As our families and club continue to grow across generations, this trip provided a wonderful opportunity for us to spend time together and create lasting memories. Our travelers ranged in age from just four months old to 70 years young, and energy, enthusiasm, and camaraderie were evident every day.
Our trip planners dedicated countless hours to organizing every detail, and the committee and membership were supportive of every step of the way. In addition, many members willingly took on daily responsibilities to help ensure everything ran smoothly. As the saying goes, it truly takes a village to plan, execute, and deliver an experience like this. In our case, it is a beautiful village indeed.
With a club history spanning 116 years, an active cultural group for more than 60 years, and a Schuhplattler group celebrating 50 years, we have made our mark and will continue to do so as we move into the future. This trip held special meaning for me because so many of my family members and friends were able to attend. In 1973, when I was six years old, our club traveled to Germany along with the Heimatklänge. As a young girl, that journey left an impression on me and created memories that I cherish. While there have been several wonderful club trips since then, this was the largest group to travel together since 1973, and it brought back many great memories and reminded me of that trip.
We enjoyed time sightseeing, relaxation, great food, and time spent together. Most importantly, however, it allowed us to celebrate who we are and the culture, traditions, and friendships that connect us. Being surrounded by multiple generations of our club served as a powerful reminder of the strength of our community and the importance of carrying our traditions forward.
From the Gruppen and Einzel Preisplatteln competition at the Bayrischer Löwe, followed by the traditional hotel after-party, to our visit to the Haus der Donauschwaben Museum in Haar and a wonderful Heimatabend with new friends at LandHotel Donaublick, every event reflected our commitment to preserving and enjoying our heritage.
The highlights of the trip extended far beyond dancing, singing, Gemütlichkeit, and celebrating our Danube Swabian roots. Naturally, shopping also played a significant role! Shopping has become somewhat of a tradition for many of us, both women and men alike, as we search for traditional clothing, unique treasures, and new styles that seem to appear with every visit.
The anticipation and preparation leading up to the trip were exciting, and the journey itself exceeded every expectation. Perhaps the hardest part is what many of us jokingly call “post-trip depression.” Returning home to the United States is always good, but the days that follow can feel surprisingly empty. After spending so much meaningful time together, it is difficult not to miss the people, experiences, laughter, and memories that made the trip so special. It can be hard to explain, but I believe many of us have experienced these feelings after a memorable trip, event, or special gathering with our club family.
In closing, this was truly a remarkable experience that I will always cherish. The memories created, the friendships strengthened, and the traditions celebrated will remain with us for a lifetime.
The best times are most often found when German Hungarian family and friends are all around!
Janet Fricker Malofiy
President
UNITED GERMAN-HUNGARIANS
of Philadelphia and Vicinity
EDITOR’S NOTE: The full length article covering our trip is still coming. We apologize for the delay but some of the busy bees are still working on their sections. Hopefully soon.
