Crossroads to the Adriatic - First to Cham 

Cham Week - 9 - 14 Apr 2023

Our first morning in Cham was Easter morning.  After breakfast we all headed to the town square for the annual Easter Egg Ticking celebration!  The town band was there & planning all our favorite songs, then there were speeches by the town mayors (past & present) and then we had the Egg Ticking contest.  My egg lasted through 3 attacks, but I definitely don't know the trick to becoming a challenger!  But it was fun & we got to eat the boiled eggs!

Afterwards, George went back to the hotel & I took a walk with Birgit & Martin.  Saw a few birds & Merlin identified a bunch more (Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Common Chiffchaff, & Eurasian Nuthatch).  I couldn't get a close enough view of any of them to readily identify them though.  It was fun to see the City Stork sitting on it's nest!

The official start of the week was Sunday (Easter) Evening.  We all met at the newly resorated Stadhalle.  First time we'd seen it since the resoration.  It's beautiful & the sound is good even though it's so huge.  Unfortunately they have raised the price so much, we can only afford to have the Sunday evening Opening & the Friday Closing dance there.  For the rest of the week, the evenings are divided into 3 groups, but tonight was great fun with all 3 callers together and all 3 cuer couples.  The was the first time we'd met Ray Brenzy & Steve Edlund (his lovely wife Lynette was fun to get to know).  But we've worked with Dave & Nicole Preskitt & all the cuers (Randy & Marie Preskitt & Susie & Gert-Jan) many times before.  This was the first time that we didn't square dance.  It had been so long that we were scared we'd break the squares down!!  Afterwards, we had our first official after party back at the hotel.  No pictures, but a lovely time!!!

Monday morning, we started the week with a teach of our Argentine Tango, Santa Maria.  The Ph 5/6 group was in a school for Monday.  This was the first time we got to work there.  We were very pleased with the turn out, our argentine was definitely a hard teach for them, but they seemed to love it.  We were very happy.  The majority of these dancers have been here every time since the first time we came in 2006.

Tuesday was spent at the hotel hall with the 4/5 group.  We taught What Chu Got by Randy Lewis & Debbie Olson.  They loved it!!  There were about half the group that were new to us.  Really fun day & once again we finished up with an afterparty.  The couple from Vienna put it on.  In the last skit, Marie "came out" as the "other woman."  It was really cute.  Lots of laughter to finish up a very good day.

We spent Wednesday back with the 5/6 group, but in our standard hall - the Radhaus ioverlooking the main square.  It's a very nice hall, but really rather small for the group.  But love all the windows looking out at the square.  We taught our Viennese Waltz, Chim Chiminey.  It went over well, thank goodness.  Love watching this group dance.  They are amazing.  

After class I went with several of the group for a guided tour of the city.  It was very interesting, but it was sooooooo cold & windy.  We gave up about half way through.

Ray led us back to the hotel & stopped to show us an exhibit about some ruins of a Roman Fortress, that also help remains from WWII when it was used as a bunker.  Interesting, but all in German, so I didn't understand most of it.  The important stuff was removed & it's on display in a local museum.  Back at the hotel, I finally got warm & took a nap!

That evening our Advanced Square dance was with Ray.  He's a jewel to work with!  Had a great time!  The after party was some line dancing.  Participated in a couple, then bailed to drink my beer & talk!  The Belgium's & Swedes' sang their fight songs tonight.  I love it!

Thursday was our time with the 3/4 group at Regenborgen Hotel.  We taught Curt & Tammy Worlock's Eyes for You Cha & had a blast.  Small group, but very fun & had a lovely morning.

That evening we worked with Dave Preskitt.  Lots of fun to listen to Dave's fun banter with the group.  He kept us all entertained.  The evening after party was put on by the staff.  We had a ball!!!  Unfortunately (or fortunately - depends on how you look at it!!!!) I didn't get any pictures.  We did several silly skits & everyone, including us laughed a lot.  

Our last morning was a final teach in the 5/6 Hall.  We taught our Ph 5 Bolero, I Dream of You.  Everyone seemed to love it which made us feel really really good!  The morning was rather bitter sweet as I faced the idea that more than likely this would be our last time to teach in this hall to this group of beloved dancers.  Just thinking logically, due to our age & the financial situation of most of the dance groups, I doubt we will have the opportunity to come back.  We said our "fare thee wells" thru tears of love.  We'll keep our fingers crossed that we can come back some day!!!  In the meantime, this morning will be a fabulous memory!  When they do that standing ovation, my heart just feels full to bursting!

I finally remembered to get a picture at supper.  Everyone all ate together every evening at the hotel.  The meals were buffet & all excellent!  Just ate too much!!

We were all together in the big beautiful Stadhalle for our last evening.  It was a marvelous perfect night.  Said lots of goodbyes, but everyone was excited & the joy & love was overflowing the room.  The local politicians had come by to say hello & give all the staff some gifts.  We got our usual bottle of the local hooch.  I put my plan in motion to share it at the after party.  We know from experience to get rid of it quickly!!!   It was a wonderful evening!

I finally remembered to take a few pictures of the after party.  The Belgium's
had a fun game set up about music & clapping.  It was great fun & got everyone laughing.  I have a huge file of the entire think, but this is just the last bit.  It was a perfect end to the week!  We drank & laughed & sang fight songs & drank some more.  I got lots of shot glasses & shared my hooch!  It's been a lovely lovely week!  Tomorrow we're off to Tirana, Albania to start our Crossroads to the Adriatic OAT trip!!!