We were glad to be back in Germany and together again with our dear friends. We spent the morning with Charlotte and Jonathan, then we all walked to the village to pick up Elisabeth at her school. After Mittagessen, we packed up the car and drove to the monastery in Rohr, where we were meeting Angela to help with the preparations for the birthday party.

We arrived at the monastery and checked into our room, which was . . . well, monastic. It had two very small single beds, so for the second time during our trip we would be sleeping separately. This was probably best, since the stuffy nose Michael had developed in Venice was now a full-blown cold. After unloading our bags we headed down to the main hall to help Angela, Peter, Barbara and Sigi set-up and decorate for the celebration. Later in the afternoon Anja and Andi (Angela & Peter's children) arrived, along with Andi’s friend, Daniela. Pirmin (Barbara & Sigi’s son) joined us just as his sister, Friederike, arrived with her husband, Christian.

We finished with the decorations by late afternoon. The only things left to do were to get some dinner and then inspect the liquor inventory. It took several stories, lots of good conversation and many hours to complete the wine and beer inventory, but everything seemed to be in order. As importantly, the inspection process did not significantly diminished the supply of alcohol for the reception and dinner party the next day .

Saturday started relatively calm and peaceful. Although there was still some decorating that needed to be completed, there was plenty of time to enjoy the relative quiet and solitude of the Benedictine monastery and the village of Rohr. By mid-afternoon the guests started to arrive for the opening reception.

If it is not already apparent, German birthdays – at least those in the Salomon family – can get somewhat elaborate. Angela and Peter had rented out the monastery for the evening and they had invited well over 100 people. Once the guests had arrived, Angela welcomed everyone. She was in her Dirndl and Peter was in his Lederhosen as they greeted guests. There was a slide show, followed by a skit featuring several of Angela’s friends and neighbors. After the reception, the abbot gave everyone a tour of the monastery. (The acoustics in the church are awesome.) Following the tour the guests all went their separate ways to get ready for the dinner and birthday celebration . After dinner, the singing, performances, poetry readings and skits went on until the not-so-wee hours of the morning. Everyone – especially Angela – had a fabulous time.

Sunday morning was our last full day of vacation and the sun was out again. Many of the guests attended mass and afterwards began saying their good-byes to the hosts and fellow revelers. We too headed back to Böhmfeld and one last night with the Bauer family.

Many thanks to Angela and Peter, our gracious hosts at the monastery and in Nürnburg, as well as Charlotte and Michael for their tremendous hospitality and friendship. Thanks as well to the Kremers, the Haucks and the many other people who were so kind and generous to us during our trip. Although we are sad that our trip is coming to an end, we leave with many warm and wonderful memories.