Art & Architecture Trip - Day 32

I went to Koln today (by myself) and met Emily and Beth there at the Dom. We went to St. Gereon to show Beth what we had learned about while we were staying there. The church was closed, though, so we were not able to see any art or architecture up close. We then went back over to the Saturn record shop and looked around inside. We had lunch right next door - at a restaurant on the Hansaring, near the old city wall. We talked for several hours and I think I communicated pretty well. We went to the post office and to a news stand, where I sent six letters and bought a USA Today. We went later to look for shoes for Emily. I left the girls at 1730 and went home on the train. When I got to Kolner Strasse, I called Frau Johland on the telephone and she came to get me. Stephan and I played soccer again today (scored three more goals) - Cheesy played too. I had a lot of things to think about when I went to bed - my dad's letter about Mom getting really sick arrived today. I'm also getting a little worried about the upcoming school year - I've missed the whole summer at home (along with all the fun I could have had with school friends and some of the girls...). I read my Bible again for a few hours - it has become a relatively regular thing. Bed around 0100.

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 31

I woke up this morning feeling like I have been doing better with my German speaking. It is good - part of the reason I wanted to come here. As for our plans today, it was hard to top yesterday! In contrast, things were a little boring. I was glad to have a day like that, though... I got up at 1030 and ate breakfast, lay out in the lawn (it was really sunny) and waited for Stephan to get up. At 1215, I went with Frau Johland to her friend's house. The nice lady told me she had lived in Massachusetts for a year and, like many other people I meet who have been to the USA, she was very envious of my home on Cape Cod. I later helped Frau Johland put pictures up on the wall at their home. When we were done, I wrote post cards to kids back on the Cape. I felt a little strange sending anything to a couple of my high school classmates, but did it anyway. For the rest of the afternoon, I worked on my German notes, read, watched television and listed to records. Stephan went swimming at the local pool. At 2000 - after spaghetti for supper - I went running from Herkenrath to Moritzfled. I felt pretty good and hope to continue to run until I go home. I found out today the Frau Johland was born in Dresden and had to endure some of the World War II firebombing before she escaped from East Germany (1947). Some of her family still lives in Dresden and she cannot often visit them.

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 30

Today was one of the more interesting days I have had in several days. We went to Bonn and the Drachenfels - and played Football again. At 1100, we left the Johland's house and drove towards Bonn. Our first stop was at the Doppelkirchen of Rheinland - a church built at the time of Charlemagne across the river from Bonn. This church has been reconstructed and repaired to its original form - the inside has paintings from the 1100s. The church has two levels: one (top) for the Emperor and one (bottom) for the altar and other people. The king could see from his seat on the top floor through a hole in the floor that was lined up so he could see the priest (and nobody else). The building was mostly closed - only the bottom was open for a tour. From the Doppelkirchen, we drove south to the Drachenfels. It is a fortress built above the Rhein on the legendary site of Siegfried's battle with the Dragon. The terrain reminded me of Eastern Kentucky and West Virginia - and we took a train to the top of the high mountains overlooking Bonn that was like the Cass Scenic Railway. The castle is quite high up - it must have been an almost impregnable fortress in the Middle Ages! Nearby, there was a quarry that provided most of the stones for the Kolner Dom (cathedral). We then went down to the bottom of the mountain again and drove to a ferry for a ride across the Rhein. It was very scenic. Had late lunch (spaghetti!). We entered Bonn from the suburbs and then went into the town center, where the Munster and Beethoven's birthplace were. The Munster is one of the oldest churches in Germany: the first signs of Christianity ("Cassius and Flutunivitus" ?) were from the late Third Century (that's the 200s - I've found a truly old church!). Inside, there was a lot of beautiful decoration - most of it original. We went from there to Beethoven's birthplace, stopping at a Roccoco townhouse nearby. In Beethoven's house, there was an extensive collection of music and personal items. He lived there for 22 years. Right after this, we drove home. Stephan told me that we just missed an anti-American demonstration about two blocks from Beethoven's house... We arrived home at 1830 and had pizza for supper (yeah!). Stephan and I went over to play soccer later - I had three more goals! I feel like I am truly accepted here - and the other guys wanted to talk to me about the USA other other interesting topics after we stopped playing. We didn't go home until 0030 and I went to bed at 0100.

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 29

Today was a quite relaxing day - we were not responsible for much. I think I could enjoy a lot more days like this... At 1230, Stephan and I went to the pool at Bensberg, where we swam and got sun tanned. I swam three different times and lay in the sun for the rest of the time. There were lots of people there - and some nice girls. We had time to play a little cards - Stephan and his friend like a game called "Skat." At 1800, we came home and ate Bratwurst and potatoes. At 1900, we went to play soccer with Stephan's friends. I scored four goals - one with a header! Stephan is very good. The field was very small, but we had lots of fun until 2300. When we came home, I watched TV with Stephan and Herr Johland. As we switched the channels, we passed by my sister's favorite show "The Scarecrow and Mrs. King" in German (funny!). We watched a German spy film - Stephan explained the plot as it went along... Tomorrow, we are planning to go south to the mountains near Bonn. Later in the week, I will head over to Koln to meet up with the girls (rescheduled).

