Day 9: Strehla, Germany (A Free Day)

Today was totally a free day at the hostel. There really isn’t too much to report today. The boys enjoyed having time to run around outside, play in the sand, and play soccer. Breakfast was the typical bread rolls, meat, cheese, and tea. For lunch, the boys had noodles and a tomato sauce—which they ate to no end.

Today was a special day for one of the choirboys. Jake Mester turned 14, so we celebrated by having some birthday cake and good laughs. Andy found a birthday hat at a local grocery store and purchased it for Jake. We made him wear it—and he couldn’t stop laughing about it while we were singing Happy Birthday to him. We had two different types of cake (both homemade) from the bakery in the village: an orange gelatin cake, and a type of banana cream.

The boys took a short nap after having their birthday cake and had a mini rehearsal—just to polish up a few things. Then came MORE free time! Some boys stayed at the hostel to play kickball and soccer, while the rest went into the village to go bowling! It was old-fashioned bowling—littler balls with no finger holes and nine (instead of ten) pins.

Dinner was, yet again, another barbeque! The boys had more bratwurst and (as I’m told) German-style potatoes. Following dinner the boys had some more free time and packed their suitcase before an early bedtime. We have an early morning tomorrow because Hannover is about 340 kilometers away and we have a concert at 3:00! Until tomorrow…bye!