Weimar, Germany is such a quaint place that I want to go back there again and again. If I had stayed healthy, I might have convinced my husband that this quiet town of artists and musicians was a great place to retire.Goethe and Schilling wrote their masterpieces here. I know that my writings do not compare to the German poet and the playwright, but maybe, maybe...
Well, it is over, and I have some good memories of walking down cobblestone streets, and working horses, and museums.
I also have memories of English tourists complaining of the sparsity of relics. I soaked in the atmosphere, ignoring their upper-class accents. After all, Goethe walked here. And, I walked here.
I wonder what Goethe and Schilling would have thought if they knew the reverence the Germans have for them. Schilling's plays were irreverent. Goethe was not the remorse man of his book.
I wonder if anyone will remember my sense of humor.
10 comments:
I lived in Germany as an Air Force Brat when I was in Jr. High, I wish I could go back. I loved the History and beauty of the country and the people were great.
Hi Mark. Yea, it was a beautiful place. When you were there, Weimar was part of Eastern Germany. They were doing a lot of renovating when I went there about four years ago. (sigh) It was a fun place... and the beer.
Sounds ideal! I'd love to trace the footsteps of writers like Goethe ... (sigh) ...
Yea, chiefbiscuit. I had a good time with this trip. I have been looking at Mark Twain's writings. You know he was in this area for awhile. WOW. He had some sharp wit.
I spent parts of two summers in Ziegelhausen, a little town on the Neckar, when my husband was teaching at Heidelberg university. I can't wait to go back. I remember sitting in a wonderful old tavern in Heidelberg that had been frequented by students for centuries. It was one of Goethe's favourites. There were beautifully illustrated quotes by Goethe on the walls. How I would love to have been a student there at that time. Have you read "Mark Twain in Heidelberg (6 Mai - 23. Juli 1878)"? It's a great little book - as you said, he had a sharp wit. I noted how devoted and solicitous he was to his wife and children as they travelled in Europe.
Wow Pam. I have been in Heidelberg too. But I did not go to the tavern that you are talking about. And, does your husband Sprechen Deutch? And no, I have not read "Mark Twain in Heidelberg." I will have to look for it. :-)
Sometimes, walking down a street is like going back in time if the street goes back a long way. To know that so-and-so took the same street, and partook of the same views we do now, it's almost like we're sharing their space. Thats about as close we can ever hope to get, and I suppose that's good enough in a way.
You say it so succinctly. Thanks. :-)
Hi Cynthia - Sadly, wir sprechen nur ein wenig deutsch - enough to find a bathroom, order meals, get on the right bus, etc. At Heidelberg U., my husband taught grad. students from many European countries in addition to Germany. They all spoke English - now the so-called universal language for science.
Pam... well at least you know Bringen mir ein Bier, bitte. LOL Actually, my Deutsch is not much better even though I lived there five years. OH well.
Absolutely fabulous that you were there though. I really enjoyed that country very very much.
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