Now that we’re back in our homes after our great Central Europe tour, I wanted to make sure that we have at least a brief record of some of our tour memories for the archives. This may also help the singers to sort out our many activities when describing the tour to their families (or when updating their own journals).
In addition, this diary will give some perspective to the two albums of pictures, which are divided into
in the Photo Gallery.
So here we go…
Monday-Tuesday, June 18-19 (Chicago-Heidelberg-Speyer) The bus to Chicago and flight over to Frankfurt were uneventful (other than a late arrival at about 11:50AM, Frankfurt time, and the fact that airline seats don’t make the best places for sleeping).
We met our friendly tour guide, Karolina, and bus driver, Jan at the airport, and they took us over for a short but nice visit to Heidelberg. We walked the cobblestone streets and enjoyed the beautiful architecture of the buildings and churches, and took lots of pictures with the river in the foreground and castle in the background. The weather was very warm and sunny, but we were able to cool off in our air conditioned, new double-decker tour bus.
After that, we headed into Speyer, where we met Sandra and attended a cultural exchange with the Junge Chor Speyer. We were treated to musical exchanges from both choirs, made new friends, and were treated to lots of delicious homemade cakes, soft drinks and ice (which Sandra had some difficulty locating). A picture was taken of the combined choirs, and by dinner, we got to look at the actual copy of the article and picture as they will appear in the newspaper tomorrow.
We checked into our hotel, took long-awaited (and needed) showers, and walked over to the Domhof Restaurant for a real (and filling) German dinner.
Needless to say, we’re really tired but we’re really enjoying ourselves, too.
Wednesday, June 20 (Speyer)Another VERY warm, sunny day in Speyer. We packed a lot into today.
After breakfast, we walked to the amazing Kaiserdom cathedral. What a fantastic experience for the choir to be able to sing a few songs in this enormous space. The reverb time was incredible – I believe that it’s still echoing there.
We then were graciously received and welcomed by Lord Mayor of Speyer, where the choir sang for him, ate soft pretzels, and took in the view from his balcony.
We then were surprised by a 1462 walking tour of Speyer – The tour was expected, but the costumed tour guides were the surprise. These guides, in true 1462 fashion, were quite puzzled by our strange clothing and ability to get across the ocean in a matter of hours.
After squeezing in some quick shopping and lunch, we prepared for the concert.
The concert really was a high point, with a large, receptive crowd and standing ovation. A special treat was a joint performance of one piece with the Junge Chor Speyer – our friends from yesterday. We were welcomed again by the choir and by the people we met the day before, with some choir members even joining us for our buffet dinner at the hotel. Already there are rumors of a possible choir visit to Akron some time in the future.
Thursday, June 21 (Eisenach-Erfurt)Cooler today – and wetter, although it was mostly drizzle.
This morning, we headed to Eisenach to visit the Bach museum, after a quick search for some eating places in the area. It was really a thrill to be in this area, known for Martin Luther as well as J. S. Bach. Not so many years ago, this would have been impossible since this is in the former East Germany.
The museum visit was highlighted by a recital of selected Bach pieces on several instruments of his time (and a 2003 dual-manual harpsichord). The rooms of the museum contained not only Bach’s portraits and copies of his music, but lots of other things like room replicas, historic documents and artifacts, a family tree, instruments, and a listening area.
After some very brief shopping time, we headed to our Best Western hotel in Erfurt, an interesting eastern European city where we checked in and then walked to an Italian restaurant for a very good dinner of salad (with lots of ingredients), spaghetti, and probably the best tira misu ever tasted by a choir manager.
Friday, June 22 (Chemnitz)On the way to Chemnitz, we stopped at the Waldorf School, (primary kids all the way through high school). Since many of the high schoolers were away to Berlin for a field trip, we were more than welcomed by lots of children (and a few high schoolers).
We toured classrooms where Greece was being studied, and the students had their portfolio of work ready for us to admire. This was followed by a musical program where the younger kids sang English-learning songs and played their recorders, and older students sang (very well) a selection from the Magic Flute by Mozart. A staff member sang some original songs, which were greatly enjoyed. The Touring Ensemble sang to enthusiastic applause.
They had many delicious and hand-made chocolate treats for us – arranged with care on plates. They also served us Eis Tee (Iced Tea) and grilled bratwurst. After a little time, some were willing to try their English on us. All in all, many friends were made, as evidenced by their large attendance at the concert the next day.
After checking into the hotel in Chemnitz (and receiving various ‘welcome to Chemnitz’ souvenirs in our rooms from the Lord Mayor Ludwig), we had a chance to tour Chemnitz by bus, stopping to look at a collection of 290 million year old petrified wood from the area that was reassembled into a mini forest in a hotel lobby, and also stopping to view a former Soviet rocket simulator that is being transformed into a play area for children.
Later, we had the opportunity to sing for local dignitaries of both Chemnitz and Akron, including the mayor of Chemnitz, followed by a City Hall and tower tour by a (costumed) town crier. The view of Chemnitz from the tower was spectacular! A German dinner at the Ratskeller restaurant followed, where we were presented with more Chemnitz souvenirs.
Saturday, June 23 (Chemnitz)Our day started with a castle tour complete with a treasure hunt, where clues were hidden around the grounds until a key was found to unlock the treasure of polished gemstones for everyone. Even a ghost was encountered along the way. This was a fantastic Renaissance castle to visit, and also had an interesting museum.
Lunch and shopping followed, and then we went to the Kraftwerk club for youth, where we were treated to lots of break dancing, foosball, pool, darts, video games, and crafts such as glass etching, basket weaving, and more.
