I am posting this Blog from Germany. We are on our way to visit the family in Australia and decided to travel Westward for a change and spend a week or so in Germany. We picked this time because of the Wine Fest, Beer Fest, and village Fall celebrations called Kerwe (sounds like KAVA when pronounced in the Phalz). It is also a great time to visit friends from our past. Nancy and I lived in Germany for a total of 14 years over our adult working life. The last six years I worked was in Germany. Consequently we were able to discover much of Germany that the casual visitor never gets time to do. This Blog shares some of our favorite times or activities during our time in Europe. They include just a few events, some of which we enjoyed annually. We are here for about ten days and our plan was to arrive on Friday, rent a car and drive to the village of Mehlingen where we lived many of our years in Germany. We spent the afternoon with our dearest friends who have shared much of their life, both family and personal, with us. It was great to see them again after some catch-up talk, a couple beers, and a quick Schnapps. they gave us time to check into our hotel, freshen up a bit, then meet for dinner at their favorite Gastehaus. One of our favorite things about Germany is the food … and the wine … and the beer. Lovely evening, got to bed early after a VERY LONG day and got a good night’s sleep.
Saturday we traveled to St Martin on the German Wine Strasse. This lovely little village is a popular place on weekends for the city folks from Mannheim, Ludwighaven, Heidelberg, and even Frankfurt. They walk a little, have a coffee or wine, visit, walk a little more, or perhaps, eat. A long leisurly weekend. We go there because our favorite Vintor is there. Schneider Alte Schlosschen, is a small vineyard that is family owned and operated. They have excellent wines to buy or are fun just to stop by at and do some wine probing. From St Martin we drove to Diedesheim and checked into our hotel. The Bad Durkheim WurstFest is most commonly known as the Bad Durkheim Wine Fest … it is the Wurstfest but everyone goes there for the wine. Some call it the “Octoberfest of Wine” and the crowds, rides, food, and wine stands make that pretty accurate. We stay in Deidesheim and take a short train ride into Bad Durkheim. Parking, traffic, and enjoying wine while driving are all nearly impossible during this fest. We have a short walk to the train, at both ends and no worries about traffic, parking or the politzei. We spent late afternoon and the early evening stopping at the different wine tents where local growers sell their best wines. Had many familiar foods that we miss in The U.S., met many great people, and had a super time.
The Ferris Wheel
Sunday we were invited back to Mehlingen to enjoy a Church Social following services. The social turned out to be a turnout for the entire Village and people sat around all afternoon soaking upon the sun, enjoying wursts, cakes donated by the ladies, and beer. We were surprised by a close group of friends from the village whom we had spent many special occasions with. They all showed up at the social and it was a wonderful time. I mentioned Kerwes earlier. Mehlingen had just had theirs a couple of weeks ago so we missed it. Kerwes are Fall Celebrations that each of the local communities have to celebrate Fall. I guess it relates back to the finishing of harvest and the Fall crops. Even though there are few small farmers left, the tradition remains and is always enjoyed by all. Beer tents, food stands, bands, and entertainment for the children. Over the years, we have been to many in many nearby small towns and we never had a bad time. Day to Day, Germans are considered to be stoic and standoffish. However, when they decide to celebrate they are warm welcoming people who will talk, laugh, dance, and party with anyone … and once you establish a friendship with them, you have a good friend forever.
We are leaving the Mehlingen area and driving over to the Mosel River at BernKastel-Keus. A lovely City to start our trip up the Mosel to a small village called Senheim. We have good friends that live there and own a Gastehaus … we will stay with them a couple days to enjoy the area. A few years back we were invited to join them at their annual grape harvest … we accepted and truly enjoyed the adventure. Hard work but loads of fun … and all the grapes you could eat. One evening while we were there they had their annual village Bonfire. Starts with a parade and ends in a big fire … just enough reason to celebrate.
Goes Back a Long Time!
While at Senheim we took a day a drove down the Mosel to a City named Cocheim. A very old city, established in 892 as a stable to stay at before crossing the river. Now it is one of the biggest attractions on the Mosel. A large Castle stands over the city. We were lucky enough to be invited and attend a wedding at this Castle … Very impressive.
After leaving Senheim we traveled cross-country to reach the Rhine River. Another scenic river in Germany … much bigger and more industrial but surrounded by castles, villages, vineyards and fun people. We are spending the night in Saint Goar, then slowly making our way upriver (Yes, the Rhine flows North) to Rudesheim for a little shopping, then on to Frankfurt. We having Dinner in a “Very German” restaurant with some good friends that live in the Frankfurt area. They chose the place to eat and “Very German” was their description. We both look forward to that experience. Saturday we will spend in Frankfurt at their weekly Market. Loads of interesting foods, beers, wines, and people. Something we try never to miss if we are in the area.
Then Sunday we turn in the car and we are off to see the family in Australia. So many good memories from our time in Germany. I will post more pictures of other good times later. Hope you enjoyed Germany as much as we have.