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Vienna 1971—A Student Journal
A year of music, study, travel, sightseeing & friends.

Day 171 — Munich & Dachau
20-January-1972 (Donnerstag–Thur.)


TRANSCRIPT

Munich

Arrived in Munich around 8:00 am and after straightening out things, went to find the group from MSC [Montclair State College]. Found the hotel and had breakfast and waited for them. Lucille finally came down and it was really good to see her. She really looked good and was as friendly and lively as ever. She walked me around part of the town and we talked a lot. It was nice to know some of the things that were going on, and how people [old friends and colleagues from MSC] were doing.

It [Munich] reminded me partially of the U.S. because of all the business and stores around. It was also a very expensive town. However, there were a number of nice things to see.

Went back to the hotel and saw everyone else. Dr. S., Leroy, Tom, Pete, Bob, Dan, Guy (saw him next day in the hospital—stomach disorder, not serious). There were others. It was good to see everyone and talk.

Dr. S. let me tag along and so I went on a tour with them. First, we went to Nuremberg Palace where Maximillian lived. It wasn’t bad but couldn’t compare with Belvedere or Schönbrunn. The best part was how everyone was having a good time. The lively spirit and fun of the whole group was one thing I miss in Vienna. While walking along these paths and coming to a divided path, Lucille, Leroy and some others reenacted some scenes from the Wizard of Oz.

The next place was Dachau—infamous Nazi concentration camp. It was an experience. Anyone going there will remember it for a lifetime. Going through the exhibits and seeing the horrors and then walking around in the “emptiness”, it still felt like there were ghosts around. To paraphrase, “Those who don’t remember the past, are condemned to repeat it.”

Went back and to dinner. Talked. Walked around among other shops, sang some madrigals (haven’t done that in a long time), and then went back to the room and played charades—ha! What a day. Stayed for free. Felt good.


REFLECTIONS

Ich bin in München. I’m in Munich. I spend an amazing sightseeing-packed day with my great friends from my college, Montclair State College. I liked Munich a lot and remember the old town center, Marienplatz (opening picture), and the famous Neues Rathaus clock tower (left). Later we took a winter walk in some parks and went to the Nuremburg Palace.




College friendships. It was great to see my friends (above—Dan, Lucille, can’t see who, Jack?), talk, goof around, and sightsee with them. As I mention, having “college” fun with a group of old friends is something I miss in Vienna. The Wizard of Oz while walking? Singing madrigals in the town center? Lucille was an incredible bubbly character who was just a joy to spend time with. She’s a favorite. You can see Lucille in the Dixie Pixies photos in the Pictures area. Look for the comedian (click here).

College choir. The reason I got to meet my friends was that the madrigal choir, under the direction of Dr. S., went on a small European Christmas tour that included Munich. This choir and its singers were good. What a great way to perform and see a bit of culture. Dr. S. is a highly regarded and published professor at MSC.

Maximillian’s Nuremburg Palace. I don’t know much about Maximillian except that he lived in a pretty amazing palace with beautiful frescos. Maybe not as big and fancy as Schönbrunn. Still very nice.





Dachau. The day was made especially memorable by our visit to the Nazi concentration camp, Dachau (left). It was moving and a reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust. The stillness and emptiness of the camp, in my mind, served to remind me of the millions of lives lost during this unspeakable time. (See below.) Horror is the only word to describe this. I have photos of the camp. I could not bear to take pictures of the photos of human suffering seen within the museum.

Child playing in the emptiness of Dachau.

Live or Facebook. Ok, kids, a word of advice. “Live” interaction with friends is way better than sitting in front of your computer with Facebook. Today’s blog demonstrates that. However, surprise! In 2009, a good friend from Montclair State, Jack, discovered me on Facebook. What a blast! Catching up on old times. I’m contradicting myself, aren’t I? Live friends and Facebook are both ok. You can see a picture of Jack in the opening college photos of the Pictures area. Jack is in the Phi Mu Alpha front row, right.

Photos a’plenty. I have a lot of photos from today (click here). I’ll post them in a special “slide show” (click here) in the Pictures section of 36yearsago. Here’s a picture of Pete and myself in the mirror at Nuremburg Palace (right).

John

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Tags: Munich, Montclair State College, friends, photos, Nuremburg Palace, Dachau, Holocaust, choir, madrigals, Lucille, Jack