In February 2011, Elaine was honored to apprentice Andreas Zolper, master baker at Gottessegen Anthroposophical Bakery in Dortmund, Germany. She spent a month following him around the bakery as he and his team shared the intricacies of baking the most delicious bread in the world. She also had the opportunity to work with differently abled people who, by German law, are afforded the opportunity to work. Read her educational and fun-filled travelogue below.
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the entries
February 1, 2011: Gottenssegen Means God's Blessing
I should have known that any place named Gottessegen would be alright. As I was walking around delivering bread with Andreas No. 2, who's worked at the bakery 27 years, and he was introducing me to everyone, and...READ MORE
I should have known that any place named Gottessegen would be alright. As I was walking around delivering bread with Andreas No. 2, who's worked at the bakery 27 years, and he was introducing me to everyone, and...READ MORE
February 2, 2011: The Worm Turned
I had a little belly ache last night and it got worse and worse. By the time I went to bed I felt like I had a brick in my belly, and in the middle of the night I had to spring from my bed and race to the bathroom, barely making...READ MORE
I had a little belly ache last night and it got worse and worse. By the time I went to bed I felt like I had a brick in my belly, and in the middle of the night I had to spring from my bed and race to the bathroom, barely making...READ MORE
February 3, 2011: Dirk and Fadime
I was able to go back to the bakery today. Could hardly stay asleep from excitement and made it in at 5am, which is actually before the crack of dawn around here. I was just so happy to get to go back to Gottessegen. Andreas (the boss) and Wolfgang were ...READ MORE
I was able to go back to the bakery today. Could hardly stay asleep from excitement and made it in at 5am, which is actually before the crack of dawn around here. I was just so happy to get to go back to Gottessegen. Andreas (the boss) and Wolfgang were ...READ MORE
February 5, 2011: Ana Moura Sings Fado
Last night Taslima and I went to the Dortmundkoncerthalle to see Ana Moura sing Fado. Fado is a traditional musical style that comes from Portugal and is sung in small local taverns. Musicians usually sit in a...READ MORE
Last night Taslima and I went to the Dortmundkoncerthalle to see Ana Moura sing Fado. Fado is a traditional musical style that comes from Portugal and is sung in small local taverns. Musicians usually sit in a...READ MORE
February 6, 2011: When Morning Program Means Sleeping In
Now that I have the weekend off, going to morning program means that I get to sleep in! How luxurious to sleep until six instead of four! I bounded out of bed fully rested, rearing to go! Talk about perspective...We lit a fire in the wood stove and...READ MORE
Now that I have the weekend off, going to morning program means that I get to sleep in! How luxurious to sleep until six instead of four! I bounded out of bed fully rested, rearing to go! Talk about perspective...We lit a fire in the wood stove and...READ MORE
February 8, 2011: Crocus
I can't remember the last time I had Saturday and Sunday off. Normally it's the busiest time of the work week. It is at the Branch, and it was in real estate in NY. It's been more than twenty years since I had a "normal" work schedule, and I must...READ MORE
I can't remember the last time I had Saturday and Sunday off. Normally it's the busiest time of the work week. It is at the Branch, and it was in real estate in NY. It's been more than twenty years since I had a "normal" work schedule, and I must...READ MORE
February 9, 2011: Dirk Singing and Other Ayats
Juergen has hooked us up! It seems that a German television crew came to Gottessegen and gave an acting workshop last year. They spent a couple of weeks working with the residents, teaching them how to sing,act, make costumes...READ MORE
Juergen has hooked us up! It seems that a German television crew came to Gottessegen and gave an acting workshop last year. They spent a couple of weeks working with the residents, teaching them how to sing,act, make costumes...READ MORE
February 12, 2011: We're Flexible...Sheik Suleyman AND Pink Floyd
Our training makes us flexible people, and nowhere was that more evident than in the contrast between Thursday and Friday night. Thursday night Sheikh Suleyman Ates came to Dayemabad for satsang and led a beautiful and deeply moving...READ MORE
Our training makes us flexible people, and nowhere was that more evident than in the contrast between Thursday and Friday night. Thursday night Sheikh Suleyman Ates came to Dayemabad for satsang and led a beautiful and deeply moving...READ MORE
February 14, 2011: The Night Before Christmas
My work week began today, and last night I slept like a child does the night before Christmas, waking up every few hours, looking at the clock and wondering if I can get up yet because something wonderful is going to ...READ MORE
My work week began today, and last night I slept like a child does the night before Christmas, waking up every few hours, looking at the clock and wondering if I can get up yet because something wonderful is going to ...READ MORE
