Our FIrst Adventure: Reudesheim

Note: Our daughter, Marcia, an expert blogger, suggested making the pictures bigger, so here goes!!

We were excited when we were invited to go "tripping" with E/S Castleton (Boise) on Saturday, Feb 28th. We had looked forward to meeting them because we know their son, Tyler. They've been here since September, this is their 2nd mission (1st to Hong Kong). A former judge, his assignment is on the Area Legal Staff and hers is the being the medical advisor (RN) for the Frankfurt Mission.

All of us still being novices, we found our visit to Reudesheim to be a little early in the season; it wasn't really tourist season until the first of April (so we'll be going back). But it was delightful to see it without the crowds. This was our first experience seeing a German village and it was so fun to see the very narrow streets and the architecture that we've only seen in movies.

Since the cable car was closed, we hiked (not a hard hike when we're from the Rocky Mountains) to the monument at the top of a "hill." The goal at the top is the Niederwald Monument with a 30 ft statue on top. It commemorates the foundation of the German Empire after the Franco Prussian War. It represents the union of all Germans in 1871. The relief shows Emperor Wilhelm I riding a horse among his soldiers. 

Reudesheim, located on the Rhein River, is a popular cruise port for boat tours. The view from the monument is spectacular! You can see MANY vineyards all around the area, but they hadn't started growing at the time we were there.

This is definitely a town that caters to tourists. There are two museums (toys and music) which we will see for sure next time.

On the return trip we drove on a little winding road. We came across a charming restaurant which would have to be a place that people would have to specifically drive to, not in a town. (I'd go there again!) The menu had some items translated into English which were very cute: "stripes" rather than strips of steak. The waiter said we would have to wait while he caught the trout, so I ordered it; it was really good, and definitely fresh!

We've hardly ever seen any food served with rice, just potatoes: boiled, roasted, or fries, fries, and more fries. I never expected to see so many French (in Germany?) fries, even with the most expensive of dishes! I haven't eaten this many potatoes in the past 10 years! But the potatoes are different than at home, quite like the Yukon variety, small, yellowish, and sweet. No Idaho Russets anywhere in sight!

Ken's dish in the background is pork knuckle, which must have been the whole knee!

My glass of water seen here is served half full in a goblet, the typical way. The water is an extra charge because it comes in a glass bottle, either "mit gas" (with carbonation) or without gas, or bitter lemon water. The missionaries are always wondering why everyone buys bottled water because the water from the tap is quite good.

 

A great day with wonderful new friends!