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 28

I woke up today at 1100 and ate breakfast outside. The first hints of sun were just appearing as we ate. At 1300, we drove from Bergisch Gladbach to Phantasialand. We were given several hours there for enjoyment. Christof, Stephan and I went on the rollercoaster, the mine train, the rockets and a haunted house ride. We also walked around. Phantasialand is actually a cheap facsimile of Disneyland, The rides are set around different themes, but the content is the same. I got to learn an interesting phrase "Ich will mein gelt urich, yetz!" (I want my money back, now!). We watched a movie in the Cinema 2000 called "Pictures of America." It was interesting to see the many places I have been - and that no one else in the room has... We went home around 1800 and had a supper of duck (ente) and rice. It was very good. The Johland's grandmother came to dinner. We later met Christoff outside - we were planning to play Football (soccer). Their friend, Philip, was sick and we did not have air in the footballs we had anyway, so we tried to play tennis in the street while listening to the American radio station. At 2100, I called Beth to set up a meeting for our Art/Architecture class in Koln. We agreed that it should be tomorrow. At 2300, the "America versus the Rest of the World" soccer tournament came on television - so we watched it. I was happy to see Maradona and the America team (mostly South American players) come back from a 2-0 deficit to win the game in a shoot-out (4-3). I went to bed at 0045.

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 27

I got up at 0900 today to catch the train from Bensberg to Koln. Stephan, Friday and I were a little late getting to the Saturn (Zitrone) record store (supposedly the biggest LP shop in the world) - but Emily was still there waiting with Marion, a girl in her host family. Once Marion left, the rest of us looked around the LP store for awhile. At 1230, Stephan said he wanted to go to a movie, but Emily and I decided that we were not really interested. We went instead to Dom/Hauptbahnhoff and I bought a newspaper while she called home. Afterwards, we went walking on the Rhein and talked about our host families. She said she was glad to get away - her family was nice, but they didn't do much together. We walked around for most of the afternoon - with a break for lunch at Burger King. At 1600, I went over to Heumarkt and met up with Stephan and Friday again so that we could ride the train back home. We ate supper at 1830 and then we went to Christoff's (he is nicknamed "Cheesy"), who lives next door. We played games there and watched an American movie in German. The movie was supposed to be an adventure film, but it was completely unbelieveable. We returned to the Johland's at midnight. Frau Johland said today that we would go over to Fantasia Land tomorrow. Today marks one year since I first started running in 1985 to make the Cross Country team - I need to start tomorrow to make sure I can run with the team again this year!

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 26

I woke up at 1100 again today. We went outside after "breakfast" and played table tennis with Stephan's friend, "Friday." It was raining again... At 1230, we went over to Moitzfeld, a nearby village, to visit Stephan's friends - but there was no one home. We went into a cafe and ate "pommes frites" for lunch. When we came home again, we played backgammon and watched (German) TV. At 1800, we ate supper - "pea soup" mit bratwurst. Stephan went to say good-bye to his girlfriend (she is going on a trip). I went with Frau Johland to walk Sasha - who got lost in the woods. When we returned, I played Scrabble (in German) and a game called "Journey through Germany" with Stephan. At 2300, we played table soccer. During the whole day, I don't think it ever stopped raining... Bed at midnight.

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 25

I woke up at 1100 today and had Corn Flakes and milch for breakfast. After we ate, Stephan and I walked to a nearby forest with Sasha the Beagle, where Stephan showed me an area where I could run. On our way back home, it began to rain - hard. We got all the way back before the realy outburst/downpour began. We ate a snack/lunch and listened to Stephan's albums. We also played backgammon. We had planned to play Fussball but since it was raining, Stephan went with a friend to get a haircut. I worked on my German notes. When Stephan returned at 1730, we played backgammon again. At 1800, we ate supper (abendessen) - it was fileted turkey, potatoes and merangue. It was all very good. After supper, Stephan took out a board game that was like Trivial Pursuit (but in German). I won the game - the last question was about American History. After the game was done, we talked a lot about America - it was a good discussion. I am becoming more and more acquainted with the Johland family - they are nice. I went to bed at midnight.

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 24

Today was a very action-packed day, since we all were going to leave JGH to be with our Host families. After breakfast and room cleanout, we waited for our families to arrive. I was the very last person to be picked up (1200). We arrived at my host family's house and I was shown the room where I would stay. After putting all of my things away, I ate lunch: pasta at last!!! At 1500, Frau Johland took me into Bergisch Gladbach and we went shopping. I felt alone because I don't know very much German. She gave me a short tour of the area and we returned home at 1800. There, I met Herr Johland and his son, Stephan (he's about my age). We ate supper at 1900 and we talked for a long time at the table. I gave the Johland's the gifts I had brought from the US and then showed them Cape Cod - and other things of interest about America. At 2030, we left for a party at [a girl named] Sabina's house. I met Stephan's friends Philip and Sven. We stayed at the party until 0115. I talked with many German kids and played card games. I am beginning to like speaking German more and more. I hope after about a week, I can adjust to this language and hope to be able to understand more and speak more of it. This kind of atmosphere is quite beneficial to the cultivation and advancement of a person's language knowledge. Now that I am at my family's house, I realize how much I will miss the company of the other kids in the Art/Architecture Program... Gute Nacht!

