The weather has been absolutely spectacular here in Erfurt where we have spent the last three nights. We’ve come here because Martin Luther lived here as an Augustinian monk from 1505 to 1511. We walked here from our hotel, the Radisson Blu, to the old part of the city, and visited the monastery church with its stained glass windows dating from the 14th century.

I particularly enjoyed seeing the replications of the monastery life, including a monk’s cell, the printing press, the library, the refectory, and even Martin Luther’s Bible with his handwritten notes in the margin.

After a quick snack, we met at the Erfurt Cathedral where we met the organist who gave us a short demonstration of the Schuke organ, then a few of us were allowed to try out the instrument for ourselves. The building has those fantastic cathedral acoustics and the organ was easy to play. (Yes, I had brought my organ shoes and some music!)