View of the mountains from the plane
Schankey and her friend Englebert picked me up from the airport for a whirlwind two days. We drove to Heildelberg which is on the Neckar River. When we arrived we parked in the Fraunparkplatze...in Germany, they have special parking for the women...I won't tell you about Schankey's park job!
Female parking
Our first stop was Kamps so I could try Schankey’s favorite German treat the laugenstangen which is a soft pretzel. I was very impressed.
Kamps laugenstangen
We walked through the streets of the town which is home to Germany’s first university before walking up to the Heidelberger Scholss, the castle.
View of Heidelberger Scholss from the town
The castle was originally built in the 13th century and expanded through the 17th century. Inside the castle you can view the giant barrel used to brew wine in previous centuries and also the German museum of pharmacy.
View of the Neckar River from Heidelberger Schloss
Sundial in Heidelberger Schloss
In addition to beautiful views of the city we were treated to mulberries fresh picked from a mulberry tree. If you ever encounter a mulberry tree know that the red ones are not ripe…they are bitter. The dark purple ones are much better!
Heidelberger Schloss
Picking mulberries
Schankey and I at Heidelberger Schloss
Our second stop was Trier, the oldest town in Germany founded in the early first century by the Roman Emperor Augustus. As you approach the city center you pass the Porta Nigra which was one of the original Roman Walls build in the 3rd century around the city.
Porta Nigra
The annual city festival was going on so there was a carnival and live music. We toured the cathedral which is said to house Jesus' robe the Roman soldiers cast lots over after stripping him of his garments.
Trier Cathederal
Inside Trier Cathedral
Explanation of Jesus' robe
Trier Cathederal garden and cemetary
We decided since we were so close (and having Englebert driving on the autobahn) we should head over to Luxembourg. We toured the small Duchy and saw Cathedrale Notre Dame (begun in 1613) and the Palais Grand Ducal (since 1809 the royal residence). It was a neat city built around the castle on the hill that overlooks the Alzette and Petrusse valleys.
Luxembourg Castle
Cathedral Notre Dame
Luxembourg Palace
After our whirlwind day we headed back to Bonn for a traditional German dinner at Em Hoettche on the Marktplatz. This restaurant is housed in one of the oldest buildings in Bonn and was a favorite spot for Beethovan to take his lover to dance. Englebert told me about the origin of Klosch beer that the area is famous for. The beer does not use the typical brewing process as it is a top-fermented beer at a warmer temperature. In addition, it is served in a smaller class, .2 l and should be drank within 20 minutes after being served as longer than that will cause the beer to go bad.
On our way to Marktplatz
Marktplatz
Great German food
On Sunday morning Schankey took me for a quick tour of her work area in Bonn.
Eaton's Street in Bonn
The brotherl down the street from her office
After the tour we we had brunch…although I had two desserts for breakfast. I mean how can you pass up apple strudel in Germany? I guess I could have passed up the crepe but I had a craving for Nutella!
Perfect Breakfast
After breakfast Schankey and headed to the city center to tour the Beethovenhaus where Beethoven was born and lived until his early twenties. The house had many interesting artifacts from his life including many of his instruments.
Beethoven House
Letter from Mozart to Beethovan (right before I was reminded no cameras were allowed)
We walked through the streets to the Bonn Minster before heading to car for our drive to Cologne. We also passed the Sterntor which was one of the medevil gates of the city.
Bonn Minster
Sterntor (stargate)
I thought about not mentioning this but I have to…sorry Schank…but as we approach the car we wonder why it seems that the reverse lights are on. The answer…Schankey left the keys in the ignition! Crazy that no one took the car as it sat there for two hours!
Our first stop in Cologne was the Cologne Cathedral which houses the shrine of the Three Kings.
Cologne Cathedral
Cologne Cathedral Entrance
Tomb of the Magi
We also toured the treasury which displayed some very old and amazing church artifacts. In addition, while constructing the church two graves dating back to the 6th century were found and the artifacts are also displayed in the treasury. For some reason we thought climbing to the top of the south spire would be a good idea. I am still not sure why as you have to pay to climb over 500 stairs in a small, spiral, non ventilated, two way traffic staircase! I guess it was worth it as the view from the top of the Rhine River was beautiful (although my legs were shaking for at least thirty minutes after we got down).
View of the Rhine from atop the cathderal
View of the Rhine from atop the cathderal
In addition to the cathedral the city is also the birthplace of cologne! In 1709 the Italian perfumer Giovanni Maria Farina from Santa Marie Maggiore, Italy, created the scent and named it in honor of his new home town. We had a great lunch of lentil soup and potato pancakes across the street from the cathedral as we enjoyed a Kolsh…and water! Schankey drove me to the airport for my flight and as we drove we discussed the past few months and are respective experiences here in Europe and it really hit me that I am leaving very soon. I only have one more month to cram in weekend in trips so stay tuned!
No comments:
Post a Comment