The Elk Mountain pilot., 1922-11-16

there either direct to Venice, or to
Switzerland-don't know yet which.
Bozen, South Tyrol, Italy,
Sunday afternoon, Oct, /
1 only wish l could begin to de-
scribe all the things we are seeing SO
you could picture it-but it is just
impossible. We thought the scenery
down the Rhine was beautiful, but
here in northern Italy (Southern Alps
in South TyroD it is so wonderful
that one feels almost oppressed. But
before l tell you about this part, /
must go back few days. mailed
my last letter from Oberammergau,
Bavaria, Tuesday. 1t rained, as you
remember, all day Monday, but Tues
day was a glorious day for the Pas
sion play-last performance for 1922.
(More about it later.)
On Wednesday we went down town
in the morning { and by the way, An
ton Lang wrote his signature on a
photograph for us and we talked to
him few minutes) then we had
lunch at Mayr's and afterward took
some snap shots of all the family, and
of Mayr Alone, too. We talked to
Mr.. Mayr about half an hour. He
doesn't understand word of English,
so we had to stammer around with
German, and what we couldn't say
we acted out. Ones hands help lot!
But they are quick to catch on, and
supply missing words, and are so
very patient. They were happy be-
cause we said we would write to
them when we sent them pictures,
and they asked for our addresses so
they could write, after the Oldest girl
(15) learns to speak and write Eng
lish this year in High school.
The same afternoon, Wednesday,
we took long walk of kilometers
each way, IL altogether, to Ettal.
This is the old monastery where the
whole town of Oberammergau goes on
a pilgrimage after the last perform
ance of the Passion Play, and make
their vows. They have to walk as
there is no railroad, though possibly
the older ones drive. Then they go
back home and go to work again at
their old trades. By the way, Guido
Mayr is wood carver. These people
are worldfamous as wood-carvers,
and they are surely good-the best
work have ever seen. We saw
some crucifixes of Mayr's the day be.
fore we left, and they were so finely
done-very delicate. They were from
about or 5 inches to about 8, l
should Judge.
There was good road to Ettal, and
one can hire a carriage with Tyro-
lean driver in the usual picturesque
costume and feather in his cap, but
we wanted to walk. 1t took us about
an hour each way-over a lonely
mountain road (however not much of
a grade) with mountains (Alps but
not such high ones) on each side-all
very green. The town of Ettal has
about 1000 inhabitants, guess, and
the monastery is built in connection
with large school, where rich mems
sons are sent to school (all ages)-
large building built around square
or oblong park, three sides and most
of the fourth side, about 300 to 800
feet long, sides and ends, and about
three or four stories high. You can
imagine the size. We got back about
five o'clock-left at two. We shall
send pictures later.
made a mistake in the days, so
I'll have to start with the play, Tues
day. Everyone was glad that it was
a good day for the final performance
Being the last, it was for their own
people in the audience, also the ac-
tors, the saddest. They know that
many will never take part again-al-
though this time it is not so bad, for
it will be given in eight years-193O.
While Lang was wonderful, / doubt
if he win be "Christus" again. Mayr,
'owever, can't be more than 35, SO
he has every chance of being Judas
next time. If anything, the play
seemed more wonderful than the first
time and know we got great deal
more out Of it. 1 don't believe there