All You Need Is

Intrepid

While the girls took in the works at MoMA Peter went to see a work of Military significance the USS Aircraft Carrier, the Intrepid.

As long as the Chrysler building is tall, this carrier first used in the second world war launched fighter pilots to jet pilots depending on the era it was deployed in.

In the mid forties this ship was bombed by kamikazee pilots and survived. A plaque aboard ship lists the names of those injured or killed in this attack.

Retired in 2007, this piece of Military history now rest in the Hudson River as a museum for all to see the glory of it rich military past.

MoMA

As a teen I was introduced to the Museum of Modern Art by way of a friend's book. Before we left for NYC Katrina suggested we go to the MoMA because a friend told her about it.

What a delight! The girls and I took in a Picasso display, many interactive installations and some very thought provoking works including a piece called "Wishes" an acrylic box containing many little white cards each inscribed with a wish from a friend or acquaintence of that artist.

In this photo Katrina is standing in front of a piece for which the artist covered himself in a sticky substance (vaseline) and then in a pigment, finally he pressed himself agained the surface to be printed.

The creativity and imagination in MoMA is inspiring. I think we would agree this is a must for anyone with a flare for the creative.

Promises

Unsold tickets for current Broadway productions are sold at a reduced rate on the day of the performance at at booth called "Tkts" in Times Square. The deal is you have to stand in line outside which for us, was in the blazing sun. As advised, we got there an hour prior to the ticket office opening, before the plays that would go on sale were announce and came away with tickets to "Promises, Promises" starring Sean Hayes. This light romanic comedy musical was entertaining, the music was great and the acting memorable. What a great way to spend a steamy Wednesday afternoon.

The Fashion District

Our three teen age girls found entertainment in NYC in the Fashion District. Located mere blocks from our doorstep, this area offered the girls miles of shopping that left them wanting more.

From shoes, to handbags, skirts, t-shirts, and shorts this area offered a host of up to the minute fashionable items, more than the pocket book could handle.

Modern Saint

In the early days of the AIDS epidemic no one knew how to treat this deadly disease, how it was spread or how to remain disease free. Fear of AIDS stopped many usually caring individuals from ofering the kinds of care the the sick truely needed.

Not so of Mother Clara Hale, a resident of Harlem in NYC. Lovingly she took in AIDS infected children or and treated them like they were one of her own. Her generousity extended to drug addicted babies left on her doorstep.

A monument to her contribution to life in Harlem stands proudly near the doorway to her brownstone, marking the home of this modern saint.

More Famous People, Famous Places

While the 'Downtown' tour gave us a good perspective on the history of this huge city, the 'Uptown' tour brought us to the apartments of the more rich and famous and more recent histories marked mostly by entertainment landmarks.

Our double decker bus took us passed the apartment of Babe Ruth (pictured here) where cows and chickens were housed on the roof to provide fresh milk and eggs for the inhabitants.

Then there was the Dakota Apartments where John Lennon lost his life at the hands of Mark David Chapman.

We passed the empty space where Studio 54 once stood proudly on 54th Street and the school yard where they filmed the fight scene in West side story.

Amateur night at the Apollo "Where stars are born and legends are made" marked the beginnings of many famous carreers including Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder and James Brown.

The Hotel Theresa once housed Fidele Castro who brought his own chickens to eat because he was afraid the CIA might try to poison him.

The homes old money rich families on the Eastside included those of the Vanderbilts and the Rockafellers.

Though we are sure that our current abode will not become immortalized because we stayed here, it is interesting to note the legends whose passings have been noted.

Daring

We thought that the Cirque du Soliel offered acts of daring.

Touring NYC on a Double Decker bus brought the occassional abrupt stop for traffic but more over, our guide warned us over and over again to remain seated until the bus came to a complete halt and to keep all of our limbs within the confines of the bus.

Our guide kindly demonstrated the height of the bus to the height of street signs/street lights ratio.

