Back in Germany

I just remembered a funny thing from Poland. We had climbed down some stairs into a cavernous jazz club where a trio was making music on piano, double bass, and drums. The place was totally full, but a group of people (age 60+) made room for us at their table. We chatted a little with one gentleman and found out they were from Holland. When they found out we were Canadian, a white haired man who had had a drink or two too many rose up a little and declared, "I was liberated by the Canadians in 1945!" We had been told the older Dutch love our country and it was neat to experience a little of that love. Yesterday was our final day in Karlovy Vary and actually our final day in the Czech Republic. Even after spending so much time there, we kept comparing the country to Poland. Czech is only 40% Roman Catholic, and 40% atheist. Most of the Catholics are nominal at best. The spiritual climate of the nation is totally different. Many times we found ourselves missing the flowing robes of the monks and nuns. The Czech Republic is famous for its glass and crystal. One of the big names is Moser, and we had the privilege of touring their factory in Karlovy Vary. It was a short tour and didn't include the engraving and etching aspects. But we did spend a half an hour in the workshop where the glass is blown. I had seen glass blowing before in Quebec at a touristy and somewhat dramatic shop. This was different. Here, trios of men labored for 7 or 8 hours a day in the heat with molten glass, which has the consistency of honey, I am told. Their uniforms varied from pants to capris to shorts and they often wore sandals or other shoes that really wouldn't protect the feet. The shop was small and fancy and we did not buy anything. Even though I don't often like the busy patterns on crystal, I now have a greater appreciation for their craftsmanship. We had gone swimming in the morning and I amazed Meridith at my total lack of proper form. Yes, I definitely need to take adult swimming lessons! Oh well, I have fun and am getting more exercise than if I was making the right strokes. Mer had a massage while I went to "Bath 5", one of the old fancy spas. I had lost a contact during the morning swim session so had donned my spectacles for the rest of the day. I am cheap so opted to just make use of the pool and steam room and sauna. I miss the South East Asian warmth and just wanted to be hot. I have to shiver all night because Mer likes to keep the window open. I was scared off by the no swimsuit sign on the sauna door so made myself at home in the steam room with a couple of naked women. Then I tried out the pool, but I really couldn't see anything. I am kind of glad I couldn't because there were a lot of unattractive hairy men in speedos. When a bunch of them came into the whirlpool - which was definitely not a hot tub- I just had to go elsewhere. After another steaming, I decided to peek into the sauna and found it inhabited by girls my age, who thankfully were not naked. So I kept my swimsuit on and relaxed. We hopped on and off of five trains today to make it from Karlovy Vary to the town of Fussen. We are going to see a crazy castle made by Crazy Ludwig tomorrow. In Mer's guidebook, it said our hostel was sometimes noisy with groups. We found out that meant school groups. A bunch of elementary school children were running around. Thankfully, they have a bed time. But unfortunately, the showers close at 10. I guess it won't be a late night tonight. Oh, the internet cafe just played the song, "Ghostbusters".