Danube

We gave each other a cruise on the Danube for Christmas this year.  Motivated by our delightful Rhine cruise of 2010, we had hoped to spend time praying through many of the questions which hang over us regarding moving back to the US this summer.

Our friends would be meeting and traveling with us, a major perk of the trip.

Low water levels on the Danube kept our ship from docking, and thick fog kept us from clear views of the city of Budapest, so we knew before the trip started we would encounter a different cruise than on the Rhine.

While the cruise fell short of our expectations, we enjoyed the peaceful river, the beautiful sites, and the amazing food on board.  Service pampered us; our room was comfortable.

Each city we visited provided a walking tour, filling our minds and eyes with wonders and lots of information about both the Austro-Hungarian empire and pre 1989 Eastern Europe.   How Europe has survived the two World Wars astounds.  Buildings are clearly old and ornate, for the most part. Coffee houses and museums abound.

The weather, foggy at first, cleared for some days of sun and blue skies.  But New Years Eve the snow fell, along with fabulous aerial fireworks display all over Linz.  I couldn't help but think of all the elements used to create the brilliant display of color and light.

We did not get our burning questions answered; we didn't even feel like we had spent much time reflecting at all.  In spite of unfulfilled expectations, the trip gave us time to get away, relax, indulge in food and knowledge.  But most of all, we treasured relationships.  Our time with our friends became the highlight of our time away.  The tradition of exchanging Christmas gifts, long, leisurely meals, convivial conversations, and time to share issues of life deepened our friendship and provided sweet memories until our next encounter.