have computer access in England ...nor is it readily available here at my Parents' place (they don't even have an answering machine!) So, now, finally .....

The days in Finland were beautiful for sure, and came to good conclusion. Steve and Drew left for their Father-Son campout on Friday afternoon, and Barbara took me to the Jyvaskyla train station for my jaunt to Tampere. The train was a Pendolino, which means it was clean and fast and smooth. Once I got to Tampere, I took a taxi to the airport, to the Ryanair shack ... I mean, terminal.

Ryanir is definitely a no-frills budget airline geared to commuters and short vacation travellers. While the basic airfares may be cheap, they have VERY specific baggage weight allowances and surcharges ... in the end, I paid more in baggage surcharge than I paid for my ticket. It was a looooooong two-hours in a crowded plane ... complete with screaming child across the aisle from me ... but it got me to England.

We got in to Stansted about 11:30pm, and then had to make our way through immigration. While we were in line at Passport Control, one of the passengers took it upon himself to begin loudly exhorting the immigration people to efficiency. That of course brought several (armed)guards into closer proximity while one of the officials tried to get the guy to calm down ... the rest of us just wanted to get out of there. Finally, things settled and moved along. I had been led to believe that Stanbsted was a smaller, quieter airport ... not so. At midnight the place was a madhouse. Even getting a taxi was complicated by construction outside the terminal, so nothing about this part of the trip was easy. I got to the hotel (a small place near the airport where I had made a reservation for overnight) around 1am. Checkout time wasn't until Noon, so I knew I could at least get some good sleep.

Saturday I set out for Gravetye Manor, where I would hook up with friends from Canada. Stantsted is on the far north-east of London, and Gravetye is out in the countryside, way south of London, so the transfer took a bit ... three hours, actually ... by a variety of trains and taxis.

Gravetye is an old manor house built some hundreds of years ago, turned into a hotel of about 20 rooms. It's elegant, finely appointed, very quiet, with marvellous gardens. When my friend offered to have me as his guest there, I had no idea I would be stepping into an episode of Brideshead Revisited.

We planned to go into London on Monday so I could do some sightseeing, but by the time we finished breakfast and got on the way, it was nearly Noon. Once we got into the city, I headed for Westminister Abbey. From there, I set out to see Westminister Cathedral, stopping for fish 'n chips along the way. By then, the afternoon was quickly spent, so I made way to our meeting point at Harrod's.

Meanwhile, the tube (subway)strike began ... and it was the evening rush hour. When we came out of Harrod's it was obvious that any further movement about the city, even on foot, was going to be complicated and crowded, so my friends decided it best to head back for the Manor. We managed to get a taxi to the train station, and headed for home. So much for seeing much of London.

On Sunday I had some occasional sneezes, and attributed them to something blooming on the grounds. Monday, it became increasingly apparent it wasn't a pollen problem, and by time I woke on Tuesday it was definite that I had gotten myself a very bad cold. Subsequently, I spent much of the day Tuesday in bed ... venturing out only briefly to let my friends know I was still alive, and to order the taxi for my Wednesday morning departure. Despite the good friends and fine food and drink available, it seemed prudent to lay low, so I ordered a sandwich(egg salad and watercress... it was England, afterall)sent up to the room for lunch, and a mixed green salad for dinner.

The European segment of the sabbatical may have started out with a bang (thunderstorms that kept us on the Philly runway for five hours) but it ended with a whimper (the headcold that put me in bed). That's OK ... everything inbetween made up for it.

So I headed homeward ... this time there were no storms or significant delays, and my Sister met at the Detroit airport as scheduled. Now I'm nestled in at Mom and Dad's, reclaiming bits of summer I missed while in Europe ... things like sweet corn and fresh tomatoes.

But the sabbatical isn't over yet, so there will still be things to post ... after my nap, that is.

Uiminen

Yesterday Barbara and I picked Drew up from school and went to the indoor pool and water park. While B swam laps, I played with Drew in the jacuzzi and wave pools, even going down the big slide. After the pool, we did the sauna before showering and getting dressed. Since I was along, Drew came with me to the mens' lockerroom, rather than going with Mom like he usually has to. It's a good thing he was along, too, because not only did I not know my way around but I can't see a thing without my glasses ... so it was often a case of HIM watching over ME. By the time we got home for dinner (it was Steve's night to cook) I was very relaxed, feeling somewhat like an overcooked noodle.

Speaking of noodles, for supper Steve grilled brats he got from the German store, made noodles with mushroom sauce and salad with homemade bleu cheese dressing. Very nice.

Today has been a lazy day about the house, till this afternoon when B and I went downtown for a couple of errands. In a litle bit, we're all going out for supper. Tomorrow will be laundry and packing, before getting a late afternoon train to Tampere for my 10:55pm flight to London. When I clicked on the website to check my flight info, I found that Ryanair, being a budget commuter airline, has very specific baggage allowances (including backpacks) ... in other words, they're not geared for heavy packing sabbaticants like me. So it looks like I may wind up paying more in surcharge (per kilo over 15kg) for my luggage than I payed for the ticket. That being the case, I shipped a box of heavier stuff that I won't be needing anymore to myself at home ... if I was gonna have to pay for it one way or the other, I might as well pay someone else to handle it.

Rudolph

When I went to post yesterday's entry, it appeared that Google had the cyber- hiccups again and nothing was happening. I kept checking, but nothing was going through, so as we left for dinner I was afraid all was lost. Much to my relief this morning, I see that the post did go through, complete with the many typos I didn't catch. Oh well ...

For Grownups' Night Out, we went to a lovely little restaurant up on one of the highest hills in Jyväskylä ... the view was spectacular, and the food was outstanding. I had the snails in parmesan garlic butter sauce for appetizer (always a favorite of mine) and the fillet of reindeer for entree. Reindeer is farm raised (free range) here in Finland and is a very popular red meat. This was delicious ... medium rare, fork tender ... with a ligonberry sauce. For dessert I had a wedge of frozen rhubard parfait very artfully plated with fresh rhubard sauce, a dollop of creme fraiche with chocolate wafer. I had a chilled vodka (Finlandia, of course!) before dinner and then Steve and I had a six-grape Port before dessert. Very, very nice.

I'm cooking again today ... lamb. We got a nice piece of boneless leg roast yesterday at the supermarket (think Walmart Superstore only with entire aisles of fish products ... fresh, frozen, pickled). We have some potato casserole leftover from the other night, and B has a fresh rutabaga in the fridge, so I'm pretty well covered.

And it's raining today, which means a good day to stay in the house and cook.

Humming the Hymns

Barbara, Steve and Andrew have been very conscientious about introducing me to people, places and all things Finnish.

Thursday evening we went bike riding around the lake, and had dessert at a little place by the harbor. For Friday's supper, Barbara made a Finnish soup with fresh salmon (kind of a cream-chowder thing, only different). Then, after supper, Steve and I met some of his friends at a pub in town, where I snacked on moikku, a popular bar food, which are these little fish lightly breaded and fried ... heads, fins, tails and all... with a light dip on the side. Very tasty.

For Saturday evening Barbara and Steve had invited some friends over for a grilli (cookout) so Barbara and I spent much of the day in the kitchen. She made cornbread, coleslaw and fruit salad, I made spongecakes to go with fresh berries. Steve grilled hamburgers and makkara (sausages). One of the guests brought wonderful homemade Finnish cinnamon rolls. It was a fun evening, and as it is said, a good time was had by all.

Yesterday (Sunday) I went to Mass with Barbara and Drew to the local parish. Roman Catholics are a defintie minority in Finland ... the entire country makes up one Diocese, and there are only seven parishes in the whole Diocese, Jyväskylä being one. The Bishop and most of the priests are Missionaries of the Sacred Heart from Poland. This was Confirmation Sunday here, so the Bishop presided and preached ... four young women were confirmed. Drew was one of the servers, and I was very proud of him. Everything was, of course, in Finnish, but English translation fo the Readings was published in the bulletin. The words were beyond me, but I could hum the hymns ... Holy, Holy, Holy, the Veni Creator for the Confirmation, Holy God We Praise Thy Name. At the reception afterwards, I greeted the Bishop in Polish (Praised be Jesus Christ...) which I think caught him a bit off guard. After I introduced myself (I was wearing the habit) he invited me to come work in Finland.