No one was injured in these demonstrations, but they did as a measure of unanticipated danger on the streets of NYC.

The Rich and The Famous

Our tour include an oppotunity to view some of the more upscale developments in New York City.

NYC is on an island and land is at a premium. When there is little room to grow the only development is upwards.

Donald Trump built the largest residencial tower standing 71 stories high situated near the United Nations as world leaders do not want to traverse the halting New York traffic to get to work.

The most expensive apartment in NYC remains empty not because of it staggering $70, 000,000 price tag, but because the tennants association is very particular about who will be staying in this pricey real estate.

Along our tour route we viewed the buildings were such celebrities as Beyonce, Rachel Welch and Hugh Heffer live. Sorry, no celebrity sitings today!

Survival

In Battery Park stands a survivor.

Once perched between the now-missing Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre this sypherical monument has been moved to a temporary home in Battery Park with the intent that it will return to near its original site when the 9/11 WTC memorial is complete.

As the towers imploded and debris fell all around, this monument remained standing on its anchoring post and did not fall with the Twin Towers.

One can imagine the destruction in the area around the Towers and even more so, the surprise of resquers to see this survivor beaten, but still standing.

Lady Liberty

We began our day w ith a tour on a double decker bus. An unanticipated stop due to the mechanical break down of our bus left us at Battery Park with a good view of the Statue of LIberty.

While waiting patiently to purchase tickets on a ferry to the Ellis Island, we learned that the wait to get on a ferry would be 1.5 hours and that would be after waiting an hour to purchase those tickets. Many New Yorkers were given Monday July 5 off from work, as July 4 fell on a Sunday and it seems many of those chose to spend there day with Lady Liberty.

We decided instead to use of limited time in New York more wisely, walking the south end of the island and then picking up a tour bus to return to our hotel on Times Square.

City That Never Sleeps

What do you do in NYC on July 4th?

You do what every New Yorker is doing. Join the throngs outside on this very hot July night, wandering the streets for the best view of the 20 minute long fireworks display illuminating the night sky to celebrate "Independance Day".

The multi coloured light show featured pyrotechniques of smiling faces, colourful replicas of from our solar system and the final visual and sound display in American Red, White and Blue.

What a show!

Start Spreading the News

We arrived in New York City, New York.

Amid fears of traffic and border issues, fueled by an appropriate Homily delivered by Fr. Jim at St. Francis of Assisi (who spoke of hopes to visit family on this American holiday but his experience spoke to travel delays), we arrive safely and with relatively calm traffic, until we traversed the Lincoln Tunnel to reach NYC.

Cars and people flowed around the multi storied buildings. The famous yellow taxis busily ferried people about. Thongs of locals and the curious darted in and about.

The hustle of New York City. Would you expect anything less?

Strength, Daring and Creativity

We began our most recent journey with a brief stop inToronto to take in "Alegria" the most recent Cirque de Soliel production to alight on the big city.
Two hours of acrobatics, feats of pure muscle power and death defying acts mingled with comedic interludes and the live band, told the story of emotions. "Alegria", translated from Spanish means jubulation, this production certainly left us jubulant and in awe of the magnificent performers and the depth of imagination of the creators.

Thanks for the Memories

With a return to the business and routine of life at home all that remains are memories and the gift of friendships created along the way.

We offer our gratitude to our travel guide Maria, her friend Jane, faithful bus driver Piotr, the many local tour guides who brought their communities to life, the people in stores and restaurants whose hospitality enhanced each day, our Spiritual Director Fr. Jan and is colleagues, Fr. Tony, Fr. Trevor and Fr. Andre and especially to each of our travel companions whose faith, love and laughter brightened each day.

Passion

When I was last in Germany, as a teenager, a young friend told me about Oberammergau and the Passion Play its citizen portrayed every ten years. He said that I really should return to see this drama.

Many years later this long held dream came true. Set on an outdoor stage over 2000 inhabitants of Oberammergau bring the story of Jesus' last days to life with great devotion. It seems that with the rise in tourism everyone in the community contributes to the air of hospitality.

