Diary Archives - Page 3 of 4

Best Laid Plans

Dachau Ovens — In the twelve years of its existence over 200,000 persons from all over Europe were imprisoned here and in the numerous subsidiary camps. 4,500 were murdered.

Yesterday afternoon, after arriving in Munich at our hotel, we took the S2 up to Dachau and the local bus to the Concentration Camp Memorial. It was quite moving. We didn’t realize the size of the place. The weather was very nice and we walked quite a bit around the grounds and then through the museum portion. It was very depressing to read the supplied information stations and know what mankind is capable of doing to itself. We walked all the way back to the central station, skipping the bus. Taking the S2 train back into Munich we went to eat at a nearby restaurant. It was very good, filling, and affordable.

We had planned to take the train to Fussen today, Nov. 3, to go to the castles. We boarded and waited. It was past time for the train to leave, when a German voice came on with a long speech. There was no English translation provided. We asked a small girl what the message said. She told us the train had been cancelled.

We decided to make today our walking tour of Munich. We followed the routing outlined in Rick Steves book. We managed to see quite a lot today. The 11:00 am performance of the clock tower carillon was a big hit. Many tourist in the area taking photos and videos as well. The Frauenkirke and Ratskeller were on the schedule too. We walked quite a lot, but did not have the benefit of a tour manager to tell us what we were seeing, having to rely instead on our guide book.

A late lunch, early dinner was had at the Hofbrauhaus. It, too, was very good. The outdoor market was enjoyable as well. We purchased some souvenirs to take home to friends. Just walking through the market was a treat to all the senses. The smells were incredible.

We managed to fit in a visit to the art museum that features the Old Masters. Unfortunately the building is undergoing repairs. Large sections were closed of. We did see quite a few very nice painting. Reubens was prominently represented. We saw a Rembrandt and a partial Bos painting as well. It was 4 euros per person well spend. The other museum that featured Klimt, and the other artist of his time, was closed on Tuesdays. We would have liked to see that as well. If we get back from our day trip Wednesday we may try to go.

Back at the Hotel Dolomit now. The WiFi is not free. It is 3.90 per 24-hours. I thought that was reasonable so that I could post to the blog.

We are going to try to get up early and catch the 7:53 a.m. train to Fussen tomorrow. I hope it goes.

Gute Nacht until tomorrow.

Planes, trains and automobiles

Today is the day my husband and I leave for Germany. We need to drive to Chicago O’Hare and be there by 12:30 for our 15:35 flight on Air Berlin. The adventure begins.
We chose to park in the Economy Lot at O’Hare. This was a little hard to find due to construction in the area. The bus came quickly to pick us up and the transport from the main train terminal to the airport was quick and efficient.
Departure from Chicago O’Hare was on schedule. The AirBerlin flight was full. The leg room was tight, but we managed okay. The plane was very clean when we boarded. There was a pillow, blanket and comfort pack on each seat. It contained earplugs, an eye mask and a toothbrush with paste. The cabin crew were professional but not overly friendly. I was disappointed that there was not music streaming from the entertainment unit. This was one of the options I enjoyed on the flight to the Netherlands. I put on my headphones with classical music and it drowns out the engine noises.
The meal was not great. I choose the pasta. It was hot though, and filling. After the dinner was served the lights were dimmed and I managed to get a few hours of sleep, how much I am not completely sure.
Arrived on schedule in Berlin. No jetway to exit. We went down the stairs that were brought over. Transfer to the main terminal was by bus. Passport control was very efficient. If you had connecting flights they were helping you get in line so you didn’t miss your connection.
We had to walk a ways outside to get to Terminal A for our connecting flight to Munich. We were told in ORD that we did not need to check-in again. It was unclear to us where/how we were to get to the departure gate. I ask an agent at a different desk from our flight and she was very helpful. We went through security again and are now waiting for the departure to Munich. AirBerlin has free WiFi in there gate area. But we couldn’t get it to work prop[erly.
It is now 2:22 am by our body clocks, 8:22 am here in Berlin on November 2nd.

Auf Wiedersehen.

