Baptism of Jayson Tinzoh

A week ago I had an encounter with the past. Well, most often when people deal with their past, they have to overcome some issue, or perhaps finish an unfinished battle. However, in my case it was nothing like this! Instead, I was having the great pleasure of reuniting with an old friend. I am talking about my friend Laura, born in Cameroon, now residing in the beautiful city of Cologne. We met for the first time in college, where I was a student of Chemistry, and Laura a student of Food Chemistry. (Basically that means I am dealing with the nano stuff, and she is dealing with the bio stuff.) At first we would only say hi to one another, but through being rather randomly paired to collaborate on an experiment we got to know one another a bit better, and eventually became good friends.

In the beginning I was quite excited about having a friend from so far away, and I still believe that whatever Cameroonian Laura has to share will certainly broaden my horizons. But over time the thing I like the best about her is how enthusiastic she gets whenever we meet. Yes, indeed Laura is a joyful spirit, and I like being infected by that!

The reason why I got to see her again this time was a pleasant one in its own right - Laura's third child, Jayson, was to be baptized in the beautiful church of St. Ursula, just a few footsteps away from the mighty Cologne Cathedral. I really enjoyed the occasion, and I was particularly fond of how everyone seemed to like my photography. All in all perfect pieces came together to a perfect day!

In fact it started out with me renting a car for the trip. I am occasionally feeling a little inferior on the Autobahn when I am in my own car, which is quite small and doesn't have a strong motor. Turns out renting a car from Friday night to Monday night (3 days total) from the station within sight from my current home is actually quite affordable. So I went for a category called "upper middle class", which typically contains the BMW 3er series, the Audi A4, and the Mercedes C class. Originally hoping for the beamer (in my eyes the best combination of prestige and sportiness), I obtained a Mercedes GLK, which belongs to their SUV line. I didn't specifically ask for an automatic gear shifting, but this one was having it anyways; and I am considering it a good practice for future road trips. (Stay tuned!) - Below is a picture of the rental car parked at my home. (Be sure to notice the distortion created by my new wide-angle lens!)

rental car, what a ride!

After packing my baggage I hopped on the car on Friday night and (after checking back with my mom) drove to my parents' home, where I arrived around midnight. I stayed the night (because most likely I won't see my parents and my grandmother until Christmas), and the next morning I continued my way to Cologne; yet not without stopping by my godson's house, in order to hand over a present for his upcoming birthday.

Then I was on my way to Cologne, where I arrived unfortunately only in the early evening rather than around lunch time, as originally planned. (Lesson learned: family visits always take longer than scheduled.) So I only had time to sneak a peak around and inside the Cologne Cathedral, and to enjoy a local dinner. After that it was getting late, and I was too tired to turn the night into day anyways ...

Cologne Cathedral, with the central train station to the left

inside Cologne Cathedral

The next morning I was preparing for the baptism; i.e., showering and getting dressed in my suit I once got from Macy's in Chicago for a scientific conference. (The photo below was taken at the party after church.)

Even the roly poly can be posh!

After walking just a few steps I arrived at St. Ursula, which would count as a big church in most towns, just not right next to the Cologne Cathedral. Still, it is a very beautiful building, and certainly, as a historical site, worthy of a baptism. The latter was part of the regular Sunday mass, and was performed in English for the mostly international members of the congregation. My memories of the event are quite fond.

parents and godparents gathered for the baptism

Then afterward we went on to celebrate in the parish. Bringing my camera along was apparently a good idea, as it won my some new friends among the children present at the party, and it got me appointed as Laura's personal photographer ... Check out a few shots below.

outside St. Ursula, after mass

kids having fun (the two in the matching robes are Jayson's older siblings)

Laura and I

the party crowd

kids rounded up for the cake

Laura & friends

Laura and her goddaughter

Laura and her mother, and a colleague from work

This young man holding baptism boy Jayson was also quite interested in photography.

me demonstrating I'm daddy material, with Laura's third child

On the way home to Oberkochen I stopped by my friend Nina, whom I haven't seen since her birthday in 2011. Her son has grown so much since then - and a little sister is underway! Naturally I also spent more time with Nina than I intended, so all of a sudden I was running late for returning my rental car. And I did arrive some 20 min late, but apparently the company is fair dealing with it and not charging me extra.

All in all I will be eternally grateful for the joy Laura is revealing whenever we meet. I am not sure I deserve that (but I won't reject it either). Be that as it may, it is a pleasure that the entire Tinzoh family seems to be very much alive and kicking. Good stuff!