With a ticket to this play, guests receive a pass to a designated restaurant for lunch preceding the first part of the play and supper separating the two performances.

Crafted with the careful addition of old-testament based tableaus highlighted by a choir featuring over 40 voices backed by a 60 piece orchestra, the five hours of on-stage drama pass with barely a notice.

It would seem that even the Creator decided to join the performance that evening offering His voice of thunder and visual effects of lightening while bathing incoming actors with His cleansing waters.

In an act truely worthy of note, actors did not return to the stage to receive the applause and appreciation of the audience, choosing to leave us all to thank the Creator for this gift of prayer.

A Royal Retreat

Known as the 'Mad King', King Ludwig II of Bavaria, commissioned the building of Neuschwanstein the red fronted castle often seen in photos depicting this area. Its presence dwarfs the older distinctive yellow Hohenschwangau.

Built originally in the 12th century by the Hiltepolt family this castle withstood the years to become the retreat for King Ludwig II. With elaborate furnishings and walls covered with paintings depicting its history this castle comes complete with a secret passage connecting the upper floor King's bedroom with the lower floor Queen's chamber. Imagine if the walls could talk what secrets they might reveal.

The gardens of this palace provided the perfect backdrop for a group photo marking the many memories and bond of friendship created on our journey.

A Night to Remember

Oh what a night! After a day of touring, a lengthy bus ride, and multiple stops to drop off fellow travelers at their assigned destinations around Oberammergau, we arrived at our lodgings for the next two nights, Gasthaus Fischer am See.

Within moments of our arrival a very familiar face appeared at the door. Gerhard, a friend since childhood had been waiting with his family. With just minutes to meet Dorothee, and four year old twins Emil and Linde, a waitress from the restaurant across the street beckoned us to follow. She lead us to my uncle (my mother's brother) and my aunt.

Because the hour was late Dorothee soon left with the children, but Peter and fellow traveler Fr. Andre joined us for dinner.

Magical hours of reminiscing and catching up ended much too soon. With invitations to meet again one day we parted company happy for this opportunity to spend some valuable time in each other's company.

A Little Creativity

A young man loved a young woman. The young woman's family would not allow the couple to marry unless the young man had a house to bring his new bride home to.

The young man, desperately in love, found his solution. An eight foot space between two buildings provided just enough room for a new home.

The two floor home is now an office but it remains the smallest building in Salzburg.
The building stands as proof that love will find a way.

Doe, a deer, a female deer

It seems that if you just listen you could hear that song made famous in "The Sound of Music".
Salzburg, translated literally as "Salt Castle", was home not only to the singing Von Trapp Family whose escape from the Nazis was made famous in the musical, but is also the birth place of Mozart.

The carefully manicured lawns and flowerbeds at Mirabell Garden accentuated by statues and water fountains are a delight to the eye. It is easy to imagine the Von Trapp children at play here.

The baroque architecture demonstraties craftsmanship and pride. Buildings in Altstadt with their attention to detail, painted in various muted shades are a tribute to centuries of respect for the history of this community.

Surrounded by mountains, some still snow-topped, it is easy to see how such richly beautiful surroundings could inspire creative genius.

Good Friends, Good Food, Good Times

After a day of touring we were treated to a traditional Austrian evening repast.

Having spent more than a week getting to know each other, this evening was a chance to solidify those friendships and to learn more about each other.

We were greeted with a violin and guitar duet. Our bellies were filled with soup, potatoes, kraut and various meats, topped off with a fine apple streudel. The young wine soon went to our heads.

Using the many vocal talents among us, our group soon filled the air with tradition and familiar songs from Canada, including Quebec, Ireland and even the Philippines.

Though the evening ended too early, the memories created will live with each of us for a long time.

City of Arts and Culture

Monuments marking lives of influence, churches honouring saints with lavish architectural detail, and castles built to amuse royalty fill the eye with wonder around every turn.

