Short recap because I am tired…
We went to Mass at the Dom, which is the cathedral here. It was beautiful. The choir was amazing but I didn’t understand a word. Well, I understood the Latin and I knew what I should be saying in English. The kneelers hurt. They were really hard wood that left dirt on our knees after every kneel. And it was very clear why they don’t kneel as much as we do in America. (Erin compared kneeling there to how Lily felt in The Secret Life of Bees when T. Ray made her kneel in grits.) Communion was only the host, which I thought was weird and it was not organized going to communion. It’s not a line…just a group of people mobbing the priest. I was really nervous they were going to be an anti-woman Catholic Church here. I didn’t see any woman go on the altar…but then luckily a woman went to read. Sigh of relief.
After Mass, we got breakfast. I had a great bacon and eggs with wheat bread. I had an apple juice/sprite mix. It was incredible. I think I’m going to have to make these half juice and half soda drinks when I get home.
Then we took cable car up to the fortress. It was interesting how it was a mini city and there were walls 1100 A.D. chapel which, was amazing. The view of the city up there was incredible. It all reminded me a bit of the fortress in Lord of the Rings. I just wonder how they survived in the snow. You’d really be stuck up on top of a mountain.
We went back to the Dom and looked at their museum. The archbishops’ monstrances were amazing. We saw lot of amulets. We saw so many jewels and pearls. I’ve never seen any that were so elaborate. I learned a lot about the life of St. Rupert in his little chapel there. The view from the choir loft was gorgeous. After that we went downstairs and walked around the main church. I don’t like Baroque art. It’s all very negative art. Not much of a focus on God as a helping and kind father. It was a very different Christianity portrayed. After we walked around the church, we went down to the crypt. The crypt was crazy and creepy. There were little silhouettes of skeletons lit up by candles and a light that showed a gravedigger looking figure that ran across the room. So weird. There were pretty parts though…I liked the lower chapel and the prayer room.
Then we did some souvenir shopping, got our train tickets for tomorrow, and found an early dinner. Now, we’re off for some gelato and sleep. I’m very tired…tomorrow is mostly a travel day. We had to Garmisch via Munich. I’m ready for my big bed, lush pillows, indoor pool. Military hotel edelweiss, here we come.