After we got home from Church we changed clothes and all drove an hour or so north to a lake cabin belonging to woman who was a Fulbright Scholar in the US back in 1962-63. We took stuff to grille, but she had prepared a wonderful soup and a berry cobbler. I also did the full Finnish sauna bit ... sweltering in the wood stove heat and jumping in the cold lake complete with two rounds of rinse and repeat. By the third time, it wasn't so bad, and I actually stayed in the water for a little bit. Steve and Drew did a little fishing, and I just enjoyed being around a lake again with the childhood memories it stirred up.

We headed for home just as it was getting dark, and since it was Drew's bedtime (after a very active day) he quickly fell asleep. When we got home he didn't even stir, so I carried him up to bed. I liked that.

After a very leisurely morning, Barbara and I did a little shopping this afternoon before picking Drew up from school. This is Grownups' Night Out, so a neighbor is going to stay with Drew while B, S, and I go out for dinner.

The preliminary Finnish chocolate research is yielding quite accpetable results, but more indepth study is needed. Stay tuned.

Suomi, Sun and Sauna

Life in Finland (Suomi) is good, with sunny clear days and cool quiet nights.

Yesterday evening I was introduced to the Finnish Sauna ... many Finns' homes have saunas, and my Hosts' is no exception. It takes about an hour to get the wood stove going, then when everything is heated up one rinses under the shower and steps into the heat. At first, I had a hard time breathing, but once I settled into it it was fine ... until Steve threw a couple of ladels of cold water on the rocks, creating surges of heat and steam. After some minutes of sweltering, one steps out of the sauna and immediately under a cold (or at least cool)) shower. Rinse ... repeat. We were in and out of the sauna two or three times. They say that when you're at someone's lake house you run from the sauna and jump into the cold lake, but here in town the shower suffices. It is also customary to have a cold drink in hand in the sauna ... but needless to say if you don't drink it quick, it ain't cold for every long.

Earlier in the day I had picked tomatoes and green & wax beans in their garden. After the sauna, Steve grilled some sausages to go with a batch of gazpacho I made with tomatoes, and the beans that he had cleaned and cooked up. And I finally tried Drew's herring ... not something I'll be revisiting.

I fixed supper the other night and did my usual pork roast and saurkraut, this time adding some fresh mushrooms (chantarelles) that we got at the market in Helsinki. Barbara was happy to have leftovers to take to work yesterday for lunch.

This morning I made a cobbler with fresh peaches and blueberries, sitting in the sun on the backyard swing while that was in the oven. Very nice.

I hear Finnish chocolate is very good ... seems to me some research is in order.

Hei

Greetings from Finland. I arrived at the Port of Helsinki yesterday (Monday) morning about 5:20, and met up with Steve at the hotel around 6:30. I had to wait 20 minutes or so for a taxi to get to his hotel, but it was a bright clear morning so standing on the streecorner at the terminal in the very early hours of morning wasn't so bad. After breakfast at the hotel, we set out on a walking tour of Helsinki. But first, about the ferry ...

It's a good thing I headed for Rostock early, because getting from the train station to the harbor turned out to be a bit of a workout ... I got to where I needed to be, but wouldn't want to have done it in the dark. I checked in, and then just had to sit around and wait (3-4 hours) till boarding.

The ferry trip was great. It was quiet and smooth. There were three decks of garage for vehicles (ranging from semi trailers to family cars) and three decks of passenger cabins. My cabin was on Deck 8 ... clean and comfortable, with my own bathroom (I had a smaller shower in the hotel in Krakow). The main restaurant was reasonably priced buffet service, and selections were extensive ... lots of fish options at every meal in different raw, cooked, and pickled states. I always say I'll try anything once, but couldn't quite bring myself to do herring for breakfast. I didn't do the lunch buffet (got a salad from the quick-serve) but did go to supper .. entrees included beef, pork, chicken, lamb, rabbit, venison and more fish ... and desserts!

Getting the private cabin with a window proved a prudent and worthwhile choice ... I shudder to think what it would have been like to be assigned to a cabin with one (or two or three) of the Russian truck drivers who sat in the bar whenever it was open greatly enjoying theit vodka and beer and everything else.

Around 5:00 yesterday morning there was an announcement that we would be coming into port in about half an hour, which was the polite prompt to get up and get out. Come 5:20, we were docked.

Among the sights of Helsinki were the open-air produce market with lots of craft booths, the immense Lutheran Cathedral (Lutheranism is the State Religion of Finland) and the equally immese Orthodox Cathedral dating from when Finland was a Russian Grand Duchy under the Czar. The Cathedrals sit up on crests of different hills overlooking the city and the harbor. We met a friend of Steve's for lunch at a place with typical Finnish fare ... I had the pan-fried pike perch with a garnish of cooked/buttered horseraddish (very mild, actually) which was excellent. After another hour or two of walking ... with a stop for coffee and patry ... we swung by the market again to pick up some fruits and vegetables and headed home.

The drive to Jyväskylä (I think I spelled it right) took about three hours up nice highway through lots of wooded small hills and lakes.

Barbara and Steve have a lovely home in a quiet neighborhood. Drew just turned eight, and is all excited about my visit ... he has his own list of things Finnish that I must be introduced to. I heard Drew getting ready for school this morning so I went ahead and got up ... he wanted to start my Finnish introductions right away with some tasty, spicy fish he pulled from the fridg, but I deferred it until later... at least until after my coffee.

So now Drew is at school, Barbara is at work (she's an editor for an online journal or something of the sort) and Steve is working here at home in his office preparing the courses he'll teach at the University this term. There's no agenda for today, other than maybe a trip to the store ... I said I'd be happy to cook ... so I'm just taking it as it comes.

BTW: "Hei" is one of the colloquial Finnish greetings ... pronounced like "hey".

Auf Wiedersehen, Deutschland

The Zoo yesterday was fantastic ... one of the best parts was that it was a good hour before parents with strollers and wagons and gaggles of children descended on the place. I especially loved the bird exhibits and the aquarium. I saw Knute, the famous baby polar bear who isn't much of a baby anymore, and the Panda. All together I spent about five hours at the Zoo, and could have spent more were I not growing weary ... so I came back to the pension and took a long nap.

Had supper last night at a little old restaurant across the street and up the block ... reccommended by the guy at the desk here. It was very good, very German ... roast pork in a wine-mushroom sauce (fresh marjoram was the herb of distinction - really nice) and spätzle (little dumplings) ... and a beer (Pilsner) of course. Then I walked around some before taking to my quiet little room and comfortable bed.

Since I had to check out of the room at 11 this morning, I brought the luggage down to stash in a corner and spent a good part of the day riding the train around the city. Now I'm here to check the email, post this, pick up the luggage and head back to the train.

The trip is two hours to Rostock, then I find my way to the harbor. I can check in for the ferry at 10:30, but I don't think we actually board till around midnight. Departure time is somwhere around 4:30am, then it's 24 hours up the Baltic to Helsinki.

Ich bin ein Berliner

Well, not really ... but the memorable JFK quote comes to mind.

Got here yesterday morning. The night train from Krakow was more familiar if not more comfortable ... met a New York law student on the train, and yesterday morning he just kept saying "I can't believe you did this twice..."

Made my way here to the Pension Peters (the desk people get a kick of me, with the Family name Peters, staying here.) The room wasn't available yet, but the desk guy said I could stow the luggage and invited me to have some breakfast. Then I went out walking for a couple of hours, till the room was ready. Did some bakery research as I made my way around, with very pleasing results.

My room is small, but very clean and very quiet...it opens into an inner courtyard ... and I have my own bathroom and shower. There's also cable TV, so I could see some CNN and BBC in English last night ... and watched a little of the Cosby Show dubbed in German. I slept very well.

