With an average weekly weather forecast of approximately two days of snow, two days of rain, two days of sun and one day of all we were all wishing for sunshine on Friday the 18. of April. This was the day of the “ground breaking ceremony” in the Europe Center. The purpose of the day was to thank the Mayor and the local people of Immenstadt who have all helped us a lot in the process of getting and moving into the Europe Center. We also wished to confirm our good collaboration until now and for the future and mark the beginning of our construction phase. For this we had invited Mayor Bischof of Immenstadt and his wife, several local officials and the local Protestant priest. Just as our wishes for the Europe Center have been fulfilled to an extent we could not even have dreamed of, our wish for a magnificent day was fulfilled too: The sun shone on us all as we gathered in the garden. This was the most radiant spring days so far. Phillip, Mayor Bischof and Lama Ole all gave speeches before they and Caty planted an apple tree as a symbol of growth and fruitful development. During planting, everyone threw fine pieces of amber into the hole. Afterwards, there was wonderful coffee buffet in front of our house with all of famous Copenhagen cook Johanne’s amazing homemade cakes. Everyone was chatting happily, Lama Ole told the locals about Buddhism and signed several of his books for them. Over everything a huge green and white flag of Immenstadt was blowing in the wind from the attic window. The event was mentioned in the local newspaper.

After this beautiful and civilised afternoon, Lama Ole once again got a chain saw into his hands and more trees fell. The purpose was both to give a greater view and to give access to the enormous digger that has moved from the road to our back yard. This to the great shock of all who likes a green lawn and not a crater in the backyard! But now we have good new pipes deep in the ground and the grass will grow again one day.

For the weekend, Lama Ole and Caty went to a course in Warsaw that attracted more than 2,500 people. Meanwhile, construction work went on at home in the EC. The main site was the roof over the new dormitory and building cafe. Tiles were taken off and cleaned and the whole construction is being improved. A forecast of rain gave some extra work for our already hard-working men who spend several hours in the late and dark Sunday evening covering all the holes in the roof with plastic. In the forest, Jürgen and his wood crew planted 7000 out of 8000 (!) new trees. So even if Ole knocks over a few trees, we also give some back. Inside the house, the regular cleaning schedule was followed as usual, so we always have a sparkling house even in the middle of a construction site. Nicklas and his team served everyone wonderful meals from the “Absolut kitchen” (must be experienced). Our wonderful home fairy Gurli made everything even more beautiful and brought our office organisation to new levels. And we even managed another karaoke night where Brigi offered ear plugs to everyone sensitive to the gathered choir of rough construction worker voices.

Our more permanent construction workers have now arranged themselves in caravans around the house. Particularly Andre and Dieter have made a cosy construction with a roof between the caravans where people meet for a nice time after a hard working day. Home sweet home everywhere…

At the end of another great weekend we send a great thank you to our neighbour center Schwarzenberg for hosting our guests and helping so much to make it all possible!

By danas