Mikes Blog

First Communion
22nd April - Sunday

This is First Cummunion day, the centre piece for our trip to Germany. I play through my pieces for later a couple of times before breakfast. On the Autobahn, Gebhard drives at over 200 km/h in his new BMW. I can see the speedo from the back seat. My hands are sweat.

We wait outside the church on this perfect spring morning as the wind band and other processiion members organise themselves. At 10am precisely, as the bells in the church tower ring, the band starts up and the procession including the First Cummunioners, their mothers, the Priest, proceeds down the street and up into the church. It all feels deeply rooted in an old and rich tradition. The church is full to capacity with 6 to 800 people. There are songs, prayers, small contributions from the children themselves.

At one point the Priest says he believes you don't have to be a Christian to go to heaven - it is just easier if you are. We hear later that he has 5 different parishes to look after. He looks tired.

I am wearing my McDowall tie and a greenstone pendant to establish my whakapapa in this foriegn land.

A day of almost complete German speaking is a strain for me. I understand and communicate much better than I used to -(eg last visit 4 years ago) but it still ends up pretty tiring - and at times I can still feel isolated. On te other hand I feel it to be a huge privelidge to have had and continue to have the opportunity to be part of this different culture - not just as a visitor but as an accepted participant.

After the service we go for lunch at a Restaurant - Wiener Schnitzel, Salat, Kasespatzle, Ice (cream). Communication has been going pretty well if people speak high german although as soon as they start speaking local dialect I get about 1 word in 20 and give up.

It is then back to the chuch for a smaller followup eventwith a bit more singing and talking. The Priest looks pretty tired. There is then lots of photo taking.

Afterwards we go to the grave of the parents of Elizabeth. I apprecate that death and suffering are clearly acknowledged here.

Then back to the Wespel family home where we have wonderful coffee and cake. It strikes me that the mountain peoples of western Europe are the most accomplished cake makers in the world - with apologies to my mum and England.

We discuss our plans for the following weekend - a 2 day bike tour which the whole family will particpate in. We decide on a trip in Austria through the Alps. What a great thing to do together. Tomorrow Zita and I will go for a walk into the mountains from Obersdorf. Who knows how much snow is left?