Last night I wound up at an Italian restaurant in an alley (of sorts) called the 12 Apostles. I chose the place mainly because of the name ... there's a place I remember in Rome called the 12 Apostles that's known for Carbonara. This one didn't have Carbonara, so I got a pizza, which was great ... about 14 inches diameter, VERY thin crust, with light tomato and cheese, big pieces of fresh hot peppers, spicy pepperoni and paprika. It was called "Pizza Judas." That with a glass of the house red wine, made for a great supper. Once I got inside, I discovered many of the waiters to be Italian, and there were lots of reserved tables (which were filling as I left ... I ate early, about 7pm) so that affirmed it to be a good, popular place.

Today I'm doing the zoo, and then I'll see what else.

Dzien Dobry

A good day in Kakow. After a good night's sleep, I came down for breakfast (a buffet of meats and cheeses and salads and breads and jams and...) and decided to see if I could extend my room. Check-out time would be Noon, and my train doesn't leave till 9pm, which means I would have to find a place for the steamer trunk or haul it around. The room was available, so all was taken care of, and I could launch into a leisurely day.

I went to the Marian Shrine Church in the center of the Old City for the 10am Mass. This being a Holy Day, it is therefore a holiday here in Krakow and lots of places are closed. The place was packed. At the end of the Mass there was Exposition and Procession with the Blessed Sacrament around the Church (I fell in with the people who followed in procession) and concluded with Benediction. Most of the Mass was in Polish, but some parts were in Latin. It was quite the religious experience ... I loved it. It was a wonderful way to mark the 22nd Anniversary of my Solemn Profession.

After Mass (which went about an hour a half) I walked to Wawel Castle and the Cathedral. I had to stand in line in the sun for about 20 minutes for a ticket, but it was worth it. Unfortunately, the Cathedral Museum was closed for the Holy Day. From the Cathedral, I went to the Archdiocesan Museum which is basically a John Paul II Museum, located in a house where he lived for about 20 years as Priest then Bishop. There were lots of JP2's personal effects from throughout his life ... very nicely done.

I came back through Szczepanski Place for another visit to the Pierogi Festival, then stopped off at another little shop for nalesniki ... Polish crepes with jam ... for dessert.

Now I'm back to the hotel to shower, rest a bit and pack up for the train. These have been two days (and money) well spent ... I'm glad I decided to make this trip.

The Old Country

The night train experience was interesting. The cabin was indeed all my own, which is good because there was barely room for me to change my mind. The bed was OK, and once we got moving the open window cooled it down quickly. I was the end cabin, so the WC (toilet) was next to me on one side (the vacuum flush was noticeable at first, but not a problem. On the other side was a young family with a cute but loud little girl. (Encountering children while travelling is becoming a sub-theme, it seems.) The worst part was probably the noise of the train itself, especially with the open window (but locked door). Note: this was a Polish train ... older ... not like the sleek new trains of Germany. If I think of it tomorrow, I may get some ear plugs. It wasn't so bad that I couldn't sleep, but coupled with the fact I couldn't use my CPAP, the night wasn't as restful as it might otherwise have been.

So we arrived in Krakow about 9:30 this morning ... about half an hour later than scheduled, not that it made any difference to me. I came to the hotel and asked politely if it was possible for me to check in, or at least store my steamer trunk so that I didn't have to haul it around till 2pm (the official check-in time). A room was ready so I got in, and was able to take a nice long shower before hitting the streets.

One of the first things I discovered was a pierogi festival in Szczepanski Place ... a sign from God that was I was to be here ... the Szczepanski family name and booths set up all around the little square with folks selling pierogi of all kinds. I tried several different fillings from several different booths ... the deep-fried meat-filled were my least favorite.

Then I took the tram out to the Shrine of Divine Mercy ... Saint Faustina's place. I pretty much spent the afternoon there wandering around the chapels and the huge basilica (dedicated by Pope John Paul II). There was Mass in the basilica at 3:30 (in Polish, of course) so I stayed for that. It was a lovely, peaceful afternoon.

I made my way back to the hotel here and just had supper in the hotel restaurant ... I'm kinda pooped, and didn't really want to go out walking anymore.

Oh, I forgot to mention there's a huge mall across the street from the hotel ... four floors ... just looking at the place you'd think you were in Chicago or someplace in the States ... many American stores.

OK, I'm heading up to my room ... there is a computer here in the lobby for guest use, and it was conveniently available when I came out of the restaurant. I'm looking forward to a good night's sleep in a real bed with my CPAP, because I'm back with Gladys Knight and the Pips tomorrow.

Gladys Knight & the Pips

It's quiet and cool and lovely here in northern Germany. Yesterday I presided at Vespers and Benediction ... thankfully my only speaking parts were in Latin! Afterward, I had supper with the Chaplain (a monk for Gerleve Abbey ... very gracious) and then we went to recreation with the Nuns. Recreation meant sitting in a circle for half an hour or so, with me telling about my travels and answering questions. When my faltering German really faltered, Sister Monica would translate. It was fun. One of the Nuns assured me that the thievery on the trains between Germany and Poland isn't so much a problem any more (somebody please pass that along to Mom!).

Later this afternoon, I head for the Hildesheim train station to make my way to Berlin where I get the midnight train to Poland.

Clarifaction: weissbier is beer made with wheat ... it's more yeasty and kinda cloudy, so it has its own flavor quality. I think it's typically Bavarian.

Yesterday afternoon I had washed out some socks and a couple of t-shirts, and hung them to dry on the rack in the utility room across from my room. I was later informed by one of the Nuns that I hadn't wrung things out sufficiently, and there was water dripping on the floor (I did the best my carpal tunnel would allow!) so she was going to take them over to the Monastery and run them through the trockner (dryer). I apologized and thanked her profusely.

Up North

Back in Germany ... at Marienrode just outside of Hildesheim. The train ride yesterday was nice ... until the car was invaded by a young family with two small children who chose to sit across the aisle from me. So much for my nap. But they got off the train at Fulda, and the last leg of the trip was quiet and peaceful again.

Marienrode was an old Cistercian monastery (men) that was supressed in the Secularization. Some years ago it was refounded as a Benedictine House by the Nuns of Eibingen (I think that's how it's spelled). It's a small community, with lovely quaint buildings. My room in their guest quarters is quite comfortable, and I have my own bath.

Yesterday on the way to the train station in Einsiedeln, I stopped at the little grocery to pick up some things to eat on the train. I got a couple of bottles of Einsiedeln beer ... there's a brewery in town, but is not associated with the Monastery in any way. Einsiedler beer is made with 30% corn ... gives it an interesting taste ... a little sweeter. I like it.

Speaking of Bavarian beer, I got to really like Radler ... a mix of beer and lemonade ... and Rus ... a mix of weissbier and lemonade. At least they say lemonade, but from what I saw in the biergartens, it looked more like a good shot of Sprite/7-up.

It's a rainy day here, so I may just take a ltitle nap ...

Ovaltine

In my chocolate research (as you know by now, an important aspect of this sabbatical) I have discovered a chocolate bar made with the Swiss equivalent to Ovaltine. It even has the nutritional information (amounts of vitamins and minerals) on the back of the label. And, it does have a certain Ovaltine-esque taste ... which is a good thing for me, because I'm very fond of Ovaltine.

Today Prior Basil took me (by car) to Mount Etzel, which is where St. Meinrad had his first hermitage ... it's across the valley and up the next mountain. Then we made our way down the other side of the mountain to Pfäffikon, which is on Lake Zurich. The monks used to have a schloss (vacation house) there, but now it is rented to the town for their municipal offices. On the next hill over is the Abbey Vineyard, which seems to go on for ever. It's interesting to see the rows of vines running up and down the hills, rather than across them.

It's been cloudy all day with some drizzle of rain on and off ... and a little on the cool side ... but even then, the views were spectacular as we drove around. There isn't as much fog as there was yesterday, so the distant visibility is much better.

Side note: Switzerland is lovely, but it's expensive ... at least in Swiss Francs.

