Hotel Europa Pforzheim

We stayed in town this weekend, figured we'd catch Stuttgart's version of Oktoberfest (the second largest in Germany) before it ended. And by now, we know how to buy a day ticket from the bus driver and get ourselves around town. We're probably slaughtering everything we say, but we're starting to be understood and at least get what we need. Frau Montes made sure we learned to say please and thank you every time, excuse me helps too . . .
Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany wilwayco

Nun sind es also knapp zwei Monate her, als ich das letzte Mal an einer Schule die Geschichte
von Selma und mir erzählte. Einen Abend zuvor telefonierte ich mit meinem Bruder und so ganz nebenbei scherzte er, dass ich aus der Übung sein müsste, da ich schon mehr als 8 Wochen keine Schule mehr betreten und Mainecoon gepielt habe. Ach, von wegen aus der Übung. Bücher zu präsentieren ist wie Auto fahren. So etwas verlernt man nicht, und ...

... it was delicious. I must say there were more kids at this Oktoberfest then at the one in Munich and trhere were many 15 year olds drinking up a storm! They can all drink better then me Im sure...but we did see one of them yarp his brains out! Awesome!

Without much else to do in Stuttgart we decided to head back to Nuremburg and catch a hockey game before our departure to Vienna.

... work out.) We'd already been downtown three times. We've got the bus and train down for that route. Discoveries? Koenigstrasse is prime for people watching and eating doners (sort of like a Turkish gyro). The alte schloss (old castle) might have a cool museum with nice displays, but when you don't speak the language, museum trips are pretty quick. Also, vorsicht stuffen does not mean closed. We stared at that one for awhile before a German ...

Last leg of the European jaunt and we've decided to try out the Black Forest...the bad weather was the final nail in the coffin and after 3 days of dripping foggy weather, we decided to jack in the caravan and head to Octoberfest, but more of that later.

So a quick trip to a 500 yr old stud farm started by King Wilhelm the 1st, where they breed beautiful Black Forest horses and Arabs then, Baden Baden to take in the sights of this thermal spa town and ...

... of the Mercedesturm to get a nice view of the city, for free!

On our drive back we spotted a castle ruin high above the autobahn and tried to find it. We climbed up a steep and winding hill through wine fields to the castle gates, which were locked. A sign posted on the gates stated that the castle is private property and trespassers will be fined. Unfortunately this is the only thing I took pictures of from our entire trip.

... even if she had known. But at least it gave us a chance to see the different rooms. it was kind of like a small mansion so we finished in 30 minutes and the rooms were elegantly decorated similar to some in the palace. We made it through without her asking us anything in German though so that's good. We caught a few things she said like the names we had heard in the palace, some of the dates, a brief understanding of the use of some of the rooms, and that ...

Caught a night train from Vienna and arrived in Stuttgardt in the morning. Had a great day wandering and seeing the sights. Yet another map from yet another tourist info place. More statues and old buildings (Boring right? Not by a long shot). Still walking around wide-eyed like kids at Disneyland.

... coming out of my gloom a little bit, and she seemed happy to see me smile. She made an amazing dinner tonight. She made flat Späzele noodles with cheese and ham and a creamy sauce baked in a pan. She also made a "salad" of sliced tomatoes, mozzarella cheese balls, sliced hard-boiled egg whites, basil, and salt. Es hat sehr gut geschmäckt. It tasted really good. It reminded me of dishes Mom and Grandma make. I think Marione and Hubert were surprised by ...

... visited Heidlberg, which I loved(It is still one of my favorite spots in the world. The view from the castle atop the hill there is nothing sort of spectacular. At least it feels that way after walking the steps up to see it.). We also went South to Switzerland and due West into Strasbourg, France. This was actually my first visit to France, a country that I've come to adore, and the things that I most remember are a bit odd. First, I remember seeing street vendors offer their wares ...