Wine Fest + Colmar + Rhine River Tour
What a weekend we had! The only one who was disadvantaged was little Roo bear who was a CHAMP about being left home all day. Don’t tell our German neighbors, I don’t think they would appreciate that. But I promise he was okay. Probably threw a party with his new German neighbor pups while we were gone.
Friday we were off to another wine festival! If this seems excessive to you, remember that it is festival season and not uncommon for people to go to a different one every weekend! Michael drove his chariot of women: myself, Krista, Christy and her daughter Kinsley. Their husbands were away on a mission so Michael took one for the team and carted us around J #browniepoints
We went to a smaller wine fest in Deidesheim. Imagine walking the streets of a town originating in the 13th century. Cobblestone streets, beautiful fountains, flowers bursting out of every window box. People wandering from stand to stand purchasing delicious glasses of wine and various German foods. Kids running and playing with one another (with far more independence at a young age than back home I might add). Music playing from band stands located throughout the festival. Paying 50 cents to pee in a pop up potty (but hey, I’ll take these CLEAN facilities any day over a porta-potty). It was a lovely evening spent with new friends exploring a new town and enjoying some lovely wine!
Saturday we were all back up bright and early and this time Kristy and her hubby Chris drove us! (He got back Friday night) So we caravanned the almost 3-hour drive to Colmar, France. Many people know it as the town that inspired the town in Beauty and the Beast! It was BEAUTIFUL. The weather started off typical- cloudy and misty. But by the end of the day we had blue skies and sunshine! We toodled around, ate lunch (Michael was pretty excited about his Veal Cordon Bleu), purchased (and immediately consumed) the most delicious macaroons I have EVER had, walked through a market and enjoyed some coffee, then took a romantic boat ride along the canal! After the boat rides we had some Flammkuchen, which is typically a German dish, but apparently this area has passed back and forth between Germany and France many times so a lot of German influence remains. It was a really relaxing day wandering around, feeling like we were in another time. I still can’t believe we were in FRANCE! My first time there J It was also interesting that I didn’t know WHAT language was going to pop out of my mouth next. My instinct is to speak German because we are living and working in GERMANY and trying so hard to learn what we can, but then sometimes when I can’t think of the German word a Spanish word pops into my brain because I guess my brain categorizes them in the same “Foreign Language” folder, but then when someone says Merci! to you…. You just don’t know what is going to pop out. Usually I mumbled something and looked away. It’s very confusing. The drive back was absolutely breathtaking passing by all the French vineyards, rolling hills and nestled villages. One we will always remember I am sure!
Sunday we got to sleep in a*bit* more and then we were off to Frankfurt for a day tour of the Rhine river! They bussed us to Rudesheim, Germany where our first stop was at the top of bluff overlooking the valley of the Rhine. Also there was the Niederwalddenkmal monument built in the 1870’s to commemorate the unification of Germany. The monument is HUGE and we could have stayed there for a while looking, but it was a quick pit stop and we were on our way! One thing I learned about the German way of tours: it is fast paced and there are minimal details upfront. So buckle up and enjoy the ride! After the monument we were off to a different area of Rudesheim for a “railcar” ride. It was either that or a wine tasting, which we found out 30 seconds before we had to hop off the bus and join the cable car ride or stay on for the wine tasting. We figured we have tasted tons of wine so we opted (quickly!) for the cable car ride. After a brief walk through the woods and past a small petting zoo (there were REINDEER!.... I think) we round the corner and I am looking at no cable car. But what I can only describe as a ski lift. For those of you who know me, you know 3 things:
1. I pass out easily
2. I passed out on a ski lift in high school (sorry Jess) and
3. I have not been on a ski lift since said traumatizing experience.
So I had to make a split decision on whether or not I was going to jump ship (which was probably not an option at this point due to the fact that the bus took off down into the village to take them to lunch and the wine tasting) or man up and face my fear. So man up I did and in less than 60 seconds from my realization, I was being scooped up aside Michael and led up a wooded hill. I told myself I would going to concur this fear, enjoy myself and take some beautiful pictures. It was one of the most exposed ski lifts I have ever seen and would certainly not pass US regulations. But there we were. And guess what? It was the highlight of our day! The air was crisp and cool and once we crested the hill our view was a hillside of vineyards to the right and a village coming into view below us. The cable car went so slow, we were really able to soak it all up. We landed a block away from an old church where I thanked the LORD I made it and DID NOT PASS OUT! #success
Next we were ushered to a restaurant called the Anchor. I literally cannot find the words to describe the restaurant décor. Think all things cheesy ships, water travel, folklore and throw them up inside a restaurant, then add some more trinkets just for good fun. I will stop there and allow the pictures to speak for themselves. I am kind of sad that the tour stopped there because people on our tour were from all over the world and now they think THAT is what German restaurants are like. And it was certainly NOT the norm. On that note we had people from the US, Australia, China and the Middle East on our tour! We sat next to the Chinese family and the young boys were struggling with the fork and knife. I assumed it was because they were used to eating with chopsticks, but I wasn’t sure if I was stereotyping. The dad spoke pretty good English and once we got talking he tried to apologize for his sons’ “untidy” eating, that they were not used to the fork and knife! So I was right, and that “stereotype” was right. But it was crazy sitting in Germany, as an American, talking to Chinese man. What an adventure we get to be on!
Finally we got to the meat of the trip- the Rhine River Cruise! The restaurant was across the street from the river so we walked over and waited for our fancy boat to pick us up! We scurried to the top deck to claim a table with an amazing view! We chugged along the river for over an hour, basking in the sunshine and unreal views. The land banked on either side of the river so you can see perfectly the villages and castles nestled within. I couldn’t get over the vineyards planted at 90 degree angles! Do they harness in and repel down to their crop to harvest it?! Amazing! The cruise was wonderful and we would highly recommend it to anyone who visits!
On the way back we had another pit stop in another village. Michael and I enjoyed some coffee and dessert and I bought another hat to add to the collection! Then we were back to Frankfurt by dinner time. On the way back in we took another route and got to see the river-side of the city. The sun had made its way back out and everything was glittering in the setting sunshine. We will be back to explore that area for sure! We grabbed dinner at an Irish pub and headed back home to our Roooooo!!!!
Whew it was an exhausting weekend, but so fun. We are glad we took advantage before Michael starts flying! He has a simulator flight this week and then 2 REAL flights scheduled for next week! He is studying hard to memorize all the rules and regulations of flying in Europe. For example: they cannot take off before 6am or land after 10pm in Ramstein because of their strict quiet-hours rule. I will admit we LOVE this rule when you can hear a pin drop in our village every night (so peaceful). But I can imagine it is frustrating when trying to mission plan in and out of this place.
Today I started my volunteer work with the USO! I met a lot of great people in the Europe headquarters office today and headed to the warehouse to sort through DVD’s they intend to use in children’s programs around Europe. I am excited to be a part of this awesome organization! They even let me stick around and use their wifi J (YAY!!!!)
Thanks for joining us for our journey! No crazy stories this time, just some great festivals and traveling with good company! Tschuss!