AN ALOHA HAIKU TO GERMANY

Bags a mess. Laundry.
Family. Baseball. Meetings.
I miss Germany.

REACHING OUT (The European way)

There are many things I absolutely adore about Europe. I have mentioned the food in a previous blog. The people are amazing. The food. The historical sights are breathtaking. Did I mention that the food is really, really good? The German way to say this (and I am not making this up) is lecker, lecker. This is prounced “licka, likca.” Again, I am not making this up.

There are also many things about Europe that confuse me. First, the whole bathroom experience here is quite new and unusual. You have to pay for public toilets. Sometimes, there is a machine to take your money, sometimes there is a person to take your money. At the truck stops, you get a bathroom rebate coupon for money off your food purchase. Sort of a “poopon coupon” if you will. Very nice. The lights are on the outside of the bathroom door. Several times during this trip I have entered the bathroom, shut the door, and began to look for the light. No matter how hard I look, the light switch is not there. To illuminate your business, you must first open the door and probe the outer wall with your hand. Fascinating experience, to say the least. Europeans also generally only flush after #2, an environmental notion of which I am really in favor. The flushing mechanisms are different, usually a very, very, very large button on the wall above the toilet. Again, confusing at first, but now I am beginning to “see the light.”

Computer keyboards are a unique experience. While this is being created from an American keyboard, I have sent my children several e-mails that looked like a font titled “caveman.” I have spent at least 45 minutes during the past week searching for the “y” key and for the “@” key. These 45 minutes have been nothing short of pure bliss……

Currently, the EURO CUP is occurring. Games are broadcast every night. Entire cities are stopping to watch TV or listen to the radio to keep track of their national team. People singing songs, loudly and in what resembles a unison pitch, that promote the athletic fervor. This is almost like the Super Bowl happening every other night – it is really pretty cool!

Finally, the money here is really confusing. I have decided that it is all just play money, and that I’ll reconcile with my bank when I return to Downers Grove. In the Czech Republic, the currency is the Cronin. About 1,245.327 Cronins equal one dollar. In Germany, the currency is the Euro. About 2.75 Euros equal one dollar. Don’t even try to get me to go from Cronin to Euro – sort of like transposing alto sax to French horn for me. There have been several times on this trip I have just held out a handful of change and asked the person at the counter to take the proper money. I am on my third wallet since being here, but people seem quite happy when I leave places. Anyway, I have to go to the bathroom right now, so this blog must end. I am looking for my .30 Euros to help meet my needs. In any case, I’ll wash my hand when I am done. I am planning on proposing a new band fund raiser upon our return – with nearly 5,500 kids at in District 99, that is a lot of bathroom money each day……………

IN THE MIDST OF HISTORY

Guten morgen:

We are back in Germany - it almost feels like home! We are visiting places that I've only read about in books or seen in photos. Reading about Terazin is one thing - experiencing Terazin first-hand is an entirely different experience. The two photos above provide only a minimal representation of the effect of visiting this haunting place.

My father flew in the Berlin Airlift. I am standing in Berlin right now wondering where he landed, where he walked. I have never had history effect me on a personal level prior to this experience. Yesterday, we visited the door in Wittenburg where the Reformation began. I was walking in the dust of Martin Luther, one of the greatest theological thinkers ever. Begin amist historically relevant places that are personally striking is moving me in ways that mere words are unable to convey.

Thanks for reading -

Glenn Williams

FOUR THOUSAND WORDS

Views of Prague from yesterday. Nuff said.

Glenn Williams

THE REAL INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE

The following post does not represent the thoughts or beliefs of every student, director or chaperone on the District 99 European Tour.

I am, and always have been, an omnivore. I don't just like any food, I like all food. Even as a musician, I wonder to what level does food connect us all. It is truly the real international language.

The above photograph shows what is available for a breakfast choice at our deluxe accomodations in Praga. I am truly in my happy place - little mini-hot dogs and various types of cheeses are legal food for breakfast. I love this place!!!!!!!

More later,

Glenn Williams

JOY IN FREUDENTAL

Guten morgen:

This post is directed to parents reading the blog. A random audience goer on Tuesday night. A bus driver. The mayor last night. Multiple parents involved in the homestays here in Bi-Bi. This is just a short list of the people who have shared with me that your students are nothing short of SUPERSTARS, both on and off the concert stage. Your children are being ambassadors to an amazing extent. Their wonderful actions are speaking so loudly, words are not needed.

