Hotel Krone Steinenbronn

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

... und die Geduld, um mir Teilzeittourist ihre Heimatstadt zu zeigen. Total überwältig war ich allerdings am Wartberg, als wir die abendliche Aussicht über Heilbronn genießen konnten. Nach der hochinteressanten abendlichen Stadtrundfahrt gab es für mich einen Gaumenschmaus mit traditionellen schwäbsichen Spezialitäten. Und eines habe ich an diesem Abend hinzugelernt: Spätzle schmecken nirgendwo besser als im Schwoobeländle, heiligs Blechle.

... the Germans. They down played this of course but history is history and it did advance their technology quite a bit. They also had an exhibition of all the famous cars from movies or used by stars including The Pope Mobile, The Jurassic Park cars and Ringos car! We did a simulation of being in a racing car which was pretty fun! I could never drive that fast!

We stayed at a ...

... through an aviary that exited through an underground cave.

We did find the entrance to the schloss later on, around the side of the garden. Didn't get that from the lady, will have to learn directional words next. We'll have to go back for the castle tour, in English, another time. Though, the gardens are definitely a repeater. We're slowly learning to suspend our expectations. It's all new, all interesting, and we've got time.

... walked through the door.

Today, we felt the need to really figure out the trains and take "scenic" routes. The Stuttgart airport is just 20 min away by train, good to know. Plus, I felt empowered because I ordered in German and got what I wanted at a bakery without holding up the line, success! More on our eating adventures later . . . Well a quick note on how Jon is a cheater. He hasn't had to order much. Part of that's not ...

... from Stuttgart. Don't let the name or pink jerseys deceive you, they are certainly the best mixed team in Germany. We put up a good fight, but in the end they came ahead with the win. I think the video of the game is floating out there on youtube.... I'll be the out of focus #46 in black....

... 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.

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.

... walk a few blocks to the factory. You could smell the product in the air, hmmmmmm, chocolate! They mentioned that fact in the guidebook and sure enough, its true. Around the corner you could see the Ritter Sport sign high on the factory and a crowd of schoolkids coming back from a trip to the place where so much tasty stuff is made. We walked just past the factory entrance to the ...

... its merry way (if you can extract yourself from the benches). Any language barriers with neighbors dont seem to be taken into to account and are of little matter anyway, everyone is on the same level of incoherent bable. . Next day not being in such good shape we were still able to explore a bit of the city. Then of it was of to Stuttgart to visit some friends of mine. Hi Ben, hi Till. Two great guys whose company in Childers helped ...