Before all the borningness, I will add a picture of group the first week in Germany at the Mariennberg Fortress overlooking Germany:
Dear family and friends,We’re on the airplane from London to Dallas, so I thought I would write a final update on our trip even though the students will probably arrive home before this letter does.
The word for the week at Schloss Mittersill was “rain.” It was probably the wettest week that I have ever experienced in my six years of traveling to Europe. So we busied ourselves doing things that can be done in the rain such as,
• Exploring a castle. In addition to the official guided tour by the head cook at the Schloss, we explored a bat cave at night by flashlight and paid a late-night visit to the castle dungeon that was used to imprison witches in the Middle Ages.
• Getting to know local wildlife. Due to the unusually cold weather, a cute, furry Austrian mouse decided to share the warm bedroom with Meghan and the two Stephanies. The Schloss personnel set up a trap and caught the visitor, but since mice typically come in pairs, and since the room had lost its charm to the girls, they got to explore another bedroom on the other side of the castle.
• Hike to waterfalls, which only improve with rain. On Sunday we traveled to Krimml Falls, the highest waterfall in Austria, for some stunning views. A few days later some of us drove to a nearby waterfall then watched in admiration as Ben Dowe waded up to his chin in the 45 degree water.
• Study. The last week of the month features papers and final exams, thus reminding students that they are receiving six hours of college credit. Fortunately, a huge fireplace room in an ancient castle provides a perfect setting for such activities.
The week also featured a day trip to Salzburg on Tuesday, one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Unfortunately, our visit came on the rainiest day of this incredibly wet week. Thus our visits to Sound of Music sites, the Salzburg Cathedral, Mozart’s birthplace, and the Festung were dampened by a steady downpour, puddle-laden streets from which students’ bluejeans soaked up rainwater like sponges. The highlights of the day were a warm café during afternoon free time and the last Italian restaurant of the month.
Friday was a free day following final exams, and so we visited Zell am See, a beautiful little Austrian town set on a crystal clear lake surrounded by the Alps. I tend to be skeptical about claims of divine intervention in weather, but Friday made me wonder. The forecast called for more rain, and sure enough, we left at 10:00 in a driving rain. When we arrived thirty minutes later in Zell am See, however, the skies had cleared revealing snow-clad peaks all around the town. Thus the students finally got to see why the Alps are the most beautiful place in the world.
We rode a gondola up to the top of the mountain to enjoy the spectacular views, then went back to town and rented paddleboats. Andrew and Brandon showed off their manhood by diving into the frigid waters. After the students went back to town, Gary insisted that Ben Dowe and I join him in a plunge into the lake, despite the fact that we had not packed swimsuits due to the rainy forecast. The Austrian and German tourists seemed amused by the sight of three Americans diving off of the boat dock in boxer shorts.
Later the students decided to take the local train back to Mittersill. They succeeded on the second train after one failed attempt. In all, it was an unforgettable way to end our month in Europe.
So now after an uncomfortably close connection in Heathrow, we are on the way home after a wonderful trip. It’s been fun seeing the students grow as individuals and as a group. They have learned a lot about Europe, church history, and art, but even more about themselves and their ability to live with people very different from themselves.
Thanks to all the parents for lending them to us for what was hopefully four life-changing weeks of their lives.
Rick
