Rothenburg Part 1

Hey! This is Smitty aka Chris and our trip to Germany has just gotten under way. This is part 1 of a 2 part article on our trip to Rothenburg ob der Tauber Germany.We got to Frankfurt at 8:00 am after a long plane ride, and we headed over to the train station, right away I realized, this is no North America. The train station was very modern. After we figured everything out we went and had some
pastries they were good. Then we went to catch our train it was a long but scenic ride through the German countryside. We had to switch trains 3 times in 3 small villages but finally we arrived in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, one of the oldest surviving medieval walled cities in Europe. When we left the train station we had to walk 1.3 km (0.8 miles) over cobblestone roads and when we arrived at our hotel (after a lot of walking) my right arm was bigger than my left from pulling my over packed suitcase on the cobble stone roads (thanks Mom). We went to find our hotel, unfortunately our it turned out that by accident my Mom messed up the dates of when we were going to be there, so we needed to find another hotel.(at least I got to stretch out my left arm a little bit) with the help of other German people, who let us use their internet and some great directions we found another hotel that my Mom had booked. (Ah she is so organized). The name of the hotel was Hotel Schwarzer Adler. The person who worked at the desk was very nice and they gave us our room without any hassle but the key they gave us was a left over from the medieval days I mean the skeleton was still attached to the key and it weighed about 50 pounds. The door to our room which had 9 foot walls was about 5 feet tall but we managed. After we put all of our things away we had a small cat nap we got up and explored the Christmas market (so beautiful). We saw many little wooden toys some bratwurst and some frankwurst mmm I had a small brat so good. For dinner we went to The Glocke a German themed restaurant where I had wienershnizel and my mom had pike it was so yummy so far on this trip all I have eaten is pork! When we were done dinner we went to try the famous sneeballen to be honest my mom and I were not big fans of it but overall a great night it we are so

excited for tomorrow!     

1 more sleep

Hi this is Momma Smith. This is it the last sleep before we set off on our German adventure.  I was successful in getting that 28" suitcase filled without using the expanded space.  We have packed snacks to have for when we cannot get something to eat in a hurry and for when we are on the trains.  So that will leave room.  Plus I will get rid of somethings  along the way.  This trip has taken an incredible amount of time to plan and get ready for.  But I know that each and every second will be wonderful. As most of you know I own my own  business and I have a lot of wonderful customers who have been fantastic letting me stock them up so that they will be looked after while I am gone.  I also keep a pretty busy schedule looking after Chris and all his pursuits as well as my mother in law.  But Chris has been incredibly patient and helpful in this process.  He has planned a lot of the trip.  We went to the library on numerous Saturdays so that he could read up on World War II and the Nazi regime.  As well as where the best beer halls and hot springs are (sweet kid eh). Even the knowledge he has gained through that is amazing.  Let's just say playing Jeopardy with him.................is now out of the question.  We have about 8 cities and towns planned for this trip.  I am incredibly lucky to be able to make this happen.  I have my wonderful husband who has been deceased 5 years on the 19th of Dec. for giving me the know how to keep the business he built going.  I have a great group of friends and family who have been so supportive of myself and Chris.  It makes it all easier.  I am not sure what we will find, but as long as I have my co-captain beside me, we will be fine.  We are starting to get good at this travel thing.  So if you are interested we will be trying to blog our way through Germany and we would love for you to come along for the ride from you armchair.  Only hope I can post pictures.  As they say in Germany Probst.