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 23

We had our last German lesson today and we reviewed lots of questions and answers - and lots of vocabulary. We finished the lesson at 1100 and we went from JGH to Amerika Haus. We were greeted there by the American field representative and chairperson of Amerika Haus in Koln. He described the purpose of Amerika Haus and the position of field representative. He was not very pleasant - most of us did not like his attitude. We later went to the American Express office later and ate lunch near there (with a good view of the Cathedral). At 1400, we took a scenic drive to an artist colony outside of Cologne (Wachs Fabrich). We met a young artist who worked there with styrofoam and wood. We also met with a Romanian potter who lived there. He gave us little boxes he had made (for free!). The history of Wachfabrich is long. It was not actually an artist colony for most of its past. First, it was a wax factory (the company went bankrupt). It was only then that the city of Koln took control and put it into the care of the artists. We later returned to JGH and went to an interview by a local radio broadcaster. She asked us our opinions about the stay in Germany. We then went to dinner (1930) at a restaurant on the banks of the Rhein. Dinner was over at 2230 and we walked along the river - looking at the pretty sky. This was the last night of the Art/Architecture Program. I am glad that it turned out so well - I hope the Home Stay Program is just as good.

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 22

We went for an excursion today - to BergischLand. It was perhaps the best day for sketching and enjoyment of the scenery. First, we went to Altenburger Cathedral (the Gothic church of the Counts of Berg). It is dedicated to "Saint" Engelbert (see below). It was raining at the cathedral, which is nestled in the middle of a green valley (much like those in New England). We ended up leaving to go further West - to the castle of the famous Berg family. When we arrived in Schlossburg, we went to a restaurant that served waffles. I had a waffle with cherries, whipped cream and ice cream on it. We also rode a lift up the side of the hill to continue our tour of Schlossburg. The castle of the Berg family is nestled on the top of a hill overlooking a deep valley. It was first constucted in the 11th Century by Adolph I and was later improved by Engelbert II. The latter was also Archbishop of Cologne, Duke of the area and Chancellor of the Holy Roman Empire (also called the First Reich). Engelbert was the most famous count of the Berg family. His brother died in 1218 on a Crusade and Engelbert (who had illegally siezed power) was murdered in 1228 by his cousin's soldiers. His remains are found in Altenberger Cathedral. He is called a saint both here and in Cologne - but he was never officially canonized. We had a guided tour of the castle and its grounds. We went to the highest point in the castle (called the keep). We also saw an exhibit in a museum inside on Etruscan Art. From 1530 to 1700, we sketched again. I liked how my picture turned out in the end and I had a good time drawing. More Americans around this place - they live in Maryland. We went home, ate dinner and relaxed until 2100, when we had a performance with our masks. Later, we walked along the Rhein in the dark. Bed at 0130.

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 21

It doesn't seem possible that we are nearly through with this program (and the summer, too). I will be sad when I have to leave the JGH - I want to come back here next year! Each night has been late, so it was nice that today was even more relaxed than the previous ones. We all got up late to work on our German - Trinna actually made an announcement on the PA for us to wake up (we finally did - at 0930). After German class, we ate lunch and then I rested, wrote post cards and organized my artwork. I rode into Koln and went to Dom/Hauptbahnhoff, where I was able to buy stamps as well as a USA Today newspaper. I missed finding out about the All-Star Game (missed it by a couple of days). It kind of annoyed me that the top story on the front page was the debate on the National Anthem. While I was reading, I let a man from Zambia borrow part of it. His name was Tamba-Tamba and he was visiting from law school in Moscow on an eight day vacation. After resting by the Rhein, I went back to the Jugendgastehaus for a cook-out. We ate sausages (Brotwurst) and chicken (Henshen), as well as potatoes. There was beer there - and I tried it. It was called Kolsch (a local brew). To be honest, I didn't like it at all... Elizabeth, Marcus and Joe came to eat dinner with us - Beth will go with us tomorrow to the Castle and Roccoco buildings. The experience of living in the JGH is drawing to a close. After dinner, we played games with Emily's trim-ball. We watched the laundry and worked on our masks. I went to bed after midnight again. Gute Nacht!

