Bavaria is one of Germany's 16 states and is 51% Catholic, having turned the tide with the Counter Reformation to ensure that Martin Luther didn't get too much of a toehold starting in the 1600's. As is was, several cathedrals went back and forth between Catholic and Lutheran. The guides we've had in the Bavarian cities reflect the division with yesterday's declaring proudly for the Catholics and today's telling us twice that she was a Lutheran. I almost broke through the crowd to stand in solidarity with her but decided she didn't really need me so I kept my church affiliation to myself. Oh and today's town of Regensberg makes an even stronger case for its Catholic majority since it is the home town of Pope Benedict XVI who was known as Joseph Ratzinger when he lived here as a boy. His controversial youth included what our guides are quick to describe as his compulsory conscription into Hitler's German Youth and his military service as a "reluctant soldier"in the German Infantry.
Thank God the rain has been held at bay and we enjoyed some sunny stretches for our tour and shopping expedition that extended through the afternoon. Larry opted for a rest on the ship after lunch but Ron accompanied the ladies during our later walk around. I think we are saving our big shopping for Vienna and Budapest. Still, you never know what treasures are to be found in these smaller places.
We had dinner again with our friend Jacqueline and afterwards heard three young opera singers and a very talented pianist from the Munich and Nuremburg theaters. We all got to join in on "Edelweiss" and we didn't sound too bad since the professional singers were quite loud. A bit late to bed with an early wake up on the horizon. Ach du lieber.
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