Requiem For American Bread

 I came. I saw. I ate bread.

German Brot. 

I now, I know. I should have been wowed by the cathedrals, especially the monstrously big one at Cologne. 

the castles,

the autobahn, the beautiful and quaint old streets and houses,

the beer.

 

I was...but.

The bread. 

How do we keep a country running on Sara Lee, Wonder, Little Debbie, and Dunkin Donuts?

*Embarrassed pause*

I think I just discovered the secret of the universe. 

You heard the one about the tourist who walks into a German bakery and asks for a loaf of bread?

Yeah, never happened. It was always two loaves or three if I could get away with it. I smuggled three loaves through customs. Everyone told me I couldn't. "Hid" one in each piece of luggage and they all made it through. 

So now I am attempting to make this delicious hearty food of the gods. The problem is it takes about 12-14 days all told to make. So my sourdough starter is fermenting on the counter, and I am salivating as I type.

More on this later...

Highlights from the trip to Germany that were unrelated to bread.

Cobblestone.

Beautiful. Hard to walk on for hours.

The castle at Krefield. A medieval castle complete with moat, turrets and a dungeon. When I walked onto the grounds, I felt for just a moment that I was a princess stepping into a dream.

Until I had to climb the steps to the tower. I remembered  I wasn't in tiptop shape. This was painfully obvious by the last set of quaint, winding irregular stairs. 

The Brandenburg Gate.

The Bundestag.

The complete lack of homeless people. Ok well, I did see three. And that was three total in three major cities. But for the most part I observed a lot less fear of crime as corroborated by my amazing, wonderfully gracious native German hosts. We left cameras in our car, with no problem.

 I entered a metal flying machine and was whisked away to another world. I will never be the same.

I even used a little of the German I've been working on. Ein bisschen. 

And now it's a memory logged in my heart and mind forever. And if I can manage it, in my digestive system in the future. Pictures of my sourdough starter to come in a future blog. 

OPERATION FREE X

By now most everyone knows about the massive troop draw down in Afghanistan. Whether it will be complete, or partial as has recently been recommended, a lot of military personnel will find themselves in Romania soon.

As Providence would have it, my baby brother, Dan Hamilton's chaplaincy in Bamburg, Germany has been chosen to set up the chapel in the new base in Romania. (Yes, that's Romania, as in the home of Dracula's Transylvania.) He and his crew (not sure how many) will be setting up what he's calling a FREE X, in the absence of a PX. 

Thousands of field weary troops will soon be descending on this new facility (in the process of  being built). Word is they're in need of (among other things) a change of socks. He's also asked for candies of all kinds. I'll be betting the nearest See's is afar off. Another plan is for regular movie nights (Redbox hasn't gotten to Romania yet) so used DVD's will come in handy.

Chances are you know someone who has a loved one in Afghanistan, and if so, consider giving a gift of support if you're able. If you live  in the Modesto, California area here are the drop-off locations for white athletic socks size 10-13 (higher top rather than low top because they wear boots). We'll post again soon for candy and DVD donations.

Community Business College 3800 McHenry Ave

Maris Media Productions 2521 Willow Oak Ct, Modesto Ca,95355

Veteran's Services 121 Downey Avenue

Any monetary gifts can be sent to me, (the Willow Oak Ct location is my address) and 100% of the money you send will go to buy socks or candy for the troops in Romania. We will take care of postage.

You can like us here on facebook and see regular updates. Thanks ahead of time to all of you for your generosity!

Amy Maris