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.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
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 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.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
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 ...
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 ...
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
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.
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.
Monday, July 23, 2007
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 ...
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 ...
Friday, July 20, 2007
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
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 ...
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 ...
Monday, July 16, 2007
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...
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, July 14, 2007
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.
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, July 13, 2007
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.
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.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
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...
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...
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
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.
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.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
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.
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.
Monday, July 9, 2007
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.
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.
Saturday, July 7, 2007
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.
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.
Friday, July 6, 2007
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.
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.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
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, July 2, 2007
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.
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, July 1, 2007
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...
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...
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