Rizal's Travels in Europe 1885-1887 PDF

***CONTINUED STAY IN EUROPE 1885-1887*** - Rizal went to Paris and Germany in order to specialize in Ophthalmology. He travelled and observed European life and customs in Paris, Heidelberg, Leipzig, and Berlin. PARIS (1885-1886) - He was 24 years old and already a physician, he went t...

***CONTINUED STAY IN EUROPE 1885-1887*** - Rizal went to Paris and Germany in order to specialize in Ophthalmology. He travelled and observed European life and customs in Paris, Heidelberg, Leipzig, and Berlin. PARIS (1885-1886) - He was 24 years old and already a physician, he went to Paris to obtain knowledge in Ophthalmology. In November 1885, he worked for four months as an assistant to Dr. Louis de Weckert, a leading French ophthalmologist. - Outside of his working hours, he also found time to relax and be with his good friends like the Pardo de Taveras, Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo. At the studio of Juan Luna, he improved his painting technique. He became a model to Juan Luna's several paintings. In the home of the Pardo de Tavera, Rizal played the flute, he admitted that he had no natural aptitude for music. GERMANY IN HEIDELBERG - In February 1886, Rizal left Paris and went to Germany. He arrived in Heidelberg, a historic city in Germany famous for its old university and romantic surroundings. - He lived near the University of Heidelberg and worked as an assistant to Dr. Otto Becker at the University Eye Hospital. Outside his apprenticing hours, he also listened to lectures delivered by Dr. Becker and Prof. Wilhelm Kuchne. - Rizal devoted his free time visiting Heidelberg Castle, Neckar River, the theatre and some old churches found in the city. The Neckar River and the beautiful spring flowers blooling along its banks reminded him of how dearly he missed Calamba. - April 22, 1886, Rizal wrote a touching poem entitled To the Flowers of Heidelberg. IN WILHELMSFELD - - Rizal lived with the family of Pastor Karl Ullmer, a Protestant pastor who became his good friend and admirer. The pleasant personality and talents in languages and sketching endeared him to the Ullmer's family. - - FIRST LETTER TO BLUMENTRITT - July 31, 1886 Rizal wrote his first letter in German to Professor Ferdinand Blumentritt, Director of the Ateneo of Leitmeritz, Austria. Rizal wrote to him after learning that this ethnologist was interested in the Tagalog language. He sent him a book entitled Arithmetica. Published in 2 languages- Spanish and Tagalog. By UST Press of 1868. Author was Rufino Baltazar Hernandez a native of Santa Cruz, Laguna. Ferdinand reciprocated the thoughtful gesture of Rizal by sending him two books. The exchanged marked the beginning of their long and beautiful friendship. IN LEIPZIG - In August 1886, Rizal arrived in Leipzig. He stayed here for two months doing a lot of writing and translating. - He very much liked what he saw, the magnificent buildings, wide and clean streets and amiable people. - William Tell- written by Schiller, Rizal translated it from German into Tagalog so that Filipino might know the story of the champion of Swiss independence. - Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales - Rizal also translated this in Tagalog for his nephews and nieces. - Because of his knowledge of German, Spanish, and other European languages, Rizal worked as proof-reader in a publishing firm. - He attended some lectures on history and psychology at the University of Leipzig and met Professor Friedrich Ratzel- a famous German historian and Dr. Hans Meyer-German anthropologist. They had become his friends. IN BERLIN - In November 1886, Rizal arrived in Berlin. He was enchanted by this city because of its scientific atmosphere and the absence of racial prejudice. - Dr. Feodor Jagor - Rizal met for the first time this celebrated German scientist-traveler and author of Travels in the Philippines, a book which Rizal read and admired during his student days in Manila. - Dr. Rudolf Virchow- a famous German anthropologist. (Dr. Jagor, introduced Rizal to Dr. Virchow) - Dr. Ernest Schweigger (1830-1905)- famous German ophthalmologist where Rizal worked - Rizal became a member of the Anthropological Society, the Ethnological Society, and the Geographical Society of Berlin, upon the recommendation of Dr. Jagor and Dr. Meyer - Tagalische Verkunst (Tagalog Metrical Art)- Rizal wrote this scholarly paper in German which he read before the society in April 1887. This paper was published by the society in the same year, and elicited favorable comments from all scientific quarters GERMAN WOMEN AND THEIR CUSTOMS - Rizal wrote a letters addressed to his sister, Trinidad. He said that German woman is serious, diligent, educated, and friendly. She is not gossipy, frivolous and quarrelsome. - Aside from women, Rizal admired the German customs. The Christmas custom of the German delighted him most of his yuletide custom he wrote on Christmas eve. Another interesting German custom observed by Rizal is self-introduction to strangers in a social gathering. NOLI ME TANGERE PUBLISHED IN BERLIN (1887) GRAND TOUR FROM GERMANY TO ITALY - May 11, 1887- Rizal and Viola left Berlin by train going to Dresden, one of the best cities in Germany - May 13- 16, 1887- Rizal and Viola went to Leitmeritz, Bohemia to visit Professor Blumentritt. A kind-hearted, old Austrian professor who became a dear friend of Rizal. - With Prof. Blumentritt as their guide, Rizal and Viola visited the churches, the residence of the Bishop and other important buildings of the city. - From May 20-30, 1887 -They visited other cities in Europe like, Prague, Vienna-the \"Queen of Danube\", Lintz, Rheinfall, Munich and Nuremberg. They visited museums, magnificent buildings, cathedrals and beautiful sights. - - - ways---Viola returned to Barcelona while Rizal continued the tour to Italy - June 27, 1887- Rizal reached Rome, the "Eternal City" and also called the "City of the Caesars. After a week of wonderful sojourn in Rome, Rizal prepared to return to the Philippines.