Europe Itinerary

Tomorrow morning I leave for Europe. Here's my itinerary:

5.31 --> Vancouver-Montreal (AC150), then Montreal-Frankfurt (AC874)
6.1 --> Arrive in Frankfurt at 6:30am; stay with cousin Rudolf
6.2-7 --> Frankfurt
6.8 --> Frankfurt-Wörnitz; stay with friend Uwe
6.9 --> Wörnitz
6.10 --> Wörnitz-Frankfurt; Paraguay vs England in Frankfurt, 3pm
6.11 --> Frankfurt-Berlin; stay with cousin Jelena
6.12-14 --> Berlin
6.15 --> Paraguay vs Sweden in Berlin, 9pm
6.16-17 --> Berlin
6.18 --> Berlin-Calbe; stay with relatives
6.19 --> Calbe
6.20 --> Calbe-Kaiserslautern; Paraguay vs Trinidad & Tobago in Kaiserlautern, 9pm
6.21 --> Kaiserslautern-Hamburg
6.22 --> Italy vs Czech Republic in Hamburg, 4pm
6.23 --> Hamburg-Leipzig
6.24 --> Leipzig
6.25 --> Leipzig-Köln
6.26 --> 2nd Round Game (probably Switzerland or France vs Ukraine) in Köln, 9pm
6.27 --> Köln
6.28 --> Köln-Florence (Italy)
6.29-7.1 --> Florence
7.2 --> Florence-Rome
7.3-7.5 --> Rome
7.6 --> Rome-Assisi
7.7-8 --> Assisi
7.9 --> Assisi-Milan
7.10 --> Milan-Frankfurt
7.11 --> Frankfurt
7.12 --> Frankfurt-Toronto (AC 9105), then Toronto-Vancouver (AC115); arrive in Vancouver at 7pm

During my stay in Deutschland I plan to visit and get to know relatives (Rudolf, Jelena, the Urbachs), and watch much much futbol with friends (Uwe, Christian, and Paul). I plan to view many historical sites, especially churches. I also plan to eat much schnitzel, cheese, chocolate, and drink good German white wine.

My friend Grace will accompany me to Italia, where we will conquer Florence and Rome for a week. We plan to see Renaissance art in Florence, and in Rome we will visit il Vaticano, the Colloseum, and perhaps the Catachombs. My last few days in Europe will be spent in silence and contemplation, in the peaceful town of Assisi. I plan to travel there alone, and stay at a monastery.

After I'm done with Europe, the continent will never be the same again. And neither will I.

Jesu Redemptor

Jesu redemptor omnium,

Tu lumen et splendor Patris:

Tibi sit gloria;

Tibi Jesu sit gloria.

Veni Lumen!

O veni Creator Spiritus.

O veni lumen cordium,

Veni lumen cordium.

_____

Jesus, Redeemer of the world,

Light and splendour of the Father:

Glory to you;

Glory be to You Jesus.

Come oh Light!

Come oh Holy Spirit,

Oh come englighten my heart,

Come enlighten my heart.

I Need A Vacation

Today was my last day of spring school. I'm tired.

I learned so much the past two weeks, I don't know where it's all going to fit in, because surely it can't fit into my head anymore. That space is already occupied.

I'm inspired to live a life of community. But I want the real thing, I'm not interested in pseudo-Christian community.

Some of the things I've learned about community the past two weeks are so radical to our thinking, we just don't know what to do with it. It's just so counter-cultural. But yet, it's just simple gospel living: full submission to God in Christ by the Spirit, followed by growing closer to others. It calls for relinquishment of those things that come in between God, me, and others.

We do adequately well in head-knowledge, but living it out is just way too costly.

I'm tired. I need a vacation. Or maybe I just wish Jesus would return today.

Making Sense Of Nonsense

I discovered this a few days ago. It's brilliant.

Heading South?