This photo of Rania E. singing last night presents the emotion and feeling of the concert last night far better than these meager words. Enjoy.

Tschus,

Glenn Williams

ON TOP OF THE WORLD

Guten tag:

Forgive my silent voice in the last few days - the pace has been wonderfully frenetic. I left my laptop at in Downers Grove for my kids to use while we are in Germay. There are times I don't miss it at all, and there are times I wish it was here. Alas, I forge ahead on a German keyboard!

The photo above is a panorama view from the top of the castle in Heidelberg. I hope it is worth 1,000 words for those of you experiencing our trip through the blog. Being here is still so surreal for me. Terri W. (my wife) and I keep thinking that eventually we will walk to the parking lot and return home or to our hotel. I have to remind myself this is not Walt Disney World, but a real town with real people.

To me, the people are the essence of this exchange. I watch our students learn that people are people no matter where they live. As people, we are designed to be in community with one another. This exchange allows that sense of community to thrive across cultures and across generations. It is remarkable to experience first hand.

The post-blog photo is Terri W. on the square in Stuggart - again, the photo tells far more on the spirit of the exchange and of the trip that I could ever hope to write - especially on this German keyboard!

Tschus,

Glenn Williams

IT"S A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL

Today, we drove several hours to southern Germany, in the Alps, to visit a famous castle and bridge.  This castle is the inspiration for the Cinderella Castle in both DisneyLand and DisneyWorld.  The sheer art and craftsmanship in this castle are breathtaking. We experienced traffic on the way to our destination (Yes, there is traffic in Germany.  Yes, it is very organized.)  The photograph above is a painted map of our sites today - we saw not only the castle, but a spectacular bridge spanning a stunning gorge. A 30 minute walk uphill brought to mind for everyone the importance of the Physical Education requirement in Illinois!  I bought a really cool and unique hat (I am certain you'll see photos of it in the near future.)  To me, this trip is a still a fairy tale.  The sights and people are truly amazing and inspiring.  Tomorrow is our first performance - I expect the sounds to become equally inspiring tomorrow.  

Said goodbye to a friend today - one of our home stay hosts lives and teaches photography in Leipzig during the week.  I am struck by the depth of the bond that can be created in less than 24 hours when people open their hearts and homes to a guest.  This is a major takeaway for me, and, something I am already longing to reciprocate when our German friends return in 2010.

Tschus,

Glenn Williams

THANKS TO EXCHANGE FOUNDER BOB JACOBS!!!!

Guten tag:

It is still so surreal to me that I'm in Germany - absolutely amazing! Already this trip has verified two of my foundational beliefs - music is trans-generational and trans-cultural. The gentlemen in the photo, Bob Jacobs, came to wish us "bon voyage" yesterday (at least I think it was yesterday.) Mr. Jacobs founded this exchange, and shared his passion and joy with the students about this venture as we boarded our comfy yellow limousines outside of DGN. Bob Jacobs confirmed for me that music transcends generations. My current interactions with our host and other German music teachers verifies my belief that music transcends cultures. Our passion for and belief in what music does for the human condition is already a unifying elements in our interactions. What a blessing.

Parents, your children were amazing during the travel process - they continue to make us all proud!

Tschus,

Glenn Williams

CHAPERONING BAG-O-FUN

Greetings:

I am rife with anticipation for a myriad of reasons. This is my first time to Europe EVER!!! First, being on the precipice of experiencing architectural art history in person is an amazing feeling. I have longed to see the things I've seen in books in person for years - now that yearning is about to become a reality. Second, this tour is going to be musically amazing. When I first read the term HONOR BAND, I must admit I was slightly skeptical. After hearing the sonic emanations during the course of this rehearsal week, my suppositions were proven wrong - both ensembles are truly HONORS BANDS. Parents - be proud of how your kids are sounding this week. Finally, I am truly excited to be a chaperone (as demonstrated by the photo of the BAG-O-FUN that is about to travel with us.) As a director, I've been insulated from chaperoning duties for years. Now that this charge is a major part of my purpose on this trip, I look forward to embracing it to the best of my ability. My first time in Europe, with a bag-o-fun, making great music. The next two weeks are indeed going to produce a lifetime of memories for many reasons.

Tchus,

Mr. Williams (aka G-dub)