The Red Buddha of the Guardian Oaktree

Writing on the move. Between the rails. Now we are travelling in Eastern Westphalia, in Southeastern direction. At our right hand the famous “Teutoburgerwald” is rising high on the horizon. There in 9AD the German tribes under war chief Hermann (Arminius) had beaten three Roman Legions under general Varus. Who will not remember Augustus' desperate complaint (“Vare, Vare, redde mihi legiones meas”) Though, I should add that while the great Hermann Monument is rising there over the Teut near the town of Detmold, in fact the battle must have taken place much more to the Northwest at Kalkriese.

I tried to make a picture of that monument on top of the forest, but in vain. Too much trees and houses near the Detmold Station, impossible sunshine and dirty windows. And a shaking local Westphalian slow train. There was plenty of time to enjoy all this sightseeing and follow the changing of the landscape. Now we are entering the mountainsides with tunnels, curves and the last two transfer stations.

We are the lucky ones, because in spite of a unexpected delay we yet catch up our last connexion. Forgotten the dizzyness of the flashing sunlight, the fatigue. It had been an unrestful night ending in early awakening, before we left. But we finally did arrive in Carlsheaven around 6PM. Dragged our luggage uphill over the steep staircase. And there we can sit down at our spacious balcony looking over the town and the rivervalley. Followed by a splendid the sunset. A Red Buddha sinking down through the branches of our Guardian Oaktree. You won’t believe it, but look for yourself.