What’s a good journey without a story of near catastrophe? After a Golden Herbst day of visiting the historical Speyer Cathedral and the Speyer Museum of Palatinate History and the summer home of King Ludwig I known as Ludwigshöhe, I can’t find my camera anywhere.
“Das macht nichts,” I say to Manfrede and Heike when they pick me up for dinner. (We dine out at Mykonos Greek Restaurant.) “It doesn’t matter. I’m sure it will turn up.”
But it doesn’t turn up. In the morning I head off on a lens-less journey over the mountains to Kaiserslautern with Angela and her family for a meeting with historian Roland Paul — an incredibly valuable session.
While we’re in the West Palatinate anyway, we make a brief trip to the Burg Lichtenberg bei Kusel — yet another amazing castle — to visit the Musikantenlandmuseum. Here I pick up information about the German wandering Mackenbachers, music bands who circled the globe in the 19th and early 20th century.
Back in Freinsheim, I locate my camera in the back seat of Matthias’ car. Via email, I learn I have almost lost my Aunt Elizabeth, who fell and needs immediate medical attention. I am grateful for my time here, but am also grateful to soon be going home.