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 20

We didn't do much today except go to a museum of modern sculpture and have German lessons. We had to make up for time we had lost earlier in the week. People were very tired from the night before... After lunch (1330), we left on the streetcar and went to the Dimension V museum at Neumarkt. We saw several interesting scultures: one that balanced itself by itself with no supports; one that gave the illusion that "rips" were floating in the air; and one (very good) that was metal strips which, when I looked behind them, gave the illusion that the colors on the wall were part of a stained glass window. I took a nap from 1630 to 1830. We ate dinner at the normal time. After dinner, I went to visit Glyndie and we talked - she played American Top 40 music with German lyrics. I later played ping-pong with Trinna (and barely won...). Our group later met some guys from England, the US and a Polish defector. I went to sleep after midnight.

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 19

We continued to work on our masks this morning. My mask, which has dried well, was hard for me to paint in a detail manner. I finally settled for a mask with three expressions - sadness, uncertain and hope - and used three colors: white, aqua and dark blue. The mask, I believe, is a good image of myself. We were told to name it and choose a "coat of arms." It felt a little weird - I named it Siquerque and made a blank box on white paper for the coat of arms... After we finally completed the mask making phase, we left (1215) on the train for Chloolivingplatz (spelling?). There, we had some food at a Fruh restaurant - potato pancakes and apple juice. After lunch, we came back to present our masks to everyone (1330). Very late in the day, we went to see artifacts in an African museum (including Indian art). There were many statues and masks there. The museum tour was hard for everyone because we were all tired. Christa instructed us during the tour. Today I decided that I don't like the atmosphere of the art I have been seeing. It has all been done by very spiritualistic and individualistic people - there is very little God-inspired art on this trip (except for the Churches, of course). It seems to me that modern art mirrors Man's attitude in the 1980s: that Man is too good for God and that self inspiration is more important than Inspiration. At 1830, we ate supper at JGH and then left for the ballet at 1900. The program began at 2000 and, in the course of the two hour show, we saw some very interesting dances and superb acting. The ballet was modern, with lots of improvisation, I think. When we returned home, I talked with Emily and Jeanne for a while. They told me they thought I should have kissed Heidi last night. I think they meant well, but I didn't really know what to say to them. Still, we talked until around 0200, when I finally went to sleep.

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 18

Today was mainly a day for working on masks. First, I continued to put gray paper on my clay model until it was completely covered. Then I began to put brown paper on (over the gray) until this covered the mask too. Later (after the masks had dried in the boiler room), I took the paper mache mold off of the clay. I then put plaster around the edges of the mask. After dinner, I began to paint the mask with white paint. Finally, I completed the mask with blue paint. During the time we were working at JGH on the masks, other people came by to watch us. We met some kids that were touring Germany - they were from California. I met a nice girl names Heidi and we worked on clay together. After everyone else left, Heidi and I talked for many hours about our lives - I told her about my Mom being sick (actually, she is in California now...). She was very understanding and told me about her life. Time went by very quickly and I never thought about how late it was until Jeanne and her friends used the JGH-wide loudspeaker to page me around 0230... I went to bed at 0300, feeling much better.

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 17

Today was a varied day. We began with German lessons and then went to Koln's East Asian Art Museum. The tour was quite boring because we had to stand for the whole time and the tour guide had to speak German while Frau Scheuch translated... We later went to a Chinese, Japanese, Korean restaurant for lunch (Han el Restaurant). I had fried rice with chicken. When we returned home, I found that I had received an urgent letter from home - Dad was writing to tell me that Mom had gone into the hospital again. I hope she is OK, but I can't ever tell... We later went to a presentation on masks by Frau Watrin. She showed us the technique of making a mask and told us we would make one too! I chose the color blue for a theme and then made a clay model (cast) and put paper mache over it. I hope it turns out like I planned. I'm not feeling happy right now, so I am sure the final design will reflect my sad mood. We worked on our masks again at JGH after dinner. I went down to the Rhine with Georg and one of his friends later. We had a good walk and talk until 2300. I actually will get to go to bed early tonight!

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 16

We are almost half-way through the Koln experience and art instruction. The morning was rather lazy since we drove to see an art exhibit in Dusseldorf. We traveled along the Rhein on the Auto-bahn until (around 1130) we arrived at a modern art (newly built) gallery. Inside, there were paintings by the impressionists, expressionists and other famous abstract and surrealist painters. Picasso had many paintings and drawings in the museum. After touring the museum until nearly 1330, we walked to a nearby park where we ate our lunch and relaxed. When we finished, we went back inside the museum. There was a special visiting art exhibit on many of Picasso's sketches and artwork. We learned about the development and design of his work and walked around until 1630. At 1700 we were given free time and we walked around Duselldorf for awhile. We left at 1800. After supper (back at JGH), we went down to the Rhein. The girls wrote post cards to their their mothers and pestered me. When we went back inside, Jeane attempted to paint a portrait of me in water colors - but she did not succeed. At about midnight, some Yugoslavians came by our room and we discussed our experiences. We all talked (up on a balcony at the top of the JGH!) until around 0300. I need some sleep!

