Rothemburg - Photo from internet
Problems with one of the locks last evening delayed our arrival in Wurzburg until late morning, so our innovative Program Directors lead a discussion on Immigration in Europe, which is one of the most controversial topics today.
The recent immigration surge began with the Arab Spring in 2011, though the great numbers didn't start arriving until 2015. Initially the refugees were welcomed but within a year the unexpected large numbers caused a negative backlash. The EU and the 28 individual countries within, were caught without a plan to deal with the number of people arriving at their borders. Europe has had refugees from Africa, Russia and other places for generations. The difference now is the magnitude.
After a year or two of unregulated immigration, Europe now has strict border controls and few refugees are entering. Many are being held in EU funded refugee in Turkey.
The 1951 Refugee Convention, is a United Nations multilateral treaty that defines a legal refuge as one who has a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. It sets out the rights of individuals who are granted asylum and the responsibilities of nations that grant asylum.
One point most people miss, is this convention covers political refuges, not economic refuges who emigrate to improve their financial/social situation. For more information on the Refugee Convention, click this link en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_Relating_to_the_Status_of_Refugees
The recent immigration surge began with the Arab Spring in 2011, though the great numbers didn't start arriving until 2015. Initially the refugees were welcomed but within a year the unexpected large numbers caused a negative backlash. The EU and the 28 individual countries within, were caught without a plan to deal with the number of people arriving at their borders. Europe has had refugees from Africa, Russia and other places for generations. The difference now is the magnitude.
After a year or two of unregulated immigration, Europe now has strict border controls and few refugees are entering. Many are being held in EU funded refugee in Turkey.
The 1951 Refugee Convention, is a United Nations multilateral treaty that defines a legal refuge as one who has a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. It sets out the rights of individuals who are granted asylum and the responsibilities of nations that grant asylum.
One point most people miss, is this convention covers political refuges, not economic refuges who emigrate to improve their financial/social situation. For more information on the Refugee Convention, click this link en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convention_Relating_to_the_Status_of_Refugees
Syrian refugees, photo from the internet
After lunch our ship docked in Wurzburg. Several people disembarked and joined the optional excursion to Rothenburg, a lovely medieval town, nestled on the Tauber River. It is home to undamaged 14th-century city walls, beautifully preserved fortifications and multiple Christmas stores. I think I saw some shopping frenzy in the eyes of some who boarded the bus for this excursion.
Wurzburg was 90% destroyed by bombing near the end of the second world war. Much has been restored to its previous splendor of Baroque and Rococo architecture. One example is the Residenz, an ornate complex commissioned by the prince-bishop von Schönborn brothers, Johann Philipp Franz and Friedrich Carl. It has nearly 400 rooms. and sits on grounds of many acres. Napoleon proclaimed it the "largest parsonage in Europe". While the structure was heavily damaged during WWII, it has been painstakingly restored to its pre-war form.
Wurzburg was 90% destroyed by bombing near the end of the second world war. Much has been restored to its previous splendor of Baroque and Rococo architecture. One example is the Residenz, an ornate complex commissioned by the prince-bishop von Schönborn brothers, Johann Philipp Franz and Friedrich Carl. It has nearly 400 rooms. and sits on grounds of many acres. Napoleon proclaimed it the "largest parsonage in Europe". While the structure was heavily damaged during WWII, it has been painstakingly restored to its pre-war form.
The Residence
We were unable to take photos inside, so here are a couple from the internet.
 A little opulent for my taste |  All this for one man! |
 A Journeyman |  View from the bridge (Randall's photo) |
Flowers everywhere
Wurtzburg is a hot spot for wine enthusiasts. Vines cover the hillsides and we were lucky to be here at the beginning of the harvest. Locals gather on the bridge to share a glass of wine in the evening, and of course we joined them.
 Locals enjoy a sunny evening on the bridge |  John, Terri and Carol enjoying a glass of wind on the bridge |
We capped off the day with another delicious dinner.
 John, Carol and Laura |  John, Susan, Barb and Kay |
 Gayle and Glenda |  Even the buses are charming in Bavaria |
