Home | Parish
| Map | Schedule
| Staff | Calendar
| History | Art
| Links | Feedback
(Return to Father John's Log!)
OLM
Parish Reporter IN Rome?
Munich as Base[1]
Dachau & Romantic Road Tour
(click on tiny picture to view original)
Visiting Munich was another joy and challenge
of travel in a new country. After mastering somewhat the Mass Transit with
the help of the Munich Welcome card below, getting around the city was
a charm. It is interesting that in these European countries we in the United
States could use some of their savvy. The system is extensive, the citizens
work on the "HONOR" system and everything seems to run on schedule and
smoothly. Ah, to have a train or bus or subway you can count on!
One of the first sights to take is the site of the
Olumpics in Munich. The tower still functioning gives a gorgeous view of
the city and surroundings. Luckily as the photo shows it was a clear day
though not clear enough to see the Alps in the south.
Our first day trip was on an overcast, drizzly day. We
went to Dachau. This concentration camp with its gas chambers and ovens
is an impressive sight. Unfortunately, since it was cleared out by Germany,
there is little physical evidence of the horrors that one can see in Auschwitz.
This makes for a visit that relies on text, photos and art work to state
the case of the place. As Fr. David said to me since he has visited both
sites, "This place doesn't instill the awe and horror that Auxchwitz does.
Still though the art work at the entrance, the chapels that exist as well
as the Carmelite Monaster present on the grounds testify to the human tragedy
of the Holocaust.
While we were there, Edith Stein, was canonized in St. Peter's
Square by Pope John Paul II. The Carmelites are present here in prayer
for humanity in this atrocious scene. Their chapel entrance as well as
a representation of Edith Stein in the center below testify to this. The
picture on the far right is in a little Russian looking chapel between
the camp and the crematorium. The image of Christ, glorified, leading the
people out of the camp is an awesome icon and very thought provoking.
The picture below is not meant to be funny. I had David
take it with me standing near an advertising board in the Dachau train
station. It shows me a fact that is almost loathsome. We in the United
States in addition to exporting somewhat banal culture through TV are also
here in Dachau as in other European cities exporting the basest of our
commercialism - McDonalds. Nothin again hamburgers but the sign speaks
for itself. I was amused, annoyed and somewhat miffed that this American
export framed one of the most inhumae actions of our human family. Enough!
Munich offers an opportunity to see other sites and scenes of
Germany. We travelled north and south after our day trip to Dachau. The
Romantic Road - not really Romantic in the sense of an art period but rather
in beauty and sentiment - was a great adventure in view castles and cities
of walls. Two of them remain almost intact not having been damaged or bombed
in the War.
The roads runs from Fussen to Wursburg.
It is truly an adventure in travel, both the winding roads and cities secure
in their boundaries of walls. The two views above of Nordlingen and Rothenburg
are stolen from postcards since we didn't have time to hire an helicopter
for such grand visuals but the cards do justice to these walled towns.
Nordlingen
Nordlingen is approached through kind of suburbs
where people live outside the walls of the old city in more modern houses.
I didn't get too many pictures here but did take one of Baroque style decoration
in the church which was open. Other features were not as impressive to
me. This town is impressive for its walls etc.
Rothenberg
Being taken along at a good pace on the Romantic Road I couldn't
resist the first picture of sheep at 0 MPH with a bus going around 65 MPH!
Just a fun pastoral scene. My own photo of Rothenburg shows the expanse
of the town, the centrality of the church and the beauty of Fall Foliage.
The shot of the interior of the Church shows an exquisite Gothic structure
with massive stained glass windows in the Apse. Truly breathtaking. And
as is the case usually, David and I walked a great part of the wall of
this city which is being refurbished with donations from people around
the world who are noted in plaques along the wall walkway!
More to come of Munich and souther Germany - The Eagle's Nest!!!!
(Back to the Log!)