Almost exactly 12 hours after our Facebook conversation, I was getting off the train in Eisenach where I found a room to sleep in and left for the restaurant where I was to meet the group. Half way up the giant hill, I caught up to a group of students who I quickly decided were American and since they were going the same direction I was, they had to be Wartburgers. After a great lunch, we headed for the path that leads to the castle. Yup, THE castle. However, it was so foggy there was no view of the top of the mountain until we were on it. Even then the castle was pretty blurry. Spooky and gorgeous. The tour guide was one of the best I've ever had. Using Lutheran jargon, sharing her knowledge about the castle was her vocation, not her job. It was obvious she loved what she did, her enthusiasm was great but not overwhelming. It was honest enthusiasm. She took us through the Wartburg inviting us to envision ourselves in the shoes of those who through the centuries had created history there. What was it like to be St. Elizabeth or Luther (Junker Georg) or a Minnesänger participating in the Minstrel's Contest at the Wartburg? What were the struggles, the concerns, the sufferings that people faced here, alongside the celebrations? This woman was doing her thing joyfully...with her heart. And she wore riding breeches.
Luther Room |
Wartburg Castle birds that greatly amused me... about 50 of them just standing around like this. |
I'll get pics of Wittenberg up...mmmm...when I get around to it.
Pax.
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