Day 3…
Up “bright undt early”…breakfast and then on the bus to the Flower Island, Mainau and Meersburg. I MUST say that Caroline and Elizabeth can get ready for the day in RECORD time!! Good going girls and all those who got them breakfast for the road!!

Our weather is beautiful and it was a breath taking drive to beautiful Lake Constance! Our tour of the Flower Island Mainau was amazing. Many of us were taking notes for our own garden. Now if we only had those mowers and that staff!!

Penny decided to “free wheel” it around the island. This is definitely her thing…wheelies, screaming stops and chauffeuring several of us around in the beautiful scenery. Someone was heard reminding “we’re not in Newberry anymore!”

The island has a beautiful chapel…the acoustics were amazing! GYC sounded like angels…was that John S. at the confessional??

While waiting to enter the Butterfly House, we entertained everyone in the cafeteria. (The acoustics were really quite good, don’t know about the food!!) My curly hair has been missing the FL humidity, but felt right at home with the butterflies and tropical plants! Many of the kids were treated to a butterfly “landing” moment. Magical!!

We loaded the bus and headed to the ferry...off to Meersburg! Jalia heard something hit the water and thought it was her camera. Not to worry...it was only her glasses...(Mia, sunglasses that is)!

We lunched, shopped and strolled through Meersburg, marveling at the medieval castle above us. How the kids can find so many different flavors of gelato I have no idea!! They have truly mastered that art!

Back onto the bus and heading back to the hotel with a little time for shopping in the Cuckoo Shop or resting before dinner. The weather has turned rainy and our concert tonight has been moved inside. No problem!! I know it will be wonderful!!

11:15 PM and we’re home…GYC is in love with the kids from the Black Forest (even the “womanizer”)! I had no idea how wonderful tonight would be!! We were even blessed with a visit from Andreas’ s parents, Manfred and Gisela Brecht all the way from Manheim, Germany!!

The evening started with a greeting from the Buergermeister (Lord Mayor) Andreas Hall and a reception with traditional German dancing from the Black Forest region in the courtyard of the Town Hall of Kirchgarten. The fortress was built in the 11th C. and they still use the original fortress although it has been restored in the last 10 years. .

The JVAS cultural exchange concert was fabulous!! Folk dancing, cow bells (honest!) accordions, and GYC’s usual eclectic concert program rocked the house, ending with “Rockin’ Robin and Rock Around the Clock”. Julius (aka Womanizer) joined in with his guitar while his side kick, Fabian “walked it out” before it was all over. Rick and Frau Carmen (Lou’s German sister) were jitter bugging by the stage while the crowd went wild! We ended the evening with GYC and der Kinder dancing the Clapping Dance together in the courtyard…fun, doesn’t begin to describe the evening or the friendships forged through music.









Tonight we pack and we're off to Switzerland...greater heights, cable cars, cruise on Lake Lucerne...also COOLER weather!

It's now 1:25 AM (German time) and Linda and I are in the bathroom (the electrical plug is there) and fininshing this up. Linda, you are such a great sport!!! Be back soon...I think we're getting the hang of this (maybe!)

Official Day 2...It's Linda and Debby here coming back from a torch lit walk in the Black Forest!

We woke up to the crisp, cool air! Breakfast was really yummy...traditional cheeses, breads, etc. When the world's largest cookoo clock chimed (8:30 German time) GYC could be seen posing for pics and ready to board the bus for Strausbourg, France...the Alsace region of France. After a driving tour and "walk" with Andreas to see the storks of Strausbourg, the State buildings and ambassadors residences we check out the modern plumbing...

On to the Cathedral de Notre Dame...you wouldn't believe how beautiful it is or how great GYC sounded in there! I lit a candle for my dad as I do in every cathedral or church we sing in here in Europe. Music was his gift to me and my gift to GYC...z

After our singing, there was time for strolling, shopping and lunch...quite a variety to choose from...brats, sandwiches to course gelato! (1 Euro per scoop!) Back to meet Andreas at 3:30 and travel back to our hotel. We arrived in time for our cookoo clocks are made here in the Black Forest. Truly amazingly beautiful! (Roger, you should see the woodcarving!) Everything you can imagine...animation that Disney would love! We shop there tomorrow!!