Tomorrow I take leave of the Mutterabtei and head for northern Germany. I'll get the 9:30 train out of Einsiedeln, make the connections to Zurich, then over to Basel (Switzerland) then on up to Hildesheim. I should be at Marienrode (my next destination) by around 6pm or so.

Family Ties

Just got back from Engelberg. Yesterday evening before Compline, the Abbot of Einsielden reminded me that Engelberg is a grandaughter of Einsiedeln, being founded from Muri Gries in 1120 ... so they're more in the family than I thought. It was a wonderful visit, and would have been a wonderful scenic trip all the way around if it weren't raining all day. But even though I couldn't see mountains, the valleys and such are vibrant shades of green. Since the train never fails to lull me to sleep, I could nap today and not miss anything. I did manage to wake, though, for the climb up the mountain, so I could look out my window and see the straight drop down into the woods.

Father Thomas was my guide ... he knows a number of our monks from when he was a student in Rome, and he had studied for some time at Georgetown in Washington, DC. Needless to say, his English is perfect. He gave me quite a complete tour, with a break for Midday Prayer and Meal with the Community. Among other things, I saw a book in their Library that was scortched in the great fire of 17-somethingorother. It was a day well spent.

Here "at home" yesterday I got a more extended tour of the House, and then after Vespers I was given a private tour of the Sacristy and treasury. The really old, really valuable stuff is in a basement vault, in an amazing system of collapsible shelves. There is a vestment that is over 1000 years old, and vessels set with precious stones that were sent to Austria for safe keeing during the French Revolution.

So much history in these two Houses ... and all of it is, in a way, my own.

Oh yeah, the raspberry torte from the bakery in Engleberg this morning was quite tasty.

Wouldn't ya know it ...

Last night I went out for dinner and had ossobuco ... today we get to dinner in the Monastery, and it's ossobuco ... and every bit as good as what I had last night in the restaurant, so I'm not complaining.

This morning Brother Edward gave me a tour of their wine cellar ... it's quite the operation. They sell their wines here in the gift shop but also commercially, and have a great variety including some fortified wines (like Port) and a krauterwein, which is wine with an herbal extract infusion. After our tour, we had a tasting of several different kinds ... they are all good, but I especially like the krauterwein.

This afternoon I have a tour of the Monastery proper ... I asked to particularly see the Infirmary and area where the Seniors live. After Vespers I have a tour of the Sacristy.

Tomorrow I go to Engelberg, which is the Mother of the other half of our Swiss American Congregation. It takes about two and a half hours to get there by train, but is said to be a beautiful trip up into the mountains. I hear it's supposed to be "colder" and at that elebvation, there may be snow ... I'd like that. The Prior here called ahead for me, so I'll have someone to show me around and then take the midday meal with the Community. The only thing is the train leaves Einsiedeln at 7am, so it will be another early morning.

Yesterday at Kloster Fahr I bought some cookies and merengues in their gift shop. The cookies are good, but the merengues are awesome.

From the Mutterabtei

Today, I went to visit Kloster Fahr, the monastery of nuns near Zurich that is closely tied with Einsiedeln. After a tour, they served a lovely lunch for me and the Monk from Einsideln that I was travelling with. I had a nice visit with the Prioress and a long walk about the countryside with Brother Daniel (the monk I travelled with) before the Prioress took me back to the train station (Brother Daniel is staying on there for some "holiday".)

Being that this is the 24th Anniversary of my First Profession, and since I wasn't going to be here for the Community Mass, I concelebrated with one of the monks in the Lady Chapel at 6:15. Then to further mark the occasion, after Vespers I excused myself from supper in the Monastery and went into the town for supper. I sat outside and had a lovely ossobuco with homemade noodles and a glass of chianti. I was too full for chocolate or ice cream. Next year may be the actual Jubilee, but this will certainly be memorable.

I booked my hotel room in Krakow yesterday ... as usual, I checked out reviews on several websites before locking into anything. It's right across from the main train station, and 10-15 minutes' walk to the old city.

It occurs to me to start making a list of things I want to particularly remember (food-wise) for when I get to Indianapolis and start cooking again. I'm not sure the pineapple ring thing will be on the list though ...

Julie Andrews

Yes, I took the hike up into the hills yesterday ... No, I didn't run around, twirling and singing about the hills being alive with the sound of music ... but I could have. It was really beautiful ... and very much like the opening scenes of the movie. Going up the hill I was in the sun, but then the path along the ridge was in the shade of the forrest, with a gentle breeze all along the way. After an hour and a half of tromping around, up and down, I had no problem sleeping last night!

The main meal here is at Midday, so supper is light. Well, last night after the soup, when the "entree" came round, I was intrigued. It was a slice of white bread with a pineapple ring on it, topped by a slice of cheese, then toasted in the oven till the cheese melted and slightly browned. It was interesting ... good ... but interesting. There were two per person. Try it sometime ...

Today's Midday Meal was a nice porkchop with risotto and braised fennel. I especially liked the braised fennel.

I think a Sunday nap is in order, but first I may do a web search for hotels in Krakow.

Tomorrow I'm going to visit Kloster Fahr, a monastery of nuns near Zurich, for the day. The Prioress from there spent a month with us at Saint Meinrad last Fall.

And as for those who want me to bring back Swiss chocolate ... I have one thing to say/ask: Do you REALLY think I'd be able to carry a stash of chcolate bars in my suitcase for another month, without eating them all myself?

The Mother Abbey

It is Saturday afternoon, and I am in Einsiedeln. I arrived yesterday evening just in time for supper. It was a long travel day (a total of six train segments) but well worth the time and effort. (Note to self: just because the airline allows you 50 pounds per suitcase doesn't mean you have to make it 50 pounds.)

The days in Eichstätt were lovely, and and I only wish I had allotted more time there. Abbess Franziska saw me off, sticking several holy cards in my hand as I headed out the door.

As for Einsiedeln ... it's amazing. The monks have been very gracious and welcoming, and I feel very much at home here. I have a room over in a section of what used to be residence for coworkers but is now used for guests, which means I have my own bathroom and shower. I have briefly explored part of the town, but have not wandered back to the stables yet (Einsiedeln has a famous breed of horses). After I finish this, I may hike up into the hills ... there's a path that goes up and around the ridge behind the Monastery.

So here I am ... where it all began. I'll have internet access here in the Monastery, so regular reports should follow. Stay tuned.

Oh yeah ... the Swiss chocolate is gooooooooood.

Update (two in one day!)

Just got back from the train station ...

All set to move on to Eisiedeln on Friday the 3rd arriving there aroun 6pm.

Then on Friday morning the 10th, I go to Marienrode (near Hildesheim) in northern Germany.

Then on Monday the 13th, I go from Hildesheim to Berlin, where I get a night train to KRAKOW, POLAND, arriving Tuesday morning. On Wednesday evening, I get a night train back to Berlin, arriving Thursday morning, where I already have arrangements to stay until Saturday the 18th. (Pension Peters, remember?!).

Ever since being in class with Marcin, I've been thinking about going to Poland ... so after a little investigating I found good prices for the train tickets and PRIVATE cabins on the trains, and decided to go for it.

It's been an afternoon well spent here in Munich.

Takin' care of business

This post comes to you from Munich, where I am for the afternoon to tend to a variety of things.

As noted on Monday, Eichstätt is lovely, but the only place where I've found internet access is that bar where it's 1€ for ten minutes ... or 6.00 an hour. And then the computer is stuck in a dark little booth in the corner, reeking of cigarette ashes and smoke. I got the impression that it's not usually used by people to check email or post to their blogs ... I could barely see the keyboard. Access to the Monastery computers isn't possible (for alot of reasons) and since they're so kind to me otherwise, I don't want to push it. So coming to Munich puts me back at the i-net cafe where I know the works and the price is right ... or at least much better.