Arrival in Amsterdam

Saturday, April 19
We arrived in Amsterdam a little early. Getting off the plane and finding our way to baggage claim, passport control and customs was exciting. The whole process went very well, once I figured out what to do. Several passengers gathered together with Lynda and myself as we completed the entry into the country. There was a wait for the bus, after we found the Burger King. Finding the Burger King did take a while. Good thing we had time. By this time in the morning the airport was quite busy with many different people and all going difference places. It was very exciting.

It would have been good had I thought to get my jacket out of my checked luggage. We got on the bus and drove to Harleem. It was cold and very windy there. Many other people complained about that. Nothing we could do about the weather but soldier on. When we got there, we learned that there had been a fire there. The bus could not go where planned, so we did the best we could.

We met up with the local guides, divided up into two groups and went on a tour of the city.
We went inside St. Bavo Church. It was quite interesting and very old. I learned that the term “stinking rich” came from the custom of rich people being buried inside the church under the floor. Some of the stones on the floor dated back to the 1400s. Lunch was independent that day. I met up with Carol and Del De Jong and Lynda Barendse-Witte for lunch. We ate at the Brinkman. I enjoyed a wonderful rustic tomato soup. Lynda and I wandered around the town. There was an open air market. She was cold and bought a scarf. I thought they were very pretty so I bought one too!
We met up with the bus and headed toward the ship, which was docked in Amsterdam. What a very pretty ship! The cabins are so nice. The ship is very pretty. The crew is extremely friendly. Dinner that night then we could turn in for the night.

Cabin 212 on the Salvinia — Cabin 212 on the Main Deck of Salvinia

Terri Foley, Graphic Designer

Day of Departure

Friday, April 18
The check-in at the Grand Rapids airport was smooth. Tracy from Witte was there to help everyone who needed it with the process.
The flight to Detroit was very short. We arrived there with plenty of time to find the gate and stretch our legs. Some passengers met up with us there. Most of the people seemed pretty excited.
The flight 619 to Amsterdam left on time. It appeared to be a full flight. The crew was very friendly. Warm moist towels were offered before dinner. Dinner was very good. All drinks were complimentary. I had never experienced this type of air travel before.

I sat next to a women who was going to Ukraine. She was from there originally and was returning to visit her children. I managed to sleep a fair amount on the plane, which was crusing at 38,000 feet for a great deal of the flight.

Terri Foley, Graphic Designer

Netherlands Waterway Cruise Pre-Departure Meeting

The trip is less than two weeks away. Henk held the pre-departure meetings in the Education Center at Witte on Saturday, April 5. Many people attended both meetings. The documents were covered in depth. Having helped create them, there wasn’t much new to me there. During the question and answer period though I learned a lot. I feel that the people who attended have a better understanding of what to expect on the trip. Henk covered money, electricity, shopping and he shared the ten commandments for travelers.

Terri Foley | Graphic Designer

Heading to the Netherlands!

I am so exciting to be going to the Netherlands. Forty days until we leave, and so much to do! I plan to take lots of photos of the April 18th Netherlands Waterways Cruise we offer here at Witte. There is a second sailing on April 25th as well. I should be able to offer some “first timers” experience for those who are interested.
Stay tuned for updates.

Terri Foley | Graphic Designer

Israel Handbell Tour – Day 8

Note: I was unable to get online last evening…the service here in Nazareth has been sketchy. So, here is yesterday’s blog.

I am currently sitting in the beautiful Gothic Church of Jesus the Adolescent (The Silesian Church) in Nazareth listening to an arrangement of “A Voice in the Night is Calling” while the Muslim evening call to prayer can be heard outside in the city…a real awareness that we are in the Middle East. The combination of a text from Isaiah and the Muslim prayers being broadcast over loudspeakers was a powerful experience.

Today was our “outreach” day…we began with a concert in St. Gregorio’s Church in Haifa. This small church, part of the Greek Catholic diocese, is located on prime property in Haifa…right on the beach of the Mediterranean Ocean. Our host, Sumaya Abboud, outdid herself with hospitality and publicity. The church seats about 100 people and it was packed full. The audience was appreciative and enthusiastic and was made up of people of all ages, both Jewish and Arab. At one point in the concert, Debbie invited audience members to come up to the tables and ring with the ringers…almost everyone did so! It was so much fun to play and interact with the people.

