"We all have disablities, some of us just wear them on the outside" - Angela Cormier

My last week has been spent in the company of one, Ms. Angela Cormier.
And it's been splendid.

We've been spending our vacation on PEI, and for the first time in my life I've come face to face with the issue of accessibility.
The fact of the matter is that the world is not accessible for my friend Angela. I originally thought that this would make me disappointed. Instead, it just made me angry.

I made me angry when I could find parking. It made me angry when we got stuck in an old wheelchair lift. It made me angry when we could only get to the first floor of an historic site. It made me angry when we couldn't get into a restaurant. And it made me angry numerous more times throughout the week.
However, there was respite in the facilities that went out of their way to accomodate Angela. Kensington Water Gardens gave us free admission. Northumberland Ferries gave us personal assistants to load and unload our van. The Birches at Ben Eoin did our laundry.
So perhaps these establishments help to soften the blow from the rest of the world.

The truth is, Angela is a strong, intelligent, incredibly patient, beautiful person.

She deserves a world that she can access.

For Uli...

“A man travels the world in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.”

And I have arrived home.

The last few days of my travels included climbing to the top of a mountain in the Alps.
That's right, the Alps.

After my return, I had two days to regroup and then headed off on community vacations with a 15 passenger wheelchair van and 5 other traveling companions.

I'm currently in a hotel room in Cape Breton as Angela's "date" and personal assistant.

However, while I'd like to be musing on the adventures/misadventures of my travels and what I love about being home, I have much heavier topics on my mind.

First, I encourage you to read my sister's most recent blog entry : keepthefaithgowithgod.blogspot.com

The recent events in Israel and Lebanon leave me with a very heavy heart and a lot of disappointment in an International community whose actions are dictated by one "puppetmaster" nation.

If I see or hear Condoleeza Rice once more, I might become physically ill.

Vienna. Vien. Vienna. Vien.

In order to get there, you first need to know which word to use.

In the Czech Republic, it's Vien.

So, I braved the public metro system and found what felt like the last bed in a pretty nice, and pretty popular backpacker's hostel.
Yesterday, I explored the city. I took in the city centre, and wandered around the parliament.

I toured through the Museum of Ancient Instruments (that's not the technical term, but that's the general idea). This was ok, although, I toured through one in New York in April, and frankly, if I'm not allowed to play them, I'm not sure it matters whether I can see them up close or just in pictures.

I sat in a park for a while and then ventured on to find Hundertwasser Haus. The lady at the hostel in Prague told me that the only reason she would return to Vienna would be to see this, so I decided that I should at least take a look. It was a nice walk along the water and very exciting to see something that looked as if were put together haphazardly.
Not being an art historian, or anyone that's ever been able to put art into words very eloquently, I simply encourage you to Google 'Hundertwasser', it will be worth your extra 30 seconds.

Then, I happened upon a church nearby, and managed to catch the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Today I headed back to Munich.

Along the way, I met a nice American who spared me some company after we arrived in the city and we had a beer and some apple streusel while I waited for Lucia.
Surprisingly, it's not difficult to find someone in Munich Hauptbanhof, and I quickly located Lucia!
We went to a splendid biergarten for a drink with her friend Tobias. It was absolutely idyllic just enough sun, a little breeze and canopied by trees.

And there were men in Leiderhösen.


Auf Weidersehen!

To Quell My Mother's Fears

I am safe.
I am safe and sound in Vienna.

It is absolutely true that experiences are better when they are shared. Yesterday in Prague was lovely... and not just because Prague is a beautiful city, but also because I had some really nice traveling companions.
We took a tram to the city centre, walked across Charles Bridge, through the cobblestone streets and up the many stairs to Prague Castle. We went inside the cathedral and walked the 287 steps to the top!
We had lunch at an outdoor cafe and then sat and listened to the Bohemian Jazz Festival near the Astronomical Clock Tower.
The evening carried with it a little bit of chaos (what's a couple of days in Prague without some chaos) and when the bartender at the pub we went to for a couple of beers told us that his taps were broken, we decided to test out other 'traditional' Czech drinks. Needless to say, it ended in Absinthe and a fun night ensued that really turned into a fun morning as we didn't make it back until about 7am.
Whew! Perhaps that won't quell my mother's fears at all.

