Ingsy & Me: Germany Take 2

So...I went back to Germany again. I know what you're thinking, I was just there three weeks ago. And you are CORRECT! I loved it so much I couldn't stay away. Though it is the same countriy, Ingrid and I explored cities that I hadn't seen before. We started off in the small town of Donaueschingen. The purpose of this stop was so that Kristen and Dad could begin their bike trip on the Danube River. The initial starting point of the river is in Donaueschingen, and the two of them will be riding through Germany, Hungary, Croatia, Austria, Romania, and ending in Belgrade, Serbia. I probably forgot some of the countries they are riding through, but just know that it will be an adventure for them! Please keep them in your prayers as they take on this new, exciting challenge! Ingrid and I were there to send them off on their first day(with a quick photo shoot, of course) and then it was time for Ingsy and I to start our own adventure.

We were headed to Baden-Baden, a small resort town that was famous for its spas and hot baths. Unfortunately, Ingrid and I didn't really have the time or funds to get a spa treatment, but we did enjoy the siplicity of the town and enjoyed our first day souvenir shopping, drinking coffee and of course, people-watching. The city was very cute and we enjoyed walking around.




But all in all, our time in Baden-Baden was really great. On our second day, we did a Rick Steves' walking tour and went to the Caracalla Hot Baths, NOT the Roman ones where everyone is naked. (See previous post to learn more about my issues with nudity). The baths were really cool to see and it was nice to do something a little different. Contrary to our expectations, the actual pools were not that hot.



But we were still able to have a really good time and it was a new experience for both of us. It was also great because we were the only people with a camera and everyone was looking at me when I was taking pictures and, of course making videos.

We went out for a walk that night in the park and then stopped for dinner. Again, we were amazed at how great the salads were there!

The next morning, we headed off to Trier. It is not as touristy as Baden-Baden, but it is still a bustling little town. There are 200,000 residents and 80,000 of them are students so we noticed a lot more young people walking around in comparison with Baden-Baden which was mostly populated by senior citizens. Again, the weather was not great. As Calgarians, we don't usually feel it necessary to put on a coat unless it goes below freezing, but in Trier, people had their jackets on and ready for winter weather. It was quite entertaining. Ingrid and I did a Rick Steves' tour and did a lot of people-watching in the market place.



Our favourite event to watch was a mini-carousel where parents would bring their kids and then videotape them going around OVER and OVER again. It was great. Trier was a really nice city, and we were able to see all the major sights during our two day stay there. Our next stop was Bacharach!
Bacharach is a town that most Germans haven't even heard of...so of course, this is where we went. I came to Bacharach when I was 16, but I forgot how beautiful it was! It is a small city (or village, really) right on the Rhine river. We arrived at a tiny train station where we were supposed to meet the owner of the hotel who was supposed to pick us up but when he didn't show, we started walking. Thankfully, he found us quickly and was able to take us to our quaint hotel. Here are a few pictures of Bacharach:



It was still raining the day we arrived in Bacharach, but by our second day it had cleared up and Ings and I were excited for our day trip to St. Goar. We took the boat there and soaked up the sun while we could! The highlight of my morning was when a girl stopped me, noticed my chacos and said 'You have really cute shoes! Where did you get them??'
...I was shocked. Mostly because Europeans always look at my sandals and then wreck their face because they think they are weird. I was so excited that someone actually LIKED them! Granted, she was from Minnesota and not Europe. But I am still counting it!
The big attraction in St. Goar is the castle. Ingrid and I hiked up to the top and explored the sight (with the help of Rick Steves of course) and it was really great!




I felt like I was in Tristan and Isolde. Minus the tragic love story and soldiers killing each other.

After we got back to Bacharach (pronounced Bahhh-hhhaaaa-raaahhhh, by the way), we went on ANOTHER hike to ANOTHER castle. We had a great view and appreciated the beautiful Rhine right in front of us!

Our next stop is a quick one-just a day in Frankfurt. Then, I am homeward bound!!