Colmar - view from Pasteur Hospital

Ian Stehbens, on February 5, 2008, said:

Dear Annick,

I have been conversing with Anne (Junebug) and mentioned my visit to Colmar on October 1, 1978. Below is an extract from my conversation with her:

I think Annick Restle has just been to Colmar! Our visit there was on Sunday Oct 1, 1978. I understand that Pope John Paul I died on Thursday 28th September. Margaret saw a German newspaper on the Friday or Saturday, and came back to the van with "I think the new Pope has died!" Then when we arrived in Colmar on the Sunday morning, we were surprised to see the town in mourning, as windows in all the shops were shuttered and people were walking towards the church, all in black. Then we put 2 and 2 together. Thinking we were out of place (in our quite casual and colourful clothing), quietly we honoured the town with one photograph (one that has been published) and left to explore more countryside.

It was one of those quietly embarrassing moments when as a visitor you realize you are right out of place.

Thought you might like to know we remember Colmar well after 30 years and only about an hour in the town.

Ian

© SisAnnick, on February 8, 2008, said:

It's very interesting! you never forgot the day and the place! I absolutly can't remember were I was as this news came out! Everyday life, I think. but as Pope Paul VI, former pope died, we were on honeymoon trip, August 1978 in (Tcheco)-Slovakia, in front of a church all wrapped in black. As we had no radio, no newspapers and didn't speak the local langage, it took us a little while before understanding... but it was in communist period. Slovakians are more catholic than czech, then they mormed, but not as much as western side in these times... I hope that you'll be able to come back to Colmar (it's birthplace of my husband Serge)... Cheers Annick

Ian Stehbens, on February 9, 2008, said:

I'd love to return to Colmar, one day, Annick. But two things before that, I hope: 1. I will find the slide I took in Colmar and scan it for you and Serge; 2. You must come to Australia!

Kindest Regards,

Ian