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Two Weeks From Today

Gruß Gott!

With only two weeks from today remaining in Germany, I want to get the most out of it I can. After class today I hopped a train for a 40 or so minute trip to Landshut, It's not "Land Shut", but "Lands Hut" (Hut pronounced "hoot"). Today was much cooler than the past two, when we got up into the 80's Fahrenheit. That was uncomfortable. Today was in the low 70's with a strong breeze. 

The highlight of the trip was St. Martin's, built between 1389 and 1500 in the Gothic style, which I prefer over the Baroque, as it has cleaner lines and less busy ornamentation. The spire is the world's highest church spire of its kind, at 130.6 meters (428.5 feet). 

As I walked about inside the church I read the posters they had along the left side (not in photo) about their restoration efforts--auf Deutsch. My reading comprehension has really improved in the past 8 months. Wind and rain and time all take their toll on the structure, and it takes painstaking work and several years to complete. Many of the churches I visited are undergoing restoration, including the cathedral here in Regensburg. A person could make a career out of that kind of work. There were also frescos on the walls that someone is restoring, which takes an artist who is also a historian. 



I'm going to miss the detailed and attractive architecture in the German Altstädte (old city centers). Landshut had a good deal of charm, but it still doesn't outdo Regensburg.

Imagine guarded gates, and a wall that encircles the city. 

Landshut also has its castle on the hilltop, but theirs is still intact, unlike Regensburg's. 

Three of the places I wanted to see were closed, disappointingly, but it was still worth the short train ride and a new place to do my walking in. 

Yesterday I finally gave in and went to the emergency eye clinic at a hospital within a 10 minute walk from the apartment. I was having persistent symptoms that could be worrisome, considering my history. All is well, and I expected to have a huge bill to pay, after an ophthalmologist did a thorough exam, and it being an emergency clinic and all. The bill was only 127 Euros, which is around $140. That would be just the copay at home. Good thing it was not expensive, because our health insurance just doesn't work right over here, which is one of the main reasons we are returning in 2 more weeks. We wanted to get out before someone got sick or hurt. 

In German class we're working on what we would call 'indirect discourse' in English, which is a concept we don't actually have. But in German, if I say something such as, "My friend got a new job", but I'm not there to see her go to her new job, then I have to express it with different verb forms. I love languages!

I plan on making an all-day excursion to Würzburg on either Thursday or Friday. It takes 2 1/2 hours to get there. It's part of Germany's wine country, and also has a charming Altstadt, I'm told. Next week I hope to also do an excursion to the forest to the northeast of us, and maybe one other trip before I call it good for this time. 

Bis nächste Zeit! (Until next time)

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  1. AnonymousApril 9, 2024 at 8:00 PM

    Wow! Can’t believe you’re going to be home soon! Tabatha, we now have 13 catechumens! A few are kids of orthodox parents! Our visiting priest and family are wonderful! Spring is coming! The parking lot is almost melted, can’t wait to be able to walk up my driveway! You will be surprised at the growth in the church since you left. See you soon!

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