Then it was rehearsal time in the beauty and acoustical resonance of Markuskirche followed by a short break and then the actual concert, which was performed to a capacity audience (many of whom were students and staff of the Waldorf School). Although we’ve heard the program several times now, this one seemed to be special. On departure from the concert, some tears were shed as new friends parted ways – possibly to correspond in the future.
Dinner at the hotel, and then we called it a day.
Sunday, June 24 (Dresden-Prague)We left Chemnitz on our way to the Czech Republic, stopping for a few hours in Dresden, nearly 75% destroyed in World War II, and rebuilt initially in the Communist mold. Following the end of the Cold War, the city is being gradually remade into the beautiful old city that it once was, and they’re doing a good job – the ‘old style’ buildings in the city are actually the newest. One particular highlight was the Frauenkirche, a church that was a casualty of war, but rebuilt (and completed only last year). Where possible, they used actual stones from the original building.
Then it was on to the Czech border, where we were stopped for a passport check. (Although we were delayed, it allowed us all to collect a passport stamp from Germany and the Czech Republic).
Our first stop was Chlumec, a small Czech town where we initially were given a lunch of schnitzel, French fries, cole slaw and soft drinks, with a very good chocolate cake. Then we participated in a combined concert in St. Havel church, along with the Chlumec youth choir. We all really enjoyed the Chlumec choir’s performance, and spent time after the concert meeting them and learning some Czech as well. There were MANY snacks to sample. Each choir took a turn singing their own national anthem, and we moved outside for a Chlumec battle reenactment (actually a couple of guys in period uniforms who made us all jump by firing their muskets). Lots of laughs and photos were shared as several took turns putting on the hats and standing by the soldiers.
On then to Prague, where we saw some of the city by bus, checked into our hotel and headed to dinner at a restaurant near St. Norbert monastery. Smoked salmon and kabobs with vegetables and a mixed grill of meats were on the menu. We then walked to a scenic overlook for this beautiful city where we enjoyed the view and spontaneously performed a song for some outdoor diners at another nearby restaurant. (A couple of those diners were seen at the concert the next day).
Monday, June 25 (Prague)This day was spent entirely in Prague. It’s impossible to convey in words or pictures the charm of this city. In every direction, one can see interesting fairytale architecture, European character, and history that dates back through the ages. We toured the Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral – where we were given (rare) permission to perform one song, the Charles Bridge and the Old Prague Square. We shopped in interesting and varied shops.
Our concert was in the afternoon at the spectacular St. Nicholas Church in the old square – again very well received.
The Batramka Museum was an interesting stop, owned by some of Mozart’s friends and affording some creative time for him there. Due to the smaller size of the museum, we took turns visiting it – while half of the group toured the museum, the other half was able to walk the grounds which contained (among other things) an outdoor table where Mozart actually did some composing.
Then we had a traditional Czech dinner and were entertained by live Czech musicians who played not only traditional songs, but ‘You are My Sunshine’ and the ‘Chicken Dance’ as well.
Tuesday, June 26 (Vienna)Today was spent traveling to Vienna from Prague. Upon arrival, we took a bus tour of the culture center of Europe – Vienna. The tour included the magnificent Schoenbrunn castle with its many ornate rooms. This was followed by a stop at Franz Schubert’s former residence (and museum), where we even had a chance to perform a bit of his version of Psalm 23.
Then it was on to our very nice hotel to check in before heading to a dinner in a castle where Napoleon visited. Afterward, the choir managers (and accompanist) treated the seniors to some ice cream at a nearby outdoor café, where we got a chance to hear some interesting history as well.
Wednesday, June 27 (Vienna)After sleeping in a little later than usual and a short rehearsal, the choir sang for High Mass at the awe-inspiring Stefansdom, followed immediately by several other concert pieces at the conclusion of the Mass. Having the opportunity to sing in this beautiful place was a very moving experience for all.
Then it was off to do some last-minute shopping and lunch before the next rehearsal at St. Anna’s Church – breathtaking in its own way, with beautiful paintings on the ceiling, and brilliant golden gilded woodwork.
A quick trip back to the hotel to change into concert dress (and eat some pizza), and then it was back to Stefansdom for a group picture. We then made a brisk walk back to St. Anna’s for the highlight concert – actually a benefit concert to raise funds for a local children’s cancer center. The concert was again greeted with much applause, although it was a somewhat bittersweet experience for the seniors (and for Mrs. Walter), since it was their last concert with the Touring Ensemble.
Tears soon changed to smiles as we dressed up and traveled to the Prater amusement park to unwind, take some final group pictures, ride the Ferris wheel, and enjoy Vienna burgers, fries, and ice cream. It was hard to believe that the wonderful Central Europe tour was almost over, as we said goodbye to our great driver, Jan and excellent tour director, Sandra.
Thursday-Friday June 28-29 (Vienna-Chicago-Hammond, Indiana-Akron, Ohio)We had a very early start to a very long day, with a flight from Vienna to Frankfurt, where we had to part with our excellent and beloved tour guide, Karolina. After a long layover in Frankfurt, we took the long flight back to Chicago and took a bus partway home – to Hammond, Indiana, where we had some more pizza and a good rest. Some actually had enough energy for a swim in the pool.
On Friday, there remained only to get from Indiana to Ohio, which we covered with only one stop, arriving in Akron by about 4:15PM—glad to be home, but enriched by the new friends and experiences gained on this great tour!
Now that we’re back in our homes after our great Central Europe tour, I wanted to make sure that we have at least a brief record of some of our tour memories for the archives. This may also help the singers to sort out our many activities when describing the tour to their families (or when updating their own journals).