Today we toured Vienna.

Once the home of Vienna's Royalty, Hofburg Castle houses St. Augustine Church, the Austrian National Library, the Imperial Silver Collection and even a horse riding school. The magnificent Imperial Palace now houses the office of the president of Austria.

The Hapsburg family commissioned the building of Schonbrunn Castle to mimic the castle of Versaille. Original furnishings and wall sized paintings are on display. Many walls still display magnificent full length tapestries commissioned by the Hapsburgs or given to them as gifts. One chamber houses original works of art by members of the Hapsburg family. The opulent and lavish lifestyles of this first family of Vienna is reflected in the various treasures on display.

Outside the gardens display manicure lawns and well maintained flower beds. Fruit bearing orange trees mark attention to detail and an extravagance of care and maintenance.

St. Stephen's Church also known as Stephansdom was originally completed in 1160. Over many centuries the Church evolved to its current form displaying Romanesque Gothic architecture. Statues, emblems, towers and the mosaic tiled roof are landmarks in Vienna.

Having only hours to explore and appreciate this city we are left wanting more. Perhaps one day we will return to explore more of this city treasures.

Viennese Waltz Anyone?

The room filled with the music of Austrian composers Strauss, Mozart and Hadyn. Dancers brought certain pieces to life with brilliant displays of strength and grace, while a vocalists added their voices to the thrill of the evening.

Tonight we were treated to an evening of classical Viennese music by the 13 piece "Salonorchester Alt Wien". While musicians filled the air with sweet music to delight the ear and dancers enhanced the experience with a visual treat. Truely this was an experience for the soul.

Anyone Home?

The Stift Melk or Melk Abbey once housed 500 monks who taught local students, tended to the gardens and monestary needs and kept a large library of priceless manuscripts.

Today, 30 monks inhabit these walls, tending to 23 parishes, teaching over 800 high school aged students and tending to the Monestary site and library.

Anticipating robed men scurrying about the grounds carefully performing their assigned tasks in silence and in prayer, it is disappointing to note that because their numbers are few and their tasks so great, no monks were to be seen on our visit. Without visibility in the public how can we expect their numbers to grow? Will this Monastic way of life slowly become extinct?

A History of Pride

Prague, in the Czech Republic is an extraordinarily beautiful city.

Thousands of years ago people began to settle this area of the Vitara River. Now the cultural, political and economic centre of the Czech Republic, it is home to 1.3 million people.

Rich with a history the echos of which is etched into its walls and buildings, Praha, as it is known here, is proud of its heritage. The detail and workmanship in each fresco and statue reflects this pride.

In our fast paced world time is measured by the second and work by its product. As Prague was growing many of its buildings, that are in themselves works of art, may have taken longer to build than most of its builders lived. In our day and age it is hard to imagine anyone committing to such a project and devoting a life to a singular creation, but just think what could be created if one did.

Need I Say More?

A visit to the late Pope John Paul II's home town would not be complete without a trip to a local restaurant for Kremovka, the late Pope's favorite dessert. Need I say more?

3 Million People

The buildings are now desserted. Grass grows were once, trampled by so many, only mud and rock marked the way. The promise of a new way of life, even a better way of life, are now know to be empty.

A cold wind, grey low ceiling and the occassion sprinkle of rain marked our tour of the dreaded Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps.

The famous three words over the entrance "Arbiet Macht Frei" are barely visible through the trees, yet upon entering a certain foreboading hangs in the air.

The site of so many killings, through starvation, disease, torture, experimentation and extermination this now museum brings the visitor gently back to the horrors of that time.

Rooms with show cases filled with confiscated eye glasses, luggage, clothes, shoes, hair brushes and even human hair (used to make cloth and mattresses) bring to life the individuals behind the numbers.

This site of such devastation is a powerful reminder that all life is precious and never again can we allow this type of tyranny to rule.

