Konstanz, Germany (5/20/1982)

Thursday, May 20, 1982

Today is Auffahrt/Ascension Day and we have a holiday! Everything is closed down tight in Biel.

Train day pass

Took the 8:20 train to Zürich, arriving at 10:02 to catch the 10:10 train to Schaffhausen, arriving there at 10:50. Crossed the platform to get the 10:59 local train to Kreuzlingen, which ambled along through apple orchards or were they apple tree nurseries since the trees were small and placed closer together. Some appeared to be trained to grow into hedges and they looked like they would yield a lot of apples. When we stopped in Mannenbach, I could see the Schloss Arenenberg/Arenenberg Palace with painted shutters sitting up on a hill. In Kreuzlingen, I walked the two blocks to the city of Konstanz! Kreuzlingen and Konstanz are really one big city but a border divides it. In the middle of a city street there were some booths, and I had to show my passport to cross into Germany. It was easier than crossing into Canada! There is a small German enclave on this side of the Rhein River and most of Konstanz is on the north side. It sits at the mouth of the Bodensee/Lake Constance. Walked through Schnetztor/Gate (14C) and down a winding pedestrian street, figuring I would run into the river or the lake at some point! Ended up at the Rhein at Pulverturm/Powder Tower (14C) and turned right along the river to Rheintorturm/Rhein Gate Tower (c. 1200).

Rheintorturm/Rhine Gate Tower

The buildings across the river disappeared into a haze. There were many sailboats and excursion boats on the lake, and they also disappeared into the haze. Followed the lakeshore past the city garden, then turned into the old town to the Münster Unserer Lieben Frau/Cathedral of Our Beloved Lady (1100-1854).

Münster/Cathedral

Just inside the door was a clear glass air-lock. Wrought-iron grills and a “Schnegg/snail” winding staircase turret.

Took the narrow pedestrian street to the Rathaus/City Hall with its façade painted with historical events. Continued to the Konzilgebäude/Council building (1388) on the lakefront.

Konzilgebäude/Council building

Originally a warehouse and now restaurants, this is where the Conclave of 1417 proclaimed Martin V as the real pope, putting an end to the three pope controversy and papal schism. The council also condemned Jan Hus as a heretic and he was burned at the stake. In front of the Konzil was a beautiful flower garden with the Zeppelindenkmal/Monument to Count Zeppelin, founder of the rigid airship. The Konstanz train station  was next to the Konzil, and I went to catch the 13:18 train. A customs guard told me I had to go back around through the customs building, and that I could cross the tracks to get there, rather than use the stairs at the extreme end of the platform. I almost ran past the customs agent who was busy examining old books from someone’s suitcase. Did get the train to St Gallen, arriving at 14:00, and waited for the 14:51 train to Zürich, then to Bern, and finally the 18:41 train to Biel.

I used the restroom in Bern (where you have to insert a coin to open the stall door) and a girl asked if I could hold the door open to allow another woman to use it when I was done. Sure.

Friday, May 21, 1982

Kirby drove us and two kids, Markus and Sonia, to Hippotherapie/Horseback riding therapy. Hetty owns her own horse and uses it to provide hippotherapy to the CP Station kids. While Hetty worked with Markus, I pretended to work with Sonia. Sonia indicated she wanted to ride the horse, but changed her mind when she got closer!

I found another 4-leaf clover on my way to Jan & Kirby’s where we were having a Mexican dinner with Hetty; chicken tortillas after a great salad (great salad dressing!). I brought party favors; grasshopper tins with chewing gum, the 4-leaf clover, and an El Chapultepec fortune! (NB. Are these all symbols of good luck?)