Firenze: Museo di San Marco, Galleria del Accademia

What a day! I love Italia!

Grace and I arrived here in Firenze at 7am, after an 8 hour train ride from Zürich. When I got out of the train, I was enveloped by a wave of heat - even at 7am - that made me realize we're no longer in northern Europe. We'd definetly arrived in mediterranean territory.

After checking in at our hostel at around 10, we showered up, put on summer clothes, and took the bus downtown. First stop, Museo di San Marco. This museum is not rated as one of the top museums in Firenze, but in my books it just may end up being the best place in Firenze.

San Marco began as a Dominican convent in 1436, but not just any convent, for in it lived the likes of Fra Angelico, Cosmo di Medici, and Girolamo Savonarola. The Medici family at one time ruled most of Florence, and in fact funded many of the Renaissance artists; Girolamo Savonarola, on the other hand, was a monk who spoke out against the excesses of the Renaissance and eventually was burned at the stake for his stance.

However, the highlight of this museum was the radiant frescoes that Fra Angelico painted on the walls of each convent cell. I believe at one time, 40 monks lived at this convent, and Fra Angelico painted a fresco for each cell, with amazing themes, like the annunciation, the betrayal, the crucifixion, the resurrection, the transfiguration, or the 2nd coming of Jesus. The paintings were amazingly powerful, I can only imagine what it must have been like for monks to meditate on them on a daily basis. Some of them brought me to the brink of tears, such was their beauty.

Unfortunately, no pictures were allowed of the cells or the frescoes, so the best I have to show of my visit to the museum is a picture of the main hall, as well as a picture of the common area of the convent.






























After taking in the frescoes, we walked across the Piazza di San Marco to the Galleria del Accademia, which according to most sources, is a much better place to visit (and more expensive too .. the entrance fee to Museo di San Marco was 4 Euros, whereas the Galleria was 12!!!).

The main attraction at the Galleria was Michelangelo's David (see picture below), and while sculpture is not my favourite type of art, I admit, David is a masterpiece. David is made up of one solid block of marble, carved by the artist at the age of 29. Based on my recollection, he's at least 5 metres tall. There are a few other of Michelangelo's statues on display, all of them very interesting and skilfully made.

There were many other works of great art, including a marvelous exhibition by Lorenzo Monaco (1370-1425). Grace and I spent much time taking each of his works, discussing colours, shapes, and most importantly, the message each of the works were trying to convey. I found these two samples of his works on the Galleria website.

But truthfully speaking, the frescoes at the Museo satisfied and saturated my spiritual and aesthetic appetite, at least for the day.

Zürich: Meeting Grace

Today's the first day since June 9th that no WM game will be played. What? No World Cup game today? How can that be? What's going on in this world? Actually, today and tomorrow there'll be no games, as teams get ready for the quarter finals.

Maybe it's just as well that there are no games the next few days, because my trip enters a different phase today also. I switch focus from Deutschland to Italia, via die Schweiz.

I left Frankfurt around 11am, and arrived in Zürich around 4pm. There I met up with Grace, who's joining me for the next week. Together we will conquer Firenze (Florence) & Roma. I'm excited about this next portion of my trip, because I think I'm ready for a different side of Europe. Italia fascinates me. So much history. I look forward to take in as much of it as I can.

On the ohter hand, I'm a little nervous too. One of the best ways to ruin a friendship is to go travelling together. I'm an expert at that: I've done it at least twice before. On the other hand, perhaps there's no better way to find out if Grace and I are a good match until we spend 24 hours a day together for 7 days in a row, in a place neither of us are at home. Sounds like fertile grounds for World War III to me....

But anyways, I'll give it a go. I look forward to it.

Anyways, it was great seeing Grace again. I'd missed her during my time in Germany. We had a pleasant time catching up.

After meeting up, we went for dinner and a nice walk around the city, before settling at a café near the train station for a few hours. At 10:30pm we boarded the train. Next stop: Firenze.

By the way, Zürich is beautiful, but it's freakin' expensive.

Frankfurt: Rudolf & Olga

After saying good-bye first to Christian, who returned to Paraguay this morning at 10am, and then Paul, who returns to Canada shortly after noon, I proceeded to walk around Köln for a few hours, before boarding the train to Frankfurt.

While still in Köln, it started to rain. Weird. It was the first time it rained during my stay here in Germany, and it reminded me of Vancouver in a longing sort of way. As the drops came down on my head, I once again realized how beautiful rain is. It's like God literally showering us with his blessing.

But then after about 30 minutes, the rain got heavy, so I had to pop into a store and buy an umbrella. More money to spend ... there goes the blessing.....!