Other business which brings me to Munich is to take care of reservations for the next several train trips. While the fares are covered by my Rail Pass, the longer stretches require actual seat reservations, each for a fee. So, since I have the Rail Pass, and it's a lovely day, I figured I'd jump on the train, come to Munich and do what I need to do with the nice English-speaking travel service in the train station, then hop back on the train and be back to the Moanstery by dark. The little local train I take in Eichstätt proper to get to the connection for Munich is just two cars ... think of a modern Cannonball running between Hooterville and Pixley ... only in the hills of Bavaria.

When I saw the Abbess this morning after my meeting with Sister Angela (German tutor) she let me know that she was not pleased that I was running off to the city today... she said I should say in the enclosure, where I can be quiet and rest. I assured her that Sister Angela had given me some material I could read/study on the train and that I was indeed coming back and wouldn't be out late. So she said OK.

Dinner at St. B's on Saturday afforded me the opportuniy to sample another Bavarian specialty ... pancake soup. Thin pancakes (more like crepes) are cut into very thin strips and served in a clear (beef?) broth. Very tasty. Then we had a very nice schweinschnitzel (breaded pork cutlet). Yummy ... or as they say here ... lecker.

Yesterday I had lunch at a restaurant in Eichstätt with the cousins of one of the Sisters from Ferdinand (long story). I had a wonderful apfel strudel for dessert.

And yes, there is ice cream in Eichstätt ... and it's good ... and it's cheap.

So it goes. Now to head back across the street to the train station and take care of stuff there. Some of the itinerary tweaking has me going directly on to Einsiedeln on Friday the 3rd, rather than stopping back here in Munich for the weekend. I'll be there till Friday the 10th, when I head north to Marienrode (near Hildesheim).

But speaking of ice cream ...

If this is Monday it must be Eichstätt

Arrived here yesterday (Sunday) afternoon. What a beautiful place... both the City and the Monastery. My room in the Guest House is very comfortable, with a great view out over the city, and a private bath! I sit with the Nuns in Choir and take meals in a special Guest Dining Room.

Mother Abbess Franziska has arranged for me to have a German tutor ... an American who entered here about ten years ago. She's alot of fun (we met this morning) and will be great to work with ... she has the experience of having done an intensive course, but then REALLY learning the language by living it.

The itinerary is still in flux, a bit ... I think ... maybe.

Gonna go in search of cheaper i-net possibilities ... this is 1€ for TEN MINUTES ... then back up the hill for Midday.

Somber

Yesterday was the trip to Dachau ... the first concentration camp built in the 30's, about 20 minutes from Munich. Dachau became the "model" for all the other camps. Now, it's preserved and maintained by an International Organization as a memorial. There is no admittance fee. I rented one of the personal audio guides for 3€ which was really a great thing ... you punch in the number of the explanation you want to hear, with several levels of detail to choose from. You can go back and revisit or skip over ... it was very user friendly. I was there about three hours, maybe a little more, and didn't read HALF of the descriptions on the exhibits. Everything is multi-lingual.

It started out (appropriately, I felt) as cloudy and overcast ... as the day went on it cleared, and the sun came out. That's how I experienced the visit ... at first cloudy, grim and even overwhelming. But toward the end, as I made my way through the Catholic, Protestant and Jewish religious memorials/chapels, there was a sense of peace breaking through ... it's hard to describe. Everything held in memory, commended to the Mercy of God.

It just didn't feel right to take lots of pictures, so I just have a few outside shots.

At the far end of the camp is a Monastery of Carmelite Nuns ... as soon as aI walked into the Chapel it felt familiar. I did take a few pics there.

When I left the Camp, I went directly to the train station and headed home. I didn't want lunch.

I'll leave it there for this post ... there was more to the day, but I'll cover that another time.

When I clicked to check the posting, I noted that the day/date header has this being posted on Friday ... but it's Saturday morning here, as I write this from the i-net cafe.

It SEEMED like a good idea

Yesterday I went to Freising ... about 40 minutes north by train. It's and old city, and has lots of Catholic history ... this is the Archdiocese of Munich-Freising. My first stop was the "Co-Cathedral", which unfortunately had great scaffolding set up around the High Altar, so I couldn't see much. As I was poking around in other areas I spotted, above a door into a small hallway, "OO". So I looked, and yes, it was ... for the unknowing "OO" is monastic jargon for a bathroom.

Freising also has the Diocesan Museum, which is promoted as the largest single collection of ecclesiastical art in Germany. It's lovely ... everything from ancient coins to vestments and vessels. The current temporary exhibit is of new Churches and renovations in the Archdiocese since 1997, with big pictures and models. VERY interesting. While I can appreciate it all, I can't say I like it all. I was there for a couple of hours.

After walking around the old city for a while, I stopped for lunch ... after all, it was my feeding time. Very nice, sitting outside on the platz. I had the basic roast pork (If you haven't gotten the idea, pork is very big in these parts.) and, of course, a beer. The ice cream came later as I made my way back to the train station.

Then last evening ...

Since the ticket/pass I had gotten for the train to Freising was good on all the city transport for the whole day, I thought I'd just ride the trams around town for a while. So, after Compline, I came over to the platz in front of the train station and got on the first tram that came by. It was really fun ... took me through a part of the city where I hadn't been, nor would I have reason to go. Then we got to the last stop indicated on my handy-dandy-pocket map, so I got off, crossed the street to the stop on the other side thinking I'd hop on the next tram back to the city center. There was a young woman who had gotten off the tram there, too, who asked me in German if I knew where we were ... but after seeing the look on my face, she switched to English (she is actually French). She was doing the same thing I was ... riding around the city for a while. When the next tram came by, it wasn't the number we were expecting, but we got on. It soon became apparent we were on a route different from the one shown on my afore mentioned handy-dandy-pocket map . Next thing we knew, the tram was pulling into the central tram station, and there's a man strongly directing my new companion and me to get off the tram. This was the end of the line ... really ... stopped for the night. She asked in her faltering German (which was better than mine) about how we were to get back to the main train station. The man directed us to the nearest bus stop with some directions ... so, we made our way out of the tram yard to the bus stop. As we walked and talked, we agreed that if you have to be lost, it's better to be lost WITH someone. Yes, this was evening ... but no, it wasn't dark yet ... so we had that in our favor. Anway ... we got on a buss which took us to the east side train station (we were clear on the other side of the river from the city center) where we got our train back to where we wanted to go. I was home and in bed by a little after 10.

Note to self ... check and double check the schedules before going out joy-riding in the evening... or anytime for that matter.

Now today, I'm off to Dachau, and then hopefully to hit the famous delicatessen/gourmet food store here in Munich when I get back later this afternoon.

School's out

All done with the formal Deutschkurs now. I did OK on the exam ... got a 2 ... bascially a B.

The bunch of us went to the Hofbrauhaus last evening ... THE Hofbrauhaus ... one of the biggest tourist places in Munich... a HUGE beer hall. There was plenty of food and drink, and a good time was had by all. A couple of people were going to an Irish Karaoke Pub (!) afterwards, but I came home to bed. And yes, I was up for Morning Office today.

The days have been sunny and a little bit cooler, so it's quite pleasant to be out and about.

The plan for the next two days is to get around a bit and see a few more things. I need to get myself a Munich t-shirt, which means hitting the tourist areas. And there's a famous delicatessen gourmet food store that I've heard about ...

Fireworks

They say that the only good plan is one that can be changed ... so I'm looking into a tweak of my itinerary. No, I'm not going to say what it is ... I'm still investigating possibilities. Stay tuned ... as if you can do anything else!

There have been frequent evening events in the Platz behind the Monastery over the course of the past week. Can't tell exactly what, but sometimes it's music, othertimes it sounds like a movie. I did walk over there one evening to try and see what's happening, but the whole Platz is fenced off and you have to pay for admission. Well, one thing that one doesn't have to pay to see or hear is the FIREWORKS. Yes, at about 10pm there's a barrage of rockets and such ... only a few minutes' worth, but a bit of a display. That would be fine with me except on the nights (like last night) when I'm already in bed... then the wwwwwhhhhhhhoooooooooooooosssshhhhh, WWWWHHHHHHHIIIIIZZZZZZZ, BOOM, BOOM, BOOM is a bit startling.

