Tour Leader’s Blog

TourMagination regularly visits the isolated, ancient chapel at Würzbrunnen in the Emmental. But yesterday morning, for the first time, we gained overall perspective of this main source of our Swiss ancestors by climbing a 37-meter tower on the nearby long Kurzenberg. We stood above the tops of tall white pines from which the tower was built in 2002 (the previous one having been burned by human carelessness). There was a spectacular 360-degree view. On the distant bluish horizon to the north lay the Mennonite-populated Jura, which we had visited two days earlier. To the west, at the foot of the Kurzenberg, was Linden, where in the afternoon we would photograph Thierstein (Derstine) family gravestones. Southwestward, across the first valley, was the Buchholterberg range, original home of the Roth-Ruth family. On its horizon rose the unmistakable, blocky Stockhorn, telling us the location of Erlenbach in the Simmental, where Jacob Amman had grown up. We realized that we were perched on the east-west running line between the Emmental to our near north, where bishop Hans Reist lived, and the Bernese Oberland to the south, prime source of the conservative Amish peoplehood.

Just below us near Bowil, in 1693, had come the historic confrontation that had divided so many of our Bernese Anabaptist ancestors. Most spectacular of all, on the southern horizon rose the world-renowned, misty white chain of Alps, framed in front with the notched sequence called the “Seven Stallions.” And a little eastward was the massive brown Hohgant range, recently made known to Swiss readers of the novel Die Furgge, as the home region of persecuted 17th century Mennonites.

~ John Ruth

This morning after breakfast John led the tour group on a walking tour of Bern, stopping frequently to point out highlights. We saw the parliament building of Switzerland with its two bears and double eagle. Nearby was the middle tower where Anabaptists were imprisoned even as late as the 18th century.

Down by the rushing Aare River, we walked the steps and passed through the arch to the dock where in 1711 three boatloads of captured, chained Anabaptists were sent on their journey to Holland to be sent to America. The Holland Mennonites intervened and freed many of them.

At the Munster, we saw a picture of the final judgment and across the square stood a statue of Moses holding a tablet with Roman numerals signifying the Ten Commandments.

John led us back to the hotel and the rest of the day we were on our own.

~ Phoebe Wiley
TourMagination European Heritage participant 2008

Friday morning we traveled south along the Rhine from Brühl, Germany to the “German corner” in Koblenz located at the confluence of the Mosel and the Rhine Rivers. Some of us climbed up inside under the horse of the equestrian statue of Emperor Wm. I (dating from Roman times).

A southbound cruise on the Rhine, which flows north, provided photo ops of medieval castles, old churches, villages and vineyards on steep slopes on both sides.

John Ruth once again directed our bus driver to “places unknown to buses” on a futile attempt to obtain a relic with the name “Kolb” (discovered it no longer exists).

The hotel at Alzey looked good to all.

~ Audrey Voth Petkau

After leaving Newark at 5:00 p.m. or so US time, I knew I was in for a long night. After the 7-hour flight, we arrived in Frankfurt, and when it should have been 12:00 midnight, it was just time to get up and start the day…with another flight to Amsterdam. This flight only took 2 hours, but I slept solid for both of them, awakeing only when the food cart came by. The first day, Monday when I left, but Tuesday in Europe, went by in somewhat of a blur due to my tiredness mixed with my excitement, but I remember that we went to Aalsmeer Flower Auction, the world’s largest, as well as to a cheese factory, and a fully-functional windmill. And naturally, wooden shoe shops were everywhere one looked.

On Wednesday we had an equally full day. We left our hotel at 7:00 in the morning, well, a little later than that, but 7 00 was the scheduled time, and drove up to northern Holland. On the way, we crossed a 30-km dike which was very neat. We then went to Pingjum, the town that Menno Simons lived in, which was very interesting. Not only did we get to see a monument to Simons, but also for the first time that John Ruth can remember, we were invited to “the white house,” a house where Simons lived for a while. From there, we drove to a small town in Holland where we attended a small service welcoming us. We then had a meal at a church in the area consisting of potato salad and soup, It was very good. This was where we met the local families that we were going to stay the night with that evening. Although I can only truly speak for myself, I had a blast, and I am sure that everyone else did as well.

This morning, we got up and drove to Munster, Germany and saw where the Anabaptists who rebelled and captured the city were put after being executed–it was quite sobering to think about. We also got to see a beautiful Romanesque cathedral there, although the name eludes me, It was still a beautiful sight. Walking the city we also saw a monumant to a Bishop who opposed Hitler’s t-4 program. Interestingly, due to his influence over the people of Munster, the Bishop was not put in prison or even harassed. From there we drove to Cologne and we saw the twin towers of Cologne, a Gothic Catherdral…it was HUGE…absolutely gigantic…I felt like an ant. Our day came to an end by driving to our hotel.

~ Aaron Kaufmann
TourMagination European Heritage participant 2008

Yesterday, during our tour of Edinburgh, we experienced our first day of rain on this trip. We walked the Royal Mile protected by our TM umbrellas. It was disappointing but we had one Scottish woman remind us they really need the rain.

This morning in Luss we worshiped at the Parish Church. The opening hymn was Pauline Bast’s favorite “Lord, you have come to the loch-side”. Our hymnal says lake-side. Howard said the service was very,very meaningful. Elsie Dick agreed saying “I would not have wanted to miss it.” Marge Bartel and Ruby Penner were pleased with our visit to the Green Welly where they were able to buy Scottish jewelry. The Celtic knot jewelry and the jewelry made from the heather plant are both beautiful. A number of other tour members joined them in retail therapy. Rumor has it that Linda Matthies was spreading expectations that the prize for Janet’s British/North American English quiz was a free TM tour! Tomorrow we fly home.

~ Wilmer Martin