Once in Frankfurt I went straight for the Straßenbahn #12 which leads straight to Schwanheim, where my cousin Rudolf and his partner Olga live. I "checked in", showered, and watched Brasil-Ghana with Olga, until Rudy arrived from work around dinner time.

In the evening we went to visit Olga's parents. She was keen on introducing them to me. They're from Russia, and fed me some good-ol' Russian food: borsch (red beet soup) and pilmenyi (small balls of minced meat covered with pastry; similar to perogies). It was very authentic, and very yummy indeed.

A good and relatively rest-ful day.

Olga's family, from left to right: mom, niece, twin sis, dad, my cousin Rudy, and Olga.















After visiting her family we went home and watched the last little bit of Spain-France. Wow .. can't believe France won!

Today's WM scores:
Brasil 3 - Ghana 0
Spain 1 - France 3

Köln: Dom

We began today with a tour of the Kölner Dom, a massively imposing church right in the middle of Köln. It's magnificent, and it's the landmark in Köln. If one ever gets lost in the city, just look for the giant towers, they will surely help reorient.

The grandeur of the Dom is best described by my favourite tourist guide book: "With its soaring twin spires, this is the Mt Everest of cathedrals. It's packed with an amazing array of art treasures and its elegant proportions and dignified ambience leave only the most jaded of visitors untouched. . . Its lacy spires and flying buttresses create a sensation of lightness and fragility despite its impressive mass and height. . . This sensation continues inside where a phalanx of pillars and arches supports the lofty central nave. . . Soft light filters through the radiant stained-glass windows, whose dazzling richness deserves closer inspection."

Below, the giantly imposing Dom in Köln. I took these pictures from approximately 100 meters away. Note that even at such a distance from the church, I couldn't get the spiral towers into the picture (1st picture). In the second picture, note how small people are compared to the church.

































The church design follows a brilliant theological statement about our Christian faith: as the church is 'uncomfortably big and imposing', so too is our God. He is bigger than our imagination can bear. On the other hand, the church is 'envelopingly warm'. Again, a true statement about God, as he welcomes us with open arms through his Son Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord!

Some pictures of the church interior follow.

























































































Some more trivia about the Kölner Dom:
* It's Germany's largest cathedral

* It took over 300 years to build; its construction began in 1248, but because of a financial shortfall, it wasn't finished until 1880
* The remains of the 3 Magi who came to offer gold, myrrh, and frankincense when Jesus was born, are said to be housed in a shrine inside the church
* Some of the stained windows in the church are 700+ years old
* The main tower of the cathedral can be climbed. It only takes 509 steps to get to the top! ;)

* Until the Eiffel tower was built, the Dom was the tallest building in Europe.

Let's see, what else did we do today. Oh yeah, WM. After the tour of the Dom we parked ourselves at a restaurant and watched the Italy-Australia game, while eating dinner. It was nice and relaxing, but truthfully said, I can't eat well right now. It hurts like hell everytime I swallow any food. Coffee hurts my throat because it's too bitter and too hot, and beer hurts my throat because it's too cold.

The only thing that tastes good right now is Halls throat candy. They are a godsend. Oh, by the way, Italy won 1-0. They have a way of winning games they probably don't deserve winning.

Finally, in the evening we went to a WM game. Ukraine beat Switzerland in penalties. Final score: 1 - 0. The game was so-so. It's the last game I'll attend at this WM. From now on, the television will be my best friend.

oday's WM scores:
Italy 1 - Australia 0
Ukraine 1 - Switzerland 0

Köln: Roncalliplatz

Today was travel-day. Paul and I left Leipzig around 11am, met up with Christian at 3pm at the Frankfurt railstation, and then went on to Köln, arriving there here around 5pm.

After checking into our hostel (which by the way is a hell-hole, because it's hot, stuffy, and smokey; sidenote: Germans smoke like chimneys, which in Paul's words, "seems irrational considering Germans are known for their rationality") we walked around town a little.

We watched the England-Ecuador game. England won 1-0 on a nice goal by Beckhy-boy, but I still think this team's highly overrated.

Then we watched the Canadian Grand Prix at a coffee shop. It was cool to see F1 on a giant screen in, of all places, a coffee shop! I love it. More please.....!!! Too bad Villeneuve hit the wall. He can't seem to keep his car off the wall at his home Grand Prix.

