Another "Lovely" Day in Germany

Back on the bus and headed for Jena (pronounced "Yena"). On the way to Jena, we stop in the town of Meissen. Wow – what a great town! Of course, cobblestone roads, lined with shops, restaurants, cafes, etc. All the buildings so far in the towns we have visited have been very colorful. After arriving in Meissen, we started at the Meissen Porcelain Manufacturer. It is the oldest Porcelain manufacturer in Europe dating back 300 years. Everything is still made by hand – not in a factory, which explains the prices! We saw demonstrations of the process of how pieces are made. I have to tell you – walking into a building with about 75 boys with tables and cases of porcelain everywhere is a little stressful! The pieces of art were amazing. Everything imaginable – from cups and saucers to vases and statues, there was a little bit of everything. We saw cups that were over $300 Euro and a Tea set that would set you back a mere $17000 Euro. But the topper was the teapot with flower petals all over the outside (each petal is hand shaped and attached to the pieces before they are put through the firing process). It would only cost you about $45000 Euro!! I'll add a picture of the teapot - it's on my phone. But we were able to make it out of the building through all the cases without a piece being broken! Impressive when you're travelling with about 150 people!

We then headed into the middle of the town of Meissen where we were free to get lunch and tour the village. There was a clock tower with porcelain Glockenspiel bells – they were playing when we walked into the square. They sounded wonderful! The weather was perfect for strolling through the streets checking out the shops, eating lunch at tables lining the streets and just relaxing. Gina and I had fish and mashed potatoes for lunch. The boys went with the Bratwurst served on a crusty roll. I tried Cameron's and oh boy was it good! I know what I'll be having for lunch tomorrow. The funny part is that the Bratwurst are probably about double the length of the buns (picture to come later). A lot of the group has already had "Soft Eis" (soft serve ice cream) although Gina and I have not. Apparently, it is quite delicious – we hear it's because it's full of fat.

We left Meissen around 2:00 today then made a quick stop at the Baroque palace of Moritzburg. We found out on the way there that a concert had been arranged for the boys. They were able to sing about four songs and once again sounded great. The Germans seemed to approve! The picture of all four of us shows the palace in the background. The palace was actually a hunting lodge for the Witten (pronounced "Vitten" royal family). We left the palace then had a couple hour bus ride to Jena, arriving here at around 5:45. It's great how organized they have been at both hotels so far for check in. Today's hotel, The Steigenberger, is impressive! Seven floors, a beautiful atrium. The only problem so far has been that one of their two elevators (the Lift) was not working so we had 150 people with all their luggage waiting for one elevator. Boys started carrying their stuff up the stairs and then started helping the adults carry bags up two. Unfortunately for Cameron, we are on the 7th floor but he carried my big bag all the way up – Thanks Dude! Gina and I used the elevator for the first time this evening after taking a walk – we have walked the seven floors up and down several times!

Dinner was at the hotel tonight and wow did they do a great job. Buffet style with several different salads, onion soup with cheesey croutons, Penne pasta with a creamy tomato sauce, spatzel, pork with mushroom sauce and a white fish with a white wine sauce with bell peppers and onions. Oh and let's not forget dessert – Bavarian cream with fruit sauces to choose from! We have definitely eaten well!

We checked out the town after dinner before heading back to relax.

It's hard to believe it's already Friday night (Saturday morning by the time you read this). It's been a great time but the time does go by fast except of course when you are sitting on a bus and can't hold your eyes open!

I do have a correction to make – Cameron and Holden pointed out that I said they sang in THE Catholic Church in Dresden. They did not – they actually sang in the Lutheran (Protestant) church called the Frauenkirche. Sorry guys but thanks for helping!

It's late again and I had said I was going to bed early tonight. Oh well, maybe tomorrow.

Sounds like the boys back home are having a great time – miss you guys a bunch! Good luck at baseball tomorrow!

We are heading to Erfurt tomorrow for a Festival – we found out at dinner that it has been arranged for the boys to perform! Should be a great day. It's raining now but we're hoping it gets out by morning.

More to come tomorrow!