Die Neue Mensa (The New Cafeteria)

Well, based on popular demand, I have taken on the responsibility of taking pictures of the Neue Mensa. Without further ado, here they are:

The new massage classroom

The back

We actually have an elevator! Oh yeah, all the rest are taken on the second floor.

The new offices are up here.

The new computer room

Wish you were here yet?

The Funeral

It is finished.

Today (8. Oct.) was Ulrike Hasel's funeral in Simbach am Inn, Germany. It's been 5 days since she died. It all felt surreal. Maybe that's because this was my very first funeral. Seriously, I have never been to a funeral before today.

I didn't really know Ulrike, but that didn't stop me from wanting to go. Besides, the choir sang 4 different songs during the service: so as a choir member, I needed to go.

The funeral was in a small little chapel that hardly had enough room for the family and close friends, much less for all the guests. Fortunately, it wasn't raining, although it would have complemented the mood. Sniffs, blowing noses, red eyes, and somber looks dominted the inhabitants of the scene (including the actual choir members).

It didn't sink in that I was in a funeral and what that meant, until the casket was led out and everyone became part of a procession. I walked among the other choir members and saw all the other people who came to pay their final respects. There were so many. Then the bells rang. That's what did it for me. The bells. Actually, it wasn't so much the bells as the silence and the atmosphere in which they rang.

To make it a little more odd, I saw a few people I knew from my first year and was able to converse with them. Why was this odd? I was happy: I was having my own reunion with people I missed and felt excited. I was happy to see them again. I was happy in a funeral.

I thought that was a bit odd, but at the same time, normal. I see that funerals is one event in which many reunite.

Reunite. That triggered another thought.

I looked around at the red-eyed and somber faces. I looked around at all the grave stones. I soaked in the atmosphere of mourning. Can you imagine how it's all going to be when Jesus Christ returns and all those who died after accepting Jesus as their savior. . . are resurrected? Can you imagine how Ulrike's family and friends will feel to see her again--not only healthy, but immortal?!

Now try to multiply that by every single person who is resurrected and are reunited with family and beloved friends. When Jesus comes back to take us home, it's going to be the biggest and most bittersweet reunion of all time. All this sadness that I witnessed, will be turned into exstatic joy. What an event to be a part of: but most of all, what an event to look forward to!

I don't have any pictures from the funeral because I didn't take my camera. I want to, but the thought of taking pictures of grieving people in a funeral and everything that happened in the funeral... it just felt completely disrespectful to me. I just have one picture in which I am walking with Ulrike and Frank Hasel, as well as another student from Bogi. This was taken in March 2007, when I was there and over a year before she was diagnosed with cancer. She is the lady in the light blue coat and dark hair.

I'll be looking forward to seeing her again and getting to know her better, after arriving Home.

Neauschwanstein

The Sprachschul went to Neauschwanstein on Sunday, 28. Sept. This was an all-day event. We left Bogi at 8-something and got back to Bogi about 23:30. . . yeah, it was a long day, but it was fun. This is my 2nd time going. Naturally, there were a few things that were different.

First of all, a different--and much smaller--group went. Last time, we went in the end of the year; this time, we went during the beginning, just to try to get as many trips as we can (the weather has been great lately). Also, we had to go through Munich now. Let me explain. We had to go through Munich last time too, the only difference is that we did go through Munich during Oktoberfest, like we did now. QUITE a difference. The things people do when their drunk, funny and scary. Oh yeah, last time it was rainy: this time was hazy with some sun.

Now, off to the pictures!

We had a 4+hr. train ride (counting connections) one-way: I needed to distract myself.

We got to the 1st castle, Hohenschwangau, and we had about 20 minutes til the tour began. Camera in hand, will use. . . . and play with the editing settings when I get back. :-)

When I think of Bayern (Bavaria), I don't think of citrus fruits, yet some are grown.

View to the town below and the mountain just across from Hohenschwangau.


Schloss (Castle) Hohenschwangau

Taken on Marienbruecke, an old and creaky bridge. No worries, it's always congested with tourists, so no one can really fall off without at least 2 people noticing. Not as convienient when you want to take a picture though.

Going back to Neauschwanstein from the bridge.

Behold, the gate.

We had a while to wait here as well.

So let's have fun with it.

Now we're in the gate, walking towards the hall where the tour starts.

I think we were Tour Group #495. You can see the number below.

One last picture before we leave. . .

Ok, another "last one", only with a paraglider in the background.

Ah, yes! I'm caught up! I'm now up-to-date with my blog. We haven't gone on much other trips or such. We need to get to work and actually start studying. :-)

I didn't take that many pictures 'cause I was already here before. If you want to see the pictures from my first time, you'll have to go to my 1st blog: http://www.joannsbogi.blogspot.com/.

Hope to hear from you people soon (whenever you have time, of course).

Wandertag (Hiking day)

The day after we got back from Salzburg, the entire school went to the Austrian Alps for their annual Wandertag, or "Hiking Day." The place we went to is called Bad Sportgastein (about 2.5 hour bus ride south from Bogi).

I didn't really care much for going. I went last time I was here as well, only we went to a completely different place this time. I actually got to the top of the first mountain! Last time I got about 1/4 of the way and it was too much for me. Of course, this mountain was shorter than the first one, but there were others right by this one. I was content with making it to the top of one mountain. Besides, it took about an hour for me to get there. Most of the students are hard-core hikers: when they hike, they hike mountains! It was nice being out again, but I was really grateful for the fresh mountain air.

Of course, there's no way I was going on any trip without a camera, so here are some of the pictures I took:

At the parking lot.

A charming house on the mountainside.

So, who's ready to start?

One of the lovely views.

This guy had a really good idea.

This is what you find at the summit of every mountain in Austria.

Whoa, I made it.

Now, let's check out the view

The summit of the 1st/smaller mountain, with it's cross and tavern.

Ah look, a lake several hundred meters above sea level.


This was by the first summit. I didn't go further. I couldn't. I was getting dizzy.

Of course, what's a mountain without mountain goats?

A close-up

Alright, well, it was fun and all, but now I'm on my way back to the bus.

Just on my way down.