Since tomorrow is the last day, a bunch of us from class are going out this evening.

And yes, I had Vietnamese last night for supper.

Weekend Adventures

The Deutsches Museum is a huge place that's built on an island in the Isar River. It's a museum of technology in the broadest sense, and has exhibits of everything from the history of coal mining to computers. Marcin and I had a good time, but my feet hurt after three hours of making our way through the place. We stopped at an outdoor cafe for a coffee before going our separate ways.

Yesterday, the Abbot of St. B's had a ceremony to go to at Plankstetten ... a Monastery about an hour and a half drive north of Munich ... so he asked Luigi (the other summer student) and me to go along. It turned out to be a big fest for St. Christopher's Day. The Abbot of Plankstetten was recently named a Bishop and the Community there chose to elect a Prior Administrator for three years to have time to do the discernment thing. But they wanted a miter and crozier to dress up the fest, so the Prior Administrator invited his friend, Abbot Johannes. After Mass the Abbot had to stand outside and bless all the vehicles that passed by ... everything from kids on bikes to motorcycles, cars, vans and trucks... I think he was at it for almost an hour. While he was doing that, we got a tour. When the Abbot finished his blessings, we sat down to a very nice dinner. Plankstetten is an old place that has a very large organic farming operation ... even their beer is "Bio" (I tried the dark, and it was very good). On the way home we stopped at Scheyern, another very old Monastery in the region. The monk who was giving us the tour made a point to say that they have been eating in the same room for 800 years. Both places were lovely.

It was raining in Munich when we left (about 8:30am) but cleared as we headed north into the hills. The weather was beautiful for the rest of the day, including when we got back into the city around 4:30.

For lunch today, I wandered up the street and around the corner to someplace where I could sit outside. I had the special ... a whole roasted Schwein hock with a big dumpling. It was good.

We have an exam tomorrow for the latter part of the morning ... part written, part oral. In one way it's kind of odd to have an exam for a course that isn't graded, but I suppose they do have to have some kind of assessment tool. Wednesday, we'll go over the exam and wrap things up.

The Monks at St. B's are all on a summer outing to Freising, so there aren't any meals served in the House today. I guess I'll just HAVE to go back to the Vietnamese place I found last week ...

Lions and Tigers and Bears ...

It's saturday morning, almost 9:00. I wandered over to the Internet Cafe for a while, and it's nearly deserted...too early for all the kids who usually hang out here. I'm meeting Marcin (my Polish classmate) at the Deutsches Museum at 12:30, so have the morning free. Besides, I was in bed at 8:30 last night and had a good looooong night's sleep...especially since Morning Office wasn't until 7:00 today.

Spent a couple of hours at the zoo yesterday ... the animals are arranged by continent, with big natural areas for some, while others are in more protected enclosures. I wouldn't say it's a huge collection of animals, but the park itself is sizeable. Of course, I was there in the late afternoon so it was naptime and there wasn't alot of activity.

I have been trying to post pictures, but these public machines don't seem to want to recognize my card reader. I thought the i-net cafe would, since they have usb extensions on a couple of the machines, but so far no luck. And this being early, there's no "network administrator" around to help ... only the lady at the coffee counter.

Found out the other day that our course will end on Wednesday. This is not necessarily happy news ... as several of us observed, we've paid good money for four weeks of instruction and aren't getting it. And lately, we've been covering quite a bit of material in one 4-hour session. Oh well, I guess that will give me some extra sightseeing time before I move on.

While it's quiet in here, I'm gonna look into some train schedules online, then go across the street to the Station and get my Rail Pass validated.

On the go ...

Yesterday (Thursday) the Computer Lab was closed for the afternoon.

In a few minutes, I am off to the Zoo.

Tomorrow it's the Deutsches Museum.

We had BIG lightning and thunder storms all night long, but today is gorgeous.

OK ... maybe I AM eating my way through Munich. But there are SOOO many bakeries.

Conscientious Shopper

Didn't get to the email or blog yesterday, as the GI offered an excursion to the Olympic Park in the afternoon, and a couple of us from my class went. It dawned on me after we got there that most of the people in the group weren't even born yet (1972), so the references to the terrorist activity were lost on them. The tour was all in German, and served to show me how much I HAVEN'T learned. But it was a beautiful day ... if a little warm ... and was a nice time walking around.

As I am in increasing need of a haircut, I asked the Guest Master about where one can get such... he told me they're cheap over by the train station. So, as I was coming back from the Olympic Park excursion, I came through the main train station to investigate further. The shops I found ranged 8-10 dollars (euro). Today after lunch I went through one of the department stores and found electric clippers for 7.99. I bought the clippers ... after this first haircut they will have paid for themselves. I hope our Business Office takes note that I am spending wisely.

With only one more week to go here in Munich, I need to start looking toward the next phase of the adventure. That will start with validating the Eurail pass and investigating the timetable for travel to Eichstätt, then confirming my arrival with the Abbess there.

In the meantime, I have irregular verbs ...

Now, where was I ...

Oh yeah ... the cemetery. It was really cool ... literally ... with all the shade. Most monuments I stopped to read were from the early to mid 1800's ... no telling how old the momuments are that had the inscriptions worn away by weather.

I didn't realize the computer lab closed up at 4:00 on Saturday until the desk attendant came in and very abruptly announced it was closing time. Besides, all the signage reads 1600, which, to part of my brain at least, suggests something much later.

Yesterday I spent part of the afternoon exploring an historic area of the city. I had no more gotten back to the Monastery and Father Ephrem stopped by, so we went back out and walked all the way to the English Garden. That name is somewhat misleading ... it's more like NYC's Central Park, only here in Munich and over on the upper east side of the city. Thousands of people flock there on the weekends, especially, and are splayed out all over the lawns sunning, playing, sleeping. There's a fast moving stream that flows through the park, so people are in the water, too... and there's a section where kids actually surf the current. I came away with a sun-burnt nose.

And contrary to what some people think, I AM doing more than eating and drinking my way around Munich. I just write about the food and drink because that's one of my main interests ... I don't think most people would be interested in hearing about past participles of irregular verbs.

Given that today is the Solemnity of Our Lady of Einsiedeln at home, and being that it's beautifully sunny and warm here, ice cream seems to be in order...

Saturday Afternoon

The Sommerfest last night was nice ... there were several of us from the class, and we wound up sitting at a table with an Italian Franciscan. At different times, the conversation bounced around German, Spanish, English and Polish. We are all beginner German students, the Pole understands no Spanish and little English, the Italian has some English and can basically understand Spanish, the Spaniard has good English with her Spanish, but unfortunately isn't doing so well with the German. So it was interesting ... but we communicated, and that's what mattered.

Spent this morning putzing around my room at StB ... This week we learned that "putzen" in German is to clean ... I wasn't German putzing, I was American putzing.

This afternoon I went out exploring a different section of the city... away from major tourist traffic. Found all kinds of interesting shops, and best of all an old cemetery. The cemetery had big overgrown trees, lots of shade, and gravel walking paths among the huge old monuments and markers. It was lovely.

OK ... computer lab is closing ... gotta go ... to be continued.

Friday the 13th

In spite F13, it's a good day ... no rain and the sun is shining. I hear it is indeed supposed to be nice through the weekend, but then more thunderstorms on Monday. Oh well ...

I went out for lunch and sat outside ... had käsespätzel and a bier ... think of it as really good mac 'n cheese.

Tonight the Institute is having Sommerfest here on the terrace, so I'm going to come over. It looks to be basically a drinks and munchies mixer for all the students ...they specifically mention fassbier (keg) on the flyer. Everything over here revolves around the beer ... and I'm not complaining.

Went to look at posting pics, but will have to look up some words so I can figure out the prompts.

Day after report

The ice cream was OK ...very rich but not much on flavor. But hey, at 80 cents for a big scoop in a waffle cone, I won't complain. I understand most of the ice cream here (at least sold in shops and on the street) is from Italy, so for those who know, the flavors are what one finds at gellato stands in Rome.

