Well, Grandpa Hey-Hey got off to the airport and we were so happy that he could cross the ocean to experience Europe with us. Thanks to him we had the time of our lives that previous week. As soon as we left Zurich, we headed north to Munich and stopped that night at the notoriously famous Neuschwanstein. You know, the Disney inspired castle created by "Mad" King Ludwig of the 19th century. It was a magical place. And I don’t believe the king was mad. Ludwig fell in love with Wagner’s music as a teen and soon after become his most trusted benefactor. The king adorned his castle walls with scenes from all of Wagner’s operas. He even instructed someone to build him a man-made cave right outside his bedroom - a scene derived directly from Wagner’s Tannhauser. The castle was never completed during the king’s lifetime who had actually died rather young under very mysterious circumstances. Inside the castle was even a Singers Hall with a small stage and fantastic acoustics. That too was not enjoyed by the king because of his premature death. But our guide and the other tourists did enjoy a few bars of Tannhauser’s Abendstern, sung by a certain opera singer in the group. I couldn’t help but feel immense sadness for King Ludwig who happened to also be a pianist and artist. His home was certainly a hommage to the great music of Wagner. And he was wrongly accused of being "mad". His imagination surpassed anyone’s understanding as well as his passionate desire to "become one" with the great music of Wagner. If getting caught up in the creative process of what we do is what makes one crazy, then we are all in trouble.
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