Christian Social Union

Appears the ruling Bavarian conservative party got inspiration from above. As reported on Friday, they wanted to force foreigners to speak German at home. The headlines today are full of the cries of outrage! Now they are back-peddling at great speed saying they were misunderstood. It would be "helpful" if foreigners spoke German at home, is the new version.

Of course it's quite right that understanding and speaking the language does make integration easier but am glad that the party, the CSU - Christian Social Union - has been blessed with enlightment.

As it happens today is Holy Monday for my Blip Journal, where I try to find some religious item, regardless of religion but in Bavaria somewhat limited in choice.

So off to the part of Markt Rettenbach known as "Kapelle" due to the prominent St Maria Schnee - St Mary of the Snows Chapel. Strange name with questionable background claiming it snowed on 5th August around 360AD in Rome in answer to a prayer. This has been challenged and so now one refers to St Mary Major.

The chapel was built in 1706/7 to replace the previous pilgrims chapel which had become too small. This had been built 1654 as thanks for the end of the Thirty Years War which as Wiki states was "one of the most destructive conflicts in European history, and one of the longest. Most of Germany lost 30-70% of the population.

Having the dogs along, didn't go inside but set off along part of the Saint Maria Crescentia Pilgrims Way, a circular route between Kaufbeuren where she was born (1682) and Ottobeuren. This Saint Mary had a very interesting history:
She always wanted to be a nun but as her family were too poor to pay the dowry to be admitted she was rejected. The then, amazingly Protestant, mayor of the town bought the pub next to the monastry a constant source of aggravation for them. He then offered to give the building to the monastry if they accepted Maria which they unwillingly agreed to.

Past several houses with interesting bits & pieces in the garden, past The Prickly Rose Horse Ranch which ahd 3 monstrous (for Luna and Flash at least) very sweet pigs (and goats and loud geese), past some large older farmhouses and finally to the Saftladen next to the chapel. Saftladen is used in everyday language to describe a really badly run business. It actually means Fruit Juice Shop - this is a very popular place in autumn to bring your fruit and have it turned in to juice.

Some impressions of our walk on Flickr..

Will be interesting to see if any German, Bavarian or even English spoken tonight when Angie gets home.