We got changed for dinner in time to meet the director and several kids we will perform with tomorrow night. Our GYC hosts did their magic and everyone had a great time at dinner...another winner; Bavarian sausages, spaetzel and of course yard bird; aka chicken! After another calorie laden dessert, we adjourned to the bonfire compliments of Andreas! After GYC sang, we were treated to dancing, accordian and guitar from our German guests. We even learned a German Folk Dance and roasted marshmellows together! Cultural exchange at its best!! Next on to our "spooky" walk...Selected kids lit torches from the bonfire and we all walked through the Black Forest to a 13th C. chapel. Andreas took all the kids (and Rick) inside and told spooky stories while the rest of us waited outside with torches burning!

Out the kids came with wide eyes and great big smiles to be greeted by their chaperones!! After a peek into the cellar (ask the kids what they saw!) we treked back, torches still blazing and spirits high. Can't believe its only Day 2 and we've had so many adventures!!!

We're here!! The airport was fun...hooked up with Mike in Atlanta and the Austins in Zurich. Here are some wonderful pics! Guess who slept on the plane??

It's great to be with Andreas again! He brought roses for all the ladies (married life is good for him!), we loaded the bus and headed for a tour of the old town of Zurich. We stopped into a beautiful church with gorgeous stained glass windows by Chagall no less!! GYC sounded awesome as they sang "Jubilate Deo". The acoustics were astounding.

Then we headed to Rhine Falls, driving through breath taking scenery and boarded a boat to get a closer view. Jamie and Allie got soaked (couldn't have happened to two sweeter people)!

Back on the bus for more of a drive into the Black Forest. We even found out how it got its name...tell you later. We arrived at our beautifully appointed Bavarian hotel and check in went smoothly. Dinner was yummy; weiner schnitzel, trout and green ravioli all followed by delicious ice cream. A walk through the magical forest at the end of the day helped us burn off those calories!

And we still haven't slept yet!

Lou here: I have been able to sleep during Andreas's informative narrations and an hour before dinner. Be sure to ask Rick about the swan feeders......oh, yeah! Debby and I are writing this as our hubbys snooze away in the cool, cedar-walled bedrooms. Let's see......one room blew out their power while ironing clothings....we'll keep you posted on what happens next!

We'll get better at posting the pics, etc. too tired now...Enjoy!

Three days and counting!

GYC members are handling their excitement in many ways... Some are packing and repacking, many are too excited to sleep, others are chilling at the beach (Caroline and Jenny!)! I'm still working on my "To Do"list and Vicki has been ready for weeks.! It's been unusually quiet on the phone and email (we're not complaining mind you!) and with this Florida heat it's heartening to imagine we'll be in the Alps' cool air in 3 days!! This will probably be the last post until we hit the airports on Saturday...hard to imagine this is GYC's JVAS International Tour number 4!! Eternal thanks to all who have helped make this possible!! For some it will be an adventure of a lifetime, for others dreams come true!

Ms. D. and Vicki

Thanks, Gerry for helping us set up our blog! It will be really nice to be able to share our awesome experiences with everyone! Now to the organizing and packing so that I will be ready for the trip!

Ms. D.

One week and we'll be on our way!

Can you believe it? The Majesty of Music Summer Tour is almost here! So many hours spent by Vicki, Andreas, John May and Ms. D. getting ready for this extraordinary adventure! (Patrick, the T shirts are awesome! )

This time next Saturday, we will be boarding vans and cars and be on our way to the Jacksonville airport! Hope everyone remembers their passports! We'll go from Atlanta to Zurich and then be wisked off into the Alps. We hope you will follow this blog and share it with your family and friends, so you too can enjoy our incredible adventure!

GYC Majesty of Music Summer Tour Schedule

June 28		Arrival, Rhine Falls, Welcome Dinner at Hofgut Sternen
June 29		Day trip to Strasbourg, France, Social with Trachtenverein Kirchzarten and Night Hike in Black Forest to monastery
June 30		Flower Island Mainau, Meersburg, Concert with Kindertachtengruppe Kircherten and Buchenback
July 1		Cruise Lake Lucerne, Mt. Pilatus and Lucerne
July 2		Great St. Bernhard Pass
July 3		Alpine Lake Hiking Day and Concert with Jodel Klub Kandersteg
July 4		Swiss Mountain Day, Zermatt and little Matterhorn (US Independence Day at 12800 feet!)
July 5		Lago Maggiore Day and Concert at Villa Giulia in Verbania, Italy
July 6		Day trip to Milan, Italy, Concert at Cathedral, visit La Scala
July 7		Stresa to Garmisch via Verona
July 8		Castle Linderhof, Oberammergau, Ettal and Farewell Concert in Grainau with Grainau Singgemeinschaff
July 9		Insbruck, Austria Day and Farewell Dinner at the Hochalm Bavarian Farm