So much to say, so much to do...

AHHH! I wish I could tell about everything that we have seen, done, eaten, visited, and sang, but time will not allow and I would just assume tell you in pictures. I will try to give you a brief overview of occurrences and give a very small offering of pictures. Again, I wish I could post them all right now but that I quite impossible, so we shall just have to wait.

On our free day, Wednesday, A group of us went to Fussen to see the Neuschwanstein Castle, which is the castle Walt Disney is modeled after. So far 75% of the greatness of anything we do comes from the landscape and such that is so often breathtaking. Pictures will help, but they can by no means grasp to any real degree of accuracy, for example, the magnificence of the snow capped Alps and broadness of the green valleys, etc. The view of the countryside from the Mountain was terrific and when we went to a nearby bridge to get a great view of the Castle etc, wind started rousing in force and the rain was soon to come and I can't express how it felt. I guess that's what's is special about being there instead of at a computer reading this. On what turned to be a long journey back to marktoberdorf we enjoyed rain, good WeinerschnitzelI and some Scared Harp whilst waiting for the train to arrive at the station. It was great.

In truth, I was just beginning to become attached to Marktoberdorf and the Musicacademie where we made beautiful music as it was time to move on to our next destination - here in Spittal der an Drau, where the competition takes place. Last night we enjoyed being the audience to some great choral music in the Opening Ceremony. There are 10 choirs here from 10 different countries and it is very special to be here for the same reason and to be making music with and for each other and sharing our own musical backgrounds with the other countries. It appears the SudAfrikans (south afrika) are most excited about seeing us. And I think we will most easily bond with them.

Yesterday during our first roam of Spittal, in the courtyard where Castle Porcia resides (where we will be performing tonight) a band was playing American music like Stars and Stripes ´Forever (though I don't think that was of them) and it was a really great sensation to be in an Austria city and here American music played by a German band. I met a little boy and tried to speak to him. I asked him "what is your name" in German and he appeared dumb, in the original sense of the word. When I motioned to him that I wanted to take a picture with him he ran over to his parents and they told him everything was ok so he came back and we got the picture, which I have posted. Come to find out they are Italian, which explained well the boy's confusion. The band is in the background with red uniforms on.

After hearing the Sudafrikens practice today (who sounded great) I think all of us became extremely motivated, because we had the best rehearsal today that we have had all trip as far as people paying attention and the energy with which we were singing. I don't have any expectations as to how we will do in the competition, mostly because I am unfamiliar with the other choirs, but I know we will have the time of our lives singing in the castle for all the people - who love to sing. This is just great.

I really can't express how unique this is. I consider myself among the most privileged to be able to experience this. There is so much more to tell, but must suffice at present. Dinner will be served presently, and as I am in an internet cafe, I must allow myself time to return to the hotel. The performances begin at 8:30 local, so 1:30pm in Memphis. Think of us. I miss you all.

AB.

post script. The pictures essentially loaded backwards, chronologically speaking, but the descriptions should help. enjoy.



The brown building behind the church is where we eat lunch on our way to Spittal Austria. the view was incredible.

Castle Porcia where the competition is - in the heart of Spittal.

The lad who was not German. Also the band behind us.

We who walked twenty minutes UP a road (up the Alps, no less) to Neuschwanstein Castle.

A view the Countryside from the road up to the castle.

This is me, against the wind, hence the hair-do, with Neuschwanstein Castle at my back. it was incredible.

The group eating after getting soaked by the rain whilst retreating from Neuschwanstein Castle. It was such an AWESOME (and I do mean awesome) day!
Dr. E and the choir in front of him´. This is a cool picture, which I do say so myself. We were preparing for a picture before leaving Marktoberdorf. My fourth home. ::huge grin::
The Musicacademie and the Cahtedral attached, inside which is just breathtaking. I do have pictures.
Lunch at the Acadamie
From the top floor of the Acadamie (the castle we stayed in, in case anyone is confuseled) where we rehearsed, we could see most of Marktoberdorf and of course the Alps behind it. The picture by no means does it justice.
My first gulp of beer. I did take only one. gulp, that is.
Hannah, Michael P. Jones, Kathryn and I explored the area around the castle one morning in Marktoberdorf. Here Kathryn and I are with the Cathedral portion of the castle visible in the background.