Click here to view these pictures larger

Following the concert, we had lunch on the front steps of the church while we overlooked the ocean and basked in the warmth of the sun and fresh sea air.

We arrived back in Nazareth in time to visit the Greek church that houses Mary’s well and the stunning Church of the Annunciation. Following an early dinner we traveled to our final concert destination.

Tonight’s concert is, as mentioned above, in the Church of Jesus the Adolescent and, once again, is full. This church sits on the mountain above the city of Nazareth and was founded by the Silesians, an order of the Roman Catholic Church that is particularly known for its dedication to education. The audience, as was this morning’s, was incredibly youthful.

This is our fourth and final concert of the tour. It is bittersweet: we have grown so much together as an ensemble over the past week and have had a great time sharing our art form and music with those who, for the most part, have never seen, much less heard , of a handbell; but we are also looking forward to two days of sightseeing in the Galilean area without having to worry about a concert.

From Nazareth, peace and blessings.

Israel Handbell Tour – Day 7

Hello all! Today was a great day and it is now late. So with that said, I am going to summarize the day:

We began early and visited the St. Anne Church and Pools of Bethseda in the Old City of Jerusalem. Great acoustics in the church…we sang VENI EMMANUEL and it was heavenly.

We then traveled to Jericho (not on the itinerary) and viewed an ancient sycamore tree like the one Zaccheus, the tax collector, climbed to see Jesus as he walked by (he was a wee little man, remember?). Next we viewed the Mount of Temptation where tradition says Jesus was tempted by Satan for 40 days and nights.

Following Jericho, we traveled through rich and verdant farms towards the Bet Shean (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beit_She%27an) where we experienced this gem of an archeological excavation.

We arrived at our destination of Nazareth around 4:15 and, after checking into the hotel, had free time to explore a bit on our own before dinner .

Tomorrow we travel to Haifa for our 3rd concert and then back to Nazareth for our 4th and final concert. Will share more later!

Off to bed!

Click here to view these pictures larger

Israel Handbell Festival – Day 6

Today was a relaxing and very interesting day, especially after the past couple of busy ones. Beginning at 9:00 (what a luxury!), we left for the Negev Desert and Dead Sea area. The first stop was at Qumran, the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947. Qumran was home from 150 BC to 68 AD to the ascetic and reclusive community known as the Essenes who believed in the imminent arrival of the Jewish Messiah.

Following this enlightening visit, we were on to Masada (literally translated means stronghold), the isolated mountain-top fortress located about 1300 feet above the banks of the Dead Sea. The original fortress dates to the 1^st or 2^nd century BC and was then enlarged and reinforced by Herod the Great. Herod added two palace complexes at Masada and, upon his death, the fortress passed into the hands of the Romans. In AD 66, during the First Revolt by Zealot Jews, the mountain fortress was captured by these zealots. Following the Roman defeat of the Jews in Jerusalem Masada remained the last Jewish stronghold, held by less than 1000 defenders. Under Roman siege for over two years, the walls were breached in AD 73 by the Romans who built a huge earthen ramp from the plain up the mountainside. The Jews inside decided to commit mass suicide instead of surrender to the Roman invaders. “Masada shall not fall again” is a swearing-in oath of the modern Israeli army.

Have you ever gotten into a 6 foot pool of water and bobbed about without being able to touch the bottom? Well, that’s what a trip into the Dead Sea is like! It is almost impossible to drown as the mineral-laden water is around 26% solid. Located 1,348 feet below sea level, it is the lowest point on earth.

Several of our group visited the Garden Tomb this morning before leaving for the Dead Sea area. Excavations carried out in 1883 unearthed some ancient tombs dating to the 9^th-7^th century BC. The tranquil and beautiful gardens are popular with many Christian groups who visit to experience a space that many feel belonged to Joseph of Arimathea, the wealthy man who donated his private burial site for Jesus’ burial.

A word about our hotel, The Grand Court Jerusalem. The food buffet is amazing! More choices than one could ever imagine. I’ll try to take a photo of the breakfast buffet in the morning.

Tomorrow holds a visit to St. Anne’s Church, the Pool of Bethesda and the archeological dig at Bet Shean.

Stayed tuned!

Pax vobiscum