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 15

This morning, we learned we could spend our time the way we liked until 1300. The girls wanted to shop and look for clothes. I was going to go to Bonn, but I found out that I would have to pay 10 DM extra (above my rail pass) and that I actually had to meet other members of our group anyway. I stayed with them for the rest of the day. We met up with Marcus and his friend Jo and we went to toy stores and other shops. We went for a snack at Sam's Quick Burger Restaurant and then went to a pet shop. Nearby, I went into an arcade and played Asteroids. The club was for 18 years and up students but noone said anything... Later, we went to a cafe (where I got covered in Coke) and played Backgammon. We went back on the train to JGH at 1300 and got trapped at Boltensteristrasse in the train and had to go to the next stop. We missed the group lunch (luckily we ate earlier). Since nothing else ended up being scheduled, we decided to go to the zoo and saw lots of wonderful animals: polar bears, penguins, lions, tigers (etc.). I also went to the aquarium. After we had dinner at JGH, we all went to the Koln speech club and told the Germans there about our country (in English). I met one woman who had been living in the US and had become a citizen. I met a man that had left German in 1934 on vacation in Spain. As a Jew, he lucked out and missed most of the terrible things that happened during the following years. He went from Spain to California after the Spanish Civil War got too bad. He finally returned to Germany in 1962. We took the train back to JGH around 2345 (saw the lighted cathedral from bridges on the Rhine - pretty!). Went to the Cafe and met some Canadians on a tour of Europe. One of them was an electrical engineer for the Canadian Navy. At 0045, I left the Cafe and went upstairs to write this - and sleep. Gute Nacht!

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 14

Today was rather uneventful except for our "City Rally" after lunch. Emily and I were partners in this treasure hunt across Koln. We were told to find some information about certain places on a list that Georg and Christa gave us. The locations listed included items near the Cathedral, Ebertplatz and Ulrepforte. Some of the places we had to go were quite interesting. We had to find out the professions of goblins, the location of a Roman-modern statue, the location of John F. Kennedy's June 23, 1963, speech in Koln, the distance of the moon from Grosse St. Martin (389,998 km and 100m), the event captured in stone on the wall of the medieval city, the number on one of the gates of the city and (the most interesting piece of information) the meaning of three letters and date "on St. Severin's Church." We were actually the only ones that discovered the graffiti-like scrawl on the door of the church which said "19 CMB 85." We asked a German nearby what it meant and he said that it stood for Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar (the Three Wise Men). We also had to find a date on a building in Ulrepforte, the material used on a fountain at Ebertplatz, the meaning of the existence of a boat at the city gate at Ebertplatz and (lastly) the number of Turkish restaurants on one of the streets in the area. Emily and I budgeted our time well - and we finished at almost exactly the 1630 deadline. Throughout the entire event, Emily and I never really got lost - and we got on the correct streetcar each time. Actually, the hardest task of the day was trying to locate Christa's appartment! We ran around the Lufthansa complex three times before we found a door. Despite this, we actually returned first to Christa's Rhine side condo - and we received the most points for our efforts. Christa and Georg treated us to cake and soda while we waited for the others to arrive. The rest of the teams had horror stories to share about getting lost (one team never found anything on the list!). What a great "city rally"! After dinner, we went to see a play on the south side of Cologne. It was in an old chocolate factory - soon to be destroyed. During the course of the performance, we sat in chairs sitting in water (yes - the entire place was submerged up to ankle level). People gave us plastic bags before the show to protect our shoes... I returned home at 2345 and read a little - sleep at 0100.

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 13

Today was the last day of tours of the churches of Koln. We went to see the Gothic Cathedral (or Dom) at the center of town. Sabine met us once again and then began the tour of the church, including its long history. The Cathedral that stands on the site now took nearly 700 years to complete. Starting in 1200, the church was built for several years before work stopped in 1525. Then, in 1842, the people of Cologne decided to finish their cathedral in the Gothic style. The existence of bones of the Three Wise Men in the church made der Kolner Dom one of the three most important pilgrimages in the medieval world. People came from every part of Europe to honor the memory of the three noble souls who had journeyed to the site where Jesus was living soon after his birth. The presence of these relics in Koln made the Archbishop of the city very powerful because the bones showed that even the Emperor of Germany was below God - that kings had knelt before the Baby Jesus. After the tour, we spread out to sketch. I went to a fountain known as "Dry St. Peter" (to the East of the Cathedral). It is so known because it was not usually possible to keep water flowing through it in older days. While I was at the fountain, I met a Belgian soldier that had been working for NATO since 1959. He knew four languages: English (from his job at NATO), French and Dutch (because Belgium requires this for service in the military) and German (he was brought up in a town on the German border). At 1600, we returned to JGH and I tried to work in my sketch book. When we finally ate dinner, I had nearly destroyed my work. The girls were acting strangely - I don't understand them... At 1900, we traveled to an open air festival outside of Cologne and heard several bands attempt to mimic the accent and words of English songs. They did not succeed in their valient efforts and the music sounded very corny. One of the groups called itself "King Size Dick." We left around 2200. I read for a few hours before going to sleep. I need to go running soon!!!

