A few final thoughts on Germany...

It's hard to believe that my time in Germany has come to an end. What an amazing summer! What an awesome blessing to be able to be with my husband and to travel and explore God's great creation! Germany is an amazing country that will always hold a special place in my heart. I love it's effeciency- it's rule and order- and yet the ability of its people to sit back and relax over a pint or two of beer. Germans are hard working people who appreciate beauty, liesure, and order. Those who know me, know that I find joy in making up my own words to songs- suiting my mood as follows. As I neared the end of my trip, I consciously took note of the things I'll miss in Germany. A familiar tune came into mind.... Forgive the cheesiness, and forced rhymes, and appreciate the sentiment!

Gott segnen Deutschland!

Windows with boxes of flowers overflowing,
Piles and piles of wood cut for burning,



Shutters that work for whatever weather brings,

these are a few of my favorite things!!

Liters of beer that are cold and so foamy,

Plush duvet covers so warm and so cozy...

White lacy curtains made up of thin strings...

These are a few of my favorite things!!!

When it rains,

When it pours,

When I'm feeling sad,

I simply remember my favorite things,

and then I don't feel...so bad!Cool summer days just perfect for walking,

Learning some German for speaking and talking,

Mountains that soar high as if they had wings...

These are a few of my favorite things!

Ich liebe Deutschland!

The Romantic Road

...oder der Romantische Strasse!

A scenic route from Frankfurt to Munich, we were only able to drive a small stretch. This road leads you through beautiful countryside and adorable small towns. It was fun!

Somebody was grumpy...

Cute towns!

Beautiful country!

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

For our last weekend trip, we went to the tiny town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. JC had been there before and raved about it. Rothenburg is along a section of road deemed the "Romantic Road" and is a scenic drive from Frankfurt to Munich. Since JC worked Saturday morning, we didn't have time to drive the whole stretch. So we drove straight to Rothenburg Saturday and explored this amazing medievil, charming city. Then we drove part of the Romantic Road Sunday afternoon.

~ Our hotel~
This is the cutest town in history!!!

Precious!

Have you ever seen a more charming town?!

Snack time!

Crime and Punishment Museum

Poster for museum

Would YOU want to sit here?

Stretch rack- see below

The stretch rack illustrated...

A tongue press- gives me the creeps

Here's a good one- a double violin used for quarreling women.

They were both put in here until they got along!

A shame mask- for people who acted like pigs or put their noses in other people's business!

Shame masks illustrated!

A chastity belt...they really had these!

Used for when a husband was away or for protection if a woman was going through a rough area.

Swords...Yikes.

Here's a nice picture...a bridal veil!

For the town drunk...he'd carry this around with his head through the hole.

PROOF that TICKLING FEET IS TORTURE!!!

The accused had to sit with his ankles through the holes. People could come along and tickle their feet! They even put salt on the bottoms of the feet so the goats would come and lick them off! Yikes!

Model of schoolhouse punishments... Scary! Can you say, lawsuit?!

Whipping on left, kneeling on block of wood on right, in the back is a boy on a donkey wearing a dunce's cap, the teacher is pulling the ear of a child.... How did these people survive?!

An old-fashioned desk

The donkey of shame

Pick your instrument...

The original baker's rack.

Sell an underweight loaf of bread- be dunked in the river.

Hope you can hold your breath a long time!!

Everyone gathered to watch.

(The original "Survivor")

The baker's cage...

OK! We made up!

After dinner, we met in the Market Square for the Nightwatchman's Tour. Our guide showed us the town and told us the history while keeping us entertained. It was fun!

See how brave I am! :)

The literal translation- HELL. So if someone meets you in the street and says, "Go to Hell" they're really just being friendly! (Note- Hell is closed on Sundays. Quite nice of them.)

(Sunday morning, we had to walk by Hell and the Crime and Punishment Museum to make it to Mass. :))

After Mass on Sunday, we walked around the city. Rothenburg is a walled city with cliffs on three sides. It was very well protected!

Look-out tower!

You could walk on the top of part of the wall.

I love this picture!

Guten Tag!

The inside of the wall...

Rothenburg- with the vineyards below...