We spent the next 3 nights in Kampberg with my cousin Hansi and his family. They also were an unbelievably generous and welcoming family. We were blessed to have the use of most of a 2 room apartment to ourselves on the top floor of his house. We spent the first night playing wii games, much to the delight of Pete and Jorgi. Mike and I even had a go!! It was an enormously fun 
evening. This was the first time that I had had an opportunity to meet and spend a decent amount of time with this side of my family, and I warmed to them instantly. Hansi, Brigitte and I had some great conversations, over a glass of wine, about Germany's political and social mistakes - I mostly listened and nodded agreement, but my German had a fantastic chance to improve.Durin
g the day, while they worked and their kids were at school, 
we were in Munich visiting with my uncle and aunt. They both work, so to arrive unanounced and find that they both happen to have the next two days off was a real blessing. They took us up the TV tower, and into the new, amazing BMW building, where we got to see all the latest models and find out about the way their features and systems work. Man, if only we had the money for one of those babies!! Later that evening we had dinner with them at their favourite pub.
g the day, while they worked and their kids were at school, 
we were in Munich visiting with my uncle and aunt. They both work, so to arrive unanounced and find that they both happen to have the next two days off was a real blessing. They took us up the TV tower, and into the new, amazing BMW building, where we got to see all the latest models and find out about the way their features and systems work. Man, if only we had the money for one of those babies!! Later that evening we had dinner with them at their favourite pub.Day two started with a traumatic walk through Dachau. I don
't think I will ever be able to erase those images from my mind. Mike and I both had difficulty holding back the emotion welling up inside. At one stage, as a German school group of boistrous teenagers walked and joked their way past me, I r
esisted the urge to point out that their behaviour was not only inappropriate and disappointing, but disrespectful to the memory of all those that had lost their lives here. It would have fallen on deaf ears, as the overwelming concensus is that Germans just want to forget it ever happened. Ironically, we received a text part way through from my sister to say that she had had her new baby, a boy, Luca! Thinking about it now I realise that "regardless of all that man has done we still live under God's blessing" and can experience joy.
't think I will ever be able to erase those images from my mind. Mike and I both had difficulty holding back the emotion welling up inside. At one stage, as a German school group of boistrous teenagers walked and joked their way past me, I r
esisted the urge to point out that their behaviour was not only inappropriate and disappointing, but disrespectful to the memory of all those that had lost their lives here. It would have fallen on deaf ears, as the overwelming concensus is that Germans just want to forget it ever happened. Ironically, we received a text part way through from my sister to say that she had had her new baby, a boy, Luca! Thinking about it now I realise that "regardless of all that man has done we still live under God's blessing" and can experience joy.We met up with my uncle and aunt after this and togeth
er we took to the streets 
of Munich. Jorgi only had shopping on her mind, but I wanted a fresh reminder of the square and its fabulous Glockenspiel. Unfortunately we were not there at the right time of day to see it play, but it was nostalgic non the less. I also asked to be taken through the famous Munich Bier house - the Muenchner Hofbraeuhaus -
AWESOME is the only way to discribe the atmosphere. I just love folk music and they have it playing there, live, every day. The German Museum was our next stop. There we were bedazzled by the collection of authentic space craft and satellites. The real sputnik was on display!
er we took to the streets 
of Munich. Jorgi only had shopping on her mind, but I wanted a fresh reminder of the square and its fabulous Glockenspiel. Unfortunately we were not there at the right time of day to see it play, but it was nostalgic non the less. I also asked to be taken through the famous Munich Bier house - the Muenchner Hofbraeuhaus -AWESOME is the only way to discribe the atmosphere. I just love folk music and they have it playing there, live, every day. The German Museum was our next stop. There we were bedazzled by the collection of authentic space craft and satellites. The real sputnik was on display!
It was difficult to say goodbye to everyone. We learned a great deal about giving from my family, and I feel very blessed to be counted as part of their family. I am working on not letting it be another 15 years before we see them all again. Thank you to William, Angela, Hansi, Brigitte, Maxi, Nadin, Elina. Es war einmalig!!
1 comment:
Honostly, I have just got tears in my eyes after catching up with your news and the home visits to family. That must have all been so incredibly wonderful and therapeutic to see all those people. Cant get over how cold it is for you.
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