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 12

Today was perhaps the most architecture filled day we have had yet. At 1030, we left the youth hostel and went to visit the first of two Romanesque churches, St. Gereon. This is the second oldest church in Cologne. We learned that it had been built on the ruins of a Roman building from the Fourth Century over (supposedly) the grave of St. Gereon and his 500 Christian-Roman soldiers. It is a very beautiful building and, amazingly, the tower (which was composed of the remains of the Roman building) survived extensive bombing during World War II. We also sketched this church. After lunch, sketching and getting travelers checks cashed, we went to St. Ursula's. After Maria im Kapitol and Gross St. Martin, I like St. Ursula's and the mystery it holds. The church is also built on the ruins of the grave of a saint. According to legend and tradition, it was at St. Ursula's that a British-Christian princess and 11,000 virgin followers were killed by the Huns. The architectural design of the church is symbolic in many ways, and it might be that this church existed before 350 AD. A strange Roman inscription seems to intone that the church to "the virgins" was reconstructed in 400 AD (there is no mention of Ursula or 11,000). Some scholars believe that 11 virgins were martyred on the site and that someone in the Middle Ages wrote "11 M" (martyrs) and this was conveniently changed to 11,000 later. There is a treasure room, however, that contains the remains of those who were supposed to be martyrs - as well as statues (reliquary containers) which housed the holy remains of St. Ursula's followers. She is buried here as well. After the tour (with Sabine once again), we went "downtown" and looked for a place where we could buy clothes. I left the girls at one of the stores and went back to the JGH where I read from my Bible for several hours (it was nearly sunrise when I finished - won't get much sleep...).

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 11

After the normal German lesson and breakfast, we went in the rain (again) to visit Grosse St. Martin on the Rhein - and go on a tour led by Sabine. She is a great and interesting tour-guide, and we are not bored at all when she is leading us. St. Martin was completed in 1985 - it is another of Koln's famous Romanesque churches. After the tour, we sat outside the chruch under a small overhang on one of the surrounding buildings and tried to sketch St. Martin's. We had only one hour, and no one felt very comfortable with the products they created. We were not happy with how things were progressing with the sketching workshops (mostly due to the weather). Hopefully, the weather will be nicer in the next few days. At 1230, Frau Scheuch took us to a nearby restaurant for lunch. I ordered Jagerschnitzel, a pork dish with french fries. I did not think it was very good. Most of the others were not happy either... After lunch, we went walking around the streets and looked at things in the windows. After the usual generic dinner we have come to expect, Georg and Christa took us to the studio of a nearby TV station for a performance of several performing arts groups. In the course of the show, there were jazz and rock selections, some pantomime, slapstick comedy and piano accompanyment by a variety of performers from the US, Italy and Germany. The show was very good (we didn't understand some of it) and it was funny to hear one of the ladies from the US when she did American songs. We returned at 2359 and talked until 0200.

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 10

With all these late nights, it has been hard to keep to a running schedule - I need to get going again! So, even though I was very tired this morning, I got up at 0630 and ran three miles down the Rhein with Glyndie. It was very misty out and the ground was wet - but it wasn't until we returned that it began to rain (AGAIN!!!). It seems like when it rains at all, it rains really hard! By breakfast, though, it had stopped. We had German lessons between 0900 and 1030 and then Georg began to instruct us in Roman, Romanesque and Gothic architecture. We had lunch around 1200 and then we went over to a beautiful church called Maria im Kapitol, the oldest and biggest Romanesque church of its kind in Koln. The architecture was very impressive! Sabine, our guide at the Romisch-Germanisches museum, led us around the church and showed us the reconstruction efforts of post-World War II builders. I liked this place a lot - I was disappointed when the tour was over. The rest of the afternoon was rather boring. After dinner, I met some Germans who were pen pals of Cara's sister - they took several of us to a small, indoor shopping mall. Late bed time again...

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 9

Today, instead of starting with breakfast and German lessons, we rode the subway to Dom Hauptbanhauf and went to the cathedral while Christa took some of the group to cash traveler's cheques. While at the Cathedral, I drew gargoyles and areas near some of the windows. When I went back outside, it started to pour. I got soaked walking to the Romisch-Germanisches museum. When I finally did arrive, Herr Hesse did not know where anyone else was. I went back out to look for the others and got even more wet! Finally, I returned and got to work on my runner soapstone statue. At 1200, we went back to the youth hostel and ate lunch. From 1400 to 1500, we studied German and then Georg arrived. He began to work with us on architectural drawing and perspective. We went outside and down to the bridge nearby and began to sketch it. We weren't there for more than five minutes when it started to pour again - this time much harder. A bolt of lightning hit a pole right next to me - scared me! I ducked - like that would help - and then ran back to the JGH. Since we couldn't work outside, it turned out we got more than an hour of "free time." I worked on a drawing that I had started earlier in the trip - of a medieval wall. At dinner, we had baloney, ham, swiss cheese and potato salad sandwich! I also had some more tea (I like it more and more). After the meal I wrote post cards to Bryan, Mom, Kristin and Kathy - wrote a couple of "witty" sayings on them... By 2100, I was bored, so I went upstairs to visit the girls and then we all went down to the cafe. We all talked for three hours. Sometimes I don't know how to deal with them, but other times it is easy. In some ways, the trip has been more about meeting new people and getting along with them than it is about art and architecture... Kein problem!

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 8

We woke at 0800 and ate breakfast. I had chocolate sauce on my bread (I must comment on the excessive amount of bread at the the table!). At 0900 we left for Xanten, a small town north of Koln and only about 15 miles from the border of the Netherlands. Xanten has two major articles of importance to the Rhineland: its cathedral and a reconstructed Roman city. In 117 AD, when the Romans under Emperor Trajen's officers conquered the area, the city of Xanten was designed and built as the second largest Roman city north of the Alps (in Northeastern Europe). The city, which had long been buried, has been partially rebuilt and we were given a first-hand look at the actual size of Roman architecture. The monuments, walls and other buildings are amazing! After a little while looking at the city, we went to the Xanten Cathedral, which has a similar history as the Koln Cathedral. It was built on the site of the graves of several Thebian/Roman soldiers who had refused to change their Christian religion back to that of the old Roman gods. We went through this building - which, noticibly, has been nearly entirely rebuilt since 1945 (it was mostly destroyed in World War II). The church is both Romanesque and Gothic - and their are relics of saints from all over the Northern part of Europe. For lunch, we ate at a "Roman" cafe. The restaurant was located in one of the reconstructed villas. We had chicken, fish, pumpkin, Coke and Roman bread. At 1530, we were given the opportunity to sketch the cathedral. I started out in a small courtyard inside, but I moved back out when I got bored by the sight where I was. Instead, I went out to the front and sketched the towers. While I was working, a little boy approached me. I helped him with his bike - he had fallen down and his chain had fallen off the wheel. He seemed to think I spoke German, because he kept talking and talking to me (I'm not sure what I would have been able to say if he had asked me any questions...). It started to rain after this - just in time to leave! The trip to and from Xanten took about one hour each way (traveling at 140 kph on the Autobahn). Christa and I fell asleep on the way home. We arrived at JGH at 1800 and had to take a short quiz about what we had learned today. Had dinner around 2000 and then we all sketched some more in the room where we ate - all the way up until 2315!

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 7

I woke at 0930. I have my own room - it is small and the bed is very low on the floor. I have to walk down the hall for a shower. Still, it is better than the rooms the girls have - they have to share (four to a room). I went downstairs for breakfast and learned that nothing was really planned for the morning. I must admit that it is kind of nice not be obligated to do anything... Some of the girls went to the Cathedral for a service - I didn't (maybe next week). I relaxed for most of the morning. At 1430, our group left for the Romisch-Germanisches Museum to continue with our sculpture workshop. My runner is not quite as good as I had hoped - he has a fat stomach and thin legs. At 1700, we finished the sculpture workshop and then went around the streets of Koln and looked in the windows of shops. Things here are cheap and of good quality. I bought a USA Today - angry to find that Roger Clemens had lost (and "Oil-Can" Boyd had too). I was relieved, however, to see that the Red Sox are still out in front of New York by seven games. Boris Becker has won Wimbledon - very big deal here! After "window shopping" for a few hours, we nearly got lost at Ebert-platz. Finally able to find the U-Bahn (subway) and returned in time for supper... Later, we talked for a long time - first with each other, then with the JGH Receptionist and then with Christa. I can truthfully say I am looking forward to the next week of this experience!

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 6

Today was the most action-packed day we have had yet! After only one hour of German lessons and an hour of Koln history (which was very interesting), we ate a snack and went on the train to the Romisch-Germanisches Museum for a tour. The artifacts in the museum were interesting. There was pottery and glassware, reconstructed Roman tombs, mosaics and wall paintings. The artifacts made me feel strange - they are nearly 2000 years old. The arch to the entrance of the Roman city was inside the museum and we learned that the Romans only took about 20 years to build all of the city walls. We ate lunch on the Cathedral steps and then returned to the museum for the continuation of the tour. Upon its completion, we went to the souvenir shops around Dom-platz. I knew what one lady was saying in German and tried my best to answer her. I got several souvenirs for people at home. Late in the afternoon, we returned to the museum and met a new teacher, Herr Hesse. He took us into a workshop in the back of the museum, where we began to work on soapstone carvings. I had to try twice before I saw a runner emerging from the mass of stone... I look forward to the second session of carving so I can complete the statuette. At 2100, we all walked to Fort X, an old Prussian fort outside Koln to see a production by a group of actors with masks. On the way, we saw a group of people in a Karneval club dressed as cannibals. They played music and danced in the street in front of the pub (it belonged to their leader). At Fort X, the play began at 2230, after a delay. There was no talking in the play - there was only pantomime and the effects made by the actors and their masks. It was very good! At 2330, the play ended. Then, the thunder, lightning and rain began! We went inside a warm, dry building until midnight - then we were finally able to start back to JGH. We ran - very wet - to the subway station (almost a mile away). It was almost 0100 when we got home and we had visitors until 0300. Finally fell asleep at 0345... Auf Wiedersahen!