After I finished my cone, I went to the big bookstore on the Karlsplatz and bought a book of German verb tables .... WOOOOOHOOOOO!!! Actually, the bookstore is great ... kinda like a Borders ... three floors ... and it even has a sizeable English language section. I considered buying a season of MASH on DVD, but figured I'm not quite up to humor idioms in German.

The Basilica Chorale sang the Mozart Missa Brevis in C last night. It was actually guite nice, and, well ...brevis. They deferred singing the Agnus Dei until during Communion, and it went longer than the distribution of Communion. There were probably a couple hundred people there. The Chorale was accompanied by the Basilica organ (very nice) and a string ensemble (also very nice). The Abbot's homily sounded like it might have been pretty good, but by that time of the day, my brain was shutting down.

Yes it's raining again today. When we get to class in the morning, we usually start out whining in our own languages, but then switch over to German... practice is practice. But I hear that it's supposed to be clearing sometime tomorrow and be nice for the weekend. We'll see...

Hochfest

Today is the Solemnity of Unser Heilige Vater Sankt Bendikt here, so there's a variety of things going on.

Last night we had Vigils at 7:30 in the Basilica with a community of OSB Sisters from here in Munich. There were about 15 of them ... including a Postulant and 3 Novices. They came first in STATIO, then us ... everyone in cuculla except Luigi and me. Vigils went for an hour ... three Nocturnes with two LONG readings and the Gospel. Psalms sung in German, of course, but the Responsories were lovely Latin chant pieces. Cantors from the respective Communities led different parts ... the Monks imported three laymen for their Schola ... the nuns had gorgeous tone.

After Vigils there was a symposium which looked like it could have been kind of interesting, but there was no way I would be able to comprehend what was going on, let alone sit there and politely look interested for hours, so I went back to my room to listen to the radio. Well, I tried to listen to the radio ... but there was a concert in the Platz behind us (where some of the museums are) so it wasn't easy to concentrate on anything. Oh yeah ... did I menion it was a ROCK concert?! (Imagine having a rock concert down by the Community Center ...) Thankfully it was pretty much over by 9:00 ... THEN I could listen to the radio for a bit before bed.

Lauds was at 6:00 am as usual. After the Midday Meal they were having Coffee and schnapps. I also saw wine glasses on the tables this morning (normally there's only beer/water glasses) so I missed out on a couple of things.

Vespers and supper will be early (I forgot what time, and need to check when I get home) then Mass (Pontifical) is at 7:00 ... I think the Parish Choir is singing a Motzart Mass, so we're liable to be at it a while. Maybe I better get a nap this afternoon.

It started out sunny this morning, so I made a leisurely walk to school. Then by the middle of the morning, it was pouring again. Now it's dry, but heavily clouded. I asked someone if it's always like this in Bavaria in the summer ....

Stopped at a grocery yesterday on my way home and did a little shopping for some snacks. (If you don't provide your own bag, you have to pay 15 cents for one.) So even tho' I have chocolate back in my room, I'm gonna stop for a little something... maybe ice cream. After all, it's a Hochfest ... and I'm on sabbatical.

Once is enuf

I see that yesterday got posted twice ... must have been a glitsch in the network... so I deleted the duplicate as best I could for now.

I decided not to sign up for the Prague excursion this weekend ... found out that one shares a room with three others. NEIN ... NICHT ... NO WAY. I think the last time I slept in the same room with that many people was out at Camp Benedict in Troy, and then I at least knew all of them.

Last night after supper I asked the Guest Master if I could borrow a radio. (One of the tips in our course book is to listen to the radio, especially talk-radio, alot, and I found that helpful in Peru.) No ... there weren't any radios to be had ... OK, fine. Then this morning as I came out of my room for Morning Office a big boom-box was sitting on the floor by my door. I hope this well help ... I'm getting the grammar, and do OK with reading and writing, but have a hard time with the listening and understanding ... especially when they talk fast.

I grabbed a quick schweinschnitzel sandwich for lunch, but definitely feel the need for chocolate on the way home.

Liver

After the Community Mass yesterday, I went to the Mass "for English speaking friends" which meets in the crypt chapel. THAT was an interesting experience ...in English yes, but definitely multicultural. The music was all contemporary American, but I think I was the only American present. They were very welcoming ...had me sign the Guest Book and all...but I'm not sure I'll repeat the experience.

After lunch I went out to the museums. Turns out they're not free on Sundays, but only cost one euro. The two sculpture museums were OK ... I moved pretty quickly, especially since all the identification tags were in German and reading those got to be a bit taxing. Then I found my way to one of the galleries ... the Altepinothek (or something like that). It's huge, so I decided to target just a section or so, starting with the El Greco. Before I knew it, an hour had passed and it looked to be getting very cloudy outside, so I thought I better head home ... especially since I didn't bring an umbrella. I got back to the Monastery just before the downpour.

Those who know me know that I'll eat (or at least try) anything, except liver ... and coconut. Yesterday at Midday, as the soup came 'round, I found large dumplings (size of tennis balls) in clear broth. But they were an unusual color...kinda grey. So I played safe and took just one, with lots of broth. As soon as I bit into it, I knew ... leberknodel ... liver dunplings. I asked if that's indeed what these were, and received a very enthusiastic response. My simple question then started a bit of discussion among several of the monks around me of whether leberknodel was a German Bavarian specialty or Austrian thing. I gave up trying to follow the discussion, and just ate my dumpling ...with lots of broth. It wasn't sooooooo bad....but I don't think I'll repeat that expereince, either.

As for my schedule .... Morning Office is at 6:00, then, after a brief break, Mass is at 6:50am. I get a quick breakfast then head off to school. I miss the Midday Office and meal, which is at 12:15ff, because class goes till 12:45. Vespers is at 6:15, followed by supper, and then Compline at 7:30. On Saturday and Sunday, Morning Office isn't till 7:00, with Mass at 9:00 ... otherwise the schedule is the same. By time I do computer stuff and get soemthing to eat, it's sometimes 3:00 or later when I get home, so I do some review work and maybe get a little nap before Vespers. I'm most often in bed by 10:00.

Looks like the rain has let up a bit, so I'm gonna head out.

Weekend Update

I spent the morning studying, so after lunch I wandered over here to the Institute to get some computer time.

Thanks to those who post comments ... except that I'm not always sure who is posting. I can't always tell by screen names who is who, and I haven't figured out how to reply to a comment directly ... mostly because all the cues and prompts are in German, even for my obviously English-based blog. Also, I've decided not to do "Shout outs" ... too easy to get into a "Hmpf, he mentioned THEM but didn't say anything about ME..." So ain't gonna go there. Except to say hello to Mom and Dad and Kathy and Butch and Memo and Esther and ... no ... I better stop ... that's starting to sound like the ending to Romper Room (which I was on some 40 years ago, but I digress).

I've actually had a few "Aha!" moments as some things start to come together. I ventured to ask one of the monks a question (auf Deutsch) last night after Compline, only to find myself awash in a fast-paced response. I got most of it ... I think.

According to my tourbook, museums are free on Sunday, so I think that may be tomorrow's agenda. Several of the museums are literally out the back door of the Monastery. One of the sculpture museums actually adjoins the back of the Monastery ...King Ludwig's plan, relflecting the connection between religion and culture.

The sun has poked through the clouds, so I'm going to poke about the city a bit before heading home for Vespers.

First Week

To mark the completion of my first week I went out for lunch ... a little cafe/bistro on a sidestreet that I spotted the other day. I had schinkennodel ... what might be thought of as a German version of carbonara ... only different ... and a bier, of course. Since it's still cold and very windy today, I sat inside.

After I finish this, I need to swing by the department store again and pick up another plug adapter ... I brought one with me, but having another will be good so I can charge the phone at night and still have my CPAP running.

Haven't given much thought to the weekend, yet. Will go out exploring something, somewhere, no doubt.

Turns out the young Pole sitting next to me in class is a priest, too ... diocesan. He speaks little more English than I do Polish, so needless to say we practice our German.

