San Diego Children's Choir, Germany/Austria Tour
Monday, June 26, 2000

Please click on any thumbnail to view a larger image; see journal below

On our way to Meiningen Square We're here! Look, an orderly pose Ready for our walking tour
Meinigen Square at Stadtkirche Historical Building on our walking tour Shelley and Heather Good Friends Apple, Jennifer, Heather and Shelly
Thanh in front of historic building built in 1596 Pretty girls with pretty flowers Cute Gasthaus One of Meiningen's many fountains
Feeding the ducks in the park A pretty scene Smile, Ducky! Typical German street
The Group in Meiningen Square Annika and Sarah Waiting for lunch Well just take pictures til our food arrives
Mark and Kellen in front of the Stadtkirche Choristers and their German friends Hey, you forgot to say 1-2-3 Sitting by the fountain
Henry, Marie and Melissa strike a pose Lucas, Ranney, Ashley, Stephanie, and Julienne relaxing Joint choir performance Boy, we sound good!
   

Wake to the sounds of phone's ringing and chaperones knocking on our door. The hustle and bustle of early morning teenage life is an explosion of facial cream, toothpaste, mirrors, shouting and luggage. Did you sleep well? Did you sleep? Too many people cram into the three person only elevator and some must walk down. The German breakfast consists of jellies and eggs, sausage and cakes. An absolute delight of the senses (can't say the same about lunch and dinner) if there's any left when you get there. There is rushing, pushing and shoving, for the best meal of the day. Henry is weaving in and out for orange juice. And all the while we dream about the adventure to come, and laugh about adventures past. The rush to the bus, you don't want to be last - there won't be any good seats left. Eddie starts the bus. Sigh, relax. You'll be there in an hour. The serene green landscape calms the nerves. People sleep, talk, laugh, and sing. A short brisk walk from where the bus drops you off brings you to a church. After a rehearsal, a walking tour of the city begins… along with the flashes of cameras. The city spread out before us like a great monument of wonder. Some curious German boys tag along as we investigate their city. The group splits and parts in different directions when we are freed for lunch. Some venture to the post office, others to shops or cafés. Adventures come to a close as we are herded onto the busy to return to the hotel. Two hours of "quite time" - naps and showers are taken. The familiar morning frenzy is almost repeated as we rush to change into our uniforms before an early dinner... which consists of veggies as well as a fruit salad. Last minute rushes to our respective rooms are made before boarding the bus, decked out in full concert attire.

As we enter the church, two different cultures immediately collide. Our voices individually carom off the ceiling but when united blow the roof off. A mixture of cheers and applause fill the room while smiles of success creep upon choristers' mouths. As our significant others return to their newly expanded families, we make our way back to the bus. The praise much needed is given to Mr. Herman and thoughts of food reach both our heads and stomachs. Eddie sings to us as we depart for our rooms and the restaurant. Small talk is made in between bites of hot German cuisine. Even thought the clock spells out 00:00, meaning our hours of sleep are slowly dwindling. We still value the precious conversations that seem scarce. This is the time when realization sets in that the trip is enhanced by the people around us. This lifetime experience will remain imprinted in our minds until we are old and withered. We cherish such prodigious opportunities.

Written by Hilary, Sarah, and Krissy

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