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 5

Today was Independence Day - I wore a small American flag pin on my shirt. I sort of missed being able to see fireworks at home and watch the celebration of the Statue of Liberty Centenial (some Germans who live in Koln told me they saw it...). I took an early morning (0630) jog down the Rhein (four miles). One of the Canadians I met last night, Albert, jogged with me. We ate breakfast later. At 0900, we continued our German language studies. Today we learned how to tell time and practiced counting money. Interestingly, it turned out that we learned several important things about money and time that we needed later in the day (see below). At 1100, we boarded the train for Koln. We rode to Ebert-platz and examined one of the medieval gates of the city. It was right in the middle of many shops and businesses, and no one seemed to notice it - just like they acted near the cathedral (Dom). I guess people here are used to the years of history and the artifacts of the past (not me!). We traveled up the old Roman road and then turned down a street to go to Kolnische Stadtmuseum for a tour. We walked inside for several hours and learned about German history (especially about Koln). Afterwards, we had ice cream (gelato) at an Italian place. It was very good - more natural and more flavor choices than at home... It only cost 2.50 DeutcheMarks (about $1.10) for scoops of any flavor. At 1800, after returning on the train, we ate supper at the Jugendgastehaus. After dinner, Glyndie and I went to a store nearby to purchase fruit and soda - the counting and other German words came in handy. We plan to visit this place often so we can practice our German. Later, we all went to see an art exhibit (the opening of a private collection). The paintings, done by a young lady friend of Georg, were abstract art specimens. They were interesting and left much to the viewer's mind. The technique the artist used was enough to capture many scenes in just one painting (impressions of people, the moon, etc.). The theme was "Chairs." The cost of these paintings was between 400 and 3000 DMs. Around 2000, we left Galerie Klapperhof and went back to the Jugendgastehaus. Most of us walked down to the Rhein again - it was still light even at 2300! Several German boys came down to talk with us. I didn't get to bed until 0045 (funf und vierzig minuten nach zwolf uhr!).

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 4

I got up at 0730 today and arrived on time for breakfast. We had rolls and tea - with chocolate milk later. Next, Georg described Cologne (or Koln) for us. We then rode the subway into the city. First, we went to cash our travelers cheques at the American Express office. The first main event of the day was the tour of the Gothic Cathedral in town. It has nearly a 1500 year history (Koln is nearly 2000 years old). After climbing 504 steps, we reached the top of the tallest Gothic Cathedral in the world and were able to view the city below. The cathedral is still the tallest building in Koln. In the front, in some photographs, you can still see the bricks which were put into one of the butresses and have been left to honor the brave, conscientious German officer who wisely put them there (despite Nazi orders) to save the cathedral from destruction during World War II. Next, we went to the Roman town hall (Praetorum). The building, which is ironically underneath the new city hall (they were not aware of the old building's existence until 1946 when they were cleaning up the city rubble), is almost 1900 years old and is a fine example of the hardiness of Roman architecture and construction. We toured the scenic sewer of this classical building. We ate lunch at a restaurant named Alt Koln. We were served a buffet dinner with lemonade. Oh yes, we also visited a German McDonalds before leaving the city hall - they serve beer... We returned to the Jugendgastehaus on the subway and stopped into a supermarket for gummi letters (mmmm....). At 1600, we began our German instruction. We started learning numbers, verb tenses, money and helpful sayings. That night, we went to the cafe for drinks and talked with two Canadians about Germany, Europe and American-Canadian relations. At 2330, being slightly late, I went to bed. Gute nacht!

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 3

Arrived at Frankfurt around 1050 - had to wait for two hours to board Luftansa flight 851 to Koln/Bonn Airport. When we finally boarded the flight, we all fell asleep. It was probably only a 20 minute flight, but I felt a little better (getting really tired...). We whisked through customs and met our overseas director, Joyce-Ann, and her assistants, Christa and Georg. I went up to unpack in my room at the Jugendgastehaus - and fell asleep while reading an information packet. When I awoke, I felt very disoriented - I actually thought it was morning. Then I came downstairs from the dorm to discover that I was late for supper! Everyone had a great laugh at my expense... After dinner, we went to a party that some German students were having and tried our best to communicate with them. We then walked down to the Rhein river and skipped rocks. I am writing this journal at seven minutes before curfew - 7 to 2300, German time.

Art & Architecture Trip - Day 2

We got up around 1200 so we could conclude our initial orientation. It lasted for several hours. Our group of students includes me and seven other students (all girls). We left the Open Door Center this evening and got a ride to JFK Airport. We boarded Luftansa flight 403, bound for Frankfurt International Airport, around 2115. I drew the middle seat of a DC-10 (middle row of five seats - worst I can imagine for a trans-Atlantic flight...) - really cramped. I sat on the floor for a lot of the flight and talked to the girls. I saw Iceland and the European coast and did not sleep at all...