Inevitably, after people find out my background (born and raised in South America, of German ethnicity, educated in Canada), and my current training for church ministry, they always ask the same question: "After you finish school, will you go back to South America and work in the church there?" And inevitably, my answer's always "No."

I was at my spiritual trainer's place tonight for dinner, and his wife asked me that same question again. But today, I answered "Maybe." Where did that come from? What an unusual answer to a rather intriguing question. She went on to explain that there's a sizeable Evangelical / Anglo-Catholic Anglican presence in places like Chile and Argentina.

Hmmm. Maybe I should give it some more serious thought. I like the idea of living in a place like Santiago, and I like the idea of living in Buenos Aires even more.

Then I can say things like "che pibe," or use the informal "vos," and to boot, Argentina has the most insanely beautiful (albeit snobby) women on earth too, so how could I go wrong? They drink mate and play beautiful futbol too, so no problems there.

There I could also do ecumenical work, bringing Catholics and Evangelicals closer together.

Maybe I ought-a rethink my strategy.

On Foot

Yesterday my car insurance ran out. I don't plan to insure my car again until after I return from Europe.

This is an experiment of sorts. I want to see what it's like to live without a car. More and more I'm coming to believe that my future is car-less: more time for people in one particular geographical area, less time for road-rage, higher commitment to particularity (a defined "yes" to some things, and "no" to other things), and less randomness.

I wonder how realistic this is.

Then again, what happens if I ever marry? Yeah I know .. that would be even more miraculous than being car-less, but let me indulge for a moment. Will my wife agree to walking and/or bussing, or will she want to drive a Mercedes while I bust my feet on the pavement? What about mopeds? They're practical in the summer, cheap, and cool, even if unsafe and a pain in the winter. But then again, going to the symphony on a moped would be interesting: dressed up nicely while on a moped sounds very European, but the big bonus would be that ma femme would have to hold on oh so tightly.

Oh well, all these questions. On we go .. one day at a time....

Happy Birthday Missla!

Yesterday was my dear friend Missla's birthday. Hope it was a very special day Miss! Take good care of yourself .. if you need someone to kick some yellow page phone books with, lemme know.

Also, I know a really good trick: next time you drive onto a highway, cut someone off badly. Then, as they try to pass you all pi$$ed off and angry, give them the "hooooohooooooo" whining signal. Add hand motions around the eyes for special effect.

It works like a charm. Try it sometime .... ;)

Happy Birthday!

Lillies

Today was Mother's Day .. a special day. Mom & dad drove out from Abbotsford, and we went to the 11am church service together. Afterwards we went to the Swiss Chalet for lunch. Then we came back to my place and relaxed a little. Well, that's not entirely true. Dad took a nap, I checked my email and began reading a book, while mom slaved away in the kitchen.

Nope .. I cannot be blamed for mom's workaholic tendencies. I'm learning to "let mom be mom." If she wants to wash my dishes .. go ahead. If she wants to do my laundry .. go ahead. If she wants to stuff $50 in my piggybank .. go ahead (actually, next time please leave $100). I'm not going to fight this battle any longer. She won. I think I'm battle-fatigued, or maybe I'm just getting wiser....

How does that saying go: "If you can't fight'em, join'em?"

Anyways, Happy Mother's Day!

Jericho Beach

Today was the first warm day of the year in Vancouver. I think it hit (close to) 20 degrees: sunny, bright, warm, lovely! I spent a good portion of the afternoon at Jericho Beach, practising picture-taking with my new camera. I admit: it's a love affair. I'm in love with my camera. Here's proof:

He Who Dies With The Most Toys

He who dies with the most toys does not win.

He who dies with the most toys is dead. He gets a toetag.

Remember that.

Onion Soup

Today I spent the afternoon with Grace.

I arrived at her place at noon (I was even on time .. well ok, I was 3 minutes late, but that's on time in my dictionary!), and we immediately sat down and had lunch together. She'd made this amazing onion soup, I kid you not, it was the best onion soup I've ever tasted. I slurped two bowls of it down like a boy who'd just been handed a tub of ice cream.