Shrine of Divine Mercy

In Lagiewniki we were guided to the Shrine of Divine Mercy Shrine.

St. Faustina, a Polish national who died at age 33 prior to the out break of WWII, but had fortold of its devastation for Poland, was both a visionary and a mystic. She had visions of Christ that included the now famous image of "Divine Mercy". This shrine and the convent that she served in are national treasures and the site of many pilgrimages including the children we watched preparing to receive First Communion on this day.

Resting atop a large hill, the Shrine of Divine Mercy is a very modern building with many smaller Chapels the furnishings for which are each donated by various countries. Also on site is a tower that offers the visitor a panoramic view of Cracow. This is a site well worth the visit.

Time to Slow Down

Snails creep onto the sidewalks during the rain. Peter and I were out on a brisk evening walk.

Night was falling and the street lights were turning on beakoning us back to the hotel. In an effort to continue to learn the Polish language I was trying to read the billboards. From beer to candy to computers I felt like I was getting the 'hang of it', when under foot we heard a very loud crunch slurppy sound. In an instant, I knew what I had done. Peter looked behind commenting, "How could you miss it, he was huge?"

Sorry Mr. Snail. Please forgive me!

Enter Here

In life, there are doors that appear to welcome and those that offer forboding of unpleasantries to come.

In Cracow many of the old buildings have very ornate solid wood doors that certainly brought my imagination to life. Who would have lived there? What did they do? Are there relatives of the original owners still living there today? If I knocked would someone answer?

However, it is this door that cast an obvious welcoming spell. No doubt all guests would enjoy and great time.

What to Do?

Suppose it is a dark night in Cracow two hundred years ago. You have been invited to dine with an upper-crust family. By torch light you find your way to the correct home, but what do you do with your torch?

That's easy...many households had a special cement receptical to extinguish the torches of night time visitors.

Though very useful in its time, I suspect that is another product gone the way of the 8-track tape.

History and Personal History

A quick break for lunch (and shopping) was followed by a rain drenched walk down the old streets of Cracow to Wawel Castle, the home of presidents and royalty for over 600 years.

Built on a hill overlook the Vistula River, the Castle attract vistors from all over Europe and beyond. The large rooms that are open to the public, display only a portion of the vast fortune contained in this Castle. From ornate ceiling and walls, to wall sized tapistries and furnishings fit for a King, the castle offers many highlights for those who enter its gates.

St.Stanislaw's Cathedral, built in the 13th century, stands proudly within the walls of the Castle. With architecture and works of art that reflect the various periods through which the Cathedral stood, this national treasure also hosts the relics of two Saints, St. Stanislaw and St. Jadwega.

As I walked the grounds of this historical site, I felt like was walking on the grounds of my own history. My father had apprenticed at Wawel Castle in his youth. It was easy to imagine him at work upholstering the chairs for the royal household or even walking the grounds with me.

A Taste for Salt

The Salt Mines in Wieliczka just outside of Cracow were established in the 13th century, producing table salt until 2007.

The mine is now attracts over 1.2 million visitors each year. So what would bring so many to such an unassuming locale?

For more than 100 years miners have worked beyond their regular hours for no additional pecuniary reward, to produce works of art out of rock salt. From the seven dwarfs to larger than life religious figures miners have created pieces to thrill all tastes.

Also carved into the walls of these mines are various large caverns including a Cathedral, the walls of which are adorned with images from various stories in Jesus' life.

The dedication and devotion of these miners is to be admired. What do you do in your life that compares to their commitment?

Our Lady of Czestochowa

The spiritual heart of Poland lies in the "the Lady of Czestochowa" or the 'Black Madonna'. Arriving in Poland in 1384, its image has been blackend over the years by the candle light or oil lamps that illuminated the sacred space.

This Icon draws thousands of people daily and our visit was no different. Crowds of curious tourists, young children celebrating the Sacrament of Communion for the first time and newly ordained priests celebrating their first Masses filled the grounds of this Monestary.

