Ericaabuzo

After blogging constantly to stay in touch on previous trips, I feel I should try this time once again since so few people have visited Myanmar. But not expecting much technology I am doing this on my iPhone via wifi in a bar! Poor Myanmar! It is a lot like Cambodia in the poverty of many of the people in a country of potential prosperity. From the bar where I sitcan see see mangey, rabid dogs and homeless people sleeping under tarps.... read more

One hour from Berlin by train is Leipzig. A lovely city to visit, rebuilt since the war and re-developed since re-unification but still retaining much of it's heritage and charm. Here lived JS Bach, Felix Mendelsohn and Robert Schumann as well as the young Goethe at different stages of their lives. Now there is a fine opera house and world famous Gewandhaus concert hall. About 15 years ago one of my students told me about the delights of Leipzig and I have wanted ever since to visit. In particular, she told about the Auerbachs cellar, mentioned by Goethe in Faust. How marvellous to have the opportunity of seeing these myself, and in the winter when there are few other tourists. It's all so civilised. Waiting in the Thomaskirche to pay my respects at the tomb of ... read more

Finally reached Berlin and met up with Eva, staying in her very comfortable and convenient apartment in Kleistpark which she shares with a German-speaking girl from Guatemala. We spent an pleasant weekend catching up both together and also with a German friend we know from Sydney. Sunday we made a 2 hour train trip to Dresden to see that beautiful city and the marvellous restoration that has been done after the terrible bombing in February 1945. Amongst other treat we went to a performance of Carmen in the Semperoper. This magnificent opera house has finally also been restored. It's hard to explain briefly, but Eva had a long term intention to go to the wedding of a very dear friend in Singapore this week. She even has the ticket booked for tonight. I think the challenges ... read more

At last I am able to catch up. Have been away from my computer for a few days. Last Wednesday and Thursday were unbelievably cold here.....minus 17 I think! But deceptively blue and clear. The Irish lawyer in my class wanted to go and have lunch and book tickets for the opera that night. Against my better judgement, I went along with him. We shared a substantial size typical bavarian dish in a brewery and a beer. After that I fell asleep for a couple of hours. Waking at 5.30pm I realised that I had to rush to the shops to buy the makings for a pavlova as i had undertaken to make one for a class party and also a Japanese girl who has spent 2 years in new Zealand wanted to learned. This time ... read more

Sorry. Not only have I been really busy but I managed to lose the last post. So, I'll try again. I broke off in mid sentence on the freezing platform of the station at Frankfurt Airport, waiting for trains that never came, However, eventually one came and i made it to Cologne, where, on the advice of my brother Chris, I had booked into the Ibis hotel at the station. He wasn't joking. I was accessed through a door in the station right next to the ticket vending machine! With only two hours to go before the opera started at 6pm I needed to eat. Almost everything was closed except a super posh 5+ star hotel near the Dom. Asked the bounce guy where I could have lunch at 4pm. He directed me to the piano ... read more