Afterwards we went for a walk along the beach at Locarno and Spanish Banks. We walked for over two hours, and had a good time enjoying one another's company. It was sunny, and the scenery was beautiful, but the wind was still a little chilly.

I want to go back to the beach on Friday with my camera and take some pictures of the beautiful scenery. It's sunny weather such as the kind we'll soon be enjoying more of that makes Vancouver such a great city to live in.

Christmas Came Early!

I visited with my parents today, and it was a real blessing. I arrived at their house in Abbotsford, after a 1 hour drive. I like that drive.






































My parents' house.
















Upon my arrival, (after greetings and hugs and kisses) I immediately went outside and enjoyed the beautiful view of the Fraser Valley and Mount Baker. Gorgeous!

At around 1pm we had lunch, during which we were able to catch up on many things we've experienced or thought about the past few months. Highlights of our discussions include the "wicked" Spanish people (hahaha!), the church and tradition, and various family matters.

After lunch dad went for a nap, and mom brought out a bag of goodies - gifts they brought back from Paraguay. As always, my parents were very generous, bringing back Ao Po'i shirts (traditoinal Paraguayan button shirts), UCB long sleeve t's, and plenty of yerba mate paraphernelia! Thank you!
















In the afternoon we drank mate, at 6pm we ate dinner, after which we again sat down and enjoyed some more conversation. I headed home shortly after 8pm.

Weekend Notes

Friday, May 5

* I went out with Grace in the evening. We went for a Singaporean dinner at Kam's Place. Afterwards we went to Cupcakes on Denman for dessert. Then we sat down on one of the benches along English Bay, and we had a good evening together. She shared some of her life story with me. It was a good evening, but I do not yet have peace about her.

Saturday, May 6
* I went to the airport in the morning to pick up my parents from the airport. I haven't seen them in 4 months, so it's good to have them back home. The rest of the day I read my Bible, and another book I just recently began reading, Thomas Merton's The Sign of Jonas. In the evening I watched a movie on video. It was a waste of 2 hours.

Sunday, May 7
* I went to the 7:30am Service. I really love the simplicity and beauty of the early morning liturgy. In the afternoon my good friends Rudy, Carol, AJ, Mar, Byron, and Jenn came over to watch the Nuremberg F1 race. Afterwards we went to Rasputin for a Russian dinner. I love these friends. They are a gift.

My Favourite Store

I went shopping at my favourite store today. I'd planned to reward myself for all the hard work I put into this past semester.

But alas, upon arriving at the store I was dismayed at all the prices. The cheapest pair of pants was $109. The cheapest t was $39. Most shirts were in the $50 range. The cheapest dress shirt was $99.

I remember the days when spending this kind of money was the norm. I didn't think twice about it. But today as I looked at the clothing items, I just couldn't bring myself to even try them on.

I suppose this is a good sign. I'm finally able to exercise a bit of self-discipline. Then again, maybe I'm just playing mindgames with myself, for I know that my parents arrive from Paraguay this Saturday, and I put an order in from them. And God forbid, if that fails, I am going to Europe this summer, and from what I understand, Benetton has great sales there during summers, especially in July.

Little wonder I'm planning to be in Italy in July. Maybe I should go to Europe with an empty backpack, and stock up on sale items while over there.....

One Step Closer

I received the World Cup tickets for Deutschland 2006 today. In exactly 4 weeks from now I'll be flying to Germany. Can't wait!!!

Back At It Again

Today I hiked the Grouse Grind for the first time this calendar year. I didn't do so well: 1 hour 8 minutes. It looks like over the past few months I've eaten a few too many meals. Well, on the positive side, I still enjoyed the hike. There's something therapeutic about the outdoors.

I've never gone up Grouse this early into the hiking season. In certain sections, the hiking path was still surrounded by up to one metre of snow.

I'll never grow weary of these sights: