One of our beautiful joint trips led us on September 16, 2017 to ……… the barn LindenCult, where an unusual concert took place.
Already the atmosphere in the barn with the comfortable chairs, a sofa, the bar and all the props has made me expectable.
The band “Shishani-Namibia Tales” has 4 members, who have already traveled all over the world, recorded the most varied music styles and joined as a band in Amsterdam in 2015.
Shishani, who gave the group its name, is deeply rooted in her home country Namibia, which is clearly heard in her songs, that she accompanies with the guitar. A delicate, intimate and then powerful voice, flexible and expressive, also in her movements, which she showed in a dance.
Just as tender, almost shy-behaved, the young Debby with an unusual instrument, a bowl in which a marimba is hidden, an African Mriba. I was tense on the instrument next to her, and when she reached for it, she conjured up harp-like sounds, a Kora. Her quiet, subtle style and calm song have touched me.
Prev
Next
Completely different the percussionist Sjahm. He masters the music and the rhythms with his various instruments and impresses by drama and expressiveness – a master who knows how to draw countless stops and who is incredibly present.
A little out-of-the-way – outside the cellist, who in the beginning could only be heard very quietly. He held his instrument in his arm, as if they had grown together, and the sounds seemed to come from his body. His introverted nature fascinated me and I immediately heard that he came from a classical school.
This mixture of classical elements, traditional African music and jazz, the always strange rhythms and changing moods were a deep experience and not only impressed me. The applause made that clear. An audience of all ages, that also could clap the sometimes difficult rhythms.
An evening, a music and an atmosphere like I love them. Such adventures are what joins Michael and me in a deep way.
Christa and I started a training in January 2017. The coach had build a new web side and just launched it – and guess what: It did not work properly. The web side had cost him 2 million and he had so proudly announced it – and it just wouldn’t work properly. He was very embarrassed – but his clients did stay with him anyway and even send him cake and food to support his work all night through to fix the problems. In return he said he would celebrate his misfortune with a big party – which is why we went to Munich that weekend. And we did come 2 days early to explore the city at least a little bit.
We had a little AirBnB near the old town (Maxvorstadt) which was great to start from. It was a loooonnng time since I have been to Munich before. This was when I was a pupil – must have been 15 or 16. All I remembered was the technical museum (the lightning experiments impressed me the most) and a very brought road which was obviously made for parades.
We did our first exploration the same evening – equipped with lots of tips from our great host. We passed by the Pinakothek, lots of restaurants, an ice cream shop with long cues in front (the ice must have been extraordinary) and then came to a (the) broad road – Ludwigstraße by the name.
We walked along it and eventually crossed it and headed towards the English Garden where we found surfers surfing the Eisbachwelle. Christa was amused because she is from Sylt and therefor knows surfers from the North Sea. Anyway it was not easy for them to stay upright in the limited space of the Eisbach.
Next day we headed for the center of the old town to see the Marienkirche, the old town hall and the Viktualienmarkt. The architecture is impressing and sometimes surprising: We found a basketball hoop on the top of a several storage high building. Impossible to remember all the places we have been to. Interesting the texts on some houses. this one translates to: “Everything a house should cover. Therefore, what is happening in there, do not babble about”
The Marienkirche had to be and at he old town hall a large crowd was waiting for the top of the hour:
From there it was not far to the Viktualienmarkt – basicly like a very big weekly market, but open all days of the week and with very good offerings. We had our lunch there and afterwards, being tired meanwhile, went back to out AirBnB.
In the evening we went to our party that was happening opposite side of the Isar. It was quite a bit to walk – but we did walk anyway. We met friends at a beer garden next door and then went in all together. I have to say we had good luck as I forgot our tickets – but we where let in nonetheless.
1500 did come. So it was quite a crowd. Nonetheless when we were sitting outside after the opening talk 2 friends came along that had been looking for me to meet me the first time in person. We till then knew each other from phone calls only.
After a rain shower we all went back to the beer garden next door because it was soo crowded. We had to dry the benches first. So we sat and had a good chat and Christa found a new friend – the little daughter of a young couple sitting next to us.
When we walked back in the night we were caught by big rain shower. Even though we tried to protect ourselves in a house entrance we got quite wet. Not really a problem – just another little adventure. Next day we drove back home. Not a good idea to go to Munich by car by the way – there is just no parking space (as in all major cities).
Bye bye, Munich
6. – 8. Juli 2017 München / Fucked-Up-Party (by Christa)
Thursday afternoon in Munich – 10 days before we have still been in Barcelona, the city that spills with life, joy and high spirits!
Munich is more subdued, bustling, cooler, already from the temperatures, although it was sunny and warm.
The streets are tidy and clean, the houses well-kept and the people restrained-cheerfully. On the great boulevard there are remarkable architecture and churches – many photo motifs for Michael. He looks at the city with curious eyes and discovers hidden angles and treasures (to be seen in his report).
I need to feel the city, to perceive its atmosphere and smells, to capture the people in their outfit, their movements and temperament, which was so easy for me in Barcelona through the openness and impartiality of the people there.
In the Englisch Garden: People were resting everywhere in the meadows. The surfers at the bridge in the artificially generated waves could not particularly excite me. For surfing, it needs for me the vastness of the sea, the waves that roll on from afar, the wind that blows the sails and disrupts the hair. This was a skills game and it found many spectators.
The next morning a stroll over the famous Viktualienmarkt. Here it is lively, creepy and colorful. It smells of fruit and flowers, of cheese and fish, of olives and roasted sausage. Seduced by all the odors, we landed in a small wooden hutch and chose a midday dish, without knowing exactly what we were going to eat there, but it tasted well.
And then the party in the evening. Here everything pulsed: It was veeery full, very loud and very omitted. I danced (barefooted) until my ears beat, and afterwards I had trouble finding Michael again. We finally pulled over into the quieter beer garden next door under a large umbrella, which always again had to keep a rain shower off us.
After a few timid looks, a little girl came to me and brought me a tiny little flower, then another and another – and we were friends!
How uncomplicated children are !! So there started a stimulating conversation with the parents and our friends that we met there.
On the way home we were caught by a powerful shower. I was soaked to the skin, and would have liked to pull out the squeaking sandals. But city streets are not a sandy beach !!
The next morning a last look at the city when fetching our car which was parked far away. And I knew, if I can choose, I’ll go back again to —
Barcelona!!
I am having an aunt in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. She hit 95 meanwhile and is always happy to receive a visitor. To me this is an opportunity to do some hiking in the mountains and Christa likes to come with me. The weather forecast has not been too exciting – but often times when I come for a visit it is better than the forecast and the bad weather comes when I am leaving. My aunt has always been very perplexed by this.
The first evening – after 6 to 7 hours in the car – we firstly walk to Partenkirchen “only”, in order to arrive. It is nice to arrive first and I like the traditional houses there.
This time Christas greatest wish was to get on the Zugspitze – and so that’s what we did next.
Visiting the Zugspitze
(By Christa)
Easter 2017 I did visit Garmisch-Partenkirchen the 3rd time together with Michael, to see his aunt in her senior-home.
“I want to the Zugspitze this time!” A mischievously side view from Michael: “On foot?” “No no, you may walk, I drive. Let’s look, who arrives first!” (Experience from elevators: Most of the time Michael was up first, but only, when the elevator had stumbled!)
In wordless agreement, we went to the Zugspitz railway station in the morning and fortunately one train immediately left in that direction. There where not many there still, but on the way many entered with heavy ski boots and thick backpacks, the skis were fastened outside the wagon.
At first the landscape was at first quite gentle and wavy, with green meadows and small wooden houses. The higher we got, the harsher it became around us, rocks, narrow passages and the train slowed down.
In Grainau we had to change to the cogwheel railway, which jerked heavily and traveled the greater part of the route through the mountain so that we could see nothing more.
On the Schneeferner station was a large crowd. Everyone ran through each other and it smelled of pea soup and curry sausage. And already I had lost Michael and looked confused around me. After a while a voice behind me said: “You just need to follow the signpost…”
Had not seen this once again, and so we pushed, holding our hand, to the gondola, which took us all the way up to the top.
From the gondola we were able to see the busy activities of the skiers on the slopes below us. All ants, I thought, like ants on an ant hill…..
On top it was foggy, and instead of a wonderful view into the mountains huge buildings around us: The cable car station with many stairs, a restaurant, exhibition rooms and the massive material lift, which transported everything up. What an insane obstruction of the mountain world up here !!
Something oppressed, we looked for a way through the snow. The mist was no longer so dense, and we could now enjoy the vastness and beauty of the mountains and take pictures. The hunger then drove us to the restaurant. Sometimes we have fun at something crazy: We two vegetarians had a thick portion of liver cheese with fries!!
Well saturated went on the way back, with another break on the Schneeferner. Amazed, we watched the big jackdaws that flew around our heads, used to being fed abundantly !
We looked a bit longingly at the skiers – in memory of all the ski tours I did as a student from Innsbruck and later with the children !
And then we went downhill again with the cog railway. We sat opposite a young couple, excitedly narrating and then ……. they were asleep like some others, tired, managed …….. happy about the day ?
So that was the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain, full of vitality to the hustle and bustle, with many buildings and even more lifts.
In the case of sunshine, clear sight, and without the many people, this mysterious mountain might have told us something about its secrets. I was still happy to have been up there !!
Halfway down we could look at the Eibsee, a beautiful clear and so calm mountain lake. And we decided to go there the next day and walk around the lake.
At the Eibsee
(by Christa)
Hidden, in the midst of high mountains
surrounded by snow and haze
the Eibsee.
The water surface flickers
in always new colors
from the depth of the lake – or
are they reflections
from the trees and mountainsides?
Almost unmoved, lifeless, and yet-
again and again a faint chuckle,
tiny wave circles,
a breath of wind,
which immediately goes away again.
No one except us is here.
The solitude is overwhelming
takes us into the depths of the lake
up to the mountain peaks
into our own silence.
Deeply connected to each other —
unified with everything.
Snow warning
(By Michael)
On top we went to Partenkirchen for a concert in the church with trumpet and organ in the evening. In the churches, I am always glad to photograph the peculiarities (in spite of the muted light).
Snowfall was announced for the next day – so not a good idea to go to the mountains. We went out nonetheless, in a modern church we found a carved figure and then on the way further figures of a different kind.
The “promised” snow then came in the night and we had to do the next morning to clear the car from it for our journey back home … .
Just as tender, almost shy-behaved, the young Debby with an unusual instrument, a bowl in which a marimba is hidden, an African Mriba. I was tense on the instrument next to her, and when she reached for it, she conjured up harp-like sounds, a Kora. Her quiet, subtle style and calm song have touched me.
A little out-of-the-way – outside the cellist, who in the beginning could only be heard very quietly. He held his instrument in his arm, as if they had grown together, and the sounds seemed to come from his body. His introverted nature fascinated me and I immediately heard that he came from a classical school.
