Konrad and Alexandra (pdf) - Rolf Gross

Friedrich and Katharina get married
Alexandra learns to drive
Fiesole
Italy 1905
Friedrich, in black gown and mortarboard, sat next to a beaming Katharina crowned with
a wreath of flowers. On the previous day they had been married in a civil ceremony. Only the
closest family had been present, Konrad and Alexandra were their witnesses. They were now
on the traditional triumphal procession to celebrate Friedrich’s summa cum laude doctorate. On
long ropes four students pulled the car, a gift from his father, from the university to the Hotel
Bayerischer Hof, where a banquet awaited them. A motley procession of professors, fellow
students and wedding guests followed the car.
Friedrich had been offered a well-paid position as Assistent at the University of
Hamburg. A respectable salary had been his father’s last condition to a wedding. Mrs. Dahl
had accepted Katharina as her daughter-in-law weeks earlier. The pair would move to
Hamburg in December, after the birth of the child.
To the grand diner wedding reception and doctorate celebration in one, the Dahls had
invited a large number of guests. Speeches in German and Latin, champagne, and excellent
wines. Friedrich’s father gave a speech, his mother cried, and Katharina in her designer blouse
was glowing.
Friedrich and Konrad had hatched a plan of driving to Italy with the new car. Alexandra
had immediately written to the Wolfsons. A telegram from Sally arrived a few days later.
"Fantastic! Come. Stay two weeks. Two rooms reserved. Love Walter & Sally."
And then Alexandra voiced the startling wish to learn to drive before they would set out.
A second driver would be a highly desirable insurance, and she had bet with Uncle Mouravi
that she would return to Tiflis driving a car.
Konrad raised his eyebrows. "Mei, you are feeling high, Princess Dadiani! But I
appreciate your practical sense, a second driver would indeed be of great help. How do you
learn to drive though?"
Friedrich suggested the Royal Bavarian Automobile Club, which offered lessons.
"Except for a startled instructor you should have few problems. I know of no women drivers in
Munich. But I guess that only encourages you!"
By driving for an hour every night after work she passed the examination in less than
four weeks. On the following weekend, Friedrich graciously offered Alexandra the keys to his
new toy and they drove to Mittenwald to celebrate Alexandra’s ‘second emancipation.’
It became the dress rehearsal for their Italian adventure. Alexandra drove with great
concentration, Katharina acted as navigator, the two men in the back seat commented on each
and every oversight Alexandra made.
Katharina directed her to a narrow road shaded by old beeches along the eastern shore
of Lake Starnberg with romantic views of the lake, Tutzing, and the Roseninsel on the opposite
shore.
"Alexandra watch out," shouted Friedrich when in the village of Berg a dog chased a
chicken across their path. Alexandra hit the brake so hard that everyone jerked forward. She
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