Donnerstag

In commemoration of the Holiday (at home) yesterday, I stopped for two choclate bars on the way back to the Monastery. One of the shortcuts between school and StB's is an undergound mall ... which has been very convenient these rainy days ... so I stopped to explore the candy aisle in the Target-like place.

Today, after lunch, I went into the big department store to pick up a few supplies ....one of which being a larger dictionary. I had brought one of those little pocket dictionaries (about the size of a pack of cigarettes) but that's proving to be more and more difficult to use ... not because of the German, but because of MY EYES. So this one is about the size of a paperback ... more user-friendly, for sure.

Got some laundry done yesterday without boiling the socks or roasting the shirts.

The expereince of living in a small urban community is, needless to say, very different from that of the large rural midwestern monastery. The other day there were five (yes, 5) of us at Vespers. Through it all, the lessons we received in "monastic etiquette" during the Novitiate are serving me well (Vielen dank, Pater Aelred).

The class time really flies by, and we haven't had lots of homework, which means it's not overly taxing. The challenge is sufficient without it becoming a burden ... so far.

More Rain

Need to slosh my way home and do some laundry.

First Day of Class

Came up to the computer lab after class, but there was a waiting line so I went out for a bite to eat first. After the morning session there's a flood of people wanting to get on line ... and I see at least three machines that are out of service. Much better now that I've had a feeding, too.

We're quite a mix in the class ... I'm the only American ... and also the oldest...I'm even older than the Instructor. We have one from Poland, two from Hungary, one from Canada, one from Mainland China, one from Taiwan, one from Moldavia (just where IS Moldavia?!), one from Scotland, one from Thailand, two from Spain, one from Argentina and one from Mexico. Most speak at least a little English, and a couple of them are quite accomplished multilinguals. It's interesting to hear German terms being explained in fluent Spanish, and the optional activites talked about in Russian (a common language for the Pole and the Moldavian). At the break, I got into a bit of conversation with one of the Spaniards ... in Spanish. More for our money, I guess.

As for the beer, I'm very much liking the weissebier and the dunkelweisse.

I really should log onto CNN, Whispers and the BLADE to see what's happening beyond sabbatical-land... that is, before I head back to StB for a nap.

Monday in Munich

And it's raining. In fact, we had big thunderstorms last night. Now a steady drizzle continues, so no pictures today.

Have been through registration (such as it is) at the Goethe Institut this morning. My interviewer was intrigued with me being a Benedictine Monk ... she said she didn't know there were monasteries in the US. She just kept saying "How interesting." Whatever... But they had nice snacks out! Had to wait until 10am for the computer lab to open, but it's worth it. This will be nice.

As expected, I'm placed in the most elementary of the elementary courses ... morning classes for four hours each day, five days a week.

There is a monk from Praglia (Italy) who is also doing a German course this summer who is in the room next to me at St. Bonifaz. He's already had some German so is in a different course. But he also speaks some English (pretty good, too) so at least we can communicate with each other. Last night the Guest Master showed us where we can do our laundry ... I had to go back and copy down the directions etc. so I could look words up in my dictionary, lest I boil my black socks.

One of the trips sponsored by the GI is a weekend trip to Prague ... That's not someplace I had planned to see, but it looks interesting (and a good price) so I'm gonna get more info.

About time to head back to the Monastery for Midday ... need to stop at the Woolworths (yes, there really is a Woolworths here) and pick up a few things.

Sunday morning

Found myself with some time between Mass and Midday Prayer, so I came out for a walk to the i-net cafe.

Spent yesterday afternoon with our Father Ephrem, who is here in Munich working in a parish for the summer. (During the year he teaches at Sant' Anselmo in Rome). He showed me around the old city before we went over to his parish for the evening Mass and a light supper. Among other things, he introduced me to the subway system, and gave me some general pointers about getting around. The Monastery is very well located with regard to getting around (there's a subway station at the end of the block) and the city center is a short walk.

The weather here is beautiful ... we had a few clouds yesterday, but with a nice breeze. I have yet to get the camera out, but will begin taking pictures soon.

Looking forward to starting school tomorrow, and finding out precisely what my schedule will be.

Shifting gears from a life-pace of multiple responsibilities and activities to one of no real responsibilites and little activity except the basic Monastery schedule does not come easy for me, but I'm working (reflex choice of word) on it. So, perhaps a nice nap this afternoon...

I'm Here

If I knew how to title this "It was the trip from hell" in German, I would. After a three hour delay in L'ville because of weather, a literal run through the Philly airport to get on board a little after 8pm for the 8:20 flight, ONLY to get out on the runway and sit there for FIVE HOURS through the storms, I made it to Munich ... even with my luggage.

So I took the train into the city (a 45 minute ride) and a cab to the Monastery (wound up being just a few blocks) I was recevied by the Guest Master, met the Abbot, and shown to my room. I was able to unpack a little and get a shower before Mass and Vespers. After dinner and Compline, I excused myself to finish unpacking and get to bed early.

This morning I ventured out, found my way to the language school (20 minute walk from the Monastery) and spotted this internet cafe. I also explored the train station in greater detail, where I was sorely tempted to eat my way through the shops and bakeries ... but I didn't. Instead I went back to St. Bonifaz for Midday Praer and dinner. Now I've made my way back to this cafe to post this and check some email.

So other than the actual travel, I'm off to a good start. My room in the Monastery if comfortable, right next to the bathroom and showers. The food is good, and there is beer with meals and in the frig for the taking (They have their own brewery ... Andechs). The dark wheat beer is very good.

This will be it for the first word ... this screen is at a bad angle for my bifoculs, so I won't be at this very long. Next week, I should have access to computers at the school ... and maybe at the Moanstery before then. (I was warned about the keyboard differences, and have tried to be careful, but if there are any weird typos, you'll know why.

The adventure begins!

Outta Here

Next stop ... Munich.

P.S. Do you think this outfit makes me look fat?!

Pictures

Here's a pic I took of the Abbey Church this morning ... it's not the best, but it worked.

It's now after 10pm ... have been finishing up a few things, including a project that I thought was going to be left undone. So having a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction (the proof-reading project and the picture-posting) I can head for bed. The real question is whether I'll be able to sleep.

Tomorrow

Have been wanting to update this, but not having my own web access anymore has made it difficult...I've been gyrovaguing around computers of the Monastery just to check email. So, finally, this morning, I took the camera outside to get a new pic of the church, gathered up the card reader and made my way down here to the computer room in the Novitiate. Now, to get it all to work.

I'm just about packed ... I need to get things arranged in the suitcase and weigh it again. The other day I quickly threw stuff in and weighed it and was only at 37 pounds, but that was without shoes and a few other things.

I need to pull out of here between 9 and 10 in the morning. There's construction on the interstate between here and the airport, so I need to allow for some slowed traffic. The flight leaves L'ville for Philly around 3:30. Then I have three hours or so in Philly before the 8:30pm flight to Munich. I'm scheduled to land in Munich around 10:30 Thursday morning, local time.

OK, here goes ... insert the photo and post ... ... ... ... ...or maybe not ... can't seem to get the "insert image" icon to do it's thing, so I'll post this now and come back later to try again.

Soon and Very Soon

Things are coming along ... I moved the aquarium out on Saturday, and the birds are going to their summer home tomorrow or the next day. Homes are arranged for the plants, but I'm going to hold onto those for a while yet ... I need something to take care of. This morning I made duplicates of all the paperwork (documents, travel insurance, reservation acknowledgements, etc.) to leave here. The clearance table at Staples had some blank books in different sizes, so I picked up a couple to use for making blog and budget notes.

Got an email from my friend at Marienrode and she said it was very hot today - unseasonably so. I zapped a line back and asked her what makes for very hot in northern Germany and she responded it was 29 degrees celsius ... then for my benefit, she said it felt like it was in the 90's. I guess I'm going to have to print out a temperature table. I can guestimate other metric equivalents, but the temperature scale loses me.

When at Staples, I picked up a 1G memory card for the camera and a card reader, so now all I have to do is have someone show me how to use it so I can post photos here.

How long, O Lord, is a little while? 16 Days!