Then in the evening we walked over to the Roncalliplatz WM Fanzone, where a giant Leinwand (big screen) had been setup, and we watched the Netherlands-Portugal game with a few other hundred people. As I predicted to my good buddy Paul and Chrsitian, the Dutch would self-destruct yet again, this time to the benefit of the Portuguese. Good for Portugal, they're a good team, so I'm happy for them.

Futbol am Roncalliplatz, besider the Kölner Dom















The "three amigos"















I'm starting to feel sick though. I think my travel-ambitions were too optimistic. I'm tired. My throat hurts like hell. I'm coughing up my lungs half the time (and I quit smoking 4+ years ago!). I can't swallow because it hurts too much.

Long live fútbol!!!

Today's WM scores:
England 1 - Ecuador 0
Portugal 1 - Netherlands 0

Leipzig: Thomaskirche .. Again

Another day in Leipzig, another day at the Thomaskirche for a Bach concert. Whereas yesterday's program was called simply "Motette", this time around the program was called "Motette und Kantate". The program went as follows:

* Drei Choralvorspiele für Orgel (3 organ preludes)
* Gott hat uns nicht gesetzt zum Zorn, Mottete für fünfstimmigen Chor, by Johann Kuhnau (1660-1722)
* Lesung des Evangeliums (Reading of the Gospel)
* Gemeindeglied (Congregational song): Wir wollen singen ein Lobgesang
* Ansprache (Homily)
* Freue dich, erlöste Schar, BWV Kantate 30, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
* Gebet: Vater Unser (Prayer: Our Father)

Again, I was blessed by the program. I can only imagine how God moved people while Bach served here.....


























But I did much more than attend another concert at the Thomaskirche. In fact, the concert was but one hour of the day. Here is how I spent the rest of the day.

I visited the Stassi Museum. This museum houses various artifacts used by the secret police during the communist era.















After visiting the Stassi Museum I visited the Bach Museum:



















In preparation for the Argentina - Mexico game, we hung out with the Argentina fans just outside the Leipzig stadium. It was great fun, and there was a great sense of anticipation for the game. Below .. hanging out with the albicelests (Argentina soccer fans):















The sign reads: "Pele may be king, but Diego (Maradona) is God."















Then in the evening Paul and I met up and walked to the Central Square in Leipzig, where the city had set up a giant Leinwand (screens) for the soccer game. We found ourselves a great spot to watch the game from: right in between the Mexican and Argentina fans.















End result: Argentina 2 - Mexico 1. The atmosphere was phenomenal....party time!

























Street performers:

Viva Mexico (well, anyways, viva this particular Mexicana)!!!

All in all .. a super day. One of the best of my trip so far. I'm tired .. I'm going to sleep well tonight.....

Today's WM scores:
Germany 2 - Sweden 0
Argentina 2 - Mexico 1

Leipzig: Thomaskirche

Leipzig is my favourite city in Germany. It's smaller than most big cities, yet it's still a city. It's charming, it has lots of history, it has character, and it has many things to do and see.

But much more important than that, is that it's where Johann Sebastian Bach lived for 23 years, and it's where his musical career flowered as Thomaskantor at the Thomaskirche.

Shortly after our arrival in Leipzig this afternoon, Paul & I went to the Thomaskirche, and lo and behold, we came minutes after the Thomanerchor had started a performance. We were graciously allowed to enter the church, even though we were late. And we were treated to a musical treat that I will not soon forget. Here are the songs the choir sang:

Unser Leben währet 70 Jahren (based on Psalm 90:10), by Sethus Calvisius (1556-1615); Christus is das Gesetzes Ende, by Johann Schelle (1648-1701); Gott hat uns nicht gesetzt zum Zorn, Johann Kuhnau (1660-1772); and the highlight, Ich lasse dich nicht, du segnest mich denn (Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750).

The performance was sandwiched in between a few organ pieces at the beginning, an Ansprache (homily), various Gemeindelieder (congregational songs), and liturgical canticums and prayers. Before the organist ended the program with a piece entitled Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott (Dietrich Buxtehude, 1637-1707), we also recited the Our Father prayer together.

After the program, I took a few pictures (before going to the Bach-store to buy some cd's). :)

Thomaskirche

Thomanerchor

Neo-Gothic Arches















Nave















Outside the Thomaskirche, in front of a J S Bach statue



















Today's WM scores:
France 2 - Togo 0
Switzerland 2 - Korea 0
Spain 1 - Saudi Arabia 0
Ukraine 1 - Tunisia 0

Hamburg: Italy 2 - Czech Republic 0

Today Paul, Christian and I went to the Italy - Czech Republic game. I cheered for Italy, and they looked very good. They won 2-0. They could go far.