February 15, 2011: Hollaendische Blaetterteig
Did you know that there are three kinds of puff pastry? German, French and Dutch? Well, neither did I! Today I learned how to make Hollaendische Blaetterteig. Andreas said he hadn't made it in twenty years, not since he was an apprentice. He sailed ...READ MORE
Did you know that there are three kinds of puff pastry? German, French and Dutch? Well, neither did I! Today I learned how to make Hollaendische Blaetterteig. Andreas said he hadn't made it in twenty years, not since he was an apprentice. He sailed ...READ MORE
February 16, 2011: Hot Off the Press! How to Shape a German Loaf - A Training Film
What a red letter day today has been! Juergen and Wolfgang made a training film for us! Juergen is shooting, laughing and directing Wolfgang as he demonstrates the proper way to roll and shape a German loaf. They are just too cute for...READ MORE
What a red letter day today has been! Juergen and Wolfgang made a training film for us! Juergen is shooting, laughing and directing Wolfgang as he demonstrates the proper way to roll and shape a German loaf. They are just too cute for...READ MORE
February 18, 2011: A White Rose Blooms in Paris Under a Full Moon
Aenni and I were pumped for a good time as we boarded a small twin engine plane to fly to Paris yesterday afternoon. She was all deck out in a leopard mini and shearling boots, while I looked like I'd just come from camping in my...READ MORE
Aenni and I were pumped for a good time as we boarded a small twin engine plane to fly to Paris yesterday afternoon. She was all deck out in a leopard mini and shearling boots, while I looked like I'd just come from camping in my...READ MORE
February 20, 2011: A Rainy Day in Paris
A soft rain fell intermittently all day yesterday giving us cause to examine how to spend our time. The previous day we had consumed the Louvre walking for miles in circles. On our way there, just as we popped out of the Metro, a gypsy lady gave an ...READ MORE
A soft rain fell intermittently all day yesterday giving us cause to examine how to spend our time. The previous day we had consumed the Louvre walking for miles in circles. On our way there, just as we popped out of the Metro, a gypsy lady gave an ...READ MORE
February 21, 2011: Rodin, Camille and Joan
Yesterday we went to the Musee Rodin where Auguste Rodin's sculpture is so beautifully displayed in this amazing old house with an enormous garden. Of course Rodin's work was everywhere. He is most famous for...READ MORE
Yesterday we went to the Musee Rodin where Auguste Rodin's sculpture is so beautifully displayed in this amazing old house with an enormous garden. Of course Rodin's work was everywhere. He is most famous for...READ MORE
February 23, 2011: The Living and the Dead
Mercifully, the sun came out on our last morning in Paris just in time for us to enjoy our last stop, Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise, the famous cemetery where Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, Chopin, Maria Callas, Sarah Bernhardt,...READ MORE
Mercifully, the sun came out on our last morning in Paris just in time for us to enjoy our last stop, Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise, the famous cemetery where Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, Chopin, Maria Callas, Sarah Bernhardt,...READ MORE
February 26, 2011: The Wrap Up Weekend
All good things come to an end, and I must say, I'm going out with a bang. This weekend is jam packed. The tekke is bustling. Faize and Paul are here from Switzerland. Julia here from Koeln. Let's see....so far this weekend there was a marvelous...READ MORE
All good things come to an end, and I must say, I'm going out with a bang. This weekend is jam packed. The tekke is bustling. Faize and Paul are here from Switzerland. Julia here from Koeln. Let's see....so far this weekend there was a marvelous...READ MORE
March 1, 2011: I DID IT ! ! !
Well, I did it! I'd been thinking about it for ten years, and I finally did it! I finished my internship at the bakery yesterday and I left there thinking, "Girl, you did it." What a nice feeling to finally do something I'd been wanting to do for so long. As I was getting ...READ MORE
Well, I did it! I'd been thinking about it for ten years, and I finally did it! I finished my internship at the bakery yesterday and I left there thinking, "Girl, you did it." What a nice feeling to finally do something I'd been wanting to do for so long. As I was getting ...READ MORE
March 19, 2011: First Sourdough in America - At Least for Us
Well, it happened! The sourdough starter ripened Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week, and Thursday and Friday we baked the first sourdough breads for the Town Square Market. I'm attaching pictures of our very first...READ MORE
Well, it happened! The sourdough starter ripened Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week, and Thursday and Friday we baked the first sourdough breads for the Town Square Market. I'm attaching pictures of our very first...READ MORE