But now, I'm traveling solo once again. Although Vienna promises to be wonderful, I think that most of the memorable moments are because of people, not places.

Auf Weidersehen!

Prague.

So. I caught the train to Prague around noon yesterday and commenced with the most painful traveling experience of my life. I think that the Checkpoint Charlie Museum resulted in an intense case of heat stroke, and not only did it hurt to open, or close my eyes, but also to turn my head, or to speak.

But, I survived.
And as I was getting off the train I met up with 2 Canadians from Calgary and an American from Texas who were all in the same boat as me - newly arrived in a strange city, and not speaking a word of the language.
As we stepped off the train we were immediately confronted by a man trying to sell us rooms in a hostel - raving about the great location, comfortable space and nice people.
So, despite my skepticism, we went along. The price was right, and I couldnt imagine any major safety risks traveling with 3 other people.
So, from metro to tram to a little bit of a walk he took us to his girlfriends hostel. It turns out that its really just her apartment, decorated with piles upon piles of artwork, mosaics and statues.
Its pretty nice.
We headed out for some Chinese food and then for a wander through the city. It turns out that Prague is very beautiful at night, and we were treated with a spectacular view of the National Museum lit up in Wenceslas Square.
After wandering up a side street we found ourselves in a police bar, chatting with a Czech police office about ice hockey and George Bush.
And we wandered home.

And now, day two in Prague!

Berlin.

And so, Berlin.
It was a little confusing at first, but I managed to navigate the metro and then the streets to find a nice hostel in the eastern part of the city. I wandered around the streets yesterday, taking in the strange surroundings, filled with graffiti and plenty of construction.
Today I'll hop on the metro and head to the western part of the city - take in some historical sites and perhaps find a nice park.

So, all is well in Berlin :)

“One travels more usefully when alone, because he reflects more”

I must say, I've never been a particular fan of traveling alone.
Half of the fun that comes with travel is having someone with whom to share the adventures.

But, sometimes we must travel alone.
Tomorrow (Mum, hold your breath) I head to Berlin. The original plan was Cologne, but I get to cover more ground this way. After Berlin, I'll head to Prague and then Vienna (on Danielle's advice).
And, perhaps it will give me some quality time for reflection.

Auf Weidersehen!

Number 3!

It never even occurred to me that the word "Deutschland" could be (or would be) set to the tune of "My Darling Clementine".
It has, in fact, happened.

We sat amongst several hundred fans at tonight's football game between Germany and Portugal. I have never felt prouder to have a little bit of German heritage - flags were flown, the national anthem was sung, people were allowed to be patriotic after many years of German nationalism being a pretty taboo thing.

So, Congratulations Germany!!!


Deutschland, Deutschland über alles,
Germany, Germany above all,
Über alles in der Welt,
Above everything in the world,
Wenn es stets zu Schutz und Trutze
When always, for protection,
Brüderlich zusammenhält,
We stand together as brothers.
Von der Maas bis an die Memel,
From the Maas to the Memel
Von der Etsch bis an den Belt -
From the Etsch to the Belt -
Deutschland, Deutschland über alles,
Germany, Germany above all
Über alles in der Welt.
Above all in the world.


Deutsche Frauen, deutsche Treue,
German women, German loyalty,
Deutscher Wein und deutscher Sang
German wine and German song,
Sollen in der Welt behalten
Shall retain in the world,
Ihren alten schönen Klang,
Their old lovely ring
Uns zu edler Tat begeistern
To inspire us to noble deeds
Unser ganzes Leben lang.
Our whole life long.
Deutsche Frauen, deutsche Treue,
German women, German loyalty,
Deutscher Wein und deutscher Sang
German wine and German song.


Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
Unity and law and freedom
für das deutsche Vaterland!
For the German Fatherland
Danach lasst uns alle streben
Let us all strive for that
Brüderlich mit Herz und Hand!
In brotherhood with heart and hand!
Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit
Unity and law and freedom
Sind des Glückes Unterpfand;
Are the foundation for happiness
Blüh' im Glanze dieses Glückes,
Bloom in the glow of happiness
Blühe, deutsches Vaterland.
Bloom, German Fatherland.


Deutschland, Deutschland über alles,*
Germany, Germany above all*
Und im Unglück nun erst recht.
And in misfortune all the more.
Nur im Unglück kann die Liebe
Only in misfortune can love
Zeigen, ob sie stark und echt.
Show if it's strong and true.
Und so soll es weiterklingen
And so it should ring out
Von Geschlechte zu Geschlecht:
From generation to generation:
Deutschland, Deutschland über alles,
Germany, Germany above all,
Und im Unglück nun erst recht.
And in misfortune all the more.

Munich.

And I went to Munich.

It was a truly beautiful city, albeit Tuesday night is a little foggy as a result of too much weißbeir with too many generous Germans (even after they lost!)

I had the good fortune of meeting up with James and Bryce, and they graciously allowed me to crash the Munich part of their trip. It's most certainly easier to travel with people who speak the same language as you.
After a confusing jaunt to find the Haufbrauhaus (beer garden), and a run - in with some very confusing German arrows, we indulged in great big pitchers of beer, kaispaetzle, German oompapa music, men in leiderhosen and women in dyrndles. It was a true German experience.
We settled in on Tuesday night to watch the game in a bar near Marienplatz. There's something truly energizing about being a part of such a collective atmosphere, everyone cheering for the same thing, talking to complete strangers and enjoying a common goal.
Even when Germany didn't win, the Germans danced in the streets with the Italians, and we, as Canadians (and a Aussie that we picked up on the way) danced in the streets with them!
Bryce asked a German guy how they could celebrate after they had lost and the guy replied that in German there is a saying (roughly translated):
"You have to take your parties as they come". How true it is.

Yesterday we wandered around Munich some more, took in the Sealife Aquarium, the Tollwood Festival and watched the game at FanFest at the Olympic stadium.
Today we wandered some more, found some smoothies, and enjoyed the sunshine.

Now, I'm back safe and sound in Schwabmunchen, enjoying the quiet and soon, a nice hot shower.

I hope that all is well in your part of the world!

Auf Wiedersehen!

Speechless

Yesterday we visited a castle then swam in a lake amidst the German Alps.

Need I say more?

“History flows forward on rivers of beer”

Everything that I could have possibly associated with Bavaria came to life last night (although, there were no dirndles). Lucia arrived in Germany safe and sound, and after a nice lunch with her father, sister and brother, we began to welcome the 'evening' guests. Lucia's aunts, cousins and several friends arrived and we were treated to weiswurtzel (white sausage), a good supply of beer, singing, magic tricks and lots of laughter!
The party lasted well into the evening, followed by some schnapps as a finale (perhaps not the best choice) and a well deserved sleep.
It was so nice to spend some time with people that really mean a lot to Lucia, and to begin to understand exactly where she's from. This I can say for certain, she comes from a long line of people who have warm hearts, and understanding eyes.

This afternoon we had a lovely sunshine - filled bike ride to a lake about 40 minutes away. Lucia, Simone and I swam, napped, read and enjoyed each other's company.
The more time I spent with Lucia and Simone (her best friend), the value of such friendships became more and more evident. It's funny that so often, in our conquests to find ourselves, we leave the people who know who we really are. Although, it seems necessary to find new relationships that offer similar levels of intimacy.
Friendship can be such a deeply rooted form of relationship, and I was able to see it in Simone and Lucia's eyes when they spoke to each other. It makes me truly appreciate all of the people that have come into my life, from many different places -but always at the right time, who know what I'm thinking before I do, who know what makes me laugh, what makes me cry, what will get me into trouble and what will keep me on the straight and narrow.

I imagine that we all have different definitions of friendship, and some of us save the words for special relationships. For me, I think that I can usually consider someone a friend when they know how to make me laugh, and I can to the same in return. And, as good fortune would have it, my life is filled with a great deal of laughter.

Auf Wiedersehen!