As you have probably noticed if you have been reading this blog for a while, I am interested in churches. It’s not just the architecture and artwork, but what they say about the community and the people in it. When visiting the Black Forest resort town of Badenweiler I immediately noticed St. Paul’s Church. Architecturally […]
I was more impressed by the structure built to house the Roman baths in Badenweiler, Germany, than by the baths themselves. The place though has been a spa town for 1700 years or more, which is also impressive. I think the “baden” in the town’s name means “bathing” but that is a guess on my […]
I’ve never been to California, but I remember even as a child being aware of the giant redwood (Sequoia) trees. I seem to recall pictures of some so large that a road had been cut through and motorists could drive through the trees. I did not expect to see examples of the trees in Badenweiler, […]
It’s a little unsettling when you discover you are looking at the house where a fictional character died. Fictional characters aren’t supposed to have lived, let alone died. Especially not gruesome deaths and a whispered deal with the Devil. In the German town of Staufen, at the edge of the Black Forest, not far from […]
FIFA, the international soccer body, has taken a big hit lately. Corruption, rumored for years, has come home to roost – 14 FIFA executives have been arrested recently and the news seems pretty bad. Except in Canada, where the Women’s World Cup kicked off this week. No charges of corruption or bribery in the awarding […]
I thought today we’d let the pictures do the talking – some shots from my visit to Staufen Castle. As you can see, the view of the surrounding area is very picturesque. There are benches at the entrance to he ruins where people can just sit and admire the view.
It’s a pile of rocks at the top of a hill, a nice walk on a sunny Spring afternoon. At one time the castle at Staufen im Breisgau was a pretty big deal. Now it is just pretty. The castle was built initially in 850 (on a site where the Romans had had a watchtower […]
The truth part is easy. It’s the reconciliation that is going to be difficult. Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission wrapped up its six-year inquiry this week. Modeled after a similar venture in post-Apartheid South Africa, the Commission was struck to hear the stories of the survivors of Canada’s residential schools for Aboriginal students, a system […]
I was traveling for a couple of weeks last month. I spent a lot of time in airports. In each one I had time on my hands. As a result I wrote at least one post in each of the airports, which I will post over the next few days. After that, castles and Roman […]
I was traveling for a couple of weeks last month. I spent a lot of time in airports. In each one I had time on my hands. As a result I wrote at least one post in each of the airports, which I will post over the next few days. After that, castles and Roman […]
random thoughts from lorne 
Recent Comments