Long a symbol of defiance against oppressive rule, this icon of the Virgin Mary and her Child, Jesus, draws onlookers attention with her almond shaped eyes that seems to follow all in her presence.
She welcomes the believers and the curious who, drawn for their own reasons, become rapped in her Holy splendor.

A Saint-in-Waiting

On October 19, 1984, while returning home from a prayer service Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko was abducted, tortured and killed by the Secret Service.

His funeral Mass drew tens of thousands who wished to honour the life of this brave priest who spoke openly about the oppression of the communist government of the time.

To those of us in the west, the story is sad, but to the Polish the death of this local hero in an attempt to silence his dissodence lead to further uprising and eventually the liberation of Poland.

Because this priest went to his death in defence of this country and his religion he is to be Beatified, the third of four steps towards canonization (becoming a saint), on June 6, 2010, by Pope Benedict XVI.

An Honour and a Privillege

One of the hosts for this tour is Fr. Jan, pastor of St. Jerome parish in Brampton.
Today is the 38th anniversary of his ordination. It was both an honour and a privilege to tour his home town of Warsaw with him.

A highlight was returning to the Church where he was ordained and later celebrating Mass with him in the Church where he was formed.

Congratulations Fr. Jan, on 38 years of dedicated service. We wish you many more.

Chopin Lives On

On the grounds of the Royal Palace is a park dedicated to native son, Frederic Franciszek Chopin. Complete with a reflecting pool and rose garden waiting for the sun's warmth to coax the blooms, this park plays host to various musicians who play Chopin's works for park visitors each Sunday.

Known as one of the greatest Romantic composers, this musical genius was forced out of Poland following the Russian suppression of the Polish uprising in 1830. Though he lived most of his life in France, our guide was proud to tell us that most of Chopin's work was composed in Poland.

Considered a national treasure Chopin's works are being highlighted this year in concerts by various artists.

History Abounds

Warsaw's roots reach into the 10th century.

Parts of the old city dating in the 13th century are still visible though much of the city has been destroyed by war.

The Market Square was rich with entertainment, crafts, food, beverage and history.

The walls of these rebuilt buildings reflect the same attention to detail as the original old city. Instead of house numbers, domiciles are identified by the relief artwork on each building. Each row house standing three or four stories high maintains its own unique identity. With shops in the lower floors the upper apartments are rented to locals.

The streets are narrow reflecting the cart and horse days of old. There is no room for the modern automoblile in the old city.

The Barbican, a thick brick wall acting to fortify the old city and protect its inhabitants from invasion remains, though today and even in its day, it was not highly effective. We were grateful to be free to explore the rich beauty of the old city.

Our guide brought us to a jewellery shop where we picked up a few pieces. The merchant, impressed with Peter's Polish offered him afutrher discount on our purchases.

Back to Our Roots

A friend on our flight asked if we would do as Pope John Paul II did and kiss the ground when we land.

Arriving in the country that is unfamiliar to us personally, but very familiar in family lore, felt strangely like home. With out hesitiation Peter began to connect with people in Polish. Many here have commented on his command of the language. Members of the tour group have learned to take advantage of his talent.

For me, walking past groups speaking their native tongue is reminiscent of times when, in our family home, my parents' friends would gather and Polish was heard everywhere.

We are strangers in this land, yet in many ways we have returned home.

Our first evening was spent having dinner then taking a brief walking tour with one among us who is familiar with the locale before setting into a very much needed rest.

And no ...we did not kiss the ground when we landed.

A full day enjoying the sights and sounds lays ahead when we rise.

Getting Started

Leaving is always the hardest part. So many little details, last minute crises and loved ones to provide for.

Happily once we left home the journey to Toronto, to Paris and then Warsaw was uneventful.

This journey to Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany, though with a tour group, is an immensely personal one. Both of our fathers and Peter's mother were from Poland. My mother from Germany.

Won't you consider joining us as we embark on this pilgramage to our roots?