Summer 2015

Once again my friends, after a long break, we find ourselves on the cusp of change. The year is rushing by urgenly now. Nominally summer still, the mornings are dimmer, the evenings darker, and the ponderous humid heat of July is surrendering to longer cooler nights. The blaring light of midsummer afternoons has faded to […]

The Post In Which We Learn How to Make Germans Very Uncomfortable Very Quickly

When we woke up yesterday we were still debating whether or not we should leave Munich. We shortchanged ourselves on our time there and still have much to see. In the end, we decided to stick with the plan for Nuremberg because the room was pre-paid and because it would shorten our drive later tonight. […]

The Post In Which I Don’t Understand Some Definitions

It smells here. On April 29, 1945 Dachau Concentration Camp was liberated by American Troops. 70 years later, almost to the day, I’m standing at the edge of the camp, looking at the electric fence and guard towers. The afternoon couldn’t be nicer, with the sun high in the heavens, flowers in bloom, birds […]

Just Like Being Back in the “D”

I’m still trying to figure out Munich. It is clearly a large city (pop. 4.3 mil) but there is a certain “small” feeling to it. It doesn’t feel as small as Dresden, but it feels much smaller than Berlin (pop 3.5 mil). Perhaps it is the fundamental friendliness of the people here. Specifically, they […]

On The Road Again

Leg update. Gradually improving, but I have visible bruising on the skin of my calf and foot. I’m fairly certain something tore and bled, and now the blood is breaking down and pooling. Strength feels good, so it really just needs to recover. Now onto other issues … We are leaving Dresden today, and […]

Dresden Really Is Like Florence, Especially on Monday

As I noted yesterday, Dresden is also known as Florence of the North (or Florence on the Elbe). I think this reflects its art, its scale, and its location on the river Elbe. But Dresden also has one very striking difference: It is much quieter than Florence. While I love Florence, it really has become […]