Over the next several posts, I will share bits of this trip. In addition to being a much welcome break from the stresses and physical exertions of helping my dad and step-mom close out their retirement cottage and move into a sheltered care apartment, this trip appealed to an historic curiosity I had. More on that in just a bit.
Amsterdam is one city we have visited several times. Its reputation for tolerance is well-deserved. You quickly learn, for example, that a coffee shop does not JUST sell coffee. This history of tolerance gives Amsterdam a special place in our families' histories. Both my husband and I come from families whose ancestors left Europe--specifically Switzerland and Germany--centuries ago. They were Anabaptists, people whose beliefs clashed with both Catholic and Protestant reformers. They were persecuted by both sides, and were sometimes killed for their beliefs. Consequently, they fled their birth countries, traveled UP the Rhine River (which flows into the North Sea) and landed in Amsterdam. Just as with the so-called Pilgrims from England, they stayed in Amsterdam for a time before making their way to the New World in America.
Even today, the Rhine River is a superhighway. We saw many other ships, mostly hauling cargo. These ships costs millions, so few individuals can own their own ship. Instead, those who operate the ships are under contract with larger companies. Many families live on their ships. We saw most ships with one or two cars on the back--transportation for when in port. Ships have living quarters as part of their construction, and even had play yards, all glassed in. Several times, we saw children playing on board--talk about going along with dad or mom to work.
In the course of our trip--from Amsterdam to Vienna--we went through 66 different locks. The tallest of these locks were some 80 to 90 feet high. Sailing west to east, we first went through locks that slowly increased our elevation. We eventually crossed the continental divide of Europe, at which point the rivers flowed into the Black Sea.
On our second full day of sailing, we sailed along the Rhine River Gorge. This is the most picturesque portion of the Rhine River, complete with tunnel entrances disguised as castles, as well as REAL castles. The story on the tunnel entrances had to do with bombing during World War II. Allied bombers tried not to bomb any ancient buildings intentionally. Rail travel was so vital to the German war effort; consequently, the German High Command ordered tunnel entrances disguised as castles. Apparently that Allied resolve did not always hold--think of the leveling of the city of Dresden.
The other constant scenery along the Rhine were vineyards. Rows and rows of grape vines. Our trip was early in the spring, so the greenery was just beginning to sprout.
We had daily stops along the way, and as you journey with me, I will show you some of the enchanting little towns and villages we visited.
All aboard for the rest of the journey--cruising down a river.
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P.S. this post is my 601st--so I have now passed the 600 mark.
7 comments:
Wonderful photos and informative prose. Well done!
I figured from your last post you weren't going down the Mississippi! What a grand trip. To see the sights that protected your ancestors and to feel the culture. Can't wait for the next post.
We have talked about taking this trip. I look forward to your photos and commentary.
I have long been interested in the Anababtist part of the Reformation.
It has been called the Left wing of the Reformation or the Radical Reformation. My denomination has some roots among some radical reformers. (Althought our main root is in the Magisterial Reformation of Calvin (and Luther , Zwingli, Knox etc.)
I like to think of the left wing reformers as the Christians of the third person of the trinity, (spirit) where authority often rested in the spiritual experience of the individual or group which saw this as the best knowledge of God. This compares with the Magisterial Reformation which focused on the biblical word of the Gospels (about Jesus, lead by a scholarly clergy; and the Counter Reformation than wanted to reassert the authority to the Church and it's apostolic connection to God through the priesthood.
Sorry, this is turning into a lecture on the Reformation. :)
Perhaps you will find references along the way to your Anababtist roots.
We have talked about taking this trip. I look forward to your photos and commentary.
I have long been interested in the Anababtist part of the Reformation.
It has been called the Left wing of the Reformation or the Radical Reformation. My denomination has some roots among some radical reformers. (Althought our main root is in the Magisterial Reformation of Calvin (and Luther , Zwingli, Knox etc.)
I like to think of the left wing reformers as the Christians of the third person of the trinity, (spirit) where authority often rested in the spiritual experience of the individual or group which saw this as the best knowledge of God. This compares with the Magisterial Reformation which focused on the biblical word of the Gospels (about Jesus, lead by a scholarly clergy; and the Counter Reformation than wanted to reassert the authority to the Church and it's apostolic connection to God through the priesthood.
Sorry, this is turning into a lecture on the Reformation. :)
Perhaps you will find references along the way to your Anababtist roots.
I will look forward tom this. We used to do a study on the Rhine back in grade 10 geography. If I might refer back to those days, may I be so bold as to point out that going towards Amsterdam is going downriver because the river flows toward Amsterdam from Switzerland. Please forgive me my pedagogical, ;)
AC--be as pedagogical as you like. I was being poetic. The songs would say "cruising down" a river. So, I mirrored that.
I am mindful that sailing from Amsterdam, we were going against the current.
Actually, we wondered which direction our trip would use more fuel. However, as it happens, half the trip we were sailing "up stream" and the other half "down stream." So, split the difference.
The locks were MOST fascinating, as we gained and then lost elevation.
How amazing that your "little vacation" turned into a trip to Amsterdam and the cruise. I love your pictures and thank you for sharing them with all of us who are coming along vicariously !
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