OBERAMMERGAU, PASSION PLAY GERMANY

Next performances in 2020.

OBERAMMERGAU THEATRE
OF THE PASSION PLAY

Oberammergau lies in the Bavarian Alps in Germany. The people of that village vowed to God that if he spares them from the bubonic plague they would perform, forever, every 10 years the life and death of Jesus.

Since death after the pledge was made subsided they believed their people were spared. They kept their promise and their first performance was in 1634.

Nowadays the play is performed every 10 years for 5 months and with 102 performances. The next passion play is in 2020. It involves 2000 people, including musicians and stage technician but only people from the village itself are allowed to take part. The men will grow their hair and beard in preparation. People in the village and right through the Alps are deeply religious. Therefore the play is performed right from their heart and with sincerity, which shows in the play.

The play starts with the Old Testament. A scene of King Ahasuerus rejecting Vashi in favour of Esther. Then the brothers sell Joseph to the Egyptian, Moses rising up the bronze serpent in the wilderness. The three tableaux Christianity superseding Judaism, Judas selling Jesus, and the crucifixion.

Although looking very authentic they are all local people because only local people are allowed in the play. They let their hair and beards grow months before that. 

All in all the play is 7 hours long with meal break provided. The performance starts at 14.30, three hours interval, and finishes at 22.30.

Audiences are coming from all over the world.

At the beginning the parish church proved too small and they held it in the graveyard of the church before the village people who died of the plague.

The fame of the play spread and in 1674 seat were provided.

Stage and stage mechanism were added and in the 18th century it proved the churchyard was too small.

They built a stage on the field nearby but every time they perform the play. 1815 through the local priest made them built a permanent stage. In 1830 it had to be expanded. Now the only problem was that when it rains the audience got wet and if they put up their umbrellas the people behind couldn't see the play.

1890 a purpose-built theatre was built. It was ready for the 1900 performance and had a six arched hall with 4000 seats.

1930 it was enlarged again and criticized for looking ugly but it has a great acoustic and stage view.

1990 the theatre was redesigned again with seating more comfortable, under floor heating, cloakrooms added and accessible for wheelchair.

Today it has a capacity of 4700.

The village itself, as you can see on my last two pictures, is an experience by itself. The heavily painted houses, and these are only two of them, makes it a visit all well worth while. You also find hand-carved ornaments, so well made which you won't find anywhere else in a hurry. Their belief and sincerity shows in their work.

From Oberammergau you will able to take excursions to the castles of King Ludwig II and sightseeing in the Alps.

Considering all these opportunities included it would be really worth while to visit the Oberammergau Passion Play. An experience you will never forget.

BEWARE COCAINE TRADE IN CUZCO, PERU

CUZCO, PERU -- PLAZA DE ARMES

This is a sad situation for such a beautiful and ancient country. Unfortunately the cocaine trade got hold of it. This is not a report to justify the two British girls caught at the airport. We would just give a clear picture and warning of what is going on.

The problem is in Cuzco are tourists and backpackers passing through going to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu.  Every year around hundred of thousands tourist passing through to see these ancient ruins. Many hostels offer a bed for £4 which is like a magnet to students using their gap year to visit this ancient country. During the day Cuzco is a picturesque city but by the night it turns into multi-million pound drug trade with ruthless men desperately trying to push their drugs

It is said that in some way it is like Ibizza which is well known for drinks and drugs.

The coca plant will only grow on the low level slopes just below the Andes.  Cuzco is 12,000ft above the sea level which is to harsh a climate.  The coca plant itself might not be so deadly but when it is harvested it is soaked with chemicals then baked in the sun until it becomes a white powder. Cocaine.

It is transported in drums and has a seven hour journey to Cuzco. There it will be packed into 2 kg packages quite openly.  Drug mules take it over then and transport it round the world.

Peru with its ancient history has a dark side to it. It is the top producer of cocaine and it is estimated that 53,000 hectares of coca are planted and will produce 325 metric tons of pure cocaine.

Of course with drugs trafficking come the cartels and they are ruthless. They are so powerful that nobody dares to challenge them.  Many people including policemen have been killed. They terrorising towns and cities and destroying whole communities.  The cartels will not let get anyone in their ways and kill when they are threatened.

The availability of quite big quantities is alarming and the hard pushing dealers. A great trick of theirs is if somebody runs out of money because of the hard drinking and/or extending their holiday that is the moment when the trafficker moves in; he lends them money in very friendly manners and on acceptance shows his real face behind it.

So tourists and backpackers be aware not to venture out at night and during the day stay together in groups. It is a magnificent country and its ancient culture are well worth to visit but do enjoy it and don’t get involved with drug trafficking.  Too many people had been already caught and finished  their holiday in Peru’s prison. There are gruel prisons belief it.