After the game, Christian took the train back to Frankfurt, while Paul and I ate dinner at the Schanzenstern hostel while watching Brasil - Japan. After going down 0-1 in the first half, Brasil came back strong in the second half and won the game 4-1.

Tomorrow it's off to Leipzig. I don't have tickets to see any games there (although I'd love to see Argentina - Mexico!!), however, any self-respecting traveller visiting Germany has to go to Leipzig, because after all, that's where Johann Sebastian Bach wrote many of his musical works.

Can't wait....

Our view:









Gooooooooooooooooool!!!!!!!!!















The celebration:















Today's WM Scores:
Italy 2 - Czech Republic 0
Ghana 2 - USA 1
Brasil 4 - Japan 1
Australia 2 - Croatia 2

Hamburg: Schanzenstern

I got to sleep quite late last night (actually more accurately, this morning .. hehehe), but even so, I wasn't that tired.

Around noon, Christian and I stepped onto the train, Frankfurt-bound. Once there, we parted ways. He's staying in Frankfurt for a day, while I moved on to Hamburg, to meet up there with Paul. We're staying at the Schanzenstern hostel.

Highlight of the day today: eating dinner at a Turkish resto, while watching Argentina-Netherlands. Argentina looks very strong.

Here are a few pictures from the trip, as well as our neighbourhood in Hamburg.

The journey:

























The Schanzenstern:















Today's WM Scores:
Portugal 2 - Mexico 1
Iran 1 - Angola 1
Argentina 0 - Netherlands 0
Ivory Coast 2 - Serbia & Montenegro 1

Kaiserslautern: Paraguay 2 - Trinidad & Tobago 0

Porfin! Finally! The albirroja's got the win they've been looking for, and so much deserved! The game was like an "away" game, because the crowd was heavily in favour of Trinidad & Tobago (why I neither know nor understand), but Paraguay handled the pressure very well, playing attractive futbol, attacking when necessary and defending when necessary. The win was very well deserved.

Valdez and Paredes played well again. Santa Cruz is overrated. The substitute goalkeeper Aldo Bobadilla was great. Another substitute, Julio Dos Santos, played excellently as well, in fact, he was the player of the game. I wonder whether results against England and Sweden would've been been different had he received more playing time. We'll never know.....

Without taking anything away from England and Sweden, it seems unjust that Paraguay is going home while the other two move on. England did not score against us, and neither did they look convincing in any of their games. Sweden did not beat Trinidad & Tobago, and did not look convincing against us either. The Swedish goal against Paraguay in the last minute of play looms gigantic, given that England and Sweden tied 2-2 today. Had we held on for 2 more minutes, we'd be through. Also, in all the games, Paraguay was the "away" team, especially vis-a-vis England and Sweden, who brought out their fans in masses. All in all, Paraguay played futbol deserving to move to the 2nd round. Alas, such is futbol. Ahhhhhh, the extasies and the agonies.........

After the game, the Paraguay players ran over to the Paraguayan fan section and waived and thanked for our support. Some of the players took off their jerseys and threw it into the crowd. The fans were joyous and happy, even though they knew their equipo was on their way home.

Here are a few pictures of the fantastic atmosphere at the Kaiserslautern Stadium.

Before the game:

Our view:

National anthems:

The game:















Christian cheers on la albirroja:

After the game, Chrstian and I celebrated with thousands of other fans. We walked the streets of Kaiserslautern, eating bratwurst & drinking beer. The fans from Trinidad & Tobago were equally joyful, for it was their first ever appearance at the Copa Mundial, and they earned the respect of everyone for their hard work on the field.

Here is a picture of the after-game celebrations:

Today's WM scores:

Germany 3 - Ecuador 0

Costa Rica 1 - Poland 2

Sweden 2 - England 2

Paraguay 2 - Trinidad & Tobago 0

Halle: Franckeschen Stiftungen

August Hermann Francke (1663-1727) was a theologian of the German pietist movement in the 18th century. Motivated by the words of Jesus to love one another, he founded schools and orphanages (among other things) which helped many families and children. His movement also trained many people to become teachers, doctors, and missionaries, and would eventually spread throughout the world, including North America,and India.

Francke began his movement in Halle, near Magdeburg, east Germany. Today I visitited it for a few hours, on my way from Calbe to Frankfurt.

The famous Halle:















Francke's home (under renovation - it's about time...!!!)

A few other (random) pictures of Halle.

The house Georg Friedrich Handel was born in:















Halle Central Square:















Today's WM Scores:
Togo 0 - Switzerland 2
Spain 3 - Tunisia 1
Saudi Arabia 0 - Ukraine 4