Frankfurt, Germany – 26 December 2018

Traveling is such an adventure!  Expectations can be met or not, even exceeding, or just simply go off on an unexpected tangent! My trip started without incident – Charleston to Charlotte, straight from one gate to the next, and onto the flight to Frankfurt.  I had studied things to do, places to eat, and Google Map, so I was prepared.  

I knew that the airport was fairly close to the center of the city, that the train ride from the airport to the main train station was only 15 minutes, and the general direction to walk from the station.  What I did not know was that, evidently, Stefanstag is a holiday in Germany!

Our plane arrived at just after 7:00am, still dark outside, and quite foggy.  It took me about 30 minutes to go through customs, get my luggage, and find the luggage storage room, then the train station.  I was in downtown Frankfurt by about 8:30.

Frankfurt Airport Terminal

Train Station under Terminal

Our plane arrived at just after 7:00am, still dark outside, and quite foggy.  It took me about 30 minutes to go through customs, get my luggage, and find the luggage storage room, then the train station.  I was in downtown Frankfurt by about 8:30.

Frankfurt Train Station

Shops

Platforms

Stores and kiosks were open in the train station, but little else in Frankfurt was open.  I made my way to Romer Platz in about a 20 minute walk.  It was a bit smaller than I had imagined, and bells were ringing at a nearby church.

On the way to Romer Platz   ↕

Romer Platz  ↕

Alte Nikolaikirche

It was Alte Nikolaikirche (Evangelical, i.e. Lutheran).  Since others were entering the church, I also entered.  They were preparing for a Christmas Carol Service.  I was welcomed and handed a hymnal with an insert of “Joy to the Word” on one side and the Greman translation on the reverse.  The service began with an organ prelude, and there were eight hymns numbers listed on the hymn board.  It included a wide range of carols, most of which I was familiar with.  Each carol was introduced by and organ improvisation, and there were some prayers between some of the carols.  The Pastor gave a sermon on the inspired text of the featured “American” hymn – most of which I pretty much understood!  The organ was by Oberlinger Orgelbaur, a medium-sized 2m/p tracker, with a very interesting specification, all of which the guest organist utilized – even the Glockenspiel and Nachtigall!  I introduced myslf to the Pastor and thanked him for the wonderful service pointing out that, not only did they include a American hymn, but also two important Catholic hymns, “Adeste Fideles” and “O Sanctissima”.

I then crossed the platz towards the other church of interest to me, the Katherine Dom.  As I entered, the organist was finishing up his improvisation at the end of the Offertory.  I stayed for the rest of the OF Mass in German, joining in on the post-communion hymn, a contemporary Christmas Carol.

Entrance beneath the Steeple

↕  Historic Side Altars

After Mass, since no stores were open, I spent about an hour just walking around taking random photos.  I took the return train to the airport early, and napped a bit before the short flight to London City Airport.

Winter Trip Plans

I've always been to the UK in the summer:  July 1980, August 2010, July 2016, June 2017, and August 2018.  It's time I experience London in the winter.  This will include part of Christmastide and my 68th birthday on 7 January.  Of course, I cannot get time off on Christmas Eve or earlier, and I usually cover all the music at Stella Maris during the quiet time after Christmas, but this year it's my turn to take some time off at that time!  I'm leaving in the afternoon on Christmas Day and returning on January 9th.

I'll be staying with my friend, Katarina, and her family in Mottingham.  I find London City Airport much more convenient that either Gatwick or Heathrow, so that's my destination.  I found a cheap flight Charleston to London - actually three flights each way.  On the way over, I have a 12-hour lay-over - in Frankfurt, Germany!  Charleston-Charlotte-Frankfurt-London on the way over.  London-Dublin-Philadelphia-Charleston on the way back.  I've purchased both Euros and Pounds from my bank before the trip.  They should be at my branch Monday.

Meanwhile, I need to have all the worship aids for both English and Latin Masses done through 13 January.  That way, when I get back in the office on 10 January, I don't have to worry about worship aids!  I will have plenty of end-of-year bookkeeping to take care of!

Weekend - 25-26 August: London

I had originally intended to turn the rental car in some time on Saturday, but I decided rather to keep it over the weekend.  That way we could all go to Mass at the Oratory, and then spend the afternoon at Harrod's department store.

The Oratory:

 ( ↑ These photos are from the internet. ↓ )

Driving in central London is definitely not for the faint of heart, even on Sunday mornings!  It was also raining, and the Oratory has not parking available, not even for handicapped vehicles.  I had to let everyone out, along with Katarina's wheelchair, and drive around to find a parking place.  Luckily, street parking is less restricted on Sunday mornings, and I was able to find a spot only a couple of blocks away.  We were seated on the left-hand side, in front of main crossing, so we could see that Sanctuary quite well.  At Communion time, I took Katarina up in her wheelchair to the far left end of the Communion rail, even to the left of the line of communicants.  I wasn't sure how this would work, but it turns out there is a side brass gate especially for the priest to come in front of the rail for the handicapped!  Photography is not allowed, but we took a couple of shots before we left.  I also was allowed to take Amy up in the choir loft to see the organ.

After Mass, I had to fetch the car so we could drive the few blocks to Harrod's.  It would have been a nice walk if it hadn't been raining!  But I also needed to move the car to a parking garage for the afternoon.

Harrod's:

  ( ↑ These photos are from the internet. ↓ )

The Egyptian escalators:

Modern escalators:

We were all hungry, so the first order of Harrod's business was to pick from one of the many restaurants.  Besides the special foods area on the first floor, there is a different restaurant on every floor of the store, each with a different ambiance and cuisine.  We chose the Café on the 3rd floor.  There were five of us, Katarina and Amy, and two of Katarina's friends, Frieda and Mary, and me.  We all had different entrés, mine was a "braffle" (a hybrid of a brioche and a waffle) with Crème Pâtissière and fresh berries.   We had an incredible time!

(Of course, the younger generation has to take a food photo!)

We spent the rest of the afternoon shopping for souvenirs etc., and taking photos!  The store was quite crowded, with folks from all over the world.  It was almost a Christmas shopping atmosphere.  There were toys (and not cheap!) literally flying off the shelves.  Workers was constantly going back to the stockrooms to restock shelves!

We all purchased some interesting things and enjoyed many departments in the store.  The employees were actually closing down registers as we were checking out.  We were among the last customers of the day.  This also meant that we had a lot of traffic getting out of the Knightsbridge neighborhood and on our way back to Mottingham.

Once we got home, it was time for me to start packing to leave early Monday morning. Then all that was left was good-byes and driving my rental car to Heathrow airport, and that pretty much finished this summer's trip!