Guten Abend!
Let's see - Ottobeuren. A group of us found a pool to jump in, which is just about the only thing to do in the entire town, so we made the best of it!
And sooner than one could think, the choir tour terminated and moved on to part two (or part one of the extension). Ottobeuren, small as it was, turned out to be the perfect way to end our exhausting but wonderful tour. The choir sang two performances and the last one was literally right next to our lovely hotel!
The view of the cathedral from our hotel The view from the top cathedral entrance
Singing our last concert in these church may have been one of the most bittersweet and beautiful moments of my life. I undoubtedly cried in at least four pieces with the haunting realization that this would be my last time ever performing with this choir. Five years of my life has been completely and utterly dedicated to this group - I have never learned more about myself as a musician, singer, friend, and person than I have from the CSUF University Singers. These memories will forever be in my heart.
The next day, the six German extenders (my group with 5 other people) departed the group from Munich and took a long but fulfilled 5 hour train ride to Leipzig. It's 5:00 pm when we arrive and because we had stupidly forgotten snacks on the train, we are desperate for food. Desperate Americans for food = must have McDonalds. So yes, we devoured McDonalds the minute we got to Leipzig and began our search for where Bach's cathedral - St. Thomaskirche - was located for a service that was to be held that evening. It's not 5:30 that we realize the service begins at 6:00 PM and we had 30 minutes to run the streets of Leipzig with ALL of our luggage.
Clearly this didn't stop us. We ran in a city that none of us had ever been and made it to Bach's church with 8 minutes to spare. We trump in the cathedral with each of us carrying at least 2 suitcases and hide our luggage in the back while we listen to an entire mass in German. The Trinity College Choir from Australia sang pieces that our choir has done in the past - what an experience it was. After everyone left, we admired Bach's church and the tomb where he was buried.
After the beautiful service, Leipzig brought the greatest gift we could possibly ask for - burritos!!
Anyone who was with me for the first two weeks knew how badly I missed Mexican food. It has been my determined goal to find Mexican food on this trick - genuine or not - and Leipzig had been so kind to provide a wonderful little place for us.
The night ended with some drinks and a departure while the boys headed off to their hostel.
Today was extremely musically productive. Though German culture means that several places are (mysteriously) closed on Mondays and we were unable to see the Bach Museum, we hit Mendelssohn's house, Schumann's house, the Gewandhaus, the Leipzig Opera House, and Nikolaikirche (Bach's other church). All by foot!
The girls - Me, Kristi, and Bex at Mendelssohn's House (on the left) and Robert & Clara Schumann's house on the right. Mendelssohn died in his house at the age of 38 after living there for only 2 years. Clara and Robert moved into this house during their first five years of marriage.
Nikolaikirche Cathedral J.S. Bach bust in the sacred space
The front of the opera house
Tomorrow, Kristi and I are taking a spontaneous trip to somewhere outside of the city. Not entirely sure where, but we're hoping for either Prague or Dresden. We're both history lovers, particularly of World War II (not that we love the war, but are disgustingly interested in it) and are itching to see some brutal history.
On Wednesday, the six of us are off to Berlin! And the adventure continues... :)
Until then,
<3 Allie
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