Neuendettelsau Comes to Life!

May Day in Germany is a BIG DEAL. As in, there are lots and lots of celebrations and no classes! The day was beautiful and Neuendettelsau was absolutely buzzing. I have never seen so many people and commotion around the town. Carnival rides, live music, several Flöhmarkte (flea markets) some with books, some with junk, some more Basar-like. I also had the privilege of visitors from Wartburg College, Dr. Kleinhans, Dan and Maren, as they passed through on their way for May Term internships in Eisenach. The 4 of us explored all the goings-ons with great fun and amusement.

We happened to be in the right place at the right time when Dr. Kleinhans ran into an acquaintance at the library book sale. He took us to the basement of the library and showed us through the archives of Neuendettelsau. Pretty awesome...journals of Wilhelm Löhe himself and all kinds of cool stuff.

The rest of the group decided to head toward the Hostienbereitung (Communion Wafer workshop) to watch the demonstrations and I decided I would go back to my room and take a nap. Only on the way I made a new friend, Schwester Hannelore. As I greeted her on the sidewalk she started talking away. We walked a ways together (in the opposite direction of school) before she said, "Do you like coffee?" So we wound up at the coffee shop for an hour or so. Schwester Hannelore and I now meet Wednesday afternoons for a walk, coffee, some German lessons and sometimes supper in her little Bezzelheim apartment. A blessing for the both of us. The wondrous things that come about from a simple greeting on the sidewalk.

May Day came to a close with the singing (kind of) of "Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht!" (Silent Night) outside Dr. Kleinhan's door. Attempt to embarrass professor: Failed.

Pax.